Chronic Circadian Rhythm Induced Alterations in Brain Antioxidant System and Creatine’s Possible Preventive Effect

Stress is considered as a global problem of modernity. The study of biochemical and physiological mechanisms underlying the stress is crucial for life sciences. Stress stimulates physiological and adaptive responses of the body that restores homeostasis. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that prolonged exposure of stress affects general health condition of the organism. Physiological processes in the cells occurring during the stress usually induce biochemical changes, that are reflected by the modification of the hormonal status and signaling molecules activity, that leads to decrease in general status of energy metabolism as antioxidant scavenging status is downregulated. Stress eventually causes depression and a number of neurodegenerative diseases. The central nervous system and specifically brain are especially vulnerable to these processes. Hence, it is important to investigate substances that can be implemented in stress prevention. In this regard, Creatine has attracted our attention because of its antioxidant stimulating properties. Recent study describes the impact of intraperitoneal injection of creatine (140 mg/kg) in rats with disturbed natural circadian rhythm for an extended period of 30 days. Markedly, creatine-treated animals show positive changes in open-field behavioral studies and an increase in activity of certain antioxidant enzymes (SOD, Catalase) in the hippocampus, whereas the concentration of nitric oxide, H2O2, and Ca2+ ions are approximated to the control value. Similar findings have also been observed in case of Na+/K+-and Ca2+-ATP-ases. Considering the obtained results, the reason for upregulated activity of antioxidant enzymes in hippocampal cells of stressed mice may be involvement of administrated creatine in cell energy metabolism and activation of intracellular signaling pathways, followed by enhancement of anabolic reactions, including increased synthesis of enzymes involved in antioxidant system.

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