Effects of Noise and Aluminum Co-Exposure on Behavioral and Cognitive Indices and Biomarkers in a Wistar Rat Model; [بررسی تاثیر مواجهه توأم صدا و آلومینیوم بر شاخ صها و نشانگرهای رفتاری/شناختی در مدل رت ویستار] Publisher



Biganeh J ; Zakerian S A ; Esmaeelpour M R M ; Mohammadi S ; Khosravi A ; Shahtaheri S J
Source: Journal of Health and Safety at Work Published:2026

Abstract

Introduction: Combined exposures, such as noise and aluminum exposure, are present in many occupational workplaces. Nevertheless, the neurocognitive effects resulting from this co-exposure have been scarcely investigated. The present study aimed to determine the effects of noise and aluminum co-exposure on behavioral and cognitive indices and biomarkers in a Wistar rat model. Material and Methods: This experimental study investigated 20 adult male Wistar rats over a period of 45 days, divided into four groups: 1. Control group (no exposure), 2. Noise exposure group (95 dB, 4 hours daily), 3. Aluminum chloride exposure group (10 mg/kg, daily intraperitoneal injection), and 4. Combined noise and aluminum exposure group (a combination of Group 2 and Group 3). Spatial memory performance was assessed using the Morris Water Maze test. The serum concentrations of total tau protein and beta-amyloid 42 were measured in blood samples using the ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 27. Results: Behavioral test results indicated that the control group spent the least time searching for the platform. Exposure to aluminum and the combination of noise + aluminum led to a significant decrease in cognitive performance. Furthermore, serum levels of tau protein and beta-amyloid were significantly increased in all exposed groups (p<0.01), and a strong positive correlation was observed between these two biomarkers (r=0.70, p<0.001). Conclusion: Findings demonstrated concurrent noise and aluminum exposure can synergistically impact cognitive performance and neurodegenerative biomarkers. These alterations likely occur through shared mechanisms such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and disruption of protein homeostasis. Increased tau and amyloid, coupled with memory decline, underscore this combined role in worsening neurodegeneration. These results suggest monitoring combined exposure and using blood biomarkers for early cognitive assessment. Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.