Neuroprotective effect of nicardipine on cadmium-induced Purkinje cell death in rat, cerebellum

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of nicardipine on cadmium-induced Purkinje cell loss in cerebellum of rats. Animals were divided into three groups as control, cadmium and cadmium + nicardipine groups. Saline, cadmium sulphate (0,0021 mg/kg) and cadmium sulphate (0,0021 mg/kg) + nicardipine (1 mg/kg) were intracortically administered respectively. All rats were observed for one week, but only the rats in the third group were injected nicardipine (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) during this period. One week later, all rats were perfused intracardially. Series of frontal sections from cerebella were stained with Thionin staining. Purkinje cells were counted under x400 magnification via a light microscope. Cadmium administration caused 25-35 % decrease in Purkinje cell density in Crus I, Crus II and Lobulus Simplex areas of cerebellum in cadmium group (p <0.05). The Purkinje cell density was 16-23 % less in nicardipine-treated group than control and cells were partially protected from toxic effects of cadmium significantly (p <0.05). These results suggest that cadmium has neurotoxic; effects on Purkinje cells in cerebellum and nicardipine may protect neurons from cadmium-induced toxicity (p <0.05).