Studies on antioxidant action of zinc in memory and learning disorders due to early-life stress

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K04189
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Experimental psychology
• Research Institution: Nara Medical University
• Principal Investigator: AZUMA CHO 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 学内講師 (90326322)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 西 真弓 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (40295639)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 早期母子分離 / 海馬 / 亜鉛 / セレン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To elucidate the role of antioxidant action of zinc and selenium in the early-life stress of maternal separation, the mouse pups in the maternal separation group and control group were prepared. The hippocampal selenium and zinc contents, serum protein carbonyl and 8-OHdG concentration were analyzed in 13 postnatal weeks.
It was found that the hippocampal selenium content was extremely significantly decreased in the maternal separation group compared with the control group. However, no significant differences were found in the hippocampal zinc, copper, and manganese contents between the maternal separation and control groups. Whereas the serum carbonylation protein and 8-OHdG concentration were not increased significantly in the maternal separation.
These results suggest that the maternal separation may affect the hippocampal selenium content, but does not affect other mineral contents, such as zinc, copper, and manganese in the hippocampi.

Free Research Field

ミネラルと組織・器官の加齢変化、機能、疾患との関わりについての研究