Electroacupuncture reduces apoptotic index and inhibits p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in the hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Electroacupuncture attenuates cerebral hypoxia and neuronal apoptosis induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.To further identify the involved mechanisms,we assumed that electroacupuncture used to treat cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was associated with the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） signaling pathway.We established rat models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury using the modified Zea-Longa＇s method.At 30 minutes before model establishment,p38 MAPK blocker SB20358 was injected into the left lateral ventricles.At 1.5 hours after model establishment,electroacupuncture was administered at acupoints of Chize（LU5）,Hegu（LI4）,Zusanli（ST36）,and Sanyinjiao（SP6） for 20 minutes in the affected side.Results showed that the combination of EA and SB20358 injection significantly decreased neurologic impairment scores,but no significant differences were determined among different interventional groups.Hematoxylin-eosin staining also showed reduced brain tissue injuries.Compared with the SB20358 group,the cells were regularly arranged,the structures were complete,and the number of viable neurons was higher in the SB20358 ＋ electroacupuncture group.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase（Td T）-mediated d UTP nick-end labeling assay showed a decreased apoptotic index in each group,with a significant decrease in the SB20358 ＋ electroacupuncture group.Immunohistochemistry revealed reduced phosphorylated p38 expression at 3 days in the electroacupuncture group and SB20358 ＋ electroacupuncture group compared with the ischemia/reperfusion group.There was no significant difference in phosphorylated p38 expression between the ischemia/reperfusion group and SB20358 group.These findings confirmed that the electroacupuncture effects on mitigating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury are possibly associated with the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.A time period of 3 days could promote the repair of ischemic cerebral nerves.

Effects of electroacupuncture on the expression of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and ribosomal protein S6 in the hippocampus of rats with vascular dementia

This study investigated the mechanism underlying electroacupuncture therapy for vascular dementia through electroacupuncture at the acupoints of Baihui （DU20）, Dazhui （DU14）, and bilateral Shenshu （BL23） in a rat model of vascular dementia produced by bilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion. Morris water maze test showed that electroacupuncture improved the learning ability of vascular dementia rats. Western blot assay revealed that the expression of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and ribosomal protein S6 in vascular dementia rats was significantly increased after electroacupuncture, compared with the model group that was not treated with acupuncture. The average escape latency was also shortened after electroacupuncture, and escape strategies in the spatial probe test improved from edge and random searches, to linear and trending swim pathways. The experimental findings indicate that electroacupuncture improves learning and memory ability by up-regulating expression of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and ribosomal protein S6 in the hippocampus of vascular dementia rats.

Chronic stress causes protein kinase C epsilon-aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 signaling pathway perturbation in the rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,but not in the myocardium

Chronic stress is strongly associated with the occurrence and development of depression and cardiovascular disease.Stress can induce altered mitochondrial function and activation of apoptosis in the cardio-cerebral system.However,it is unknown whether the protein kinase C ε（PKCε）-aldehyde dehydrogenase 2（ALDH2） pathway is altered under chronic stress,and this study sought to address this question.A rat model of depression was established using a chronic unpredictable mild stress（CUMS） protocol.After experiencing CUMS for 4 weeks,the sucrose preference test and the forced swim test verified depressive-like behaviors.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays showed that ALDH2 activity was decreased in the rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,but was not altered in the myocardium.Western blot assays demonstrated reduced levels of ALDH2 and PKCε,but increased levels of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal（4 HNE） adducts.Caspase-3 expression did not obviously alter,but active forms of caspase-3 were increased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.In the myocardium,expression of ALDH2,PKCε and 4 HNE adducts did not remarkably alter;while caspase-3 expression was reduced and the active forms of caspase-3 were upregulated.Pearson＇s correlation test demonstrated that expression of 4 HNE adducts was positively correlated with levels of the active forms of caspase-3 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,but not in the myocardium.In conclusion,chronic stress can damage the PKCε-ALDH2 signaling pathway in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,but not in the myocardium.Moreover,4 HNE is associated with active forms of caspase-3 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Developmental Lead Exposure Alters the Distribution of Protein Kinase C Activity in the Rat Hippocampus

