Neurobehavioral Responses of Rats Exposed to Low-Concentration Hexavalent Chromium [Cr(VI)] in Drinking Water Combined with a High-Fat Diet.
5 affiliations
- 1Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
- 2Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
- 3Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
- 4Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
- 5Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
Abstract
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is an established human carcinogen and was identified as the top chemical hazard in U.S. drinking water. Cr(VI) exposure has been associated with adverse neurological outcomes, while high-fat diet consumption is linked to cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disease. However, limited evidence exists regarding their combined effects on brain health. This study investigated neurobehavioral changes and brain metal concentrations in young rats exposed to low concentrations of Cr(VI) in drinking water (0.05 mg/L or 0.1 mg/L) while fed a normal-fat or high-fat diet for 90 days. Cr(VI) exposure impaired grip strength in rats, while a high-fat diet attenuated this effect. Co-exposure to Cr(VI) with a high-fat diet reduced exploratory behavior and motor function, increased anxiety, and impaired spatial memory while also decreasing overall activity. Both sociability and social novelty preference were altered by the combined exposure in rats. Notably, Cr(VI) with high-fat diet co-exposure induced sex-specific behavioral changes. High-fat diet affected Cr brain accumulation, and Cr(VI) exposure and high-fat diet disrupted essential metal homeostasis in rat brains with sex differences. Jointly, the results suggest combined exposure to Cr(VI) and a high-fat diet may increase the risk of adverse neurological outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{lu2026neurobehavioral,
title = {{Neurobehavioral Responses of Rats Exposed to Low-Concentration Hexavalent Chromium [Cr(VI)] in Drinking Water Combined with a High-Fat Diet.}},
author = {Haiyan Lu and Samuel T Vielee and Jessica Isibor and William J Buchanan and Spencer H Roof and Maitri Patel and Idoia Meaza and Aggie Brownell and Jennifer H Toyoda and Sandra S Diven and J Calvin Kouokam and Rachel M Wise and Rui Liu and Matthew Cave and Jamie Lynn Wise and John P Wise},
journal = {Applied sciences (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.3390/app16157367},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42890259},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Neurobehavioral Responses of Rats Exposed to Low-Concentration Hexavalent Chromium [Cr(VI)] in Drinking Water Combined with a High-Fat Diet.
AU - Haiyan Lu
AU - Samuel T Vielee
AU - Jessica Isibor
AU - William J Buchanan
AU - Spencer H Roof
AU - Maitri Patel
AU - Idoia Meaza
AU - Aggie Brownell
AU - Jennifer H Toyoda
AU - Sandra S Diven
AU - J Calvin Kouokam
AU - Rachel M Wise
AU - Rui Liu
AU - Matthew Cave
AU - Jamie Lynn Wise
AU - John P Wise
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/22
JO - Applied sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/app16157367
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42890259
AB - Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is an established human carcinogen and was identified as the top chemical hazard in U.S. drinking water. Cr(VI) exposure has been associated with adverse neurological outcomes, while high-fat diet consumption is linked to cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disease. However, limited evidence exists regarding their combined effects on brain health. This study investigated neurobehavioral changes and brain metal concentrations in young rats exposed to low concentrations of Cr(VI) in drinking water (0.05 mg/L or 0.1 mg/L) while fed a normal-fat or high-fat diet for 90 days. Cr(VI) exposure impaired grip strength in rats, while a high-fat diet attenuated this effect. Co-exposure to Cr(VI) with a high-fat diet reduced exploratory behavior and motor function, increased anxiety, and impaired spatial memory while also decreasing overall activity. Both sociability and social novelty preference were altered by the combined exposure in rats. Notably, Cr(VI) with high-fat diet co-exposure induced sex-specific behavioral changes. High-fat diet affected Cr brain accumulation, and Cr(VI) exposure and high-fat diet disrupted essential metal homeostasis in rat brains with sex differences. Jointly, the results suggest combined exposure to Cr(VI) and a high-fat diet may increase the risk of adverse neurological outcomes.
SN - 2076-3417
ER -