RESUMO
Objective To explore the effects of various radiation doses on the NFAT3/c4 signaling pathway and the improvement effect of exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)on this pathway. Methods Four groups of one-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats received radiation doses of 0,2,10,and 20 Gy, respectively, in a single radiation. At three days after radiation, exogenous BDNF was injected stereotaxically into the bilateral hippocampus. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to assess the levels of NFAT3/c4-related proteins in the hippocampus. Results The results of Western blotting and RT-PCR showed that the level of NFAT3/c4 was reduced in a dose-and time-dependent manner after ionizing radiation. Compared with the radiation alone group,the ionizing radiation plus BDNF group had significantly increased levels of NFAT3/c4 and CaN with increases in radiation dose and time. Conclusions Whole brain radiotherapy inhibits the CaN/NFAT3/c4 signaling pathway. Exogenous BDNF can promote the NFAT-dependent transcription and then improve the cognitive function.