ABSTRACT
Lead acetate is among the most common toxic metals present in our environment. The primary site of action of lead is the central nervous system, and exposure to metals is associated with several neurobehavioral and psychological alterations. Within the brain, lead induces toxicity in the prefrontal cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, leading to a lot of neurological disorders. The presence of lead in the brain causes an increase in the production of free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) Vitamin E (-tocopherol), a fat-soluble vitamin, has strong antioxidant properties. Vitamin E reduces cognitive decline brought on by aging due to its neuro-protective and antioxidant effects, vitamin E has viable way to prevent lead-induced health issues since it reduces lead-induced memory impairment .Vitamin E has been found to protect the brain against oxidative stress-induced cognitive impairments and oxidative damage in Wistar rats. In this study, 21 Wistar rats weighing between 170g and 190g were divided into (3) groups – A, B, and C, consisting of seven (7) rats in a group. Group A(control ), fed with meal and water Group B (Pb), was induced with 100 mg/kg of lead acetate and Group C(Vitamin E + Pb) was pretreated with 200 mg/kg of vitamin E + 100 mg/kg of lead acetate. Administration was done orally for twenty-eight(28) days with the use of orogastric tube to ensure accuracy. At the end of the experiment, a series of neurobehavioral activities was conducted. This include the, open-field test which evaluated the stress, anxiety-like and loco-motor behaviors in the rats, novel object test, which examined the tendency of the rat to explore a familiar and a novel(new object). For memory and retention, the Y-maze test evaluated the ability for the rodent to enter the arms consecutively; from A, B, C or A, C, B and not A, B, A. This test comprised of memory and learning behavior. Another behavioral test carried out was the String test, which evaluated the latency grip loss and accessing limb impairment, this test comprised of locomotion and strength behavior. The movement initiation and step test was also conducted, this test evaluated the time taken for rats to initiate movement and time taken to make steps, this test xii comprised of loco-motor behavior component. The Elevated plus maze test was conducted to evaluates anxiety-like behavior in rats. Treatment with lead acetate resulted to cognitive impairment in the Wistar rats however, pre-treatment with vitamin E improved the body weight and the neurobehavioral activity in the rats exposed to lead acetate.
