THE IMPORTANCE OF OXIDATIVE AND NITROSATIVE STRESS ON ANGIOTENSIN II-INDUCED AMNESTIC EFFECTS IN RAT

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is one of the most important neuropeptide systems in the brain and it isknown now that in addition to the regulation of blood pressure, RAS is also implicated in the modulation of somesuperior functions involving the emotional responses, pain or cognitive functions. However, in the last few years variousstudies regarding the modulatory effects of Ang II on learning and memory showed conflicting results, with both positiveand negative reports. In addition, the effects of Ang II on oxidative stress and its relations to the cognitive processes arenot very well understood.We report here the amnesic effects of Ang II icv 0.1μg/kg b.w administration in rats, as showed by decreasedspontaneous alternation in Y-maze. Also, we noticed a significant correlation between the behavioral deficits in Y-mazeand the levels of some oxidative stress markers. This could also have a possible therapeutic importance, since thereduction in blood pressure via manipulation of RAS can results in enhanced cognitive effects. Also, both oxidative andnitrosative stress seems to play an important part in the aforementioned aspects.