The Effects of Sodium Hydrosulfide on Motor Learning in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Background Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), a novel endogenous gasotransmitter, plays an important role in neuromodulation and memory performance and also protects neurons against neurotoxin-induced neurodegeneration. Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of Sodium Hydrosulfide (NaHS), on motor learning in a unilateral 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model of Parkinson’s Disease. Methods Male Wistar rats were subjected to unilateral injection of 6-OHDA (15 μg) into the Medial Forebrain Bundle (MFB) and then treated with NaHS for 25 days. Animals were divided into control, sham, sham plus NaHS, Parkinson (6-OHDA), Parkinson plus vehicle (saline), and Parkinson plus NaHS (2.8 and 5.6 mg/kg, IP) groups, (N=8). One-way ANOVA followed by turkey’s test was applied for statistical analyses of the data. Findings The riding time in fixed and accelerating speed rotarod were significantly decreased in Parkinson rats (6-OHDA group) compared to controls in all training days (P