Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) prevents formaldehyde-induced neuronal damage inhippocampus of rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the neurotoxicity of formaldehyde on hippocampus and the protectiveeffects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) against these toxic effects. For this purpose, 21 male Wistarrats were divided into three groups. The rats in Group I comprised the controls, while the rats in Group IIwere injected every day with formaldehyde (FA). The rats in Group III received CAPE daily while exposed toformaldehyde. At the end of 8 days experimental period, all rats were sacrificed by decapitation. The brainsof the rats were removed and the hippocampus tissues were obtained from all brain specimens. Some of thehippocampus tissue specimens were used for determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathioneperoxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The remaining hippocampus tissue specimens wereused for light microscopic and immunohistochemical evaluation. The levels of SOD, GSH-Px and MDA were significantly increased in rats treated with formaldehyde comparedwith those of the controls. Furthermore, in the microscopic examination of this group, formation of apoptoticbodies, pycnotic cells, and vacuoler degeneration areas were observed. However, decreased biochemicalparameters were detected in the rats administered CAPE while exposed to formaldehyde. Additionally, cellulardamage caused by formaldehyde was decreased, and structural appearance was similar to that of the controlrats in this group. These biochemical and histological findings observed in all groups were also confirmed bythe immunohistochemical evaluation. It was determined that formaldehyde-induced neuronal damage in hippocampus was prevented by administrationof CAPE.