Hydrogen Sulfide Improves Passive Avoidance Task Performance in a Streptozotocin Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Background: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a novel gasotransmitter, exhibits antioxidant and neuroprotective properties and has been implicated in the mitigation of neurodegenerative disorders. Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the potential protective effects of exogenous H2S, administered as sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), on cognitive deficits in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (180 - 200 g) were divided into five groups: Control, Sham, STZ, STZ + Saline, and STZ + NaHS. To induce AD, STZ (3 mg/kg, 10 μL/injection site) was bilaterally administered into the lateral ventricles. Rats were then treated daily via intraperitoneal injection with saline or NaHS (5.6 mg/kg) for 21 days. Memory performance was assessed using the passive avoidance (PA) test. Results: The STZ significantly reduced step-through latency (STL) and time spent in the light compartment (TLC), while increasing time spent in the dark compartment (TDC) and the number of entries into the dark compartment. Treatment with NaHS in STZ-administered rats prevented these adverse effects. Conclusions: The results suggest that NaHS improves STZ-induced memory dysfunction in the PA test. Thus, NaHS may hold therapeutic potential for memory impairment in AD.