Tianjin Medical Journal ›› 2022, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (12): 1270-1275.doi: 10.11958/20220710

• Experimental Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of rutin on hippocampal neuron injury and RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway in rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

LI Yan1(), LIU Qiong2, HUANG Xuan1, LIU Lijiang1,()   

  1. 1 Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Medical College of Jianghan University, Wuhan 430100, China
    2 Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jianghan University (Wuhan Sixth Hospital)
  • Received:2022-05-09 Revised:2022-06-02 Published:2022-12-15 Online:2022-12-30
  • Contact: LIU Lijiang E-mail:liyanyan975@163.com;1359175284@qq.com

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of rutin on hippocampal neuron injury and Ras homolog gene family member A/Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase (RhoA/ROCK) signaling pathway in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group, the model group, the rutin low dose group (20 mg/kg), the rutin medium dose group (40 mg/kg), the rutin high dose group (80 mg/kg) and RhoA inhibitor group (Rhosin hydrochloride, 40 mg/kg), with 9 rats in each group. Except the sham operation group, rats in the other groups were subjected to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion by ligating carotid artery. Intervention treatment was carried out according to the dosage of each group. The drug was administered once a day for 4 weeks. Morris water maze test was used to determine the cognitive function and memory ability of rats. Hematoxylin eosin staining was used to observe the status of hippocampal neurons. TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis related proteins [Caspase-3, B cell lymphoma-2 associated X protein (Bax)] and RhoA/ROCK pathway related proteins in hippocampus of rats in each group. Results Compared with the sham operation group, the number of neurons in hippocampus decreased in the model group, the ultrastructure and organelle structure of neurons were seriously damaged, the escape latency, apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons, expression levels of apoptosis related proteins (Caspase-3, Bax), RhoA, ROCK1 and ROCK2 were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the number of platform crossings was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the number of hippocampal neurons significantly increased in the rutin treatment groups and RhoA inhibitor group, the ultrastructure of neurons and the damage of organelles recovered to a certain extent, the escape latency, apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons, expression levels of apoptosis related proteins (Caspase-3, Bax), RhoA, ROCK1 and ROCK2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the number of platform crossings was significantly increased (P<0.05). There was a dose-dependent effect in the rutin treatment groups. There were no significant differences in above indexes between the rutin high dose group and the RhoA inhibitor group (P>0.05). Conclusion Rutin can alleviate the neuronal injury induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats, which may be achieved by inhibiting RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

Key words: rutin, neurons, rho-associated kinases, apoptosis, cognitive dysfunction, memory, chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

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