Dietary phytoestrogens enhance spatial memory and spine density in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of ovariectomized rats.
Long-term maintenance of ovariectomized rats (9 weeks) on chow containing high phytoestrogen levels (Purina LabDiet 5001) as compared to chow with minimal phytoestrogens (Harlan 2016 Teklad) was associated with better performance of the spatial memory task, object placement, increased dendritic spine density in CA1 and prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons, and higher uterine weights. Object recognition memory, anxiety on an elevated plus maze and body weight were unaffected by phytoestrogen levels in the diet.
Luine
V
V
Department of Psychology, Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Ave., New York, NY 10021, USA. vluine@hunter.cuny.edu
Attalla
S
S
Mohan
G
G
Costa
A
A
Frankfurt
M
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D049229:Dendritic Spines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004967:Estrogens / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
D004967:Estrogens; D048789:Phytoestrogens