Effect of deferoxamine on learning and memory ability in aged rats

Objective To evaluate the effect of deferoxamine on learning and memory ability in aged rats.Methods Forty-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 18 months,weighing 450-550 g,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =21 each) using a random number table:normal saline group (group N) and deferoxamine group (group D).In group D,deferoxamine 150 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally once a day for 6 consecutive days,while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group N.Morris water maze test was conducted at 2 h after each injection on that day,lasting for 6 days.The escape latency,swimming speed,time of staying at the original platform quadrant and time spent in the central region were recorded.Hippocampal ferritin expression was detected by Western blot before the first administration and at 2 h after 3rd and 2nd administration.Results Compared with group N,the escape latency was significantly shortened,and the percentage of the time of staying at the original platform quadrant and time spent in the central region was increased,the expression of hippocampal ferritin was down-regulated,and no significant change was found in the swimming speed in group D.Conclusion Deferoxamine can enhance the learning and memory ability in aged rats,and reduced iron deposition in hippocampi is involved in the mechanism. Key words: Deferoxamine ;  Aged ;  Cognition disorders