Chronic low-level lead (Pb) exposure in children is known to cause a deficit in learning and memory. In vitro studies have demonstrated that Pb altered protein kinase C (PKC) activityt Especially, hippocampal PKC has been correlated with performance in several learning tasks. The effects of Pb exposure on hippocampal PKC were investigated during development at various postnatal ages: postnatal day (PN) 7, 14, 28, and 56. Two-tenth % Pb acetate was administered to pregnant and lactating dams and then administered to weanling rats in drinking water. PKC activity was measured in both membrane and cytosolic fractions from the hippocampi of the controls and Pb-exposed animals. Pb-induced increase in PKC activity in the cytosolic fraction was obsereved in the PN56 rats. In contrast, PKC activity was decreased by Pb at PN7 in the membrane fraction. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the ratio of membrane to cytosolic PKC activity which is representative of PKC distribution was observed in the PN28 and PN56 Pb-exposed rats relative to the same-age controls. This study indicates that chronic Pb exposure during development influences hippocampal PKC activity and distribution. These changes may be involved in the subclinical neurotoxicity of chronic Pb exposure in young children.

Genome-wide evolution of MAPKs family and their expression in response to bacterial infection in seahorse Hippocampus erectus

Seahorses have evolved many unique biological traits,including a male brood pouch,the absence of caudal and pelvic fins,and the lack of spleen and gut-associated lymphatic tissue.The mitogenactivated protein kinases(MAPKs)are known to be involved in various important biological processes including growth,differentiation,immunity,and stress responses.Therefore,we hypothesized that the adaptive evolution and expression of the MAPK gene family in seahorse may differ from those of other teleost species.We identified positive selection sites in the erk2,erk5,jnk1,and p38αMAPK genes of the lined seahorse Hippocampus erectus and tiger-tailed seahorse Hippocampus comes.A novel expression profile of MAPK cascade genes was found in seahorse larvae during the first day after birth based on the RNA-seq data of H.erectus,which refl ected vital signs of immune response to its parental immune system.The expression patterns of the four positively selected MAPK genes were analyzed following the bacterial challenge of Vibrio fortis,revealing their upregulation pattern in brood pouch and other immune tissues.This study enriched our knowledge of the evolution of the H.erectus MAPK subfamilies,and could help better understanding the functional role of MAPKs in teleosts.

Involvement of aputativeG-protein-coupled receptor and a branching pathway in argipresin(4-8)signal transduction in rat hippocampus

目的：研究精加压素片段（４－８）在大鼠海马中的信号跨膜转导．方法：比较大鼠海马切片在药物刺激后的ＭＡＰＫ活性（ＭＫ）和ＣａＭＫⅡ自身磷酸化水平（ＫⅡ）的变化．结果：（４－８）的拮抗剂ＺＤＣ（Ｃ）ＰＲ及ＧＰＣＲ的抑制剂ＰＴＸ分别都能阻断（４－８）引起的（ＭＫ）和（ＫⅡ）的增高，但都不影响ＡＶＰ诱导的（ＭＫ）变化；ＰＭＢ抑制（４－８）诱导的（ＭＫ）增高而对（ＫⅡ）无影响；ＴＰＡ单独可以刺激（ＭＫ）增高达（４－８）的（ＭＫ）水平，同时使（ＫⅡ）停留在对照水平；（ＭＫ）的增高不被ＫＮ６２阻断；与ＡＶＰ不同，（４－８）不影响ｃＡＭＰ水平．结论：精加压素片段（４－８）通过未知ＧＰＣＲ和Ｇ０介导一分支信号途径．

Calycosin improves cognitive function in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by activating the protein kinase C pathway

