Effects of inhaled formaldehyde on learning and memory and expression of CaMKⅡ in hippocampus of Wistar rats of different ages / 重庆医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effects of inhaled low level formaldehyde on learning and memory,the body weight,and the expression of CaMKⅡ in hippocampus of Wistar rats of different ages.Methods:48 Wistar rats including 16 neonatal rats(P3),16 childhood rats(P14) and 16 adult rats(P60) were divided into control groups and formaldehyde exposure groups randomly according to their age.During 28 consecutive days,the experimental groups were exposed to the gaseous formaldehyde(0.5mg/m3) for 2 h/d.The Morris water maze test was conducted to investigate the spatial learning and memory of the rats.The expressions of CaMKⅡ were assayed by immunohistochemical techniques.Results:The body weight of all the experimental groups were less than that of control groups(P0.05),except with the body weight.Conclusion:Inhaled formaldehyde has a negative effect on learning and memory of Wistar rats;the developing brain appears far more vulnerable than the mature brain.Changes of CaMKⅡ in hippocampus may be one of the mechanisms of the effects on learning and memory.