The effect of inhibition of MEK/ERK pathway on the behaviors of autistic rats / 重庆医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effect of inhibitor of MEK/ERK pathway on the behaviors of autistic rats .Methods Autistic rats were made by intraperitoneal injection of sodium valproate (VPA) after pregnancy for 12 .5 days .After VPA injec-tion ,pregnant rats were treated with U0126 via oral at 400 μg/kg dose per day until weaning .Young rats were divided to 4 groupscontrol group ,VPA group ,U0126 group ,VPA combined U0126 group .The social interaction and behaviors of young rats were e-valuated at 35 days after bornning .The levels of MEK and phosphorylated ERK in brain tissues were investigated by Western blot . Results The autistic rat mode was prepared successfully .Compared with control rats ,the rats treated with VPA showed low the social interaction ,long moving time in central area and reducing standing times .Treatment with U0126 alone didn′t change the so-cial interaction and behaviors of young rats ,but VPA combined U0126 group could improve VPA-induced autistic-like behaviors . Western blot results show that compared with the control group ,the rats treated with VPA could enhance the prefrontal cortex of rats ,the hippocampus and cerebellum in the organization of MEK and ERK phosphorylation level ;while VPA combined U0126 group could inhibit the brain tissue of MEK and ERK phosphorylation level .Conclusion U0126 can improve the model rats of au-tism disorders behavior ,the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling pathway in the brain .