Investigation on the cellular damage of hippocampus neuron in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the the cellular damage of hippocampus neuron in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Methods Rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion was established by permanent bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (2VO). Eight weeks after the operation,the brains were removed and examined with histological stains, electron microscope, flow cytometer and Western Blotting. Results Compared with the control group,the arrangement of hippocampus neurons in 2VO rats appeared to be more irregular, and the number of the neurons decreased partly ( CA2 ( 34.75 ± 3.40) vs (49.25 ± 9.67 ), P ＜ 0. 05; DG ( 73.50 ± 9.26)vs ( 90.75 ± 4.35 ), P ＜ 0. 05 ). By electron microscopic study of hippocampus neurons in 2VO rats, the nuclei became smaller and the heterochromatin assembled in the border of the nuclei in some neurons, while cytoplasm swelled,especially in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The rate of apoptosis of hippocampus neurons in 2VO rats( (9. 117 ±2. 540)% ) ,detected by the flow cytometer,was higher than that of sham group( (4. 750 ±3.481 ) % ) (P ＜ 0. 05 ). The expression of pro-caspase-3 in hippocampus of 2 VO rats was not altered significantly compared with the control group(P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusion The cellular damage of hippocampus neuron in 2VO rats was mainly caused by apoptosis.