Original scientific paper

THE EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM NICOTINE ADMINISTRATION ON BEHAVIORAL AND OXIDATIVE STRESS DEFICIENCIES INDUCED IN A RAT MODEL OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Alin Ciobica ; "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University, Iasi, Romania
Manuela Padurariu ; “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
Lucian Hritcu ; "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University, Iasi, Romania

Abstract

Background: We previously demonstrated that a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced lesion of substantia nigra (SN), which
is a very well known animal model of Parkinson’s disease, resulted in memory deficits and increased brain oxidative stress. Also,
recent reports had suggested that nicotine from smoke may contribute, at least in some parts, to the apparent neuroprotective effect
of tobacco use in Parkinson’s disease.
Subjects and methods: In this way, in the present study we were interested to examine the effects of low-dose nicotine
administration (5 days, 0.3 mg/kg/day) in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease, on behavioral parameters from Y-maze or shuttle-box
task and also on the oxidative stress markers from the temporal lobe, which is one of the most vulnerable cortical area to oxidative
stress effects.
Results: The administration of nicotine resulted in significant improvements of short-term memory, as seen in the Y-maze task, as
well an increase of conditioned avoidance responses and decreased number of escape failures in the shuttle-box task. Additionally,
an increase in the specific activity of glutathione peroxidase and a decrease of the lipid peroxidation processes is reported.
Moreover, we found a significant correlation between the behavioral results from the Y-maze and shuttle-box tasks and the levels of
oxidative stress markers.
Conclusions: Taken together our data suggest that short-term administration of low-dose nicotine facilitates memory processes
and improves the oxidative stress status of the brain, after a 6-OHDA induced lesion of the SN.

Keywords

nicotine; 6-hydroxydopamine; Parkinson's disease; animal model; oxidative stress

Hrčak ID:

106223

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/106223

Publication date:

24.6.2012.

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