title: Effect of naloxone on aluminum-induced learning and memory impairment in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Uptake of aluminum may disturb the learning and memory of humans or animals. Naloxone (NAL) has been shown to exert beneficial effects on memory deficits.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the effects of naloxone on aluminum-induced learning and memory impairment in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aluminum-induced learning and memory impairment model was established by gavage of Aluminum chloride (600 mg/kg) for 3 months. Rats were divided into three groups viz. naloxone-treated rats (NAL 0.8 mg/kg, i.p. daily for 7 days), non-treated model rats and normal controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Morris water maze test was performed to study spatial learning and memory. Long-term potentiation (LTP) of the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapse was recorded. Aluminum and zinc contents in the hippocampus were assayed with atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parameters of the hidden and visible platform trials and data of LTP were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the hidden platform trials, escape latencies of the NAL rats were significantly shorter than that of the non-treated rats (P=0.000, 95% confidential interval low bound 14.31, upper bound 22.68). In probe trails, the number of entries in the target area of the NAL rats (6.75+/-1.28 times/min) was more than that of non-treated model rats (4.56+/-2.16 times/min, P=0.004, 95% confidence interval low bound -3.65, upper bound -0.788). The magnitudes of LTP recorded in the CA1 pyramidal neurons of the NAL-treated rats were significantly augmented when compared to the non-treated model rats (P=0.005, 95% confidence interval low bound 0.16, upper bound 0.84).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NAL could facilitate spatial learning and memory and enhance LTP in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in aluminum-induced learning and memory impairment in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou-450052, Henan Province, China. replyshilei@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Sun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shi-Lei
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Guang-Yu
authors.forename: Li Hua
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Bachelor
authors.forename: Zhu Yun
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Bachelor
authors.forename: Hong-mei
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Xiao-hu
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone; D000535:Aluminum