The major pathological changes in Alzheimer＇s disease are beta amyloid deposits and cognitive impairment. Calycosin is a typical phy- toestrogen derived from radix astragali that binds to estrogen receptors to produce estrogen-like effects. Radix astragali Calycosin has been shown to relieve cognitive impairment induced by diabetes mellitus, suggesting calycosin may improve the cognitive function of Alzhei- mer＇s disease patients. The protein kinase C pathway is upstream of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and exerts a neuropro- tective effect by regulating Alzheimer＇s disease-related beta amyloid degradation. We hypothesized that calycosin improves the cognitive function of a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer＇s disease by activating the protein kinase C pathway. Various doses of calycosin （10, 20 and 40 mg/kg） were intraperitoneally injected into APP/PS1 transgenic mice that model Alzheimer＇s disease. Calycosin diminished hippocampal beta amyloid, Tau protein, interleukin-lbeta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, acetylcholinesterase and malondialdehyde levels in a dose-dependent manner, and increased acetylcholine and glutathione activities. The administration of a protein kinase C inhibitor, cal- phostin C, abolished the neuroprotective effects of calycosin including improving cognitive ability, and anti-oxidative and anti-inflammato- ry effects. Our data demonstrated that calycosin mitigated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the hippocampus of Alzheimer＇s disease model mice by activating the protein kinase C pathway, and thereby improving cognitive function.

慢性染铅对海马CA1区LTP及ERK2活性影响

目的 探讨慢性染铅对海马CA1区LTP及ERK2活性的影响。方法 用同心圆电极刺激海马的Schaffer侧支 ,于CA1区用细胞外玻璃电极记录单脉冲刺激引起的群峰电位 (PS) ,观察对照组和染铅组大鼠于高频刺激后PS幅值的变化 ;同时利用WesternBlots方法检测海马CA1区ERK2的活性。结果 HFS前记录的对照组和染铅组的PS幅值无显著性差异 ;HFS后染铅组的PS平均幅值与对照组相比下降了 79% (P <0 0 1) ;染铅组CA1区的ERK2的活性比对照组下降了 2 4 1% (P <0 0 1)。结论 慢性染铅可抑制CA1-LTP的形成 。

慢性染铅对海马CA1区LTP及α-CaMKⅡ活性的抑制性影响

目的:探讨慢性染铅对海马CA1区长时程增强(LTP)及钙调素依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱ(-αCaMKⅡ)活性的影响。方法:用同心圆电极刺激海马的Schaffer侧支,于CA1区用细胞外玻璃电极记录单脉冲刺激引起的锋电位群(PS),观察对照组及不同剂量染铅组大鼠于高频刺激(HFS)前后PS幅值的变化;同时以磷酸化抗体,用Western blots方法检测海马CA1区-αCaMKⅡ活性。结果:HFS后,对照组和低、中、高剂量染铅组的幅值分别为各自的HFS前的162.5%、105.2%、86.8%、83.0%,染铅组PS幅值变化率明显低于对照组(P<0.01);以对照组-αCaMKⅡ活性为100,则低、中和高剂量染铅组活性分别为62.0±3.7、50.8±4.0、43.3±4.1,和对照组相比P<0.01,具有显著性差异。结论:慢性染铅可抑制CA1区LTP形成,而这种抑制作用可能与铅使-αCaMKⅡ活性降低密切相关。

CaMKⅡ在8-Br-cAMP诱发的脊髓背角LTP中的作用

目的 探讨钙钙调蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱ(CaMKⅡ)在8 Br cAMP诱发的脊髓背角长时程增强(LTP)中的作用。方法 采用SD 大鼠, 常规细胞外记录技术记录脊髓背角腰膨大部位浅层C 纤维诱发电位。结果 ①8 Br cAMP(1 mmol/L)诱发的脊髓背角LTP咬合(occlude)强直刺激诱导的LTP;②CaMKⅡ选择性抑制剂KN 93 (100μmol/L)或AIP(200μmol/L)阻断8 Br cAMP诱导的脊髓背角LTP;③蛋白质合成抑制剂茴香霉素(200μmol/L)抑制8 Br cAMP诱发的脊髓LTP。结论 CaMKⅡ参与8 Br cAMP诱导的脊髓背角C 纤维诱发的LTP;8 Br cAMP诱导的LTP与强直电刺激诱导的LTP在机制上至少存在部分相同的步骤或途径。

