Magnesium oxide nanoparticle effects on the central nervous system biochemical parameters and memory deficit induced by a sleep-deprivation

Objective(s): Magnesium plays an important role in the correct functioning of the nervous system and it is hardly able to cross the bloodbrain barrier. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) can affect memory in animal models.  The current study aimed to evaluate the mechanism of action and efficacy of MgO NP in comparison to conventional magnesium oxide (C MgO) in learning and memory at the sleepdeprived model of rats.Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (200±20 gr) were divided into control, MgO NP and C MgO (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) groups. Shortterm and longterm memories were evaluated by the passive avoidance test. The Columnsinwater method was used to induce sleep deprivation (SD) for 72 h in all groups. Oxidative stress markers including glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, Malone dialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase, and brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) were assessed in the hippocampus of all animals. Also, brain and hippocampus magnesium levels were evaluated in all groups. Results: MgO NP (5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly improved short and longterm memory impairmentinduced by SD (P 0.05). Hippocampus magnesium levels increased in all groups treated by MgO NP. There were no significant changes in the hippocampal oxidant and antioxidant factors level and BDNF in MgO NP and C MgO treated groups. Conclusion: Probably MgO NP could entrance the brain and the gathering of magnesium ions in the hippocampus enhanced memory. So that memory improvement can be related to the increasing magnesium level in the hippocampus that this needs more research.