Objective: To explore the effects of low temperature on the functions of learning and memory and activities of ATPase in brain tissue of mice.
Methods: 120 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups of A, B, and C with different cold exposure time. After low temperature test, learning and memory ability and activities of ATPase in brain tissue of the mice were measured.
Results: Compared with corresponding control group, in the test of learning ability, the total electric shock period [(41.00 +/- 12.06), (45.90 +/- 13.61) min], the total electric times (85.00 +/- 15.81, 89.00 +/- 17.29), and the error reaction times (33.60 +/- 10.69, 39.00 +/- 11.63) were increased in group A and group C significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but the rate of right reaction (53.60% +/- 11.23%, 54.59% +/- 6.14%) were decreased in group A and group C significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). In the test of memory ability, the total electric shock period [(19.00 +/- 4.62), (51.70 +/- 15.19) min] in group A and group C were increased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the rate of right reaction (86.17% +/- 6.34%, 65.92% +/- 8.17%) in group A and group C were decreased significantly (P < 0.05). In test of activities of ATPase in brain tissue, the activities of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and activities of Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase in brain tissue in group A and group C were decreased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Low temperature could decrease the functions of learning and memory and the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase in brain tissue of mice.