Morris water maze.

Ethanol-induced memory impairment in rats is a consequence of changes within the central nervous system that are secondary to impaired oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction. Treatment with antioxidants and cholinergic agonists are reported to produce beneficial effects in animal models. Rutin is reported to exhibit antioxidant effect and cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor activity. However, no report is available on the influence of rutin on ethanol-induced memory impairment. Therefore, we tested its influence against cognitive dysfunction in ethanol-induced rats using Morris water maze test and Novel object recognition test. Lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels as parameter of oxidative stress and ChE activity as a marker of cholinergic function were assessed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Forty five days after ethanol treated rats showed a severe deficit in learning and memory associated with increased lipid peroxidation, decreased glutathione, and elevated ChE activity. In contrast, chronic treatment with rutin (20-80 mg/kg, p.o., once a day for 45 days) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg, p.o.) improved cognitive performance, and lowered oxidative stress and ChE activity in ethanol treated rats. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that treatment with rutin prevents the changes in oxidative stress and ChE activity, and consequently memory impairment in ethanol treated rats.

Our health is influenced by many factors, called the determinants of health. WHO has defined its determinants as the set of "personal, social, economic and environmental factors that determine the health status of individuals or populations" (WHO, 1999). Conceptual models or theoretical frameworks help us to understand the complex issues that impede the determinants of health, support health planning interventions and policy development, and most importantly, understand the dimensions of health in order to act to reduce health inequalities between different population groups. This study examined diachronically different frameworks related to the determinants of health, classified them into forty-one conceptual frameworks developed by different countries, organizations and theorists and described as explanatory frameworks, and/or interactive frameworks, and/or action-oriented frameworks. Each framework is detailed according to the important elements and its field of interest. Five frameworks were selected after an in-depth analysis to agree on a comprehensive framework adapted to the Moroccan context and current political concerns and knowledge. In this perspective, our project proposes a conceptual framework of health determinants specific to the Moroccan context that is based on a holistic and intersectoral approach, which recognizes social inequalities in health, describes the role of individuals and communities, gives the importance of upstream action, and helps to improve our understanding of complex problems in the Moroccan health system.

Ethanol-induced memory impairment in rats is a consequence of changes within the central nervous system that are secondary to impaired oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction. Treatment with antioxidants and cholinergic agonists are reported to produce beneficial effects in animal models. Rutin is reported to exhibit antioxidant effect and cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor activity. However, no report is available on the influence of rutin on ethanol-induced memory impairment. Therefore, we tested its influence against cognitive dysfunction in ethanol-induced rats using Morris water maze test and Novel object recognition test. Lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels as parameter of oxidative stress and ChE activity as a marker of cholinergic function were assessed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Forty five days after ethanol treated rats showed a severe deficit in learning and memory associated with increased lipid peroxidation, decreased glutathione, and elevated ChE activity. In contrast, chronic treatment with rutin (20-80 mg/kg, p.o., once a day for 45 days) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg, p.o.) improved cognitive performance, and lowered oxidative stress and ChE activity in ethanol treated rats. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that treatment with rutin prevents the changes in oxidative stress and ChE activity, and consequently memory impairment in ethanol treated rats.