Rho-associated protein kinase modulates neurite extension by regulating microtubule remodeling and vinculin distribution

Rho-associated protein kinase is an essential regulator of cytoskeletal dynamics during the process of neurite extension. However, whether Rho kinase regulates microtubule remodeling or the distri- bution of adhesive proteins to mediate neurite outgrowth remains unclear. By specifically modulat- ing Rho kinase activity with pharmacological agents, we studied the morpho-dynamics of neurite outgrowth. We found that lysophosphatidic acid, an activator of Rho kinase, inhibited neurite out- growth, which could be reversed by Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rho kinase. Meanwhile, reorganization of microtubules was noticed during these processes, as indicated by their significant changes in the soma and growth cone. In addition, exposure to lysophosphatidic acid led to a decreased mem- brane distribution of vinculin, a focal adhesion protein in neurons, whereas Y-27632 recruited vin- culin to the membrane. Taken together, our data suggest that Rho kinase regulates rat hippocampal neurite growth and microtubule formation via a mechanism associated with the redistribution of vinculin.

Death-associated protein kinase 1 is associated with cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder

We previously showed that death-associated protein kinase 1(DAPK1)expression is increased in hippocampal tissue in a mouse model of major depressive disorde and is related to cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.In addition,depression is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease,as well as an early clinical manifestation of Alzheimer's disease.Meanwhile,cognitive dysfunction is a distinctive feature of major depressive disorder.Therefore,DAPK1 may be related to cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder.In this study,we established a mouse model of major depressive disorder by housing mice individually and exposing them to chronic,mild,unpredictable stressors.We found that DAPK1 and tau protein levels were increased in the hippocampal CA3 area,and tau was hyperphosphorylated at Thr231,Ser262,and Ser396 in these mice.Furthermore,DAPK1 shifted from axonal expression to overexpression on the cell membrane.Exercise and treatment with the antidepressant drug citalopram decreased DAPK1 expression and tau protein phosphorylation in hippocampal tissue and improved both depressive symptoms and cognitive dysfunction.These results indicate that DAPK1 may be a potential reason and therapeutic target of cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder.

Specific effects of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinaseinteracting protein 1 in neuronal axons

c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase（JNK）-interacting protein 3 plays an important role in brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin-related kinase B（Trk B） anterograde axonal transport. It remains unclear whether JNK-interacting protein 1 mediates similar effects, or whether JNK-interacting protein 1 affects the regulation of Trk B anterograde axonal transport. In this study, we isolated rat embryonic hippocampus and cultured hippocampal neurons in vitro. Coimmunoprecipitation results demonstrated that JNK-interacting protein 1 formed Trk B complexes in vitro and in vivo. Immunocytochemistry results showed that when JNK-interacting protein 1 was highly expressed, the distribution of Trk B gradually increased in axon terminals. However, the distribution of Trk B reduced in axon terminals after knocking out JNK-interacting protein 1. In addition, there were differences in distribution of Trk B after JNK-interacting protein 1 was knocked out compared with not. However, knockout of JNK-interacting protein 1 did not affect the distribution of Trk B in dendrites. These findings confirm that JNK-interacting protein 1 can interact with Trk B in neuronal cells, and can regulate the transport of Trk B in axons, but not in dendrites.

Molecular mechanisms and the role of the protein kinase pathway in rat spatial memory impairment following isoflurane anesthesia

