Protective effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on aluminium-induced cognitive dysfunction and brain damage in rats

• Main Authors: Wei-Ting Lin, 林威廷
• Other Authors: Feng-Yi Yang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/33583072334965226663

碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 生物醫學影像暨放射科學系 === 102 === It has been shown that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) accelerates peripheral nerve tissue regeneration. Aluminum is a potent neurotoxin and has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causality for decades. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the protective effect of LIPUS stimulation against aluminum-induced cerebral damage in Alzheimer’s disease rat model. Aluminum chloride (AlCl3, 100 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered to rats daily for 6 weeks. Rats were concomitantly treated with LIPUS daily for a period of 7 weeks. On the 21st and 42nd day of the AlCl3 administration, behavioral tests were assessed by Morris water maze and elevated plus maze task paradigms. The rats were sacrificed on 43rd day for various biochemical tests to evaluate the extent of brain damage. AlCl3 administration resulted in poor retention of memory and caused marked brain damage. It also caused a significant increase in the acetylcholinesterase activity and aluminum concentration in AlCl3 treated rats. Continued LIPUS was able to reverse the cognitive deficit, suggesting its potential role as a neuroprotectant against aluminum-induced neurotoxicity. LIPUS stimulation significantly improved memory retention and reduced acetylcholinesterase activity and aluminum concentration in AlCl3 treated rats. LIPUS has neuroprotective effects against aluminum-induced cognitive dysfunction and brain damage.