Modulatory effects of caffeine on oxidative stress and anxiety-like behavior in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

Menopause is accompanied by enhanced oxidative stress and behavioral changes, effects attenuated by antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine on behavior and oxidative stress in an experimental model of menopause. Female rats were divided in: sham-operated (CON), sham-operated and caffeine-treated (CAF), ovariectomized (OVX), ovariectomized and caffeinetreated (OVX+CAF). Caffeine (6 mg/kg) and vehicle were administered for 21 days (subchronic) and 42 days (chronic), using 2 experimental subsets. Behavioral tests and oxidative stress parameters in the blood, whole brain and hippocampus were assessed. The subchronic administration of caffeine decreased the lipid peroxidation and improved the antioxidant defense in the blood and brain. The GSH/GGSG ratio in the brain was improved by chronic administration, with reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes and enhanced nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels. In particular, the lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus decreased in both experiments. The rats became hyperactive after 21 days of treatment, but no effect was observed after chronic administration. In both experimental subsets, caffeine had anxiolytic effects as tested in EPM. The administration of low doses of caffeine, for a short period of time, may be a new therapeutic approach to modulating the oxidative stress and anxiety in menopause.

Oxidative Stress Mediates Anxiety-Like Behavior Induced by High Caffeine Intake in Zebrafish: Protective Effect of Alpha-Tocopherol

“…Similar results were also observed in rodents, other fish species [30], and zebrafish larvae [31]. Although caffeine effect on the CNS is not fully understood, there are some evidences indicating that a high dose of caffeine stimulates A1 adenosine receptors and generates oxidative stress in the brain [17, 32]. The association between oxidative stress and anxiety was already demonstrated in the literature [11].…”

Caffeine improves sperm quality, modulates steroidogenic enzyme activities, restore testosterone levels and prevent oxidative damage in testicular and epididymal tissues of scopolamine-induced rat model of amnesia

“…and Saxena et al the results revealed that donepezil reduced nitric oxide levels and suppressed oxidative stress in aluminium chloride and streptozotocin‐induced rats, respectively. Several reports have also revealed the antioxidant activities of caffeine . Hence, these results show that caffeine could be an effective therapeutic strategy to ease the burden of free radical‐induced oxidative damage to testicular and epididymal tissues.…”

“…Several reports have also revealed the antioxidant activities of caffeine. [50][51][52] Hence, these results show that caffeine could be an effective therapeutic strategy to ease the burden of free radical-induced oxidative damage to testicular and epididymal tissues.…”

Antioxidative effects of caffeine in a hyperoxia-based rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

“…Error bars represent SEM, n = 5 (ELISA) or n = 7-8 (pPCR)/group. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001 versus control (NO); #p < 0.05, ##p < 0.01, and ###p < 0.001 versus hyperoxia group (HY) with Mann Whitney test the antioxidant defense in the blood and brain [64]. Teng et al demonstrated a significant reduction of DNA oxidation with caffeine in rat pups raised in hyperoxia from P1 to P10 and recovery in room air until P21 [35].…”