Background: We investigated the sodium benzoate effects on motor coordination, cerebellar purkinje cells, and oxidative stress in Wistar rats’ brain.
Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups of six each. Group 1 given 0.5ml distilled water; Group 2 given 100 mg/kg sodium benzoate (NaB); and Group 3given 300 mg/kg NaB. The NaB solution was given orally for 28 days. Hanging wire and footprint tests were performed. Upon sacrifice, the cerebellar tissue samples were collected, and malondialdehyde assay was performed. Histological analyses of the cerebellar sections stained with H&E, cresyl fast violet and glial fibrillary acidic protein were performed. The Purkinje cells were also counted in the cerebellar samples.
Results: On the hanging wire tests, control rats and those given NaB100mg/kg groups took longer time to fall off, compared to those given NaB300mg/kg (P˂0.05). Footprint tests revealed changes in the animals’ stance and stride patterns. The base width, stride length, and overlap length showed no significant differences across the three groups. The NaB at 300mg/kg adversely affected the cerebellar Purkinje cells, reduced the numbers, and caused distortions. The nissl substances were stained lightly and the GFAP expression indicated gliosis, particularly in rats given NaB300mg/kg. The oxidative stress indicators increased after NaB treatment at 300mg/kg but not at 100mg/kg.
Conclusion: NaB at 300mg/kg altered the cerebellar Purkinje cells, increased the oxidative stress, and affected the motor coordination. The group treated with NaB100mg/kg exhibited fewer adverse effects than those with NaB300mg/kg.