Memory-Enhancing Effects of Folic Acid Against Fluoride-Induced Cognitive Deficits in Adult Male Rats, EBTIHAL A. ABD EL-AZIZ, AZZA S. ABDELHAFFEZ and ASMAA M. AHMED
Abstract
Background: The present study interrogated the potential protective role of folic acid (FA) against fluoride induced neurocognitive dysfunction in adult male rats.
Methods: Forty rats were included, divided into four groups: Control, sodium fluoride (NaF) group which received NaF for 8 weeks, therapeutic group which received NaF for 4 weeks then stopped and was given FA for another 4 weeks and prophylactic group which received NaF and FA concom-itantly for 8 weeks.
Results: Exposure to fluoride resulting in remarkable impairment of the memory capacity as observed by Morris water maze (MWM) test and the novel object recognition test (NORT). Augmentation of the hippocampal oxidative stress (increment of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the decrement of reduced glutathione (GSH) levels) and the enhancement of hippocampal apoptosis as evidenced by increased of tumor suppressor protein 53 (p53) and reduction of survivin expres-sions were also observed. Furthermore, hippocampal tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) expression and the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters (serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DOP)) were reduced. FA treatment significantly abrogated these effects. The histopatho-logical analysis corroborated the biochemical studies with apparent hippocampal neurodegeneration and apoptotic chang-es with fluoride exposure and marked alleviation of these findings with FA treatment. However, the mitigation influences of FA administration in the prophylactic group were more obvious than the therapeutic group.
Conclusion: The present work signifies the valuable wholesome influences of FA in protection as well as an incoming therapeutic agent against cognitive deficits.