Effect of 2 Weeks Naringin Application on Neurological Function and Neurogenesis After Brain Ischemia–Reperfusion in Ovariectomized Rats

Cerebral ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) is a condition that occurs when blood flow is restored after a temporary interruption and may lead to deterioration in brain functions depending on the time passed. One of the changes in functions is neurological score values. This study aimed to determine the effect of brain ischemia reperfusion and 2-week naringin supplementation on changes in neurological score and neurogenesis in ovariectomized female rats. Experimental groups of 36 Wistar-albino-type female rats were created as follows: control group: no anesthesia or surgical procedure was applied. Ovariectomy-sham brain I/R group: After the ovariectomy was performed under general anesthesia, the carotid artery regions were opened and closed, and sham ischemia–reperfusion was performed, followed by a vehicle application for 2 weeks (2 weeks, 1 ml 0.25% carboxymethylcellulose). Ovariectomy-I/R group: After ovariectomy, carotid arteries were isolated under general anesthesia, ligated for 30 min, and reperfused for 2 weeks after ischemia was performed. Ovariectomy-I/R sham treatment group: After ovariectomy, the carotid arteries were isolated under general anesthesia, then ligated and ischemia was performed for 30 min, and then reperfusion and vehicle application were performed for 2 weeks. Ovariectomy-I/R naringin treatment group: After ovariectomy, carotid arteries were isolated under general anesthesia, ligated for 30 min, and ischemia was performed, followed by naringin application with reperfusion for 2 weeks. Neurological scoring values performed on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days after the surgical procedure significantly increased with ischemia–reperfusion. Also, hippocampus and frontal cortex calbindin, alpha/beta-tubulin, and Neu-N levels were reduced considerably by ischemia–reperfusion. However, it was observed that a 2-week naringin application significantly suppressed the increase in neurological scores. The suppression in neurological score values became more evident in the 2nd week. Our results show that the impairment of motor functions and neurogenesis in the frontal cortex and hippocampus in brain ischemia–reperfusion after ovariectomy in female rats was significantly improved by 2 weeks of naringin supplementation.