The present study investigated whether the antioxidant activity of p,p'-methoxyl-diphenyl diselenide [(MeOPhSe)(2)] is involved in its protective effect against cognitive impairment induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in a model of sporadic dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT). Swiss mice were treated with STZ or vehicle [2 µl of 2·5 mg ml(-1) solution; intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.)] twice, 48 h apart. (MeOPhSe)(2) (25 mg kg(-1)) or vehicle was orally administered 30 min prior to each STZ treatment. Neuroprotector effect of (MeOPhSe)(2) on the behavioral performance of mice on spatial recognition memory consolidation was investigated in the Y-maze test. After that, mouse brains were removed for measuring antioxidant parameters. (MeOPhSe)(2) protected against the impairment in learning and memory caused by i.c.v. administration of STZ in mice. (MeOPhSe)(2) protected against the increase in reactive species and the reduction of glutathione levels, as well as, the increase in superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase activities caused by STZ in whole brain. These results suggest that antioxidant property is involved, at least in part, in the neuroprotective effect of (MeOPhSe)(2) on SDAT induced by STZ in mice.
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