Magnetized water mitigates AlCl3-induced oxidative stress and Alzheimer's-like neurotoxicity in rats

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of the magnetized water on aluminum chloride (AlCl 3 )-induced oxidative damage and Alzheimer's-like neurotoxicity in the brain. There were four groups of rats: the 1st group (the control with natural water), the 2nd group administered with magnetized water, the third group treated with AlCl 3 , and the fourth group received AlCl 3 plus magnetized water. Administration of AlCl 3 triggered neurodegeneration in the brain as evidenced by: 1) high Al concentration in brain and serum, 2) oxidative stress damage [low activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), high levels of malondialdehyde (MDA)], 3) reduction of the acetylcholine (ACh) level in the brain, 4) increase of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in the brain, 5) upregulation of brain HDAC3 and APP genes, 6) downregulation of brain IGF1, GH, PSEN2 and APOE4 genes, 7) noticeable histopathological alterations including pyknosis of granular neuron cells and pyramidal cells, glial nodules, amyloid plaque-like structure, shrunken granular cells, vacuolated neuropils, and degenerated Purkinje neurons, and 8) positive GFAP expression in the cytoplasm and processes of astrocytes. On the other hand, these alterations were ameliorated in rats that received AlCl 3 plus magnetized water compared to the rats treated with AlCl 3 alone. We conclude a neuroprotective potential of the magnetized water against AlCl 3 -induced oxidative damage and neurotoxicity in the brain. These preclinical findings highlight magnetized water as a candidate for further investigation, including dose-response studies and human trials to assess efficacy in age-related cognitive disorders.