Enhanced learning and memory of normal young rats by repeated oral administration of Krill Phosphatidylserine.
OBJECTIVE
Phosphatidylserine, a major acidic phospholipid in the brain, has been studied extensively in regard to its actions on brain functions. The present study examined the effects of Krill phosphatidylserine (Krill-PS) on the learning and memory function and the neural activity in the normal young rats.


METHODS
The rats were administered saline or Krill-PS (Krill-PS 50, 100 mg/kg, per oral) daily for 30 days. The cognitive improvement effect of Krill-PS on the normal young rats was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze (MWM) test and by insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunohistochemistry. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan was also performed.


RESULTS
Treatment with Krill-PS (100 mg/kg) produced a significant improvement of the escape latency to find the platform in the MWM at the 3rd day compared to that of the normal group. In the retention test, the Krill-PS100 group showed markedly increased time spent, distance, and crossing number around the platform compared to that of the normal group. Consistent with the behavioral data, the Krill-PS 100 group was significantly enhanced the BDNF and IGF immuno-positive neurons in the hippocampal CA1. In the PET analysis, the glucose uptake of the Krill-PS-treated groups was increased in the frontal lobe and hippocampus. These results suggest that repeated Krill-PS treatment may be useful for improving the cognitive function via regulation of neuronal growth factor activity.
Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Hyun-Jung
HJ
Park
Hyun Soo
HS
Shim
Kyung Soo
KS
Kim
Jeong-Jun
JJ
Han
Jin Su
JS
Kim
A
A
Ram Yu
Insop
I
Shim
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D033201:Euphausiacea / Q000737:chemistry*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I