Effect of manganese on the levels of DNA, RNA, DNase and RNase in cerebrum, cerebellum and rest of brain regions of rat.

Levles of DNA, RNA, DNase, RNase and manganese in different regions of rat brain were studied after daily administration of manganese chloride (8 mg MnCl2-4H2O/kg intraperitoneally) for a period of 120 days. DNA and RNA contents decreased significantly in cerebrum, cerebellum and rest of the brain regions after manganese treatment. A decrease in the DNase and an increase in the RNase activity was observed in the cerebellum and rest of brain region of the manganese treated animals. The manganese content increased significantly in all the regions of the brain, the maximum concentration being in the rest of brain portion. The presence of excess manganese in brain presumably leads to alterations in the functional activity of lysosomal enzymes. The decrease in the levels of nucleic acids is perhaps a consequence of the degenerating and dead neurones.