Histidine enhances carbamazepine action against seizures and improves spatial memory deficits induced by chronic transauricular kindling in rats

AIM：To investigate whether histidine can enhance the anticonvulsant efficacy of carbamazepine （CBZ） and simultaneously improve the spatial memory impairment induced by transauricular kindled seizures in Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS： Chronic transauricular kindling was induced by repeated application of initially subconvulsive electrical stimulation through ear-clip electrodes once every 24 h until the occurrence of three consecutive clonic-tonic seizures. An 8 - arm radial maze （ 4 arms baited） was used to measure spatial memory,     

白藜芦醇减轻慢性神经炎症所致的大鼠空间学习记忆减退

目的:考察白藜芦醇对慢性炎症所致大鼠空间学习记忆减退的保护作用,探讨其作用机制。方法:雄性SD大鼠ip给予脂多糖20 mg·kg-1,每周1次,连续4周制备大鼠慢性神经炎症模型,同时ig给予白藜芦醇10,20,40 mg·kg-1·d-1,阳性组ig给予布洛芬40 mg·kg-1,连续26 d。给药d22行Morris水迷宫测定大鼠的空间学习记忆能力,连续5 d。实时定量PCR法测定大鼠海马组织肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)及环氧合酶-2(COX-2)mRNA的表达。结果:连续4周注射脂多糖(LPS)后,大鼠在定向航行实验中的逃避潜伏期明显增加,空间探索实验中的校正逃避潜伏期明显缩短,且海马组织中TNF-α,IL-1β,NOS2及COX-2基因的mRNA表达水平增加;白藜芦醇和布洛芬组大鼠定向航行实验中的逃避潜伏期明显缩短,空间探索实验中的校正逃避潜伏期延长,海马组织中TNF-α,IL-1β,NOS2及COX-2基因的mRNA表达水平降低。结论:白藜芦醇可减轻慢性神经炎症诱导的大鼠记忆能力减退,其机制可能与降低海马组织中TNF-α,IL-1β,NO...     

Baicalein improves cognitive deficits induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of baicalein on cognitive impairment and neuronal degeneration in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induced by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (2VO). It was found that baicalein (2 or 4 mg/kg/day, i.p.) significantly improved 2VO-induced cognitive deficits and neuropathological changes. Biochemical and histological examinations revealed that baicalein reduced the increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and attenuated the decreased activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase in 2VO rats. The results of the present observation suggest that baicalein has therapeutic potential for the treatment of vascular dementia, which is most likely related, at least in part, to its antioxidant action.     

Protective effects of chronic lithium treatment against spatial memory retention deficits induced by the protein kinase AII inhibitor H-89 in rats

We have previously shown that infusion of the PKAII inhibitor H-89 in the CA1 area of the hippocampus impaired spatial memory retention. There is some evidence suggesting the neuroprotective effects of chronic lithium administration including its ability to attenuate a deleterious effect of chronic stress on spatial memory in rats. In the present study, we investigated whether chronic administration of lithium can improve memory as well as influence the inhibitory effect of H-89 on spatial memory retention. Male albino rats were treated systemically with lithium (600 mg/l) for 4 weeks and then trained for 4 days in the Morris water maze. Testing the animals 48 h later showed a significant reduction in escape latency (p < 0.05) and travel distance (p < 0.05) compared to the controls. In separate experiments, the rats were similarly treated with lithium for 4 weeks, followed by similar training for 4 days and then immediately infused bilaterally with vehicle or 5 micromol/l H-89 into the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Animals were then tested 48 h after H-89 infusion in order to assess their spatial memory retention. The lithium treatment caused a significant reduction in escape latency (p < 0.001) and travel distance (p < 0.001) compared to H-89-treated animals. The data suggest that lithium treatment for 4 weeks improved spatial memory retention and that lithium pretreatment prevented or reversed the H-89-induced spatial memory deficits.     

Chrysin improves cognitive deficits and brain damage induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, induced by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (2VO), is related to neurological disorders and contributes to cognitive decline. Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is an important member of the flavonoid family. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of chrysin on cognitive deficits and brain damage in this rat 2VO model. At 52days after ligation, the escape latency in Morris water maze was significantly increased in rats subjected to 2VO, the neuronal damage was also increased accompanied by a large proliferation in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity with marked white matter lesions, and neuronal cell apoptosis, all of which were significantly alleviated by long treatment of chrysin (30mg/kg). Biochemical examinations revealed that chrysin decreased lipid peroxide, reduced the increased activities of superoxide dismutase, and attenuated the decreased activities of glutathione peroxidase in 2VO rats. The results suggest that chrysin may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of neurodegeneration and dementia caused by decreased cerebral blood flow, which is most likely related, at least in part, to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.     

