engleski

Effects of nimodipine and MK-801 on behavior in hypoxia-exposed rats

Cerebral hypoxia accompanies various clinical situations that are manifested with impairment of cognitive processes, especially memory functions. We hypothetized that disturbance in Ca2+ homeostasis might contribute to the memory deficits associated with cerebral hypoxia and that the pharmacological inhibition of the Ca2+ entry into the cells could antagonize cognitive deficits. Therefore in this study we examined the influence of nimodipine and MK-801 on the retention of passive avoidance in rats exposed to hypoxia. The study was carried out on Hannover- Wistar rats weighing 250 g. Various doses (0, 03 ; 0, 1 ; 0, 3 mg/kg) of nimodipine or MK-801 were administered intraperitoneally. Thirty minutes later the passive avoidance task was performed according to the step-through procedure. Immediately after the training trial the animals were subjected to the period of oxygen deprivation hypoxia. Twenty four hours later passive avoidance retention was tested. It was found that hypoxia strongly impaired the retention of the passive avoidance response. Nimodipine significantly improved the retention deficits in hypoxia-exposed rats while MK-801 was ineffective.

cerebral hypoxia; passive avoidance; nimodipine; MK-801; rat

nije evidentirano