Effect of Berberine on AQP4 Expression in Focal Cerebral Ischemia Area in Diabetic Rats / 中国医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective to investigate the effect of berberine on the expression of AQP4 and neuronal injury after focal cerebral ischemia in diabetic rats. Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into four groupscontrol(sham surgery),middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R),MCAO/R treated with vehicle(DMSO),MCAO/R treated with berberine. the transient focal ischemia/reperfusion was induced by in-troducing silicone-coated monofilament nylon suture from the right external carotid artery into the origin of the middle cerebral artery,which was re-moved after 60 min. In group treated with berberine,the rats were injected with berberine before and after suffered from cerebral ischemia. Similarly, in group vehicle,the animals received DMSO vehicle at the same time. the score of neurological behavior was evaluated 24 h after reperfusion. Mean-while,the rats were sacrificed for Nissl staining. to estimate cerebral edema,the wet-dry ratio was measured. the expression of AQP4 in the border of the infarct region in different groups was observed by Western blot. Results Compared with the model group,berberine improved neurological deficits(P < 0.05). Berberine treatment inhibited the neuronal deformation shown by Nissl staining(P < 0.05). Berberine significantly decreased the wet-dry ratio and reduced the expression of AQP4(P < 0.05). Conclusion these results suggested that berberine could induce neuroprotection against ischemic injury by inhibiting the expression of AQP4 in diabetic rats.