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2509004 
Journal Article 
Subchronic oral administration of benzo[a]pyrene impairs motor and cognitive behavior and modulates S100B levels and MAPKs in rats 
Maciel, ES; Biasibetti, R; Costa, AP; Lunardi, P; Schunck, RV; Becker, GC; Arbo, MD; Dallegrave, E; Gonçalves, CA; Saldiva, PH; Garcia, SC; Leal, RB; Leal, MB 
2014 
1 
Neurochemical Research
ISSN: 0364-3190
EISSN: 1573-6903 
Springer New York LLC 
39 
4 
731-740 
English 
24584819 
WOS:000333365000013 
Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is an environmental contaminant produced during incomplete combustion of organic material that is well known as a mutagenic and carcinogenic toxin. There are few studies addressing the molecular and cellular basis of behavioural alterations related to BaP exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of subchronic oral administration of BaP on behavioral and neurochemical parameters. Wistar male rats received BaP (2 mg/kg) or corn oil (control), once a day for 28 days (n = 12/group). Spontaneous locomotor activity and short- and long-term memories were evaluated. Glial fibrillary acid protein and S100B content in the hippocampus, serum and CSF were measured using ELISA and total and phosphorylated forms of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) named extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, p38(MAPK) and c-Jun amino-terminal kinases 1 and 2, in the hippocampus, were evaluated by western blotting. BaP induced a significant increase on locomotor activity and a decrease in short-term memory. S100B content was increased significantly in cerebrospinal fluid. BaP induced a decrease on ERK2 phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Thus, BaP subchronic treatment induces an astroglial response and impairs both motor and cognitive behavior, with parallel inhibition of ERK2, a signaling enzyme involved in the hippocampal neuroplasticity. All these effects suggest that BaP neurotoxicity is a concern for environmental pollution. 
Benzo[a]pyrene; GFAP; Locomotor activity; MAPKs; Object recognition; S100B