Pyridoxal Phosphate protects against aluminium chloride-induced neurobehavioural and neuromorphological alterations in the rat cerebral cortex

Onigbinde Oluwanisola Akanji^{1, 2}, Ojo Foluso Olamide^1,3, Onaolapo Olakunle James⁴, Onaolapo Adejoke Yetunde^1,5.

1. Department of Anatomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. 
2. Department of Anatomy, Nile University of Nigeria, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria.
3. Department of Anatomy, University of Ilesa, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria
4. Behavioural Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
5. Behavioural Neuroscience and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Anatomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria 

ABSTRACT

The increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases has necessitated the search for affordable medicines for better management. Pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) has been reported to improve cognition in humans and rodents; however, its possible benefits in the management of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease has been scarcely examined. This study assessed the effects of PLP on aluminium Chloride-induced neurobehavioural and histomorphological changes in rat cerebral cortex. Forty male Wistar rats weighing 130-150 g each were distributed into four groups (n=10). Group A received distilled water (10 ml/kg), group B received AlCl3 (50 mg/kg), group C and D received AlCl3 with PLP at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg respectively. Pyridoxal phosphate was administered by gavage on days 1-15 while AlCl3 was administered orally on days 16-30. The results revealed a significant increase in horizontal locomotion, rearing and grooming in groups treated with PLP compared to AlCl3. Spatial working memory increased significantly improved in groups treated with PLP compared to AlCl3. An increase in MDA and inflammatory cytokines was observed with AlCl3 compared to control with a reversal of these parameters with PLP supplementation. Results of histomorphological examination revealed evidence of neurodegeneration in the AlCl3 groups, with PLP supplementation rendering some protection against neuronal injury. In conclusion this study revealed that PLP supplementation was protective against AlCl3-induced neurobehavioural, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and neuromorphological injury in rats. However, more studies are required to determine its benefits in humans.

KEYWORDS: Aluminium Chloride; Neurotoxicity; Neuroinflammation; Neuroprotection; Vitamin B6