Paraquat disrupts the blood–brain barrier by increasing IL-6 expression and oxidative stress through the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Abstract

Paraquat (PQ) is a frequently used herbicide with neurotoxic effects after acute or chronic exposure. Although in vitro evidence supports the PQ toxicity to dopamine cells, its in vivo effects (especially the chronic exposure) remain ambiguous. In this study, we investigated the effect of chronic PQ exposure on the blood–brain barrier (BBB) damage and the underlying mechanisms.

Keywords

• paraquat
• pi3k/akt signaling
• bbb
• il-6
• inflammation.