The effect of 3-nitropropionic acid on behavioral dysfunction, neuron loss and gliosis in the brain of adult male rats: The case of prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and the cerebellum

• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.05.012
• Publication Date: 2020-05-25T20:33:31Z
• Authors: Abolfazl Torabi; Mohammadjavad Jon...; Ibrahim Mohammadz...; Mohammad-amin Abd...; Aysan Khatmi; Samira Ezi; Meysam Hassani Mo...; Romina Rafiei; Farshad Kahrizirad; Mohsen Norozian; Abbas Aliaghaei
• Keywords: Male; Brain; Prefrontal Cortex; Mycotoxins; Nitro Compounds; Hippocampus; Rats; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Cerebellum; Animals; Gliosis; Propionates; Rats, Wistar

3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) is a mycotoxin widely used to produce a rat model of Huntington's disease. While there are numerous studies on the effect of this neurotoxin, still further investigation is required to understand the influence of this toxin on different regions of the brain. In the present study, there are two groups of rats of which one is treated with 3-NP. Behavioral, stereological and immunohistochemical analyses were conducted. The results show that locomotor activity is largely affected and anxiety is induced up to a certain level, but there is no gross manifestation of deficit in memory. Microscopic observations illustrate damages in the hippocampus and other parts of the brain. Astrogliosis and glial scars were another finding of this study. In conclusion, although 3-NP can be used as a model of Huntington's disease, it exerts a disseminated effect on different regions of the brain.