Pioglitazone Prevented from Learning and Memory Impairment and Nitric Oxide Increment Induced by Scopolamine

The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of pioglitazone (Pio) on learning and memory impairment and nitric oxide (NO) increment induced by Scopolamine (Sco). Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were injected by saline, Sco or three dosesincluding 10, 20 and 30 mg/ kg of Pio before Sco. Passive avoidance (PA) test and morris water maze (MWM) were done and then the hippocampus was removed for biochemical measurements. Results: Sco decreased the latency to enter the dark in PA test. It alsoincreased the total time spent dark. In a MWM, the Sco group significantly took a longer period of time and traveled a greater distance to reach the platform, which was prevented by Pio. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite levels in the hippocampus of the Sco group werehigher, but the total thiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were lower than that of the control group. Pre-treatment using Pio prevented the changes concerning the biochemical criteria. Conclusion: It is suggested that Pio prevents Sco-induced memory deficits by reducing the brain tissues oxidative stress