ACTA NEUROPHARMACOLOGICA››2011,Vol. 1››Issue (5): 8-13.

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Effects of estradiol on learning and memory in ovariectomized rats: relationship with the contents of amino acids in the cerebrum

ZHANG Xia-wei, ZHANG Dan-shen, XUE Gui-ping, ZHAO Yi-jie, JIN Can

  1. Department of Pharmacy, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075000, China
  • Online:2011-10-26Published:2013-03-24
  • Contact:张丹参,女,教授,博士生导师;研究方向:神经药理学;Tel:+86-0313-4029556,E-mail:zhangdanshen2011@126.com
  • About author:张夏微,女,研究生;E-mail:zhangxiawei0606@163.com
  • Supported by:
    国家自然科学基金项目(No.81274055),河北省自然科学基金项目(No.C2011405014)

Abstract:Objective: To investigate the influence of estradiol on learning and memory and the content of amino acids in the cerebrum of ovariectomized rats.Methods: Adult female rats were treated daily with subcutaneous injection of estradiol (75, 300 μg•kg-1) between weeks 7 and 16 after ovariectomy (OVX) or sham operation. The learning and memory of the rats was tested by a Morris water maze task on week 15, after which they were sacrificed and the content of amino acids in the cerebrum measured with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results: The ability of learning and memory was significantly improved, and the content of glutamic acid and the ratio of glutamic acid to γ-aminobutyric acid (Glu/GABA) in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of OVX group was significantly decreased as compared to those of sham group. In addition, the ability of learning and memory of estradiol(75 μg•kg-1)treated group was significantly improved and the content of Glu and Glu/GABA in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were significantly increased as compared to those of OVX group. However, the Glu/GABA ratio remained unchanged in the hippocampus of estradiol (300 μg•kg-1) treated group as compared to that of OVX group; and the ability of learning and memory in these rats did not significantly improve.Conclusion: Estradiol (75 μg•kg-1) improves the ability of learning and memory in OVX rats, and the increased Glu/GABA ratio in hippocampus possibly contributes to such an effect.

Key words:estradiol,ovariectomy(OVX),high performance liquid chromato- graphy,glutamic acid,&,gamma,-aminobutyric acid (GABA),glutamic acid/&,gamma,-aminobutyric acid (Glu/GABA)

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