MODULATORY EFFECT OF PIRACETAM IN ISCHAEMIC BRAIN INJURY ON THE CEREBRUM, CEREBELLUM AND HIPPOCAMPUS OF WISTAR RAT
MODULATORY EFFECT OF PIRACETAM IN ISCHAEMIC BRAIN INJURY ON THE CEREBRUM, CEREBELLUM AND HIPPOCAMPUS OF WISTAR RAT
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Date
2015-10
Authors
LAWAL, AbdulMumuni Ahmed
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Abstract
Ischaemic brain injuries, that results from stroke, are common and often lead to
permanent residual disabilities. This work investigates the role Piracetam, a nootrophic
drug, played in modulation of induced brain injury to key areas of the brain; cerebrum,
cerebellum and hippocampus of adult Wistar rats. Drugs like Vitamin C, Vitamin E and
corticosteroids have been known to improve damage resulting from ischaemic damage to
the brain. Piracetam, like wise has been known to improve higher brain functions such as
memory and mental alertness. The effect of paracetam was investigated on twenty wistar
rats that were divided into five groups of four animals each. Ischaemic brain injury was
then induced by transient bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries. Motor function and
memory was assessed and comparison made between those animals that did not receive
any drugs and those that received Piracetam and or vitamin E. Serum and brain
malonylaldehyde (MDA) levels, histological assessment of cerebrum, cerebellum and
hippocampal brain were studied in animals in the various groups. Results show that the
percentage and grade of excitability score, forepaw grip time and transfer latency period
in an elevated plus maze was higher for those animals that received vitamin E or a
combination of vitamin E and Piracetam when compared with those that received
Piracetam only. The differences were however not statistically significant. Serum
malonylaldehyde was found to be significantly higher in those animals that did not
receive any drugs following induction of ischaemia when compared with those that
received either Piracetam, vitamin E or a combination of the two drugs. Furthermore
serum malonylaldehyde levels were significantly higher in those groups that received
vitamin E when compared to those that received Piracetam only. Brain tissue
malonylaldehyde levels were found to be higher in those animals that received Piracetam
only when compared with the group that received a combination of the two drugs. When
vitamin E alone was administered, malonylaldehyde levels in the brain were higher when
compared to the group that received Piracetam only. Photomicrographs of the cerebral
cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus showed marked evidence of neurodegeneration in
the untreated group compared to those groups that received drug treatment. Among the
groups treated, neuronal cell ischaemic changes were more evident in the group treated
with Piracetam alone when compared with the groups treated with Piracetam and or
vitamin E.
Description
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN ANATOMY
FACULTY OF MEDICINE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
A DISSERTATION PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE
AWARD OF M.SC HUMAN ANATOMY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
ANATOMY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA
Keywords
MODULATORY EFFECT,, PIRACETAM,, ISCHAEMIC BRAIN INJURY,, CEREBRUM,, CEREBELLUM,, HIPPOCAMPUS,, WISTAR RATS,