Vitamin E ameliorates neurodegeneration related phenotypes caused by neurotoxicity of Al2O3-nanoparticles in C. elegans

Abstract

We investigated the protective effects of vitamin E against the in vivo neurotoxicity of Al₂O₃-nanoparticles (NPs) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Al₂O₃-NPs in the range of mg L⁻¹ led to neurodegeneration related phenotypes including neuronal loss, abnormality of axon development, and gap formation on nerve cords in the GABAergic nervous system and some behavioral deficits. Pretreatment with 200 mg L⁻¹ of vitamin E prevented the neurotoxicity of Al₂O₃-NPs by reducing both the neurodegeneration and behavioral deficits. As for the underlying mechanism, pretreatment with vitamin E prevented the induction of oxidative stress, and sustained the normal intestinal permeability and development in Al₂O₃-NPs exposed animals. Moreover, pretreatment with vitamin E inhibited the translocation of Al₂O₃-NPs through the intestinal barrier into other parts of nematodes. Vitamin E-pretreated animals also showed less abnormality in the development of neurons involved in behavioral control and expression pattern of genes regulating cell identity of the corresponding neurons. Our results will be helpful for designing effective strategies to ameliorate nanotoxicity.