The effect of buyanghuanwu decoction on expression of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit in mRNA and protein levels in rat hippocampus with vascular dementia / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM:To observe the effect of buyanghuanwu decoction,a Chinese medicine,on the expression of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit in mRNA and protein levels in rat hippocampus with vascular dementia (VD). METH-ODSOne hundred and forty -four rats were randomly divided into 4 groupsshamoperation group,VD model group,nimodipine group and buyanghuanwu decoction treatment group. The rat model of VD was built up by the method of 4 vessel occlusion. The VD rats were intragastrically treated with buyanghuanwu decoction suspension (pharmacognostic 50 g. kg -1.d -1) and nimodipine suspension (20 mg?kg -1.d-1) for 30 d. The learning and memory abilities were evaluated by Morris water maze testing. The change of GluR1 protein in hippocampal neurons in each group of rats was measured with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting techniques. The expression of GluR1 mRNA in hippocampus was determined by real -time fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS:Compared to sham -operation group,the average escaping latency period (s) of Water maze tests in VD rats prolonged significantly and crossplatform time (numbers/min) shortened distinctly (P 0. 05). Compared to the rats in shamoperation group,the mRNA and protein levels of GluR1 were apparent-ly decreased in VD rats (P 0. 05). CONCLUSION:Buyanghuanwu decoction improves the learning and memory abilities in VD rats. The therapeutic mechanism is associated with lessening the neuron injury on CA1 field in hippocampus and restoring the mRNA and protein ex-pression of GluR1.