Modulatory Role of N-acetylcysteine on Memory and Motor Function Deficits in a Rodent Model of Restraint Stress
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47081/njn2025.16.4/004Keywords:
Memory and Leaning , Motor Coordination, N-AcetycysteineAbstract
Stress is condition that disrupts physiological/psychological states of the body affecting brain functions. Prolonged and sustained exposure to restraint stress can induce memory and motor function deficit. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a glutathione precursor that maximizes cell's protective capabilities against stress induced oxidative damage. This study investigated the role of NAC on memory and motor function deficits induced by restrain stress in Wistar rats. Twenty-four (24) Wistar rats of both sexes were used, randomly divided into control, restraint stress and NAC (500 mg/kg) + restraint stress, respectively, with 8 animals per group. All treatments lasted for three (3) weeks. Neurobehavioural evaluation was conducted using Elevated plus Maze (EPM) and Beam Walk assay. All analyses were done using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s and LSD post hoc test. The results showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in closed arm latency (short-term memory) between Control, restrain stress and restrain stress + NAC groups, with lower latency in female rats compared to the males in the control group. A significant increase was also observed in goal box latency in the restrain stress group when compared to the restrain stress + NAC group. Female rats showed significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the frequency of foot slips compared to the males. In conclusion, we surmise that sub-chronic exposure to restrain stress induced memory and motor coordination deficits in Wistar rats which was ameliorated by NAC administration. We also observed that female rats demonstrated enhanced short-term memory and motor coordination functions compared to the males
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