Paeonol Effects on Repair of Cerebral Cortex Injury and the Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase B in Postnatal Rats with Cerebral Palsy

Objective: To observe Paeonol effects on repair of cerebral cortex in young rats with CP. Methods: Dividing CP model rats as Model and Pae groups, and a sham operation control group was set up. Using Nissl staining to evaluate morphology and number of cortical neurons in young rats, and to determine the protein of BDNF/TrkB in peripheral serum and cerebral cortex. Results: The number of normal morphological neurons in cerebral cortex of young rats in Pae group were more than that of Model group (P < 0.01). BDNF and TrkB concentrations were significantly up-regulation in serum in Model and Pae groups (P < 0.001), meanwhile, The BDNF and TrkB concentrations significantly up-regulated in serum in Pae group (P < 0.01). By IHC and WB assay, BDNF and TrkB protein levels were significantly up-regulation in serum in Model and Pae groups (P < 0.001), meanwhile, The BDNF and TrkB protein levels were significantly up-regulation in serum in Pae group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Pae can all play a role in repairing cerebral cortex damage in young rats with cerebral palsy via BDNF/TrkB.