Author/Authors :
Navaie, Fatemeh Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Hassanzadeh, Gholamreza Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Mahakizadeh, Simin Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj , Mehrannia, Kobra Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Alizamir, Tahereh Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - Hamedan University of Medicaid Sciences, Hamedan , Dashti, Nasrin Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences - School of Allied Medical Sciences - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Poorhassan, Mahnaz Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology - School of Medicine - Shahid Beheshti University of Medicaid Sciences, Tehran , Mokhtari, Tahmineh Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - Semnan University of Medicaid Sciences, Semnan , Akbari, Mohammad Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Abstract :
Background: During hypoxia, the increased production of reactive oxygen species occurs during the re-oxygenation phase of periodic
continuous hypobaric hypoxia.
Objectives: In this study, we surveyed the effect of supplementary flaxseed (Fx) on oxidative damage to the hippocampus of the
hypoxic rat model.
Methods: In this study, 24 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided and studied in four groups: (1) The control group with normal
oxygen and food (Co.), (2) The sham group placed in a hypoxia chamber with normal oxygen and food (Sh.), (3) Hypoxia induction
group with normal food (Hx), and (4) Hypoxia induction group with 10% Fx food (Hx + Fx). Both the Hx and Hx + Fx groups were
kept in a hypoxic chamber for 30 days while the atmospheric pressure was reduced (oxygen 8%, nitrogen 92%) for four hours daily.
Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were evaluated in the hippocampus region of the brain tissue.
Neuronal damage was examined using histological studies. Blood samples were collected to measure interleukin-18 (IL-18).
Results: A significant increase was recorded in the IL-18 level and hippocampal dark neurons of the CA1, CA2, CA3, and dentate gyrus
(DG) areas in the Hx group as compared to Co. and Sh. groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant decrease was noted in the dark
neurons in the Hx + Fx group as compared to the Hx group (P < 0.05). A significant increase was observed in the TAC concentration
in the Hx + Fx group in comparison with the Co., Sh., and Hx groups (P < 0.05), while a significant increase was observed in the MDA
concentration in the Hx group as compared to the Co. and Sh. groups and a significant decrease in the Hx + Fx group as compared
to the Hx group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: This study suggested that the consumption of flaxseed could be a useful strategy for preventing the harmful effect of
hypoxia on the hippocampus of the rat brain.
Keywords :
Hypoxia , Flaxseed , Dark Neuron , Neuroprotective , Rat
