Effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription on Pathological Morphology and Apoptosis of Hippocampal Neurons in Rats of Diabetes Mellitus with Depression / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription (ZGJTJYP) on pathological morphology of hippocampal neurons in rats of diabetes mellitus with depression (DD); To discuss its protective mechanism of action. Methods DD rat model was established by tail vein injection of STZ combined with chronic stress. Totally seventy-two SPF rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive medicine group, ZGJTJYP low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, with 12 cases in each group, and were given corresponding medicine. After the last administration, blood glucose and behavioral changes were measured in each group. HE staining, Nissl staining, and Golgi staining were used to observe the changes of pathological morphology in rat hippocampus. The expression of Caspase-3 in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the normal group, blood glucose level was significantly increased in the model group; the number of neurons in the hippocampus decreased in the model group; the apoptosis increased in the model group; the neuronal soma showed deformation and reduced dendritic spines and other pathological damages in the model group. After intervention of ZGJTJYP, hyperglycemia and depression-like status of the model rats were relieved; the number of hippocampal neurons increased significantly; neuronal morphology basically returned to normal. The expression of Caspase-3 in ZGJTJYP high-and medium-dose groups was significantly lower than that in model group. Conclusion ZGJTJYP can significantly improved blood glucose and learning and memory abilities in DD rats, which may be related to slowing hippocampal injury and apoptosis, and restoring neuronal quantity and morphology.