eISSN: 1509-572x
ISSN: 1641-4640
Folia Neuropathologica
Current issue Archive Manuscripts accepted About the journal Special Issues Editorial board Reviewers Abstracting and indexing Subscription Contact Instructions for authors Ethical standards and procedures
Editorial System
Submit your Manuscript
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
2/2021
vol. 59
 
Share:
Share:
abstract:
Original paper

Lycopene supplementation protects vascular dementia gerbils against the impairment of learning and memory

Wei Chen
1
,
Jianwu Zhang
2
,
Jing Wang
3
,
Yunxiang Li
4
,
Wenhu Liu
2
,
Jun Xia
5

  1. Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong City, China
  2. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong City, China
  3. Pharmacy Department, The People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Sichuan province, China
  4. Urology Department, Nanchong Central Hospital Affiliated to North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong City, China
  5. Department of Student Office, School of Clinical Medical Science, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong City, China
Folia Neuropathol 2021; 59 (2): 161-173
Online publish date: 2021/06/30
View full text Get citation
 
PlumX metrics:
In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of lycopene (Lyc) on vascular dementia (VaD) gerbils and its related mechanisms of anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant activity. Gerbils were treated with bilateral common carotid arteries. Animals were divided into 1) Sham, 2) VaD model, and 3) VaD model + Lyc (20 mg/kg) groups. Each group (3) was administered intergalactic Lyc twice a day for 28 days. Morris water mazes were used to evaluate learning and memory ability. Nissl, NeuN, and GFAP staining were used to observe histomorphological changes of neural and glial cells in the hippocampus CA1 region. Western blotting was used to detect hippocampus caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 related × protein (Bax), and interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor a (TNF-a) expression amongst other inflammatory factors. Secreted IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-a levels were assessed by ELISA in addition to superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA).

We found that Lyc increased the learning and memory ability of gerbils by reducing the latency time in the Morris water maze, and increasing spatial memory. Lyc also reduced pathological changes in the hippocampus caused by VaD, reduced apoptosis, and decreased VaD mediated Bcl-2/Bax expression. The levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were also reduced by Lyc in the VaD models.

We therefore conclude that Lyc can improve the learning and memory ability of VaD gerbils, the mechanism of which may be related to reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis in VaD hippocampus neurons.
keywords:

lycopene, neuroprotective effects, vascular dementia, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, apoptosis, oxidative stress, learning, memory, hippocampus neurons

Quick links
© 2024 Termedia Sp. z o.o.
Developed by Bentus.