ISSN : 2146-3123
E-ISSN : 2146-3131

Beneficial Effect of Leptin on Spatial Learning and Memory in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Mohsen Ghasemi 1, Bamdad Zendehbad 2, Hoda Zabihi 2, Mousa Al Reza Hadjzadeh 2, Parichehr Hayatdavoudi 3
1Department of Physiology, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Bojnurd, Iran
2Department of Physiology, Neurocognitive Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad, Iran
3Department of Physiology, Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad, Iran
DOI : 10.5152/balkanmedj.2015.15084
Pages : 102-107

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease which may be accompanied by cognitive impairments. The expression of the obesity gene (ob) is decreased in insulin-deficient diabetic animals and increased after the administration of insulin or leptin. Plasma leptin levels are reduced in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Therefore, the deleterious effects of diabetes on memory may be due to the reduction of leptin.

Aims: Investigate the effect of subcutaneous injection of leptin on spatial learning and memory in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Study Design: Animal experimentation.

Methods: The rats were divided into three groups: 1- control, 2- diabetic, and 3- diabetic-leptin. Diabetes was induced in groups 2 and 3 by STZ injection (55 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p). The animals received leptin (0.1 mg/kg) or saline subcutaneously (s.c) for 10 days before behavioral studies. Then, they were examined in the Morris water maze over 3 blocks after 3 days of the last injection of leptin.

Results: The travelled path length and time spent to reach the platform significantly increased in the diabetic group (p<0.001) and decreased with leptin treatment (p<0.01 & p<0.001 respectively); also, a significant increase in path length and time was observed between the diabetic-leptin group and the diabetic group (p<0.01, p<0.001, respectively) in the probe test.

Conclusion: Leptin can exert positive effects on memory impairments in diabetic rats.

Keywords : Leptin, spatial memory, streptozotocin
Viewed : 3371
Downloaded : 2223