连翘酯苷对拟AD复合动物模型小鼠学习记忆的改善作用及其机制研究

目的以β淀粉样蛋白损伤自然衰老小鼠建立一种新的复合式老年痴呆(AD)小鼠模型,观察连翘酯苷对复合模型学习记忆障碍的改善作用,并对其机制进行初步探讨。方法采用14月龄C57BL/6小鼠侧脑室注射Aβ25-35形成拟AD复合模型;Morris水迷宫实验观察小鼠学习记忆能力,实验结束取小鼠脑组织用放射免疫分析法检测TNF-α及IL-1的含量;Western blot方法检测GFAP蛋白表达,化学比色法测定ChAT、AchE、SOD酶活性及MDA的含量。结果水迷宫实验中连翘酯苷组可显著改善小鼠的学习记忆能力(P<0.05)。作用机制研究发现:连翘酯苷能降低TNF-α、IL-1的含量(P<0.05),抑制GFAP蛋白表达。提高ChAT、SOD酶活力,降低AchE活性及MDA的含量(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论连翘酯苷对拟AD复合动物模型学习记忆的改善作用可能与抑制脑内炎症反应,调节胆碱能系统,抗氧化作用等有关。     

香水莲花提取物对东莨菪碱诱导记忆障碍小鼠学习记忆能力的影响

探究香水莲花提取物(Nymphaea hybrid extract,NHE)对东莨菪碱诱导记忆障碍小鼠的学习记忆能力的影响。采用腹腔注射东莨菪碱建立记忆障碍模型,Morris水迷宫实验测定小鼠空间学习和记忆能力。水迷宫实验结束后,断头处死小鼠,进行生化指标的测定。结果表明,与模型组小鼠相比,NHE干预后,小鼠的逃避潜伏期明显缩短(P <0. 01),目标象限停留时间百分比和穿越平台次数增加(P <0. 05或P <0. 01),小鼠海马和皮质区的SOD和GSH-PX活力显著升高(P <0. 01或P <0. 05),MDA含量极显著降低(P <0. 01),ACh E活性显著降低(P <0. 01),ACh含量增加(P <0. 01或P <0. 05)。同时,免疫印迹结果表明,NHE能够改善东莨菪碱引起小鼠海马和皮质中ERK、CREB磷酸化水平和BDNF蛋白表达的减少。综上,香水莲花提取物可以提高东莨菪碱诱导的记忆障碍小鼠的学习记忆能力,具体机制涉及缓解大脑的氧化应激损伤,平衡胆碱能系统,激活ERK-CREB-BDNF信号通路。     

小鼠动物实验方法系列专题(一)——Morris水迷宫实验在小鼠表型分析中的应用

本文以C57和129Sv小鼠为例介绍了Morris水迷宫实验的基本原理和实验步骤。该实验是研究鼠类空间学习记忆功能的重要实验:通过连续多日训练鼠类以水池壁的标记物进行定位导航游泳寻找水中隐藏平台的方法检测小鼠的空间学习能力;接着撤除平台,分析小鼠在水迷宫里搜索原隐藏平台的行为来检测小鼠的空间记忆功能。结果发现,两种小鼠均可成功完成实验,C57综合表现优于129Sv小鼠。Morris水迷宫是对小鼠空间学习和记忆功能研究的重要工具。     

金思维对东莨菪碱致记忆障碍小鼠脑胆碱能系统的影响

目的 通过建立东莨菪碱记忆障碍模型,采用中药复方金思维进行干预,观察金思维对东莨菪碱致记忆障碍模型小鼠行为学和胆碱能系统的影响,探讨该药的神经保护作用机制。方法 将ICR小鼠随机分为正常对照组;模型组,溶媒0.5%CMC;阳性对照组,多奈哌齐,0.92 mg/(kg·d);金思维大、中、小剂量组,20、10、5 mg/(kg·d)。每组18只,按0.1 mL/10 g小鼠体重连续灌胃给药30 d。末次给药后造模,对照组腹腔注射生理盐水,其余各组腹腔注射东莨菪碱3 mg/(kg·d),溶于0.9%生理盐水,按0.1 mL/10 g小鼠体重注射,进行Morris水迷宫实验。实验结束后取皮层和海马组织,分别测定皮层和海马中乙酰胆碱(Ach)含量、乙酰胆碱酯酶(Ach E)及胆碱乙酰转移酶(Ch AT)活性。结果 金思维可使模型小鼠游泳距离和游泳时间缩短及目标象限停留时间增长;金思维可使模型组小鼠脑内Ach含量升高、Ach E活性下降和Ch AT活性升高。结论 金思维可以改善东莨菪碱导致的记忆障碍模型小鼠学习记忆能力,其机制可能与胆碱能能系统有关。     

