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01-06-2017 | Original Article

The effects of vitamin C on hypothyroidism-associated learning and memory impairment in juvenile rats

Authors: Farimah Beheshti, Sareh Karimi, Farzaneh Vafaee, Mohammad Naser Shafei, Hamid Reza Sadeghnia, Mosa Al Reza Hadjzadeh, Mahmoud Hosseini

Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease | Issue 3/2017

Abstract

In this study the effects of Vitamin C (Vit C) on hypothyroidism-associated learning and memory impairment in juvenile rats was investigated. The pregnant rats were kept in separate cages. After delivery, they were randomly divided into six groups and treated: (1) Control; (2) Propylthiouracil (PTU) which 0.005% PTU in their drinking; (3–5) Propylthiouracil- Vit C groups; besides PTU, dams in these groups received 10, 100 and 500 mg/kg Vit C respectively, (6) one group as a positive control; the intact rats received an effective dose, 100 mg/kg Vit. C. After delivery, the pups were continued to receive the experimental treatments in their drinking water up to 56th day of their life. Ten male offspring of each group were randomly selected and tested in the Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) which were started at 63th day (one week after stopping of the treatments). Brains were then removed for biochemical measurements. PTU increased time latency and traveled distance during 5 days in MWM while, reduced the spent time in target quadrant in MWM and step-trough latency (STL) in PA. PTU decreased thiol content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in the brain while, increased molondialdehyde (MDA). In MWM test, 10, 100 and 500 mg/kg Vit C reduced time latency and traveled distance without affecting the traveling speed during 5 days. All doses of Vit C increased the spent time in target quadrant in probe trail of MWM and also increased STL in PA test. Vit C increased thiol, SOD and CAT in the brain tissues while, reduced MDA. Results of present study confirmed the beneficial effects of Vit C on learning and memory. It also demonstrated that Vit C has protective effects on hypothyroidism-associated learning and memory impairment in juvenile rats which might be elucidated by the antioxidative effects.

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Title: The effects of vitamin C on hypothyroidism-associated learning and memory impairment in juvenile rats
Authors: Farimah Beheshti
Sareh Karimi
Farzaneh Vafaee
Mohammad Naser Shafei
Hamid Reza Sadeghnia
Mosa Al Reza Hadjzadeh
Mahmoud Hosseini
Publication date: 01-06-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease / Issue 3/2017
Print ISSN: 0885-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7365
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-017-9954-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The effects of vitamin C on hypothyroidism-associated learning and memory impairment in juvenile rats

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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