Effect of acrylamide on biogenic amine levels,monoamine oxidase,and cathepsin D activity of rat brain

Exposure of rats to acrylamide (25 mg/kg, oral intubation daily for 21 consecutive days) markedly reduced the contents of dopamine and noradrenaline in brain. Maximum decrease in dopamine, noradrenaline, and 5-hydroxytryptamine contents was observed at Days 14 and 21 of acrylamide treatment. Treatment of rats with acrylamide (50 mg/kg daily for 5 consecutive days) significantly altered dopamine, noradrenaline, and 5-hydroxytryptamine contents in some selected areas of brain. Specific activity of monoamine oxidase showed increase at all stages of treatment, maximally at Day 7 while significant increase in cathepsin D was observed at Days 7 and 14 of acrylamide treatment.