THE CONTENT OF NEUROPEPTIDES IN THE BLOOD PLASMA OF WISTAR RATS AFTER SUBCHRONIC LOW-DOSE EXPOSURE TO MERCURY ACETATE

Introduction. Mercury poisoning has a cumulative effect. Mercury gradually accumulates in tissues and organs, which negatively affects the functions of all body systems, especially the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuropeptides content in the blood plasma of Wistar rats after subchronic low-dose mercury acetate poisoning. Material and methods. During the study, rats was intragastrically administered mercury acetate at a dose of 4 mg/kg for 30 days. On days 30 and 44, the blood plasma of rats was tested for the levels of calcium-binding protein (S100), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF), myelin basic protein (MBP). Results. The concentration of S100 protein in the blood plasma of the experimental group of rats decreased by 43,9%, and the concentration of MBP increased by 172,6%. Fourteen days after the end of the toxicant administration, the concentration of protein S100 in the blood plasma of poisoned animals was significantly lower by 132,7% compared to the control group. The content of MBP increased by 59,4% and neuron-specific enolase increased by 44,6%, the concentration of neuropeptides PEDF and GFAP changed insignificantly. Conclusions. The results obtained demonstrate that even low concentrations of mercury acetate, entering the body for a long time, affect the concentration of neuropeptides in blood plasma, which indicates negative changes in the central nervous system of rats.