Background: Sodium benzoate (NaB) is widely used as food additive in nutritional industries and many personal care products. Long-term consumption of food additives may contribute to various health issues.
Aim of the Work: This study aims to investigate the hazards of sodium benzoate (NaB) on the cerebellar cortex in male rats and to assess the potential ameliorative impact of drug withdrawal and zinc (Zn) administration.
Material and Methods: Forty adult male albinos' rats were divided into five groups (Gps): Gp I (Control), Gp II (Zinc), Gp III (Sodium benzoate), Gp IV (Sodium benzoate withdrawal) and Gp V (Sodium benzoate + Zinc). Blood samples were collected to measure the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. The cerebellum was processed for histological & immunohistochemical analysis.
Results: Inspection of specimens from the cerebellum of NaB group detected cerebellar histological alterations. Purkinje cells exhibited loss of their distinctive pyriform outline, with distorted nuclei. Cellular clumping was observed in the granular layer. A strong positive GFAP immunoreaction was observed in this group.
Withdrawal from NaB led to partial histological improvement and moderate GFAP immunoreactivity. Co-administration of Zn mitigated histological changes with moderate GFAP immunoreactivity.
NaB significantly reduced BDNF levels, while withdrawal partially restored them. Zn supplementation helped maintain BDNF levels.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that NaB a commonly used food preservative induces structural damage in the cerebellar cortex. Partial improvement was observed following NaB withdrawal. Co-administration of zinc mitigated the deleterious effects of NaB on the cerebellar cortex.