Protective effects of omega-3 against procarbazine-induced brain damage in the cerebellum and CA1 Hippocampus of male rats: a focus on oxidative stress mechanisms.

Abstract

The study examined the combined effects of procarbazine (PCZ) and omega-3 on cognitive functions, motor skills, and brain histology in male rats over ten days. While PCZ has antitumor properties, omega-3 is a dietary supplement with potential health benefits. Here, forty-eight adult male Wistar rats, averaging 230 to 250 g, were used in this study. Novel Object Recognition (NOR), Open Field Tests (OFT), and rotarod assessments were employed to evaluate cognitive and motor functions. Also, cell degeneration in pyramidal cells of the CA1 region and Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, along with measuring serum oxidant and antioxidant levels to gauge treatment impact on brain functions. Results showed significant weight loss in PCZ-treated rats, alongside fewer rearing instances and reduced distance traveled in OFT compared to the sham group (P < 0.05). However, cognitive performance in the NOR test remained unchanged. The PCZ group demonstrated lower rotarod performance than the sham group (P < 0.05), but the PCZ + omega-3 group showed improved balance. Antioxidant enzyme levels decreased in the PCZ group relative to the sham group (P < 0.05), with no significant change in malondialdehyde levels; omega-3 did not influence these levels in PCZ-treated rats. PCZ caused damage to pyramidal cells in the hippocampus and cerebellum, but omega-3 mitigated some of the cerebellar damage, suggesting it may partially reduce PCZ-induced toxicity. These findings suggest omega-3 could alleviate some negative effects of PCZ on brain functions, especially in the cerebellum.