Lead, a neurotoxic metal, impairs hippocampal structure by inducing cell death, promoting neuroinflammation, and disrupting the oxidant–antioxidant balance. Additionally, lead-exposed animals display anxiety-like behaviors and deficits in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Erythropoietin (EPO), a glycoprotein hormone, stands out as a promising candidate, given its potential to enhance neuronal survival, reduce inflammation, and restore the antioxidant, offering hope for mitigating lead-induced neurodegeneration. This study examined EPO's neuroprotective effect against lead-induced hippocampal damage in male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 16): control, lead acetate, and lead acetate with EPO (1000 or 2500 IU/kg). Lead (25 mg/kg) was given i.p. for 3 days; EPO was administered i.p. for 7 days after. Controls received distilled water. Spatial memory and anxiety were evaluated using the Morris water maze and elevated plus maze, respectively. Concentrations of antioxidant enzymes and TNF-α were measured using an ELISA assay. Nissl staining assessed necrotic cell death. GFAP and caspase-3 expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The results indicate that EPO administration significantly ameliorated spatial memory deficits and anxiety-like behavior induced by lead exposure. EPO significantly elevates superoxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase levels (P < 0.001). It results in a notable reduction in malondialdehyde (P < 0.001) and TNF-α (P < 0.05) levels relative to the lead group. The EPO group showed reduced necrotic cell death (P < 0.01), and lower caspase-3 and GFAP-positive cell levels (P < 0.001). The research indicates that EPO provides significant neuroprotection against lead via antioxidant activity, inflammation reduction, and apoptosis suppression.
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