Choline Acetyltransferae Activity in the Brain of Alloxan Diabetic Albino Rats: Presence of an Inhibitor of this Enzyme Activity in the Cerebral Extract and Protection by Cichorium intybus

Diabetes induced ischaemic manifestations and cerebral disorders have been demonstrated at neurochemical level. However, the pathogenesis still remains to be completely elucidated. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate cerebral manifestations of diabetes as brain is affected by recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia and poor metabolic control during diabetes. Diabetes was induced by alloxan monohydrate (40 mg/Kg i.v.,) in albino rats (300-315 g) and used 48 h after alloxan administration. Activity of Cholin acetyl transferasesterase (ChAT, E C 2.3.1.6 ) in the cerebrum , cerebellum and medulla oblongata of the brain of rats decreased during diabetes (P<0.01, 0.05 and 0.03 respectively). Cerebral extract from alloxan diabetic rats decelerated significantly (P<0.05) the activity level of ChAT in discrete regions of the brain of normal animals indicating the presence of an inhibiting factor in the cerebrum of diabetic rats. Diabetic rats when fed with cichorium intybus (chicory ) for 10 days exhibited significant increase (P < 0.001) in ChAT activity., indicating that Cichorium intybus offered neuro- protection by virtue of its anti oxidant action.