Neurobehavioral Toxicity of 4-methylimidazole on NMRI mice: Using Behavioral and Histopathology Methods

Abstract

4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI) a toxic compound in humans and animal is formed as by product of the Maillard reaction. It is found in many foods and beverages and as an intermediate in the synthesis of different materials. Current study was conducted for evaluation the toxicity effects of 4-MEI (70,150,200 mg/kg) on behavioral changes using open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), passive avoidance , Y-maze test and in the following, abnormalities in dentate gyrus cell of the hippocampus tissue using haematoxylin-eosin (H&E ) staining. Our results showed that 4-MEI increased the total distance movement and decreased the time spent in central zone in the OF test while in the EPM test, in a dose-dependent manner decreased the time spent in the open arms. Also, 4-MEI led to different in size and density of dentate gyrus cell which was related with disruption obtained in passive avoidance test. Findings obtained indicated 4-MEI can induces neurobehavioral toxicity by increase in locomotor activity, anxiety and memory disorder in mice. Therefore it can be mentioned 4-MEI may have neurotoxicity and results of this study will be useful in order to investigation regarding probable mechanisms involved in neurobehavioral disorders in rats exposed 4-MEI.