title: PPARγ agonist pioglitazone improves scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of exposure to pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonist, on cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine, a muscarinic antagonist, in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pioglitazone (9mg/kg, 18mg/kg) was orally administered for 9 days at 30min before intraperitoneal injection with scopolamine (0.8mg/kg, i.p.). Cognitive function was evaluated by the passive avoidance test and the Morris water maze test on the 10th day after treatment. Changes in cholinergic system reactivity were also examined by measuring the acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase in the hippocampus and cortex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Scopolamine injection induced impaired performance in the passive avoidance test and the water maze test and severe decrease of cholinergic system reactivity, as indicated by reduced acetylcholine levels, decreased choline acetyltransferase activity and increased acetylcholinesterase activity. Daily administration of pioglitazone significantly increased step-through latency in passive avoidance test, and significantly decreased the escape latency, and increased the time spent in the platform quadrant in the Morris water maze test. Pioglitazone also protected against scopolamine-induced cholinergic system deficit, including reduced acetylcholine levels, decreased choline acetyltransferase activity and increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus or cortex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pioglitazone demonstrates a significant neuroprotective effect against scopolamine-induced cholinergic system deficit and cognitive impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Guo Qing
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Su Su
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Li Ying
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiao Yun
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ting Ting
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000633:toxicity; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000819:agonists*; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000633:toxicity; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D012601:Scopolamine; D000077205:Pioglitazone