锁阳乙酸乙酯提取物改善慢性应激小鼠认知功能障碍的神经保护机制

本实验以去卵巢后慢性应激模型,探究锁阳乙酸乙酯提取物(ECS)改善慢性应激小鼠认知功能障碍的神经保护机制。采用Morris水迷宫检测小鼠空间学习记忆能力,Western Blot检测海马组织突触蛋白中突触囊泡蛋白(synaptophysin,Syn)和突触后致密物(Postsynaptic density protein 95,PSD-95)表达量,通过海马组织形态学改变进一步证明ECS的神经保护作用。Morris水迷宫结果显示雌鼠锁阳乙酸乙酯组穿越平台次数增加(P0.01)。Western Blot结果显示,ECS可增加Syn(P0.05)与PSD-95(P0.05)蛋白表达量。HE染色结果显示ECS可减轻海马神经元损伤,改善海马CA1区锥体细胞形态。结果表明ECS能够增加去势后慢性应激小鼠突触蛋白中Syn与PSD-95的表达量,保护海马神经元,改善慢性应激所致学习记忆障碍。     

负性刺激诱导小鼠情绪性记忆脑区神经元编程的可塑性

通过检测慢性复合应激小鼠在Morris水迷宫实验中记忆能力及其杏仁体和海马神经元电生理特性的变化探讨情绪性记忆相关脑区的作用机制及神经元网络可塑性变化的机理。水迷宫实验中两组小鼠的逃避潜伏期逐渐缩短,具有显著性差异,6个训练周期中,应激组有5个训练周期的逃避潜伏期较对照组缩短,存在显著性差异;应激组小鼠在目标象限游泳停留时间显著长于其在其它3个象限的时间,同时显著长于对照组,而在对侧象限游泳时间显著短于对照组。小鼠在慢性负性刺激下学习和记忆能力得到提升,其杏仁体内GABA能神经元功能出现下降、海马锥体神经元功能出现增强,表明情绪性记忆可能与海马和杏仁体的神经元网络整体兴奋性的可塑性变化有关。     

12T强静磁场对小鼠前庭系统及学习记忆能力的影响

目的:随着强静磁场的广泛应用,其生物安全性评估获得越来越多的关注。本文通过实验,评估强静磁场照射对小鼠前庭系统、学习记忆能力的影响及两者内在联系。方法:观察12T强静磁场照射2h条件下小鼠即时(2min内)效应和条件味觉厌恶反应情况,确定照射对小鼠前庭系统的影响;通过Y迷宫和Morris水迷宫实验,分析照射对小鼠学习记忆能力的影响。结果:研究发现照射后小鼠立即出现直立行为抑制、旋转平衡失调,以及持续10d的条件味觉厌恶反应,表明该照射对小鼠前庭系统造成了即时及持续影响。Y迷宫和Morris水迷宫分析结果表明照射后小鼠学习记忆能力未发生显著改变。结论:12T强静磁场2h照射对小鼠前庭系统存在显著影响和量效关系,照射可导致小鼠出现平衡失调,持续味觉厌恶的现象,但这种影响并非结构性或不可逆的,对小鼠学习记忆能力未造成影响。     

两种水迷宫在测试拟阿尔茨海默病小鼠学习记忆能力中的比较

目的采用两种水迷宫对拟阿尔茨海默病小鼠学习记忆功能进行比较。方法将小鼠分为正常对照组、模型组及给药组。用Morris水迷宫和MS-2水迷宫自动控制仪分别测试各组小鼠的学习记忆能力。结果在Morris水迷宫测试中,模型组与对照组,给药组与模型组比较,逃避潜伏期均有显著性差异（P〈0.01）,在MS-2水迷宫自动控制仪测试中,模型组与对照组比较有明显差异（P〈0.05）,而给药组与模型组比较,游出水迷路的时间均有所减少,但没有显著性差异（P〉0.05）。结论Morris水迷宫和MS-2水迷宫自动控制仪测试方法均能反映动物学习和记忆功能,而前者能更敏感地反映出动物的学习记忆能力。因此,Morris水迷宫应为实验首选,当然在实验需要时,两种水迷宫最好结合使用,以得到客观的结果。     

Morris水迷宫逃避潜伏期阈值设定对检测结果的影响

目的:探讨Morris水迷宫不同逃避潜伏期阈值的设定是否影响阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)转基因小鼠及其同窝同龄野生型(Littermates,LM)小鼠学习和记忆能力的检测结果。方法:将雄性AD转基因鼠与雌性C57BL/6J野生型(Wild-Type,WT)鼠按1:4比例合笼繁育,获得子代小鼠,饲养至3周后进行AD基因表型鉴定。继而选取4月龄雌性AD转基因阳性小鼠17只为AD组,同窝同龄LM雌性小鼠15只为LM组,分析将逃避潜伏期阈值分别设定为90 s和60 s时,AD组和LM组采用Morris水迷宫检测小鼠学习和记忆能力障碍的检出率和可靠性。结果:60 s到90 s期间,AD组小鼠跨越平台次数占比中位数50.0%(0.0%,75.0%),明显高于LM组小鼠跨越平台次数占比中位数16.7%(0.0%,28.6%)(P0.05);60 s到90 s期间,AD组小鼠目的象限停留时间占比中位数45.2%(37.6%,52.8%),显著高于LM组小鼠目的象限停留时间占比中位数31.7%(28.7%,40.9%)(P0.05)。AD转基因鼠在潜伏期阈值设定为60 s时较设定为90 s时将损失更多客观实验信息。结论:应用Morris水迷宫检测认知功能障碍时,将逃避潜伏期阈值设定为90 s相较于60 s更能反映出AD鼠空间学习记忆能力的受损程度。     

