The Effect of Altered Selenium and Vitamin E
Nutritional Status on Learning and Memory of Third-Generation Rats
t has been proposed that selenium (Se) and Vitamin E (Vit E) are involved
synergistically in protection of cell membrane lipids from peroxidation. However, little is
known about the effect of both deficiencies of Se and Vit E and toxic status of those
antioxidants on the peroxidation potentionally of the brain. The aim of this study was to
explore the effects of both Se and Vit E inadequate diet and Se rich diet on the learning and
memory processes of third-generation young rats. Their ancestors were also fed by the same diets
starting from their births. To test the learning and memory, the rats aged 60 days were trained by
using automated two ways active avoidance shuttle box. The acquisition tests were terminated with
training the rat from each group to be 25 trials per day during three days. Ten days after the last
acquisition tests, the retention test was performed and the acquisition of the conditioned avoidance
responses (CAR) of the rats was evaluated. It is demonstrated that the CAR of all rats from three
groups showed a significant increase in three consecutive days while the differences observed in
CAR of same sessions was not significantly different among three groups. Two types of diets also
did not affect the memory process of these young rats significantly. Under the light of the present
results one can suggest that, in the case of alterations in antioxidant defense status, the learning
and the memory mechanisms seems to be not affected. Further researches are needed to be able to
explain the possible role of oxidative stress on the mechanism of learning and memory.
Bastug M, Ayhan S, Turan B, Biol Trace Elem Res, 1998;64:151-160
Copyright © 2003 Anamol Laboratories Ltd.
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