OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic changes of proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in subventricular zone (SVZ) and dentate gyrus (DG) in vascular dementia (VD) rats.

METHODSVD models were established by repeatedly clipping the common carotid arteries of the rat in combination with an intraperitoneal injection of sodium nitroprusside solution in anesthetized SD rats. Morris maze test was used to detect the learning and memory ability of the rats and immune fluorescence single and double labeling method to detect the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells and the expression of neurogranin (Ng) at 15 d, 1 month, 2 month, 4 month time points.

RESULTSCompared with sham-operated group, the escape latency of model group rats were significantly longer at all the time points (P < 0.01). The BrdU positive cells in SVZ and DG of VD model groups were markedly increased in comparison with sham-operated group at 15 d and 1 month time point (P < 0.01), and the number of BrdU positive cells in SVZ of model groups were still larger than that of sham-operated group at 2 month and 4 month time point (P < 0.01). In model group, the number of the BrdU/Ng double staining cells were increased and higher than that in sham-operated groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe proliferation of NSCs can be enhanced noticeably in a certain time in SVZ and DG region and NSCs differentiate into mature neurons with the expression of Ng in DG region in VD rats, which may play some compensatory roles in the nerve regeneration and functional repairmen after cerebral injury of VD.