Protective effect of caffeine and a selective A2A receptor antagonist on impairment of memory and oxidative stress of aged rats

• Published in: Experimental gerontology 2011-04, Vol.46 (4), p.309-315
• Main Authors: Leite, Marlon Régis, Wilhelm, Ethel A., Jesse, Cristiano R., Brandão, Ricardo, Nogueira, Cristina Wayne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenosine A2 Receptor Antagonists - pharmacology; Aging; Aging - drug effects; Aging - metabolism; Aging - psychology; Animals; Ascorbic Acid - metabolism; Brain - drug effects; Brain - metabolism; Caffeine; Caffeine - pharmacology; Male; Memory; Memory - drug effects; Memory Disorders - drug therapy; Memory Disorders - psychology; Novel object recognition memory; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Pyrimidines - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reactive Nitrogen Species - metabolism; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; SCH58261; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase - metabolism; Triazoles - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0531-5565; 1873-6815
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2010.11.034

In this study, the effects of caffeine (CAF) and SCH58261, a selective A2A receptor antagonist, on memory impairment and oxidative stress generated by aging in rats were investigated. Young and aged rats were treated daily per 10days with CAF (30mg/kg p.o.) or SCH58261 (0.5mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle (1ml/kg p.o.). Rats were trained and tested in a novel object recognition task. After the behavioral test, ascorbic acid and oxygen and nitrogen reactive species levels as well as Na+K+ ATPase activity were determined in rat brain. The results demonstrated that the age-related memory deficit was reversed by treatment with CAF or SCH58261. Treatment with CAF or SCH58261 significantly normalized oxygen and nitrogen reactive species levels increased in brains of aged rats. Na+K+ ATPase activity inhibited in brains of aged rats was also normalized by CAF or SCH58261 treatment. A decrease in basal ascorbic acid levels in brains of aged rats was not changed by CAF or SCH58261. These results demonstrated that CAF and SCH58261, modulators of adenosinergic receptors, were able to reverse age-associated memory impairment and to partially reduce oxidative stress. ► Decrease in recognition index in the LTM retention test in aged rats. ► Beneficial effect of CAF and SCH58261 in the LTM retention test in aged rats. ► Involvement of oxidative stress on the cognitive deficit.