Relationship between learning and memory capacities and levodopa in rat models of Parkinson’s disease

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2014.07.015

Abstract

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Classical drug for Parkinson’s disease is levodopa, but long-term application of levodopa can induce complications such as dyskinesias.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of levodopa on learning and memory capacities of Parkinson’s disease rats and to study its mechanisms.
METHODS: The rat models of Parkinson’s disease were established using 6-hydroxydopamine. The 228 model rats were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. Rats in the experimental group were intraperitoneally injected with 10, 20 and 30 mg/(kg•d) levodopa for 28 consecutive days. At 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 28 days after intraperitoneal injection, we observed the rats’ learning and memory capacities and tested plasma concentration of homocysteine and folic acid. Acetylcholinesterase activities in the rat hippocampus were measured. Hippocampal neurofibrillary tangles were observed using Bielschowsky staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Increased dose of levodopa and prolonged application time obviously decreased learning and memory capacities in rats (P < 0.001), increased plasma homocysteine levels, reduced folic acid levels (P < 0.001), diminished acetylcholine esterase activities in the rat hippocampus (P < 0.001), and increased neurofibrillary tangles in the rat hippocampus (P=0.000). Results suggested that a large dose of levodopa could significantly decrease the learning and memory capacities, and disease acetylcholine esterase activities, and increase neurofibrillary tangles in hippocampus. Its mechanism possibly associated with the increased plasma concentration of homocysteine.

中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建；骨细胞；软骨细胞；细胞培养；成纤维细胞；血管内皮细胞；骨质疏松；组织工程

全文链接：

Key words: levodopa, Parkinson’s disease, learning, acetylcholine esterase, homocysteine

CLC Number:

R318

Xing Hong-xia, Yuan Yan, Liu Sheng, Yin Chuang, Han Jin-hong, Zhou Hui-cong, Su Zhou, Guo Shuang-xi, Wang Yu-mei. Relationship between learning and memory capacities and levodopa in rat models of Parkinson’s disease [J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2014, 18(7): 1069-1075.

Figures/Tables 5

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