Effect of nicardipine on cadmium-induced Purkinje cell loss in rat cerebellum

Abstract

In the present study, changes in Purkinje cell density of rat cerebellum after intracortical cadmium sulphate (CdSO4) and nicardipine, a calcium antagonist administration have been investigated. Animals were divided into three groups. First group received saline while the second group received CdSO4 (0.0021 mg/kg) and the third group received CdSO4 (0.0021 mg/kg) and nicardipine (1 mg/kg). Rats were than survived for seven days under physical observation. Only the third group received daily nicardipine injection (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) during this period. After one week all animals were perfused intracardially. Serial sections obtained from cerebellum were stained by Thionin staining method. Purkinje cells were counted under 400x magnification of a light microscope. Purkinje cell density is found to be 20.53 ± 0.69/mm in right and 20.46 ± 0.47/mm in left hemisphere of control group; 13.36 ± 0.58/mm in right and 13.23 ± 0.44/mm in left hemisphere of cadmium group; 16.36 ± 0.69/mm in right and 16.00 ± 0.84/mm in left hemisphere of cadmium + nicardipine group. These results suggest that cadmium has neurotoxic effects and nicardipine may protect neurons from cadmium-induced toxicity (p < 0.05).