Effect of combined administration of Zinc chloride and Aluminum chloride on memory and motor activity of young rats

Introduction: Aluminum is known as a neurotoxic element which causes neurodegeneration, learning deduction and movement disorders. Aluminum ions in the brain cause serious problems such as Alzheimer, Parkinson and other degenerative diseases. On the other hand, Zinc is a dietary element essential for several biological processes, modulates neurotransmission in brain regions and associates with cognition. Apoptosis plays a role in many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Imbalances of this metal, either excess or deficiency, can result in neuronal apoptosis. Here we have studied the effect of their co-administration on memory and motor activity. Methods: Zinc chloride (30 mg/kg/day) and aluminum chloride (600 mg/kg/day) were co-administered in drinking water of male rats for two weeks. Two criteria were assessed in behavioral tests: latency to enter and time spent in dark. Motor resistance and coordination were evaluated in movement studies. Results: Experiments showed that following 2 weeks co-administration of ZnCl2 (30 mg/kg/day) and AlCl3 (600 mg/kg/day), passive avoidance memory and motor coordination have been improved (P<0.001). Conclusion: Results suggest that zinc chloride consumption with (30 mg/kg/day) dose, could have a significant effect on memory and motor coordination and could prevent the negative effect of AlCl3 on learning, memory and motor activity. Different mechanisms such as modulation of NMDA receptors and modulation of the entry of aluminum into the brain may be potentially involved in the observed effect of zinc..