Korean J Nutr.  2006 Apr;39(3):219-224.

Effect of Soy Isoflavone Intake on Water Maze Performance and Brain Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Rats

• Oh HK
• Kim SH

Abstract

This study was performed to determine the effect of soy isoflavones on brain development and function in rats. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were provided diets containing different levels of soy isoflavones for 6 weeks; 0 ppm (control), 50 ppm (low isoflavone intake; LI), 250 ppm (medium isoflavone intake; MI) and 500 ppm (high isoflavone intake; HI). Learning ability was evaluated by a Y-shaped water maze and the activity of acetylcholinesterase in brain was assayed after decapitation. Food intake and body weights as well as weights of brain, liver, spleen, heart and kidney showed no significant difference among the four groups, which means 500 ppm of isoflavones is safe. In the water maze test, the frequency of error counted when rats entered one end of the alley without platform was significantly lower in the HI group than in the control group, and the escape latency as swim time taken to escape on the hidden platform was significantly shorter in the HI group than in the LI and control groups. The activity of acetylcholinesterase of the brain was significantly higher in the HI and MI groups than in the control group. Therefore, the results indicate that isoflavones may improve the cognitive function without adverse effects.

Keyword

isoflavone; water maze; acetylcholinesterase

MeSH Terms

Acetylcholinesterase*
Animals
Body Weight
Brain*
Decapitation
Diet
Eating
Heart
Humans
Isoflavones
Kidney
Learning
Liver
Male
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Spleen
United Nations
Weights and Measures
Acetylcholinesterase
Isoflavones