Pentoxifylline Protects Against Hippocampal Damage and Memory Impairment Induced by Trimethyltin

Background: Trimethyltin (TMT) is a toxic agent that causes oxidative stress, a laboratory model for inducing hippocampal injuries. Pentoxifylline (PTX) inhibits phosphodiesterase, inflammation and oxidative stress. This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of PTX on injuries induced by TMT in the hippocampus. Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of 12 each. Group 1 received normal saline while Group 2 received a single dose of TMT (8 mg/kg). The other four groups received TMT at 8 mg/kg plus 60, 100 or 120 mg/kg PTX twice daily for six consecutive days. The rats’ working and reference memory were investigated, using radial arm maze tasks. At the end of the experiments, the rats’ brains were removed and processed for histological study of the hippocampus. Results: The TMT treatment prolonged the four baited arms tasks (P