Combined Effects of Arsenic and Bisphenol-A on Locomotor Activity and Oxidative Stress Mediated Neurotoxicity in Mice.

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer of plastic that can leach into water from scratched containers when used for an extended period. Arsenic (As) is an environmental toxicant, and people are exposed to both arsenic and BPA through drinking water and through scratched plastic containers used in contaminated areas. However, the combined effects of As and BPA on locomotor performance and neurobehavioral changes are yet to be investigated. Thus, this study was designed to assess the combined effect of As and BPA on locomotor activity and neurotoxicity through a mouse model. The neurobehavioral changes in experimental mice were evaluated using the different maze tests. Mice exposed to As or BPA exhibited higher anxiety-like behavior, decreased locomotor activity, and impaired learning and memory including social interaction compared with control mice. However, As + BPA-exposed mice showed a significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior, improved learning and memory including locomotor activity, and social interaction compared to individual As-exposed mice. Furthermore, mice exposed to As or BPA showed lower levels of antioxidant and cholinesterase enzymes activity, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the brain and higher levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the brain and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the serum compared to control mice. However, combined exposure augmented antioxidant and cholinesterase enzymes activity, Nrf2, HO-1, IL-10 levels in the brain and reduced serum LDH activity and IL-6 in the brain compared to As exposure. Therefore, this study suggests that As and BPA may have antagonistic effects, and BPA could attenuate the As-induced neurobehavioral and biochemical changes in co-exposed mice.