Abstract:
Chronic exposure to heavy metals via drinking water and diets rich in saturated fats and
cholesterol have been shown to be harmful to cognitive performance. Cholinergic system
plays a vital role in the execution of cognitive functioning where the levels of acetylcholine
is directly proportional to cognition. This study aimed to determine the effects of high fat
diet and metals i.e. Aluminium, Arsenic and lead on cholinergic markers including
acetylcholine levels, and gene expression of choline acetyltransferase and different
subunits (α7, α4 and β2) of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Neuroprotective
effect of Shogaol on cholinergic markers was also determined. Gene expression of choline
acetyltransferase, α4 nAChR, α7 nAChR and β2 nAChR was quantified by qRT-PCR in
both cortex and hippocampus while the levels of acetylcholine were determined by
neurochemical assay. The results demonstrated a decrease in the relative expression levels
of the studied genes due to metals and high fat diet in cortex and hippocampus. Decrease
in the levels of acetylcholine was also observed in cortex and hippocampus. In this study
Shogaol which is a pure compound of ginger was used for the treatment of High fat diet
and metals induced neurotoxicity. It was observed from the results that Shogaol has
neuroprotective effect as it has maintained the gene expression and acetylcholine levels
close to normal in both cortex and hippocampus.
