The Evaluation Effect of Hydrogen Sulfide on Impairment Learning and Memory and Necrosis Cell Death on Hippocampus in Methamphetamine Neurotoxicity in Male Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Methamphetamine is one of a number of artificial stimulants that can cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system. Recent studies have shown that methamphetamine result in neuronal damage through several ways like effecting on brain neurotransmitters such as dopamine, increased free radicals and oxidative stress, accelerated cell death, and apoptosis. In addition, there are many studies and evidence of anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant effects of hydrogen sulfide on various types of neurological diseases. Therefore, this study was designed to help prove the function of sulfide hydrogen neurotransmitter protection against neurotoxic activity of methamphetamine.

Methods: Methamphetamine neurotoxicity was induced by 40 mg/kg of METH in four intraperitoneally (IP) injections (e.g., 4×10 mg/kg q. 2-h, IP.). NaHS was administered at 30- min, 24-h, and 48 h after the final injection of METH. Spatial memory test was evaluated by Morris water maze then the brains were removed for Nissl staining to assess necrosis neuronal death within the hippocampal CA1 area

Results: Behavioral tests shows that H2S treatment could significantly improve spatial memory deficits and learning (P<0.05) versus the METH group. Moreover, H2S could significantly reduce necrosis cell death (P<0.01) in CA1 area of hippocampus

Conclusion: According to the findings, H2S exerts significant neuroprotective effects on METH neurotoxicity due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.