Gestational arsenic exposure induces anxiety-like behaviors in F1 female mice by dysregulation of neurological and immunological markers

Abstract

Background Arsenic is a harmful heavy metal and a well-known developmental neurotoxicant. Previously, we have reported that gestational arsenic exposure resulted in impaired social behaviors in F1 and F2 male mice. However, little is known about the developmental arsenic exposure on anxiety-like behavior. This study aimed to detect the effect of gestational arsenic exposure on anxiety-like behavior and related gene expressions in 74-week-old F1 female mice. Method Pregnant C3H/HeN mice (F0) were given drinking water containing 85 ppm sodium arsenite (NaAsO 2 ) from gestational day 8 to 18. The control mice were given tap water only. At 74-week-old, open field test was performed, then anxiety and apoptosis-related factors were determined by real_time RT_PCR and immunohistochemical analyses. Results The arsenite-exposed F1 female mice showed decreased center entry and center time in open field test. In addition, the number of grooming and fecal pallet was significantly increased in the arsenite-exposed F1 female mice compared to the control. Downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin receptor (5HT1A) and upregulation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB), interleukin 1 β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), caspase-3, Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax) were detected in the prefrontal cortex in the arsenite-exposed F1 female mice. Microglial marker ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1)-positive cells were increased in the arsenite-exposed F1 female mice. Moreover, a significantly increased plasma corticosterone level was observed in the arsenic-exposed F1 female mice. Conclusions This study suggested that gestational arsenic exposure induced anxiety-like behavior accompanied with dysregulation of neurological and immunological markers, neuroinflammatory responses, neuronal apoptosis, and decreased neurogenesis in the prefrontal cortex of F1 female mice.

Relationships between trace elements and cognitive and depressive behaviors in sprague dawley and wistar albino rats

“…The most pronounced psychostimulant effect of the substance was observed in a dose-dependent manner ( Afanasieva et al, 2013 ). Other trace elements have been associated with neurological symptoms or irritability such as Mo, Rb, exposure to As and elevated Co levels ( Rex et al, 2004 ; Tower, 2010 ; Kyi-Tha-Thu et al, 2023 ). We have found elevated Rb levels only in socially isolated WIS rats, thus supporting the anticipated association between their breed disposition and elevated Rb levels under isolation conditions ( Rex et al, 2004 ).…”

Subchronic Arsenic Exposure Induces Behavioral Impairments and Hippocampal Damage in Rats

“…Taheri et al conducted a similar open field experiment on adult Wistar rats exposed to arsenic, revealing a reduced total distance and movement speed in the arsenic-exposed rats; however, their study did not mention the residence time and movement distance in the central region [ 12 ]. Previous investigations have reported significant reductions in both movement distance and residence time in the central region, for C57BL/6 male mice exposed to arsenic trioxide and female offspring mice exposed to sodium arsenite [ 27 , 28 ]. However, there are discrepancies in terms of species and arsenic exposure doses between the aforementioned studies and the current investigation.…”