Protective effects of saffron extract and its active constituent crocin against oxidative stress and spatial learning and memory deficits induced by chronic stress in rats

Although it is well established that chronic stress impairs spatial learning and memory, few studies have investigated possible ways to prevent its deleterious effects. Here, we investigated the effects of Crocus sativus L., commonly known as saffron, and its active constituent crocin on learning and memory loss and the induction of oxidative stress in the hippocampus by chronic stress. Rats were injected with saffron extract, crocin or vehicle over a period of 21 days while being exposed to chronic restraint stress (6 h/day). After this, they were trained and tested on a water-maze spatial memory task. They performed four trials per day for 5 consecutive days, and this was followed by a probe trial two days later. At the end of the behavioral testing, several parameters of oxidative stress in the hippocampus were measured. Treatment with saffron extract or crocin blocked the ability of chronic stress to impair spatial learning and memory retention. Relative to controls that received vehicle, stressed animals that received saffron extract or crocin had significantly higher levels of lipid peroxidation products, significantly higher activities of antioxidant enzymes including glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase and significantly lower total antioxidant reactivity capacity. Finally, crocin significantly decreased plasma levels of corticosterone, as measured after the end of stress. These observations indicate that saffron and its active constituent crocin can prevent the impairment of learning and memory as well as the oxidative stress damage to the hippocampus induced by chronic stress. Thus, using these substances may be useful in pharmacological alleviation of cognitive deficits.     

Protective effects of icariin against learning and memory deficits induced by aluminium in rats

1. The present study examined the protective effects of icariin against the learning and memory deficits in aluminium-treated rats and its potential mechanisms of action. 2. Qualified rats were treated with 1600 p.p.m. AlCl(3) in drinking water for 8 months and the ability of spatial learning and memory was tested by the Morris water maze. In the place navigation test, aluminium administration significantly increased the mean escape latency and searching distance. In space probing test, aluminium markedly decreased the searching time and searching distance in the quadrant where the platform was originally located. All tests indicated deficits in rat spatial learning and memory induced by aluminium. Icariin treatment (60 and 120 mg/kg, by gavage for 3 months) dose-dependently protected against the development of aluminium-induced spatial learning and memory deficits. 3. To examine the mechanisms responsible for the protection afforded by icariin, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the hippocampus were assayed biochemically and the level of Abeta(1-40) in the hippocampus was determined immunohistochemically. Icariin treatment significantly increased SOD activity and decreased MDA and Abeta(1-40) content in the hippocampus of aluminium-intoxicated rats. 4. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that icariin is effective in improving the spatial learning and memory of aluminium-intoxicated rats. The mechanisms responsible appear to be due, at least in part, to an increased anti-oxidant capacity and decreased lipid peroxidation and Abeta(1-40) levels in the rat hippocampus.     

Potentiation of ethanol in spatial memory deficits induced by some benzodiazepines

Triazolam caused no significant increase in the total error at 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg. However, at 0.2 mg/kg, it caused a significant increase in total error. Almost the same findings were observed with brotizolam and rilmazafone. That is, at 0.2 and 0.5 mg/kg of brotizolam, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg of rilmazafone caused no significant increase in the total error. However, brotizolam at 1.0 mg/kg and rilmazafone at 2.0 mg/kg caused a significant increase in total error. Triazolam (0.05 mg/kg) and ethanol (1.0 g/kg) showed no significant effect on the numbers of errors when used alone separately, but the simultaneous use of triazolam and ethanol caused a significant increase in total error. Almost the same findings were observed with the coadministration of brotizolam (0.2 mg/kg) or rilmazafone (0.5 mg/kg) with ethanol. These results clearly indicate that all the short-acting benzodiazepines used in the study showed potentiation by ethanol in spatial memory deficits in mice.     

