Objective: To study the role of lipid peroxidation injury and endoplasmic reticulum stress in Al-induced apoptosis.
Methods: Neurons from 0-3 day rats were cultured and treated with different concentrations of AlCl3.6H2O. Morphologic changes of neurons and endoplasmic reticulum were observed under fluorescent and transmission electron microscope; activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and ATP enzymes were detected.
Results: Typical morphologic changes in neurons apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum were found under fluorescent and transmission electron microscope; SOD enzyme viability and ATP enzyme viability were significantly increased in the low-dosage group, but reduced in mid and high-dosage group (P < 0.01), whereas MDA levels decreased in the low-dosage group, but increased in mid and high-dosage group (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Aluminum may induce neurons apoptosis, and lipid peroxidation injury in endoplasmic reticulum plays an important role in the apoptosis progression.