Deficit in Memory Is Associated with Paradoxical Regulation of Magnesium and Manganese in Isolated Male Rats.

Background: Magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn) play an important role in brain development and glutathione, the master antioxidant in the brain, is necessary for the cognitive function. This study is aimed at determining the effect of magnesium and manganese concentrations in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex on the glutathione function. The reduction in glutathione leads to memory impairment in -Y-maze in the isolation period.

Methods: In this study, 16 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: social and isolation. Based on previous studies, the isolation period was considered as 14 days, plus 1 week for acclimatization. On day 15, after assessing the memory with Y-maze, rats were examined for glutathione in serum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Also, serum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex were obtained for assessing Mn and Mg.

Results: The memory in Y-maze was impaired in isolated rats. Also, glutathione in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex was reduced in isolated rats versus socialized rats. In serum assay, glutathione reduced in socialized rats versus isolated rats. Mg was reduced in isolated rats versus socialized rats in serum assay. Paradoxically, Mn was increased in isolated rats versus socialized rats in serum assay. In tissue assay, Mg in hippocampus increased in socialized rats versus isolated rats. Paradoxically, in prefrontal cortex Mg increased in isolated rats versus socialized rats. Mn in hippocampus showed increased concentration in socialized rats versus isolated rats. Paradoxically, Mn showed reduced concentration in prefrontal cortex in socialized rats versus isolated rats.

Conclusion: Manganese and magnesium are necessary elements for maintaining enough level of cognition in the isolation period. Also, glutathione plays an important role.