Protective effects of lithium treatment for spatial memory deficits induced by tau hyperphosphorylation in splenectomized rats

1. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction has become more prevalent in recent years. We used a splenectomized rat model with postoperative spatial learning and memory deficits to investigate the role of tau hyperphosphorylation and glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) within the hippocampus. 2. Cognitive function was assessed in a Y‐maze 1 day before and 1, 3 and 7 days after surgery. We measured site‐specific phosphorylation of hippocampal tau (Thr‐205 and Ser‐396), GSK‐3β activity and expression of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) mRNA and protein as markers of inflammation. We also tested the effects of treatment with lithium chloride (LiCl), a GSK‐3β inhibitor. 3. Splenectomy was associated with learning and memory impairment 3 days later, as well as a rapid and massive hyperphosphorylation of hippocampal tau at Thr‐205 and Ser‐396, activated GSK‐3β, and increased IL‐1β and TNF‐α expression. LiCl completely restored tau hyperphosphorylation to control levels. 4. These data from the splenectomized rat model suggest that inflammatory factors affect tau pathology through the GSK‐3β signalling pathway and that LiCl is a promising treatment for postoperative cognitive deficits.     

TAK—147逆转东莨菪碱诱发的大鼠空间记忆障碍

目的:研究和阐明TAK-147对东莨菪碱诱发的大鼠空间记忆损伤的作用.方法:采用Morris水迷宫的程序研究大鼠的空间记忆,利用开场实验方法测定动物自发活动量.结果:在水迷宫的学习过程中,腹腔内注射东莨菪碱(0.4mg/kg,ip)明显延长大鼠上台的潜伏期,而腹腔内注射TAK-147或donepezil(多奈哌齐)能剂量依赖性地改善东莨菪碱诱发的记忆损伤,两药在0.1-1.0mg/kg的剂量时具有显著性差异.在记忆的再生过程中,腹腔内注射东莨菪碱(1.5mg/kg,ip)引起空间记忆再生过程的障碍分别被TAK-147(0.1,0.3和1.0mg/kg)、多奈哌齐(0.3和1.0mg/kg)以及他克林(3和5mg/kg)显著性改善.TAK-147的作用比多奈哌齐略强却明显强于他克林.此外,在开场实验中,TAK-147和多奈哌齐与生理盐水和东莨菪碱相比,对大鼠运动量未产生明显改变.结论:TAK-147在空间认知功能上起重要的作用,进一步证明TAK-147能够成为一个治疗阿尔采默病的理想的胆碱酯酶抑制药.     

蛇床子素减轻脂多糖诱导的大鼠学习记忆减退

目的观察蛇床子素对脂多糖诱导的大鼠学习记忆减退的作用,并初探其可能的作用机制。方法 40只雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、阳性药组及蛇床子素组。阳性药组、蛇床子素组分别每日1次灌胃布洛芬、蛇床子素40 mg.kg-1,连续12 d,假手术组、模型组灌胃等体积的生理盐水,3 d后侧脑室注射脂多糖诱导大鼠的神经炎症模型,制模后d 5开始Morris水迷宫检测大鼠的空间记忆能力,连续5 d。Morris水迷宫检测结束后,处死大鼠,HE染色观察大鼠海马神经元损伤情况,real time RT-PCR法测定海马肿瘤坏死因子α(Tnf-α)、白细胞介素-1β(Il-1β)、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(Nos2)及环氧合酶-2(Cox-2)的mRNA表达。结果侧脑室注射脂多糖后,大鼠在定向航行实验中的逃避潜伏期显著增加(P<0.05),空间探索实验中的校正逃避潜伏期缩短(P<0.05),海马神经元明显受损,且海马Tnf-α、Il-1β、Nos2及Cox-2的mRNA表达增加(P<0.05);然而,蛇床子素及布洛芬明显缩短了大鼠的定向航行实验中的逃避潜伏期(P<0.05),延长了空间探索实验中的校正逃避潜伏期(P<0.05),减轻了海马神经元损伤,且降低海马Tnf-α、Il-1β、Nos2及Cox-2的mRNA表达。结论蛇床子素可减轻脂多糖诱导的大鼠学习记忆减退及海马神经元损伤,其机制与抑制炎症相关基因的mRNA表达有关。     

Differential effects of pentylenetetrazol - and amygdaloid- kindling seizures on emotional memory in rats

Objective： To investigate the effects of repeated seizures induced experimentally on emotional memory in rats. Methods ：Two experimental models of epilepsy were used in the rats ： （a） pentylenetetrazol-kindling seizure, an animal models of human absence epilepsy and myoclonic or generalized tonic-clonic seizures ; （b） amygdaloid - kindling seizure, an animal model of human complex partial epilepsy with secondary generalized seizure. One week after full kindled,     

Huperzine A improves cognitive deficits caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats

