Effects of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural on Learning-memory and Brain Free Radical Metabolism in Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Model Mice

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural on learning-memory and cerebral free radical metabolism in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion model mice. METHODS: The mice were divided into sham operation group, model group, 5-HMF low dose group, 5-HMF high dose group, and dihydroergotamine mesilate positive control group. After administration of the corresponding drugs, all groups except the sham operation group were subjected to construction of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion model. The learning-memory of mice was examined by Morris water maze and step-down tests, and cerebral superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were determined as well. RESULTS: In model group compared with sham operation group the escape latency and swimming distance were significantly prolonged in Morris water maze test (P0.05); the latency was significantly decreased in step-down test (P0.01); the number of errors was increased (P0.05); SOD activity was significantly decreased in the brain tissue (P0.01), and MDA content was increased (P0.01). In 5-HMF group compared with model group all the above-mentioned parameters improved significantly (P0.01 or 0.05). CONCLUSION: Oral administration of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural can help improve dysmnesia induced by cerebral ischemia and reperfusion, and the mechanism may be related to its ability to help the recovery of cerebral free radical-eliminating enzyme activity and to resist free radical damage.