Microanatomical and biochemical changes of the cerebellum following ethanol gavage in adult Wistar rats

Abstract

Ethanol consumption has been linked with social and medical problems, coupled with damage of multiple organs including the cerebellum. The present study is aimed at investigating the histological and biochemical changes in the cerebellum of Wistar rats associated with ethanol exposure. The experimental animals were grouped into five groups designated as Group 1 which served as the control group and was given distilled water, Groups 2,3,4 and 5were given 40%, 25%, 12% and 5% v/v of ethanol respectively. Each of the experimental animals was administered 10mls/kg body weight of the stock solution for 42days after which the animals were sacrificed humanely. The cerebellum was removed, fixed in Bouins fluid for histological study while brain homogenates were prepared and used for the biochemical studies. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD Post-Hoc comparison test was used to determine where the difference lies. Oxidative stress studies showed significant increase and decrease in some oxidative stress markers when compared to the control group (p<0.05). The sialic acid studies showed a dose dependent decrease in the mean sialic acid concentration of the cerebellum across the groups when compared to the control (p<0.05). The histological studies showed the following changes; necrotic Purkinje cells with reduced linear distribution of Purkinje cells, in section of the cerebellar tissue of rats in Groups 2 and 3 with sections from Groups 4 and 5 remaining relatively normal when compared to the slide from the control group. Exposure to ethanol from the present studies showed a dose dependent effect on the cerebellum, as manifested in the histological and biochemical studies.

Keywords: Ethanol gavage, Histological, Biochemical changes, Cerebellum