Abstract: Objective To explore the protective effects of rutin against learning and memory impairment induced by
trimethyltin (TMT) and investigate the possible mechanism. Methods Forty 6- to 9-week-old male BALB/c mice were
randomized equally into saline group (control), TMT group, TMT+rutin group, and rutin group. Mouse models of learning
and memory impairment were establish by acute TMT (2.25 mg/kg) exposure. In TMT+rutin and rutin treatment groups, the
mice received intraperitioneal injection of rutin (10 mg/kg) for 1 week before TMT exposure. Twenty-four hours after TMT
exposure, Morris water maze test was employed to test the escape latency of the mice, and the synaptophysin expression in the
hippocampus and cortex were analyzed by Western blotting. Results Compared that in TMT group, the escape latency of the
mice in water maze test was significantly shorter in the other 3 groups (P<0.05); the escape latency in TMT+rutin group was
similar with that in the control and rutin groups (P>0.05). Western blotting showed significantly decreased synaptophysin
expression in the hippocampus and cortex in TMT group (P<0.05); synaptophysin expression in TMT+rutin group increased
significantly compared with that in TMT group (P<0.05) but showed no statistical significance from that in rutin and control
groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Rutin pretreatment offers protective effect against TMT-induced learning and memory
impairment in mice possibly by antagonizing decreased synaptophysin in the hippocampus and cortex.