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Feeding Vitamin C during Neonatal and Juvenile Growth Improves Learning and Memory of Rats
Mahmoud Hosseini1,2, Farimah Beheshti1, Farzaneh Sohrabi1
1a Division of Neurocognitive Sciences, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center , Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad , Iran.
Insights
Supplementing neonatal and juvenile rats with vitamin C (Vit C) improved their learning and memory capabilities. This study demonstrates the neuroprotective benefits of vitamin C during early development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Early life nutrition significantly impacts cognitive development.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a vital antioxidant with potential neuroprotective roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of vitamin C supplementation during neonatal and juvenile growth on learning and memory in rats.
- To assess the impact of varying vitamin C doses on cognitive function and brain biochemistry.
Main Methods:
- Rats were divided into four groups: control and three receiving vitamin C (10, 100, 500 mg/kg) from day one.
- After 8 weeks, learning and memory were evaluated using the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests.
- Brain tissues were analyzed for malondialdehyde, thiol levels, and catalase activity.
Main Results:
- Vitamin C supplementation (10-500 mg/kg) reduced latency and travel distance in the Morris water maze, indicating enhanced spatial learning.
- Higher vitamin C doses (10-500 mg/kg) decreased brain malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress.
- Vitamin C increased thiol levels and catalase activity in brain tissues, suggesting antioxidant effects.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal and juvenile vitamin C supplementation positively influences learning and memory in rats.
- Vitamin C exhibits neuroprotective properties by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing antioxidant defenses during critical developmental periods.
Abstract:
We investigated the effects of feeding vitamin C (Vit C) during neonatal and juvenile growth on learning and memory of rats. Rats after delivery were randomly divided into four groups and treated. Group 1, control group, received normal drinking water. Groups 2-4 received Vit C 10, 100, and 500 mg/kg, respectively, from the first day. After 8 weeks, 10 male offspring of each group were randomly selected and tested in the Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) tests. Finally, the brains were removed for biochemical measurement. In MWM, 10-500 mg/kg Vit C reduced the latency and traveled distance and increased time spent in the target quadrant. In PA, 10 and 100 mg/kg of Vit C increased the latency; 10-500 mg/kg of Vit C decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain tissues and increased thiol and catalase (CAT) activity compared to the control group. We showed that feeding rats Vit C during neonatal and juvenile growth has positive effects on learning and memory.
