Effects of propentofylline on disorder of learning and memory in rodents.

Effects of a newly synthesized xanthine derivative propentofylline (3,7-dihydro-3-methyl-1-(5-oxohexyl)-7-propyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione) on learning and memory of rodents were examined in the two different paradigms. In a shuttle box active avoidance paradigm, propentofylline (25 mg/kg/day, p.o.) improved the decreased learning ability of 12-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats. Normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats at a comparable age showed rapid acquisition of avoidance learning, which was not influenced by propentofylline. Step-down passive avoidance task was carried out as the other paradigm. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CXM) induced amnesia in young adult mice. Propentofylline improved the memory deficit when intraperitoneally administered 30 min before the retention test, and it also prevented the development of amnesia when injected 15 min before CXM. These results suggest that propentofylline ameliorates the disturbed learning and memory.