Conclusion
Our results found that Tet could improve cognitive impairment in the chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats. Tetrandrine may be a novel and promising candidate for future treatment and/or prevention of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion via inhibiting S100B activation and decreasing the expression of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and iNOS in the hippocampal CA1 region.
Methods
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion was induced by ligation of the bilateral common carotid arteries for 8 weeks. Rats were treated with Tet (10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally every 3 days for 4 weeks. Cognitive function of rats was evaluated by the Morris water maze. Hematoxylin eosin (H & E) and Nissl staining were used to observe neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 region. Immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QT-PCR), and western blot were performed to measure S100B, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and iNOS levels in the CA1 region of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats.
Results
The Tet-treated group significantly decreased the escape latency of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats in finding the hidden platform (P <0.05). Compared with the 2-VO (two-vessel occlusion) group, more neurons with regular morphology and/or Nissl bodies in the hippocampus were observed in the Tet-treated group, suggesting attenuated neuronal damage and degeneration. Additionally, S100B, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and iNOS levels were significantly (P <0.05) decreased in the CA1 region of the chronic cerebral hypoperfusion affected rats treated with Tet.