Protection of Episodic Memory by Neuroprotective Peptide Treatments in Sprague-Dawley Rats Subjected to Hypoxic Exposure |Biomedgrid

This study aimed to demonstrate successful protection of episodic memory function by intranasal instillation of neuroprotective peptides delivered prophylactically using a rodent model. Aerospace professionals frequently experience hypoxia, which may be preceded or followed by hyperoxic exposure. These conditions have both short- and long-term impacts on neurological and cognitive functions, resulting in impairments of spatial and working memory, concentration, and attention shifting. To test memory protective activities of ADNP-8 (also known as NAP/Davunetide) and Semax under hypoxic conditions, male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with one of these peptides daily for four weeks. During the last five days of peptide treatment, rats were exposed daily to normobaric hypoxia (7.5% O2) or oscillatory hypoxia-hyperoxia (10 cycles of 95% ↔ 5% O2). Episodic memory performance was assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) test immediately after the exposure. Rats exposed to hypoxia or oscillatory hypoxia-hyperoxia showed impaired performance in the NOR test, which could be prevented by ADNP-8 or Semax treatment.