Xiang Yao , Junlong Kang , Yufei Li , Haoran Zhang , Zhibin Yang , E. Chen
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective
In this study, we explored the neuroprotective effect of melittin (MEL) after brain ischemia using a rat model.
Methods
The rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 min and were randomly divided into the control group, saline group, and MEL group. Rats in each group were injected intraperitoneally with MEL one day before MCAO until sacrificed. Morris water maze and rotation test were used to assess locomotor function and cognitive ability. The 9.4 Tesla MRI was used to scan and assess the infarct volume of the rat brains. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the sites of action of MEL on microglia. Western blot and ELISA were used to measure the effect of MEL on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The effect of MEL on neuronal cell apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry.
Results
Compared with the saline group, MEL treatment significantly increased the density of neurons in the cerebral cortical and reduced the cerebral infarct size after MCAO (33.9 ± 8.8% vs. 15.8 ± 3.9%, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the time for MEL-treated rats to complete the water maze task on the 11th day after MCAO was significantly shorter than that of rats in the saline group (P < 0.05). MEL treatment also prolonged the rotarod retention time on day 14 after MCAO. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that MEL inhibited the activation of microglia and suppressed the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the brain after ischemia. MEL treatment resulted in a significant decrease in TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 levels in extracts from the ischemic cerebral cortex. Finally, MEL reduced neuronal apoptosis induced by ischemic stroke (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
MEL treatment promotes neurological function recovery after cerebral ischemia in rats. These effects are potentially mediated through anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.
期刊介绍：
The aim of Neuropeptides is the rapid publication of original research and review articles, dealing with the structure, distribution, actions and functions of peptides in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The explosion of research activity in this field has led to the identification of numerous naturally occurring endogenous peptides which act as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, or trophic factors, to mediate nervous system functions. Increasing numbers of non-peptide ligands of neuropeptide receptors have been developed, which act as agonists or antagonists in peptidergic systems.
The journal provides a unique opportunity of integrating the many disciplines involved in all neuropeptide research. The journal publishes articles on all aspects of the neuropeptide field, with particular emphasis on gene regulation of peptide expression, peptide receptor subtypes, transgenic and knockout mice with mutations in genes for neuropeptides and peptide receptors, neuroanatomy, physiology, behaviour, neurotrophic factors, preclinical drug evaluation, clinical studies, and clinical trials.
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