Evaluating behavioral, biochemical and histopathological effects of the MgO nanoparticles administration on memory in the Alzheimer-like model of male rat

Objective(s): This study has investigated the effects of acute and chronic administration of MgO nanoparticles (NP), on the memory, serum magnesium ions level, total antioxidant capacity and histopathological changes of the rat hippocampus in the Alzheimer-like model induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats divided into: control, sham (STZ+ saline) and MgO NP 1 and 5 mg/kg groups. To induce Alzheimer’s disease, all rats except control group, received STZ (3 mg/kg/ 5 µl of saline) into the lateral ventricles during anesthesia. One week after surgery, passive avoidance learning was started by shuttle box device and saline or MgO NP acutely and chronically was administered after training. Memory tests were done at 90 minutes and 24 hours after training and one week after chronic administration. Immediately after the memory test, serum magnesium levels and total antioxidant capacity were measured, also the brain hippocampus tissue was removed for histopathological evaluation. STZ significantly impairs memory up to a week after the training. Results: Acute and chronic administration of MgO NP significantly improved short and long-term memory in the Alzheimer’s rats. Serum magnesium level decreased in the Alzheimer’s rats and MgO NP increased it in a dose-dependent manner. MgO NP 1 mg/kg significantly increased serum total antioxidant capacity. MgO NP improved STZ-induced cell lesions in different parts of the hippocampus. Conclusions: It seems that MgO NP have the potential to improve brain lesions that have led to loss of memory and can be considered as an important component candidate for Alzheimer’s disease.