Effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula on protein expression of CoIV, ZO-1, and α-SMA in hippocampal blood-brain barrier of diabetes mellitus rats with depression / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula (ZJJF) on protein expression of CoIV, ZO-1, and α-SMA in hippocampal blood-brain barrier (BBB) in diabetes mellitus (DM) rats with depression. Methods: DM rat model with depression was established by the combination of high-fat diet, injection of Streptozotocin (STZ, 38 mg/kg), and chronic stress. The model rats were randomly divided into five groups, DM with depression group, metformin (0.18 g/kg) + fluoxetine (1.8 mg/kg) group, high-, mid-, and low-dose (32.82, 16.41, and 8.20 g/kg) ZJJF groups (n = 10). After 4 weeks of administration, the morphological changes of BBB were observed under the electron microscope, the expression of CoIV, ZO-1, and α-SMA in rat hippocampul BBB was detected by immunocytochemistry. Results: Compared with the control group, the expression of ZO-1 and α-SMA in the model group was decreased (P < 0.05), and the expression of CoIV was increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of ZO-1 and α-SMA in metformin + fluoxetine group and high-dose ZJJF group was increased (P < 0.05, 0.01), and the expression of CoIV was decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusion: ZJJF could repair the damage of BBB in DM rats with depression, and the mechanism may be related to the expression regulation of CoIV, ZO-1, and α-SMA.