Effects of glibenclamide on memory retention of passive avoidance learning in rats

Background: Glucose increases memory in rats, and inhibit memory impairments produced by morphine. One mechanism by which glucose might act on memory via regulating the ATP-sensitive potassium channel. Objective: The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of glibenclamide on memory retention of passive avoidance learning in rats. Methods: This experimental study has been conducted in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (2016). Forty male Wistar rats were divided into: Control, DMSO and glibenclamide groups (n=8). All rats were trained in a passive avoidance task (50 Hz, 1 mA, 3 s). DMSO (0.2 ml) or glibenclamide (1, 2, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) were injected for 10 days before training. Retention test was done 48 h later. Memory retention of each animal was measured as latency takes to enter the dark chamber. Findings: The time spent in the light chamber area before entering to the dark area and total time spent in the light chamber in the glibenclamide groups were less than control group. These times in the glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) group was significantly lower than control group (P<0.05), conversely total time spent in the dark chamber in the glibenclamide groups were higher than control group. Conclusion: Glibenclamide, as an ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker, may reduce memory retention by increasing insulin levels and, consequently, reducing blood glucose levels.