Effect of Soy Isoflavones on the Performance of Cerebral Neurotransmitter Systems in Adult and Aged Male Rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Soy isoflavone on the performance of neurotransmitter systems in adult and aged male rats. Methods: Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 183.2-184.2 g (6-8 months) and twenty aged male albino rats weighing 405.5-429 g (12-16 months) divided to four groups (10 rats per group). as follow: G1: Adult control group (Adult-C) ; rats fed on basal diet; G2: Aged control group (Aged-C); rats fed on basal diet; G3: Adult Isoflavone group (Adult-ISO) rats fed on basal diet and received isoflavone (100 mg /day) ;G4: Aged Isoflavone group (Aged-ISO); rats fed on basal diet and received isoflavone (100 mg/day) dissolved in 10 ml of distilled water by oral gavage. At the end of experiment (four weeks) blood samples were collected for biochemical measurements. Result: Current evidence revealed that, soy isoflavone treated group showed enhancement in dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, nitric oxide, acetylcholine, glutamate and GABA whereas decrease in choline acetyl transferase. Conclusion: soy isoflavones improved the neurotransmitters and brain cells functionally and lead to improve the cognitive functions and memory.