Role of ambrisentan (selective endothelin-A receptor antagonist) on cigarette smoke exposure induced cognitive impairment in Danio rerio.

Background: Cigarette smoke is exogenous modifiable factors to changes the neurovascular complication. The chronic exposure of cigarette smoke enhances neurocognitive dysfunction.

Aims: The present study is focused on evaluating the role of ambrisentan (selective endothelin-A receptor antagonist) on cigarette smoke-induced cognitive impairment in Danio rerio.

Main Methods: The cognitive dysfunction was developed by cigarette smoke exposure (CSE; 10 min in 25 ml of CSE per day) for five days. The selective endothelin-A receptor antagonist i.e., ambrisentan (2.5 to 5 mg/kg; i.p. for five consecutive days) was used for testing of CSE induced cognitive dysfunction. In addition, treatment of reference drug i.e., donepezil (10 mg/kg; i.p. for five consecutive days) was used for this cognitive function study. The cognitive functions were assessed by light and dark chamber; color recognition; partition preference; horizontal compartment; and T-Maze tests. Further, the CSE induced biomarkers changes of the zebrafish brain samples were estimated.

Key Findings: The treatment of ambrisentan showed a potential ameliorative effect against the CSE induced cognitive functions along with attenuation of biochemical changes. The results are comparable to donepezil-treated groups.

Significance: Therefore, ambrisentan can be considered for the attenuation of CSE induced impairment neurocognitive functions due to its reduction of free radical scavenging and neuroinflammatory actions as well as regulation of cholinergic neurotransmitter functions.