title: Effects of YC-1 on learning and memory functions of aged rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a potent nitric oxide-guanylate cyclase activator, 3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole (YC-1), on learning and memory functions in aged rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were divided into 2 groups as 4-month-old and 24-month-old rats. Rats received YC-1 (1 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks long-term. Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) tests were used to determine learning and memory functions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the MWM test, there is a significant increase in the acquisition latency (1-4 days) of 24-month-old rats. There is a significant reduction in the "time spent in the escape platform's quadrant" in 24-month-old rats compared to 4-month-old rats in the probe trial of the MWM test. YC-1 treatment reversed the reduction of the "time spent in the escape platform's quadrant" of 24-month-old rats. In the PA test, there was no significant difference in the 1st-day latency of rats in all groups. On the 2nd day, retention latency significantly decreased in the 24-month-old rats compared to 4-month-olds. YC-1 reversed the diminished retention latency in 24-month-old rats. YC-1 treatment and aging did not affect results of the locomotor activity test or the foot-shock sensitivity test, suggesting our results were not due to a change in motor activity or disability of the animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that activation of the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway plays an important role in spatial and emotional learning and memory functions in aged rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty and Experimental Medical Research and Application Center, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ipek
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Komsuoglu Celikyurt
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty and Experimental Medical Research and Application Center, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tijen
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Utkan
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty and Experimental Medical Research-Application Center, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cuneyt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty and Experimental Medical Research and Application Center, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nejat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gacar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Feyza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aricioglu
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D007191:Indazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007191:Indazoles; C090937:3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole