Objective To test the effects of aluminum exposure on glycometabolism-related indicators and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity in rats, and explore the possible mechanisms of aluminum exposure on glucose metabolism.
Methods A total of 60 SPF Wistar male rats were randomly divided into four groups:one control group and three aluminum exposure groups (low dose, medium dose, and high dose), with 15 rats in each group. The aluminum exposure groups were intraperitoneally injected with 2, 4, and 8 mg/(kg·d) AlCl3 solution, respectively; the control group received intraperitoneal normal saline injection (2 mL per rat). The 30-day treatment protocol included intraperitoneal injection once a day. On day 10, 20, and 30, five rats in each group were taken to test for levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum insulin (FINS), and activities of serum Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase were detected by spectrophotometry.
Results With time prolonged, the rats with aluminum exposure suffered from loss of appetite, reduced food intake, low spirits, and slow weight gain. Compared with the control group, the FBG levels were higher in the middle dose group and the high dose group at each selected time point (P < 0.05); The FINS levels in the high dose group were higher than those in the control group on day 10 and 20, but lower on day 30 (P < 0.05); The HOMA-IR levels in the middle dose group and the high dose group were higher than those in the control group on day 10 and 20 (P < 0.05), and the levels in the low dose group and the middle dose group were higher than those in the control group on day 30 (P < 0.05). The HOMA-β levels in the middle dose group and the high dose group were lower than those in the control group on day 20 and 30 (P < 0.05). The activities of Na+-K+-ATPase in the middle dose group and the high dose group were lower than those in the control group at each selected time point (P < 0.05). The activity of Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in the high dose group was lower than that in the control group at each selected time point (P < 0.05).
Conclusion Aluminum exposure may reduce the body's ability to regulate blood glucose by lowering the activity of ATPase.
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