Immunohistochemical evaluation of the influence of rebaudioside A on neurons containing acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the rat’s hippocampus and striatum

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate acetylcholinesterase-immunoreactive neurons in the CA1 area of the hippocampus and in the striatum (CS) of rats receiving rebaudioside A (RebA) for 15 days. RebA is a steviol glycoside used in the production of sweeteners, and it has been shown that glycosides affect memory and learning processes. RebA was administrated to adult rats for 15 days at 1 mg of glycoside/ml of water (group I) and 2 mg of glycoside/ml of water (group II). An indirect immunohistochemical peroxydase-antiperoxydase reaction was performed on frontal slides containing the hippocampus and CS with the use of a monoclonal antibody against AChE. Neurons immunoreactive for the protein were assessed morphologically and morphometrically in hippocampal area CA1 and in the CS. Microscopical observations did not reveal significant morphological changes in immunopositive neurons, which suggests that the glycoside had no neurotoxic effect of these cells. Morphometric analyses did not show changes in the density of AChE-immunoreactive neurons. On the other hand, a decrease in reaction intensity was demonstrated in hippocampal area CA1 in group I and in the CS in both groups of animals receiving RebA. The results of our preliminary studies suggest that RebA affects cholinergic neurons.