Taurine administration effects on learning in LPS induced Alzheimer's disease rat models

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the cell wall of the gram- negative bacteria, lead cognitive impairments and induces profound physiological and behavioral changes including fever, decrease in food motivation, and social behavior. These changes might be interpreted as acute oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions to the LPS. Because of this reasons LPS used to make animal model of Alzheimer's disese. In the present study, therefore, we investigate the effects of LPS (10, 100, 500 u/kg i.p) on spatial learning performances using Wistar-Albino male rats. In the Morris's water-maze task, spatial learning performans were exemined in four trials of training for six consecutive days. LPS treated rats took longer time to reach hidden platform than control rats (p<0.05). But LPS could not affect the retention phase. Since in Alzheimer's disease patients taurine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) level is known to be low, we invastigate role of taurine on LPS induced neurocognitive impairments. Taurine administration in 500 mg/kg dosage prevents LPS induced neurocognitive impairments (p<0.05). On the other hand taurine, by itself also lead spatial learning impairments (p<0.05). Our results indicate that it could be a choice to use taurine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease but further studies are needed for clinical applications.