Effects of Sub-Chronic Aluminum Intoxication on Apoptosis of Cerebrum Neurocytes in Chickens: Preliminary Study on Effect of Aluminum Accumulation on Nervous System in Chickens

The model of different level's sub-chronic aluminum intoxication in chickens was established by continuous peritoneal injection of fixed volume and different gradient aluminum trichloride (AlCl3). The apoptosis of cerebrum neurocytes was detected by agarose gel electrophor-esis, AO/EB double fluorescent staining and flow cytometry. The results showed that: (1) The typical apoptosis and necrosis of cerebrum neurocytes were observed in the fluorescence microscope, and the apoptotic index in the experimental groups was significantly higher than that in the control groups (P<0.01), which increased along with increase of aluminum concentration; (2) The number of cerebrum neurocytes increased in G0/G1 phases, while decreased in G2/M and S phases. The cell proliferation index decreased and apoptosis rate increased, which were significantly different compared with the control ones (P<0.01); (3) The typical DNA Ladder-shaped of cerebrum neurocytes of chickens in experimental groups was displayed by agarose gel electropho- resis. The results indicated that aluminum can cause the DNA damage, inhibite the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of cerebrum cell.