Correlation of two way active avoidance learning with nitric oxide and ferric reduction / antioxidant power in rats

Oxidative stress may play a critical role in neurodegenerative disorders but the relation between oxidative stress and learning ability in normal rats is not investigated, so the aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between oxidative stress and two way active avoidance learning in Wistar rats. This is an experimental research. 14 Wistar rats were assigned for assessed learning ability in shuttle box. One day after shuttle box learning, cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] and blood samples were obtained. Concentration of Nitric Oxide and Ferric reduction/antioxidant power were assessed. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation test. The results of the present study demonstrate that there are positive correlation between shuttle box learning ability and Ferric reduction/antioxidant power [p<0.001, r =0.66 4] and Nitric Oxide concentration [p<0.001, r = 0.724] in serum, but not hi CSF. The results of this study suggest that high concentration of antioxidant power and Nitric Oxide concentration in blood can improve shuttle box learning in rats

Effect of simvastatin on evolution of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice

Simvastatin is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase and widely used as cholesterol-lowering agent. It is a promising candidate for future treatment in multiple sclerosis [MS], as it has been shown to exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined the effect of simvastatin on the evolution of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis [EAE], as an animal model for MS. EAE was induced by immunization of 8 week old C57BL/6 mice with MOG35-55 peptide with complete Freunds adjuvant. Therapy with simvastatin [1mg/kg/every day given as oral] was started on day 3 before the immunization until 25 day after immunization Total antioxidant capacity [TAC] was assessed by ferric reducing-antioxidant power [FRAP] method. Nitric oxide [NO] production was also estimated by Griess reaction. The results show that simvastatin-treated mice had significantly less incidence and clinical score of EAE than non-treated [control] EAE induced mice [p=0.001 and p=0.0001, respectively]. Moreover, treated mice displayed a significantly delayed disease onset compared with control mice. Simvastatin significantly increased TAC and level serum uric acid [p=0.001], but had no effect on serum nitrite production. Our results suggest that simvastatin therapy may be effective in the prevention of symptomatic EAE. This resistance to encephalomyelitis may be associated with the inhibition of oxidative stress and the increase of antioxidant capacity