Nicotine-induced memory impairment by increasing brain oxidative stress

作者：Hritcu Lucian^*; Ciobica Alin; Gorgan Lucian

来源：Central European Journal of Biology, 2009, 4(3): 335-342.

DOI：10.2478/s11535-009-0029-x

• Nicotine
• Memory
• Oxidative stress

Male Wistar rats were subjected to chronic nicotine treatment (0.3 mg/kg; 7 continuous days) and their memory performance was studied by means of Y-maze and multi-trial passive avoidance tasks. Nicotine significantly decreased spontaneous alternation in Y-maze task and step-through-latency in the multi-trial passive avoidance task, suggesting effects on both short-term memory and long-term memory, respectively. In addition, nicotine induced neuronal apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, reduced antioxidant enzymes activity, and increased production of lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species, suggesting pro-oxidant activity. Our results provide further support that nicotine-induced memory impairment is due to an increase in brain oxidative stress in rats.

• 出版日期2009-9