Astaxanthin Attenuates Environmental Tobacco Smoke-Induced Cognitive Deficits: A Critical Role of p38 MAPK.

ABSTRACT: Increasing evidence indicates that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) impairs cognitive function and induces oxidative stress in the brain. Recently, astaxanthin (ATX), a marine bioactive compound, has been reported to ameliorate cognitive deficits. However, the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, ATX administration (40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg, oral gavage) and cigarette smoking were carried out once a day for 10 weeks to investigate whether the p38 MAPK is involved in cognitive function in response to ATX treatment in the cortex and hippocampus of ETS mice. Results indicated that ATX administration improved spatial learning and memory of ETS mice (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Furthermore, exposure to ATX prevented the increases in the protein levels of the p38mitogen-activated pro

SUBMITTER: Yang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6356379 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature