Protective effects of nerve growth factor vs Danshen on hippocampal neuron against global ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils.
- Author:
Hong-zhen ZHOU
1
;
Tian-ming LV
;
Peng SHEN
;
Meng-long WANG
;
Bing-de LUO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Brain Ischemia; drug therapy; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; pharmacology; Gerbillinae; Hippocampus; cytology; drug effects; metabolism; Male; Nerve Growth Factor; pharmacology; Neurons; drug effects; Neuroprotective Agents; pharmacology; Phenanthrolines; pharmacology; Reperfusion Injury; drug therapy; Salvia miltiorrhiza
- From: Journal of Southern Medical University 2011;31(6):965-969
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo study the protective effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) and Danshen on hippocampal neurons in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) with global ischemia-reperfusion injury.
METHODSGlobal ischemia-reperfusion model was established in 54 male Z:ZCLA gerbils by occlusion of the bilateral carotid arteries. The animal models were randomized into 3 groups to receive treatment with normal saline, NGF, and Danshen 30 min after the reperfusion. At 6 h, 3 and 7 days after the reperfusion, the survival of the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons was observed using optical and electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in the neurons.
RESULTSNeuronal apoptosis was not observed in the hippocampus 6 h after the reperfusion, but at 3 and 7 days, the number of apoptotic neurons increased significantly in the CA1 region. Compared with normal saline, treatments with NGF and Danshen both significantly reduced the number of apoptotic neurons at 3 and 7 days. The number of apoptotic neurons showed no significant difference between NGF and Danshen treatment groups at 3 days, but at 7 days, the apoptotic cell number was significantly lower in NGF group (P<0.05). Bcl-2 expression was the highest in NGF group, and its highest expression occurred at 6 h after the reperfusion; Bax expression was detected in saline group, and underwent no significant changes with the passage of time.
CONCLUSIONBoth NGF and Danshen show protective effects against global ischemia-reperfusion injury. NGF has a stronger protective effect than Danshen, and this finding provides experimental evidence for selecting appropriate protective agents in the treatment of ischemic brain damage.