The effects of (-)-huperzine A, a promising therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease, on learning behavior and on alterations of the cholinergic system, the oxygen free radicals and energy metabolites induced by permanent bilateral ligation of the common carotid arteries were investigated in rats. Daily oral administration of huperzine A produced a significant improvement of the deficit in the learning of the water maze task, beginning 28 days after ischemia, correlating to about 33-40% inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity in cortex and hippocampus. Huperzine A significantly restored the decrease in choline acetyltransferase activity in hippocampus and significantly reduced the increases in superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxide, lactate and glucose to their normal levels. The present findings demonstrate that the improvement by huperzine A of the cognitive dysfunction in the late phase in chronically hypoperfused rats is due to its effects, not only on the cholinergic system, but also on the oxygen free radical system and energy metabolism. Our results strongly suggest that huperzine A has therapeutic potential for the treatment of dementia caused by cholinergic dysfunction and/or decrease of cerebral blood flow.     

Acetyl-L-carnitine ameliorates hypobaric hypoxic impairment and spatial memory deficits in rats

Inadequate oxygen availability at high altitude causes oxidative stress and generation of reactive oxygen species, which may lead to memory impairment. Hippocampus, which plays a key role in the learning and memory processes, is especially vulnerable to hypoxic damage. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine on spatial working and reference memory deficits along with oxidative and apoptotic damage, caused by hypobaric hypoxia in male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were trained in Morris Water Maze for eight days after which they were submitted to chronic hypobaric hypoxia exposure at a simulated altitude of 6100 m for three days. Rats received daily acetyl-L-carnitine at a dosage of 75 mg/kg body weight orally during exposure. Subsequent to exposure, performance of the animals was tested in Morris Water Maze, which revealed working memory impairment that was significantly improved by acetyl-L-carnitine. However, there was no change in the reference memory after hypobaric hypoxia exposure. Following behavioral study animals were sacrificed and biomarkers of oxidative damage like free radical production, lactate dehydrogenase activity, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status and expression of apoptotic [viz. caspase-3, Apoptosis activating factor (Apaf-1), bax, cytochrome c] and anti-apoptotic protein-Bcl-2 were studied in the hippocampus. There was a significant increase in oxidative stress along with increased expression of apoptotic proteins and NR1 subunit of glutamate receptor indicating occurrence of excitotoxicity in hypoxia exposed rats. These results suggested that supplementation with acetyl-L-carnitine improves spatial working memory deficits reduces oxidative stress and inhibits apoptotic cascade induced by hypoxia.     

吡拉西坦对大鼠慢性脑缺血所致认知功能障碍和神经元损伤的保护作用

目的:观察吡拉西坦(别名脑复康)对慢性脑部低灌注所致认知功能障碍和神经元损伤的改善作用。方法:采用大鼠双侧颈总动脉永久性结扎模型,30只SD大鼠分为假手术组、脑缺血组和吡拉西坦治疗组,每组10只。吡拉西坦治疗组用吡拉西坦600 mg/kg灌胃,1次/d,从手术当天开始,持续37 d。Morris水迷宫实验用于检测空间学习记忆行为。生化测量脑内花生四烯酸代谢产物血栓素B2(TXB2)和6-酮前列腺素F1α(6-酮-PGF1α)的水平。HE染色观察大脑皮层和海马神经元的组织形态学改变,免疫组化分析p53蛋白及Bax蛋白的表达。结果:慢性脑部低灌注能够引起大鼠学习记忆损伤,表现为逃离潜伏期的延长和在目标象限中游泳时间的缩短,伴随着TXB2和6-酮-PGF1α水平的升高,p53和Bax蛋白的高表达以及皮层和海马神经元延迟性损害。吡拉西坦灌胃可显著提高损伤大鼠的学习记忆能力,降低TXB2水平,抑制p53和Bax蛋白的过量表达,改善神经元结构异常。结论:吡拉西坦对大鼠慢性脑缺血有保护作用,提示其可能在血管性痴呆的治疗中发挥积极有效的作用。     

Pilocarpine improves olfactory discrimination and social recognition memory deficits in 24 month-old rats

