Contribution of hippocampal area CA1 to acetone cyanohydrin-induced loss of motor coordination in rats

Introduction: Some vegetable foodstuffs contain toxic compounds that, when consumed, favour the development of certain diseases. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important food source, but it contains cyanogenic gtucosides (linamarin and lotaustralin) that have been associated with the development of tropical ataxic neuropathy and konzo. In rats, intraperitoneat administration of acetone cyanohydrin (a metabolite of linamarin) produces neurological disorders and neuronal damage in the hippocampus. However, it is unknown whether hippocampal area CA1 plays a role in neurological disorders associated with acetone cyanohydrin. Method: A total of 32 male Wistar rats 3 months old were assigned to 4 groups (n = 8 per group) as follows: vehicle (1 ill physiological saline), and 3 groups with acetone cyanohydrin (1 mu l of 10, 15, and 20 mM solution, respectively). The substances were microinjected intrahippocampally every 24 hours for 7 consecutive days, and their effects on locomotor activity, rota-rod and swim tests were assessed daily. On the fifth day post-treatment, rats underwent further assessment with behavioural tests to identify or rule out permanent damage induced by acetone cyanohydrin. Results: Microinjection of acetone cyanohydrin 20 mM resulted in hyperactivity, motor impairment, and reduced exploration from the third day of treatment. All concentrations of acetone cyanohydrin produced rotational behaviour in the swim test from the first day of microinjection. Conclusion: The hippocampal area CA1 is involved in motor alterations induced by microinjection of acetone cyanohydrin, as has been reported for other cassava compounds. (C) 2015 Sociedad Espanola de Neurologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.