The military uses depleted uranium (DU) for the shells of ammunition, even though much is unknown about the toxicity of the metal. The goal of this study was to determine if currently prescribed drugs can reverse these actions of chronic exposure in vivo, and to assess various markers of oxidative stress. Rats were exposed to 300mg, 600mg or no DU. After seven months, memantine, riluzole, or the combination of the two were given to the rats for two months via an osmotic pump. After nine months, rats were sacrificed, and specific regions of the brain were tested for oxidative stress. It was found that in drug-free animals, DU produced lipid peroxidation, but no other indications of oxidative stress. While the drugs reduced peroxidation, they did not reverse the effects. In conclusion these drugs were ineffective at reducing oxidative stress when animals were exposed to uranium before the drugs were used.

Memantine and riluzole do not reverse the neurotoxic effects resulting from chronic exposure to depleted uranium

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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