RESUMEN
Objective To explore the effect of intermittent starvation on neurofilament phosphorylation and spatial learning and memory in rats induced by sodium nitrite. Methods Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into control, NaNO2 and stavation + NaNO2 groups, 12 rats in each group. NaNO2 group and slavation + NaNO2 group rats were served as drinking water containing sodium nitrite [100mg/(kg · d)]. Starvation + NaNO2 group rats were deprived of food for 2 days, and then re-feeded for 3 days. Sixty days later, the ability of spatial learning and memory of the rats was measured by Morris water maze. Phosphorylation level of neurofilament in the hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results In comparison with the control rats, the NaNO2 rats showed significantly longer latency to find the hidden platform from 2 days to 7 days in Morris water maze (control group latency: 31.24 ± 8.53, 12.41 ± 6.54, 10.49 ± 6.43, 8.61 ±2.56, 7.25 ±2.12, 6.03 ±1.92; NaNO2 group latency: 53.34 ±5.28, 35.15 ± 10.29, 23.52 ±9.50, 14.49 ±8.70, 16.87 ±8.77, 12.31 ±7.12) (P<0.05, P <0.01), and elevated phosphorylation level of neurofilament, while stavation + NaNO2 group rats only showed longer latency on 2 days and 3 days(43.61 ± 1.76, 25.25 ±7.49) in Morris water maze. There was no obvious difference in phosphorylation level of neurofilament between the control and stavation + NaNO2 group. Conclusion Intermittent starvation attenuates neurofilament phosphorylation and spatial learning and memory disorder induced by sodium nitrite in rats.