Changes in Catecholamines and Acetylcholinesterase Levels of Crebellum, Mid-brain and Brain Cortex in Chromium Treated Rats

The short and long term effects of chromium toxicity on brain catecholamines and acetylcholinesterase levels were investigated. Rats were injected daily with varying amounts of chromium. The short term (2 h) administration of chromium (8 mmol/kg) reduced catecholamines level of cerebellum, mid-brain and brain-cortex by 22.8, 19.4 and 21.2% respectively. Acetylcholinesterase activity was also reduced by 36.1, 29.0 and 26.7%. Administration of 38 mmol/kg chromium for 15, to 60 days, reduced catecholamine levels of cerebellum (8.3-32.8%), midbrain (4.5-20.3%) and brain cortex (6.1-21.3%) respectively. Acetylcholinesterase activity of cerebellum, mid-brain and brain cortex was reduced by 9.4-27.1, 6.8-22.6 and 7.2-24.9 percent respectively. It might be concluded that brain disturbances in chromium treated rat occurred through the reduction in catecholamines and acetylcholinesterase levels