Effects of Dipyridamole on Learning and Memory Impairment in Rat with Vascular Dementia / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of dipyridamole on learning and memory impairment of vascular dementia (VD) in rats and explore the potential mechanisms. METHODS: 4-Vessel occlusion (4-VO) was performed to establish the model of VD. Spatial memory performance was examined using the Morris water maze and step-through passive avoidance tests. The mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL) -1β were measured by RTPCR and Western-blot in the CA1 district of hippocampus, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with vehicle-treated controls, rats treated with 4-VO spented a longer time finding the hidden platform during the acquisition trials of the Morris water maze task; this was reversed by repeated treatment with dipyridamole. In the passive avoidance test, the model rats showed decreased retention tested 24 h after initial training; this was reversed by dipyridamole. The expression of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β levels were increased after 4-VO performed and the dipyridamole significantly reduced the release of these inflammation-related factors. CONCLUSION: Dipyridamole could reverse the learning and memory impairment of VD by reducing the inflammation reaction.