Histopathological Changes in The Spinal Cord Tissue of Rats Administered an Experimental Mussel Diet

Abstract

Aim: Regional eating habits show that it causes neurodegenerative problems due to heavy metals that can accumulate in consumed foods and affect tissues such as the nervous system. Since crustaceans such as mussels feed by filtering the water, they are exposed to toxic plankton and various chemicals, especially heavy metals. Due to the limitations of experimental studies on this subject, the effects of mussel consumption on the spinal cord were investigated. Methods: In this study, histopathological changes in the spinal cord tissue of rats fed with shellfish collected from the Dardanelles were determined. The subjects were divided into two groups, and the first group was fed standard rat food for 4 weeks, and the second group was fed a mussel diet. At the end of the study, spinal cord tissue samples taken from rats were subjected to routine histopathological procedures and evaluated under a light microscope. Results: In the experimental group, a decrease in the number of neurons in the medulla spinalis and an increase in the number of astrocytes were noted. TUNEL staining showed that apoptosis occurred intensively in glial cells, but did not occur in anterior and posterior horn motor neurons. Conclusion: The findings showed that long-term mussel consumption can cause axonal damage in motor and sensory neurons and degeneration in glial cells. For this reason, it is important for health that marine diets in coastal areas are made with healthy and hygienic products.