Aminooxyacetic acid improves learning and memory in a rat model of chronic alcoholism

Chronic alcoholism seriously damages the central nervous system and leads to impaired learning and memory. Cell damage in chronic alcoholism is strongly associated with elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and calcium ion overload. Aminooxyacetic acid is a cystathionine-β-synthase activity inhibitor that can reduce H₂S formation in the brain. This study sought to observe the effect of aminooxyacetic acid on learning and memory in a chronic alcoholism rat model. Rats were randomly divided into three groups. Rats in the control group were given pure water for 28 days. Rats in the model group were given 6% alcohol for 28 days to establish an alcoholism rat model. Rats in the aminooxyacetic acid remedy group were also given 6% alcohol for 28 days and were also intraperitoneally injected daily with aminooxyacetic acid (5 mg/kg) from day 15 to day 28. Learning and memory was tested using the Morris water maze test. The ultrastructure of mitochondria in the hippocampus was observed by electron microscopy. H₂S levels in the hippocampus were measured indirectly by spectrophotometry, and ATPase activity was measured using a commercial kit. The expression of myelin basic protein was determined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Compared with the control group, latency and swimming distance were prolonged in the navigation test on days 2, 3, and 4 in the model group. In the spatial probe test on day 5, the number of platform crosses was reduced in the model group. Cristae cracks, swelling or deformation of mitochondria appeared in the hippocampus, the hippocampal H₂S level was increased, the mitochondrial ATPase activity was decreased, and the expression of myelin basic protein in the hippocampus was down-regulated in the model group compared with the control group. All the above indexes were ameliorated in the aminooxyacetic acid remedy group compared with the model group. These findings indicate that aminooxyacetic acid can improve learning and memory in a chronic alcoholism rat model, which may be associated with reduction of hippocampal H₂S level and mitochondrial ATPase activity, and up-regulation of myelin basic protein levels in the hippocampus.