Oxidative damage alters memory consolidation in adult rats

Abstract

Glutathione is an important cellular antioxidant whose depletion leads to oxidative damage and alters short- and long-term synaptic interactions. Taking into account that the role of this molecule in learning and memory has been poorly studied, the present work evaluates the effect of the administration of L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) on glutathione content and markers of cellular oxidative damage (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase). BSO was delivered into the brain by intraventricular injection in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum, evaluating the effect of the resulting glutathione depletion on learning and memory by means of the passive avoidance test, performed 7 days after administration. The results suggest that injecting L-buthionine sulfoximine unbalances the antioxidant enzyme system, resulting in damage to cellular lipid components. In addition, the data suggest the existence of a relationship between oxidative damage originated by glutathione depletion and memory consolidation.

Keywords

• Oxidative stress
• glutathione
• L-buthionine sulfoximine
• antioxidant enzymes
• malondialdehyde
• learning and memory