Potential protective effect of ovocystatin on aging-related cognitive impairment in rats

Abstract

Introduction: Increased occurrence of cognitive deficits in mild cognitive impairment is related with the phenomenon of aging within the population. Cystatin C has been associated with cysteine protease inhibiting properties as well as an induction of autophagy and proliferation that can potentially be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of cognitive decline. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ovocystatin, which is structurally and biologically similar to cystatin C, on cognitive functions in experimental young and aging rat models. Material/Methods: The young (four-month-old) and aging (ten-month-old) Wistar Crl: Wi (Han) rats received ovocystatin (i.p.) for 12 days at a dose of 200 and 20 μg/rat, respectively. Cognitive functions were determined using the Morris water maze. Results: Ovocystatin treatment at a dose of 200 μg/rat improved the performance of old rats in the Morris water maze test via increasing the spent time and the distance traveled in the target zone but the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The results of the study highlight the important role cystatins play in neurodegenerative processes as well as the influence they have on cognitive functions. Furthermore, the obtained findings suggest ovocystatin may be used in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment or cognitive decline in dementia, but further morphological, biochemical and immunohistochemical studies are needed.