Oxidative stress precedes mitochondrial dysfunction in gerbil brain after aluminum ingestion.

Several studies suggest that aluminum (Al) intake might increase an individual's risk of developing Alzheimer disease. The dynamic of changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE), cytochrome c oxidase (COX), Complex I, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, and the lipid peroxide (MDA), superoxide anion (O₂(-)) and thiol (SH) group levels in gerbil's brain after aluminum ingestion were analyzed. Gerbils that orally received aluminum chloride (LD₂₅ or LD₅₀) were sacrificed 2, 6 or 24 h later.