Effect of CDP-choline on Hippocampal Acetylcholinesterase and Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase in Adult and Aged Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different cytidine-5′-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) concentrations (0.1-1 mm) on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities in homogenates of adult and aged rat hippocampi. Tissues were homogenised, centrifuged at 1000 × g for 10 min and in the supernatant, AChE activity and Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities were determined according to Ellman’s method and Bowler’s and Tirri’s method, respectively. After an 1-3 h preincubation of the homogenised tissue with CDP-choline, a maximal AChE stimulation of about 25% for both adult and aged rats (p < 0.001) and a Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activation of about 50% for adult rats (p < 0.001) and about 60% for aged rats (p < 0.001) were observed, while hippocampal Mg²⁺- ATPase activity was not influenced in either adult or aged animals. It is suggested that: CDP-choline can restore hippocampal AChE and Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activities in the aged rat and thus it may play a role in improving memory performance which is impaired by aging and some neuronal disturbances.