Muscarinic receptor agonists have been suggested as potential drugs to counteract age-related cognitive decline since critical changes in cholinergic system occur with aging. Recently, we demonstrated that single administration of the non-selective muscarinic receptor agonist pilocarpine prevents age-related spatial learning impairments in rats. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that areas in the central nervous system processing olfactory information are affected at the early stages of age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, and that specific olfactory testing may represent an important tool in the diagnosis of these diseases. In the present study, olfactory discrimination and short-term social memory of 3 and 24 month-old rats were assessed with the olfactory discrimination and social recognition memory tasks, respectively. The actions of the repeated treatment with pilocarpine (30 mg/kg, i.p.; once per day for 21 days) in relation to age-related effects on olfactory and cognitive functions were also studied. The 24 month-old rats exhibited significantly impaired performance in both models, demonstrating deficits in their odour discrimination and in their ability to recognize a juvenile rat after a short period of time. The treatment with pilocarpine improved in a specific manner these age-related deficits in 24 month-old rats without altering their motor performance. The present results extend the notion of the participation of muscarinic receptors in control of olfactory functions and reinforce the potential of muscarinic receptor agonists for the treatment of age-related cognitive decline.     

Conditioned drug reward enhances subsequent spatial learning and memory in rats

Rationale Chronic exposure to drugs of abuse alters neural processes that normally promote learning and memory. A context that is repeatedly paired with reinforcing drugs will acquire secondary reinforcing properties (conditioned reward). However, the effects of conditioned reward on spatial learning are unknown. Objective Using the conditioned place preference procedure and Morris water maze task, we examined the role of conditioned reward or aversion in spatial learning. Materials and methods Groups of rats acquired morphine (10 mg/kg), cocaine (10 mg/kg), or oral sucrose (15%) conditioned place preference (CPP). Another group of morphine-dependent rats acquired conditioned place aversion (CPA) to a context paired with precipitated opiate withdrawal induced by naloxone injections (1 mg/kg). To examine the role of conditioned reward or aversion in spatial learning, rats were then exposed to the previously morphine-, cocaine-, sucrose- or naloxone-paired context for 10 min before training of spatial learning in the Morris water maze. Results Exposure to the morphine- or cocaine-paired but not the sucrose- or the naloxone-paired context decreased the latency to find the platform in the Morris water maze test. Conclusions Our results provide the first evidence that conditioned drug reward promotes spatial learning. We speculate that this enhancement of spatial learning by the drug-paired context may promote contextual-cue-induced relapse to drug taking by facilitating exploratory drug-seeking behaviors.     

组胺对地佐环平诱发的SD大鼠八臂迷宫空间记忆障碍的改善作用

AIM: To investigate whether or not histamine is involved in spatial memory deficits induced by dizocilpine (MK-801) as evaluated by 8-arm radial maze of rats. METHODS: 8-Arm (4-arm baited) radial maze was used to measure spatial memory in rats. RESULTS: Bilaterally intrahippocampal (ih) injection of MK-801 (0.3μg/site) impaired working memory and reference memory in rats. Both histamine (50, 100 ng/site, ih) and intraperitoneal(ip) injection of histidine (100, 200 mg/kg) markedly improved the spatial memory deficits induced by MK-801. On the other hand, the ameliorating effect of histidine (100 mg/kg, ip) was completely antagonized by α-fluoromethylhistidine (α-FMH, 5μg/site, ih), a potent and selective histidine decarboxylase (HDC) inhibitor, and H1-antagonist pyrilamine (1μg/site, ih), but not by H2-antagonist cimetidine, even at a high dose (2.5μg/site, ih).CONCLUSION: The hippocampal histamine plays an important role in the ameliorating effect on MK-801-induced spatial memory deficits, and its action is mediated through postsynaptic H1-receptor.     

Facilitating effect of histamine on spatial memory deficits induced by dizocilpine as evaluated by 8-arm radial maze in SD rats

AIM: To investigate whether or not histamine is involved in spatial memory deficits induced by dizocilpine (MK-801) as evaluated by 8-arm radial maze of rats. METHODS: 8-Arm (4-arm baited) radial maze was used to measure spatial memory in rats. RESULTS: Bilaterally intrahippocampal (ih) injection of MK-801 (0.3 μg/site) impaired working memory and reference memory in rats. Both histamine (50, 100 ng/site, ih) and intraperitoneal (ip) injection of histidine (100, 200 mg/kg) markedly improved the spatial memory deficits induced by MK-801. On the other hand, the ameliorating effect of histidine (100 mg/kg, ip) was completely antagonized by α-fluoromethylhistidine (α-FMH, 5 μg/site, ih), a potent and selective histidine decarboxylase (HDC) inhibitor, and H_1-antagonist pyrilamine (1 μg/site, ih), but not by H_2-antagonist cimetidine, even at a high dose (2.5 μg/site, ih). CONCLUSION: The hippocampal histamine plays an important role in the ameliorating effect on MK-801-induced spatial memory deficits,