Investigation of spinal cord damage in rats fed with clam (tapesdecussatus) by tunel assay

Abstract

Toxicological and epidemiological evidence suggests that heavy metals cause neurodegenerative problems. Since crustacean are fed by filtering seawater, they can be exposed to factors such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, toxic plankton, and household waste. It has been determined that aluminum and lead, which are metal groups with high neurotoxicity in humans, are particularly high in crustaceans. We found that experimental studies related to this subject were very limited and we did not find any studies on the histopathological effects of bivalve consumption on the medulla spinalis tissue. This study was conducted to determine cellular damage and apoptosis in the spinal cord tissue of rats fed with clams collected from determined locations in the Dardanelles Strait. The study was divided into four groups, the first group was the control group (n = 6) fed standard rat feed for three weeks, the second group (n - 6) 80% clams and 20% standard feed every day, the third group 80% clams every two days and 20% standard feed, the fourth group was determined as the experimental group to which 80% clams and 20% standard feed were applied every three days. At the end of the study, spinal cord tissue samples taken from rats were evaluated under a light microscope after routine histopathological procedures. While there is a decrease in the number of neurons in the experimental group, the increase in the number of astrocytes draws attention. TUNEL staining showed that apoptosis occurred intensely in glial cells, and mild apoptosis occurred in anterior and posterior horn motor and sensory neurons. As a result, it shows that long-term consumption of shellfish causes axonal damage of motor and sensory neurons and degeneration of glial cells. It is known that damage to glial cells will trigger neuronal damage. It is very important in terms of health that we feed ourselves with healthy and hygienically grown products.