Effects of carotid artery stenosis on the cognitive function and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in rats
10.3969/j.issn.1672-5921.2010.09.008
- Author:
Qiang ZHANG
1
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Apoptosis regulatory proteins;
Carotid stenosis;
Cognition;
Rats
- From:
Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases
2010;7(9):482-486
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the relationship between carotid artery stenosis caused cognitive functional impairment and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and expression of BCL-2/BAX protein in rats. Methods: A total of 36 male SD rate were randomly allocated into sham operation, stenosis 2-, 4-, and 8-week groups. After the rat model of carotid stenosis was developed, the Morris water maze was used to detect the memory ability of rats in each group, TUNEL assay was used to observe hippocampal neuronal apoptosis, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of BCL-2/BAX protein. Results: Circled digit oneCompared to the sham operation group, the mean escape latency of rate was extended at each time point in the stenosis groups. The percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant was decreased. There was statistical significance(P <0.01). With the stenotic time prolonged, the mean escape latency increased gradually, meanwhile the percentage of platform quadrant swimming distance decreased gradually. Circled digit twoThe proportion of neuronal apoptosis in every stenosis group was higher than that in the sham operation group. There were statistical significances with the stenotic time prolonged and the gradual increase of neuronal apoptosis. Circled digit threeThe level of BCL-2 protein reached the peak in the stenosis 2-week group, and it was decreased gradually in the stenosis 4- and 8-week groups, both of them were significantly higher than that in the sham operation group. Circled digit fourBAX protein expression enhanced at 2 weeks, and it reached the peak at 8 weeks. They were all significandy higher than that in the sham operation group. Conclusion: The proportional imbalance of hippocampus expression of BCL-2/BAX protein caused hippocampal neuronal apoptosis may be one of the mechanisms of cognitive impairment after carotid artery stenosis in rats.