BACKGROUND： Animal experiments have demonstrated that isoflurane exposure alone induces learning and memory deficits for weeks or months. However, the molecular mechanisms of learning and memory remain poorly understood. Hippocampal expression of calcium/phospholipid- dependent protein kinase （PKC） and cAMP-dependent protein kinase （PKA） in rats have been shown to be associated with memory processing. OBJECTIVE： To investigate changes in rat spatial memory and hippocampal CA1 neuronal kinase system following isoflurane anesthesia, and to explore the correlation between molecular changes in cerebral neurons and behavioral manifestations following anesthesia. DESIGN, TIME AND SE＇rFING： A randomized, controlled, animal study. All experiments were performed at the Department of Anesthesia, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University from November 2007 to December 2008. MATERIALS： A total of 72 male, 3 month-old （young group）, Sprague Dawley rats, and 36 male, 20 month-old （aged group）, Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. Isoflurane was purchased from Baxter, USA. METHODS： Young and aged rats were randomly assigned to control, training （no anesthesia, Morris water maze training）, and isoflurane （1.2% isoflurane, Morris water maze training） groups. The isoflurane group was further subdivided into four groups, which were exposed to anesthesia for 2 or 4 hours, and were subjected to Morris water maze training at 2 days or 2 weeks postanesthesia. Finally, each aged group comprised 6 rats, and the young group comprised 12 rats. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Spatial learning and memory were observed during Morris water maze training. Hippocampal CA1 PKA and PKC expression and activity were detected by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. RESULTS： A 4-hour isoflurane exposure induced spatial memory deficits in all rats for 2 days to 2 weeks. In particular, aged rats exhibited more severe spatial memory deficits. Immunohistochemistry and ELISA results showed a significant increase in PKC and PKA expression and activity in the hippocampus CA1 subfield following Morris water maze training （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, isoflurane anesthesia inhibited PKC and PKA expression and activity, and this inhibition increased with increasing exposure duration and increasing age. CONCLUSION： Results suggested that increased isoflurane exposure and age could extensively inhibit the hippocampal CA1 kinase system. Inhibition of protein kinases could play an important role in the cognitive decline following anesthesia.

Transthyretin—A Key Gene Involved in Regulating Learning and Memory in Brain, and Providing Neuroprotection in Alzheimer Disease via Neuronal Synthesis of Transthyretin Protein

Transthyretin (TTR), a carrier protein present in the liver and choroid plexus of the brain, has been shown to be responsible for binding thyroid hormone thyroxin (T4) and retinol in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). TTR aids in sequestering of beta-amyloid peptides Aβ deposition, and protects the brain from trauma, ischemic stroke and Alzheimer disease (AD). Accordingly, hippocampal gene expression of TTR plays a significant role in learning and memory as well as in simulation of spatial memory tasks. TTR via interacting with transcription factor CREB regulates this process and decreased expression leads to memory deficits. By different signaling pathways, like MAPK, AKT, and ERK via Src, TTR provides tropical support through megalin receptor by promoting neurite outgrowth and protecting the neurons from traumatic brain injury. TTR is also responsible for the transient rise in intracellular Ca2+ via NMDA receptor, playing a dominant role under excitotoxic conditions. In this review, we tried to shed light on how TTR is involved in maintaining normal cognitive processes, its role in learning and memory, under memory deficit conditions;by which mechanisms it promotes neurite outgrowth;and how it protects the brain from Alzheimer disease (AD).

