RESUMEN
Objective:To evaluate the effect of melatonin on prefrontal cortex ischemia-induced cognitive impairment in rats and to investigate the receptor mechanism.Methods:Clean-grade adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 300 g, were selected, and a catheter was implanted into the prefrontal cortex.The experiment was performed in two parts.Experiment Ⅰ Twenty-four rats, in which catheters were successfully inserted into the prefrontal cortex, were assigned into 3 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), model group (group M) and melatonin group (group ME). Normal saline 0.5 μl was injected into the prefrontal cortex in group C, 1 μmol/L endothelin 0.5 μl was microinjected into the prefrontal cortex in group M, and 1 μmol/L endothelin and 1 μmol/L melatonin 0.5 μl were injected into the prefrontal cortex in group ME.Experiment Ⅱ Forty-four rats, in which catheters were successfully inserted into the prefrontal cortex, were assigned into 4 groups ( n=11 each) using a random number table method: model group (group M), melatonin group (group ME), MT 1/2R antagonist luzindole + melatonin group (group L + ME) and MT 2R antagonist 4p-pdot + melatonin group (group P + ME). In group M, 1 μmol/l endothelin 0.5 μl was microinjected into the prefrontal cortex.In group ME, 1 μmol/L endothelin + 1 μmol/L melatonin 0.5 μl was injected into the prefrontal cortex.In group L + ME, 1 μmol/L endothelin + 1 μmol/L MT 1/2R antagonist + 1 μmol/L melatonin 0.5 μl was injected into the prefrontal cortex.In group P + ME, 1 μmol/L endothelin + 1 μmol/L MT 2R antagonist + 1 μmol/L melatonin 0.5 μl was injected into the prefrontal cortex.T-maze and the open field tests were performed at 1 week after administration. Results:Experiment Ⅰ There was no significant difference in the locomotor speed in open field test among C, M and ME groups ( P>0.05). The rate of correct selection in T-maze test was significantly lower in M and ME groups than in group C and higher in group ME than in group M( P<0.05). Experiment Ⅱ There was no significant difference in the locomotor speed in open field test among the four groups( P>0.05). Compared with group M, the rate of correct selection in open field test was significantly increased in ME and P+ ME groups ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in group L+ ME ( P>0.05). Compared with group ME, the rate of correct selection in open field test was significantly decreased in group L+ ME ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in group P+ ME( P>0.05). Conclusion:Melatonin can attenuate prefrontal cortex ischemia-induced cognitive impairment in the rats, and the mechanism is related to activation of MT 1R.