The effect of folic acid supplementation on damage caused by chronic cerebral hypo-perfusion in the hippocampus: the role of antioxidant agents and homocysteine

Purpose Oxidative stress is known as the dominant factor in the damage caused by ischemia. Also, clinical studies have shown that the amount of folic acid decreases during ischemia. A decrease in folic acid is associated with an increase in homocysteine, which plays an important role in neurological disorders. In this study, folic acid was used to treat ischemic animals. The antioxidant role of folic acid is known. In addition, folic acid is able to reduce homocysteine level. Methods Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: sham; CCH; and 2 CCH groups treated with folic acid 4 and 12 mg/kg. Chronic cerebral hypo-perfusion (CCH) was induced by permanent occlusion of common carotid arteries. Three days after occlusion, folic acid was administered daily for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, spatial learning and memory, antioxidant activity and MDA level in the hippocampus and serum homocysteine (Hcy) level were assessed. Results Cognitive assay revealed that folic acid has been able to improve spatial learning and memory in the CCH groups. Folic acid increased antioxidant capacity in the hippocampus of the CCH groups. Examination of serum homocysteine and hippocampal MDA also showed that folic acid reduces these factors. Conclusion According to the result, folic acid may be effective in reducing the damages caused by CCH in the hippocampus by improving the capacity of antioxidant and lowering homocysteine.