Effect of citicoline supplementation on behavior and immunohistochemical analysis in postmenopausal rats with experimentally induced circadian rhythm disorder

This study examined the behavioral and immunohistochemical effects of citicoline supplementation in postmenopausal rats with experimentally induced circadian rhythm disorder. Circadian rhythm regulates many physiological processes, including the sleep-wake cycle. Disruption of this rhythm in the postmenopausal period can lead to neurological disorders such as cognitive decline, depression, and anxiety. Citicoline plays a crucial role in the repair of neuronal cell membranes and has neuroprotective effects. In this study, 24 female Sprague Dawley rats were used and divided into three groups: control, circadian rhythm disruption group, and citicoline supplementation group. In this study, a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Behavioral tests showed that the citicoline-treated group exhibited significant improvements in depressive and anxiety-related behaviors, as well as enhanced memory and learning performance. Immunohistochemically, citicoline supplementation increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and acetylcholine expression. BDNF plays a key role in the protection and regeneration of neuronal cells, and its increased expression in the citicoline group indicates better preservation of neural integrity. Additionally, elevated acetylcholine levels were linked to improved cognitive functions. The overall findings suggest that citicoline may serve as a potential therapeutic agent in treating neurological disorders related to circadian rhythm disruptions. These results support the potential use of citicoline in treating cognitive and behavioral disorders associated with the postmenopausal period. Keywords: Circadian rhythm, citicoline, postmenopause, neuroprotective