基于“肾脑相济”理论探讨艾灸对阿尔茨海默病大鼠海马AMPK/mTOR信号通路的影响

目的观察艾灸对阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease,AD)大鼠腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(adenosine 5-monophosphate activated protein kinase,AMPK)/雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mammalian target of rapamycin,mTOR)信号通路相关递质表达的影响,探讨艾灸治疗AD的作用机制。方法将SD大鼠按照随机数字表法分为正常组8只、模型组32只,采取侧脑室注射β淀粉样蛋白(amyloidβ-protein,Aβ)_(25-35)的方法建立大鼠AD模型。将模型复制成功的大鼠随机分为模型组、药物组、艾灸组,每组8只。艾灸组大鼠用艾条灸“百会”“肾俞”“三阴交”,每次15 min,同时按3 mg/kg灌胃蒸馏水;药物组大鼠按3 mg/kg灌胃盐酸多奈哌齐;对照组及模型组大鼠按3 mg/kg灌胃蒸馏水。采用Morris水迷宫法检测大鼠行为学表现,苏木精—伊红染色法观察大鼠海马病理组织改变,Western blot法检测大鼠海马磷酸化雷帕霉素靶蛋白(phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin,p-mTOR)、核糖体蛋白S6激酶(ribosomal protein S6 kinase p70,P70S6K)、自噬相关基因5(autophagy-related gene 5,ATG5)、磷酸化腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(phosphorylated adenosine 5-monophosphate activated protein kinase,p-AMPK)、微管相关蛋白1轻链3B(microtubule associated protein light chain 3B,LC3B)-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ的表达水平。结果苏木精—伊红染色结果表明,模型组海马神经元萎缩明显,与模型组比较,药物组和艾灸组海马神经元形态及分化程度均有明显改善。与正常组比较,模型组大鼠的逃避潜伏期显著延长(P<0.05),p-mTOR及P70S6K表达水平均显著升高(P<0.05),ATG5、LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ、p-AMPK表达水平均显著降低(P<0.05)。与模型组比较,药物组和艾灸组大鼠的逃避潜伏期均显著缩短(P<0.05),p-mTOR及P70S6K表达水平均显著下降(P<0.05),ATG5、LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ、p-AMPK表达水平均显著上升(P<0.05)。与药物组比较,艾灸组大鼠逃避潜伏期显著缩短(P<0.05);p-mTOR及P70S6K表达水平显著降低(P<0.05),ATG5、LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ、p-AMPK表达水平均显著上升(P<0.05)。结论艾灸能够调控AMPK/mTOR信号通路,诱导细胞自噬,阻断脑内Aβ表达,从而改善认知功能。

电针对甲基苯丙胺戒断后抑郁小鼠海马水通道蛋白4及BDNF/TrkB/CREB信号通路的影响

目的观察电针对甲基苯丙胺(MTHE)戒断后抑郁小鼠海马水通道蛋白4(AQP4)及脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)/酪氨酸蛋白激酶B(TrkB)/环磷腺苷效应元件结合蛋白(CREB)信号通路的影响,探讨电针改善MTHE戒断后抑郁潜在的作用机制。方法健康雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为空白组、模型组和电针组,每组10只。模型组、电针组采用条件性位置偏爱实验(CPP)复制小鼠MTHE成瘾模式,自然戒断后制备戒断后小鼠抑郁模型。空白组、模型组、电针组不给予任何干预,电针组取“百会”、“大椎”穴给予电针干预,选用连续波,频率2 Hz,1次/d,15 min/次,连续治疗28 d。分别于戒断后和干预后对各组小鼠进行强迫游泳试验和开放旷场试验,Western blot法检测小鼠海马AQP4、BDNF、TrkB、CREB和p-CREB等蛋白表达情况,免疫荧光染色法检测小鼠海马AQP4表达情况,实时荧光定量PCR法检测小鼠海马AQP4 mRNA表达。结果造模后,与空白组比较,模型组、电针组CPP值均升高(均P<0.01),模型组、电针组CPP值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。戒断后,与空白组比较,模型组、电针组水中自主不动状态持续时间均增加(均P<0.01)、中央区活动持续时间均减少(均P<0.01),模型组与电针组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);干预后,与空白组比较,模型组、电针组水中自主不动状态持续时间增加(P<0.01)、中央区活动持续时间减少(P<0.01),与模型组比较,电针组水中自主不动状态持续时间减少(P<0.01),中央区活动持续时间增加(P<0.01);干预后,与空白组比较,模型组、电针组AQP4、BDNF、TrkB、CREB、p-CREB蛋白表达均减少(均P<0.01),与模型组比较,电针组AQP4、BDNF、TrkB、CREB、p-CREB蛋白表达均增加(均P<0.01)。干预后,与空白组比较,模型组、电针组AQP4阳性减少(P<0.01),与模型组比较,电针组AQP4阳性表达增加(P<0.01)。干预后,与空白组比较,模型组、电针组AQP4 mRNA表达减少(P<0.01)。干预后,与模型组比较,电针组AQP4 mRNA表达增加(P<0.01)。结论电针可改善METH戒断后小鼠抑郁样行为,其作用机制可能与调控AQP4表达,以及BDNF/TrkB/CREB信号通路活性相关。

腧穴“解郁方”对慢性不可预测轻度应激抑郁大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴及BDNF/TrkB/CREB通路的影响

