Effects of osteopontin combined with milk fat globule membrane proteins on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in mice

This study investigated the effects of osteopontin (OPN) combined with milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteins on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in mice. A dementia model was established through intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine, followed by random allocation into seven experimental groups: blank control, model control, OPN alone, MFGM alone, and three combination groups (low-, intermediate-, and high-dose OPN + MFGM). Cognitive performance was evaluated using Morris water maze testing, while biochemical analyses included assessments of hippocampal acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px]), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in both hippocampal tissue and serum. The intermediate- and high-dose combination groups demonstrated significant cognitive improvements compared to the model group, manifested by reduced escape latency, increased platform crossings, and prolonged target quadrant duration in water maze testing. Biochemical analyses revealed that these combination treatments significantly suppressed AChE activity in hippocampal tissue while enhancing antioxidant capacity through elevated SOD and GSH-Px activities, accompanied by reduced MDA levels in both brain and serum. This study demonstrated that the combination of OPN and MFGM administration improved learning and memory in mice with scopolamine-induced dementia through dose-dependent effects on the central cholinergic nervous and antioxidant systems.