Microanatomical examination of the protective effect of turmeric against the toxic effect caused by acrylamide in the rat hippocampus

In our study, we aimed to investigate effects of the AA which is a neurotoxicity and whether the protective effects of the CUR which is a potent antioxidant on the hippocampus. There is no information in the literature whether the hippocampus is affected by AA volumetrically; we attempted to clarify this issue through our stereological measurements. 12 weeks old Sprague Dewley male rats which was weigh 250 grams were selected for our study. An ethical approval was granted by the Inonu University Medical School Experimental Animals Ethics Board with the number: 2015/ A-20. Rats were divided into 4 groups control, AA, CUR, AA + CUR. The AA solution was prepared in the water and CUR was prepared with corn oil and then, it was given to rats. CUR had been applied for 12 days at 300 mg/kg through oral gavages. AA had been injected intraperitoneally for 12 days, at 50 mg/kg daily. Comparison of experimental groups data and control group data revealed that while the MDA levels in the hippocampus increased significantly, BDNF and GSH levels decreased. Histopathologically, neurons exhibited degeneration and hemorrhagic damages. According to the Cavalieri calculation, a stereological method applied to the experimental groups, no significant variation was found between the groups. We determined that CUR minimizes the possible toxic effects of AA on the rat hippocampus. When the hippocampus areas were examined stereologically, we determined that it wasn't affected from this relation. We think that this was due to the short duration of our study.