目的:观察腧穴“解郁方”对慢性不可预测轻度应激(CUMS)抑郁大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺(HPA)轴和脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)/酪氨酸激酶B受体(TrkB)/环磷酸腺苷反应元件结合蛋白(CREB)信号通路的影响。方法:40只无特定病原体(SPF)级Sprague Danley(SD)雄性大鼠随机分为空白组(10只)、模型组(10只)、西药组(10只)、针刺组(10只),除空白组外,其余3组连续28 d构建CUMS抑郁大鼠模型,造模成功后,西药组连续14 d灌胃盐酸帕罗西汀混悬液,每日1次;针刺组针刺百会、太冲、神门,每日1次,每次20 min,连续针刺14 d。苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察大鼠海马病理变化,酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定血清促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素(CRH)、促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)、皮质醇(CORT)水平;免疫组化(IHC)检测海马BDNF、TrkB表达情况,蛋白质免疫印迹法(Western Blot)及实时荧光定量-聚合酶链式反应(PCR)测定海马BDNF、TrkB、CREB蛋白及mRNA的表达。结果:与空白组比较,模型组血清CRH、ACTH和CORT含量上升(P<0.01),海马病理损伤严重,海马BDNF、TrkB平均光密度降低(P<0.01),BDNF、TrkB、CREB蛋白及mRNA明显下降(P<0.05或P<0.01)。与模型组比较,针刺组血清CRH、ACTH、CORT含量下降(P<0.05),海马病理损害明显减轻,BDNF、TrkB平均光密度明显增加(P<0.05),BDNF、CREB、TrkB蛋白及mRNA表达水平上升(P<0.05)。结论:腧穴“解郁方”可能通过调节HPA轴和调控BDNF/TrkB/CREB信号通路,改善CUMS诱导的大鼠抑郁样行为。

铝暴露对大鼠海马蛋白激酶Cγ亚型影响

目的通过研究慢性铝暴露大鼠海马蛋白激酶Cγ亚型(PKCγ)的蛋白和mRNA表达的变化,观察大鼠海马CA1区长时程增强(LTP)形成,探讨铝暴露对学习记忆机制的影响。方法选择断乳后Wistar大鼠,以含有不同浓度A1Cl3的水进行饲养。3个月后,测量大鼠海马LTP,用改良的Takai法测定PKC活性的变化,蛋白印迹(Western blotting)法检测PKCγ的蛋白表达;RT-PCR检测PKCγ的mRNA表达。结果(1)各染铝组PKC活性与对照组比较均降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);(2)各染铝组PKCγ蛋白表达与对照组比较有降低趋势(P<0.05);(3)各染铝组PKCγmRNA表达与对照组比较均降低(P<0.05),0.2%与0.4%,0.6%组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论慢性铝暴露影响大鼠海马PKCγmRNA和PKCγ蛋白表达,使PKC活性降低,导致LTP的下降,从而影响学习记忆的功能。

急、慢性铅中毒对海马CA1区长时程增强和活化的细胞外信号调节激酶2影响

目的 探讨急、慢性铅中毒对大鼠海马活化的细胞外信号调节激酶 2 (ERK2 )含量的影响及其与海马CA1区长时程增强 (LTP)的关系。方法 大鼠怀孕后分别饮用蒸馏水或 0 .2 %醋酸铅溶液 ,断乳后鼠仔则直接饮用 ,于 30d后测定LTP ,并取海马作为慢性铅中毒标本测定ERK2含量。正常 30d大鼠海马片稳定培养 2h后 ,分别用含或不含 2 0 μmol·L-1 醋酸铅的人工脑脊液孵育 ,不同时间点收集 ,作为急性铅中毒标本测定ERK2含量。用Western印迹法测定标本活化的ERK2含量。结果 高频刺激后对照组和慢性铅中毒组峰电位分别为刺激前的1 85 %和 88% ;慢性铅中毒组活化的ERK2则比对照组降低了 46 %。海马片培养中 ,对照组活化的ERK2含量基本保持不变 ,铅中毒组在 30和 60min时分别下降了 68%和 33% ,1 2 0min后恢复到正常水平。