芪丹通脉片对大鼠慢性脑缺血损伤大鼠学习记忆的影响

目的:研究芪丹通脉片对慢性脑缺血所致学习记忆障碍的治疗作用及其可能机制。方法:采用双侧颈动脉结扎方法复制慢性脑缺血模型。将健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、假手术组、芪丹通脉片低剂量组、芪丹通脉片中剂量组、芪丹通脉片高剂量组、阳性对照尼莫地平组,应用Morris水迷宫检测大鼠学习记忆能力,HE染色观察海马神经元形态学改变。结果:与对照组比较,模型组大鼠可见显著学习记忆障碍,并可见海马神经元呈现出典型的神经病理性改变,海马区神经细胞数量减少、固缩等改变。芪丹通脉片可显著减轻慢性脑缺血所致学习记忆能力,并减其轻海马神经元损伤,且有显著剂量依赖性。结论:本实验证实芪丹通脉片可显著减轻慢性脑缺血所致学习记忆障碍,其可能机制是通过减轻海马损伤来改善学习记忆能力。     

Eclalbasaponin II Ameliorates the Cognitive Impairment Induced by Cholinergic Blockade in Mice

Eclalbasaponin II derived from Eclipta prostrata L. (Asteraceae) has been reported to have anti-fibrotic, anti-bacterial and autophagic activities, but its effect on cognitive function has not been investigated. We studied the effect of eclalbasaponin II on cholinergic blockade-induced memory impairment in mice using the passive avoidance, Y-maze, and Morris water maze tasks. Eclalbasaponin II (10 or 20 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction induced by scopolamine in the passive avoidance, Y-maze, and the Morris water maze tasks. To identify the mechanism of the memory-ameliorating effect of eclalbasaponin II, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity assay, Western blot analysis and electrophysiology were conducted. Eclalbasaponin II inhibited the AChE activity in ex vivo study, and the administration of eclalbasaponin II and its metabolite, echinocystic acid, increased the phosphorylation levels of memory-related signaling molecules, including protein kinase B (Akt) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), in the hippocampus. Although eclalbasaponin II did not affect hippocampal long term potentiation (LTP), echinocystic acid significantly enhanced hippocampal LTP formation (30 μM). These results suggest that eclalbasaponin II ameliorates cholinergic blockade-induced cognitive impairment via AChE inhibition, LTP formation and the activation of Akt-GSK-3β signaling, and that eclalbasaponin II may be a useful to treat cognitive impairment derived from cholinergic dysfunction.     

Nodakenin, a coumarin compound, ameliorates scopolamine-induced memory disruption in mice

Nodakenin is a coumarin compound initially isolated from the roots of Angelica gigas. In the present study, we investigated the effects of nodakenin on learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) using the passive avoidance test, the Y-maze test, and the Morris water maze test in mice. Nodakenin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) administration significantly reversed scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in the passive avoidance test and the Y-maze test (P<0.05), and also reduced escape latency during training in the Morris water maze test (P<0.05). Moreover, swimming times and distances within the target zone of the Morris water maze were greater in the nodakenin-treated group than in the scopolamine-treated group (P<0.05). In an in vitro study, nodakenin was found to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC(50)=84.7 microM). In addition, nodakenin was also found to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity for 6 h in an ex-vivo study. These results suggest that nodakenin may be a useful for the treatment of cognitive impairment, and that its beneficial effects are mediated, in part, via the enhancement of cholinergic signaling.     

Positive impact of levetiracetam on emotional learning and memory in naive mice

AimsThe effect of an antiepileptic drug on cognitive function is of primary importance with respect to the patient's quality of life. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a novel antiepileptic drug used to treat epilepsy, but its effects on spatial and emotional learning and memory are not yet well understood. The goal of our study was to establish the effects of LEV (17 and 54 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (IP)) on spatial memory retrieval in the Morris water maze test and on acquisition and memory formation in the passive avoidance (PA) test in naive mice.Main methodsThe subjects were adult male BALB/c mice. Spatial learning and memory was established with the Morris water maze (MWM) test. The ‘time spent in escape platforms quadrant’ and the ‘distance to platform’ analyses were measured using a video tracking system to determine spatial memory function. Emotional learning and memory were determined with a one-trial, step-through passive avoidance test.Key findingsIn the MWM test, LEV (17 and 54 mg/kg) neither affected the time spent in the target quadrant nor altered the distance to platform. Moreover, LEV had no effect on swim speed. In the PA task, LEV (17 and 54 mg/kg) significantly prolonged retention latency.SignificanceOur results indicate that LEV did not alter spatial memory retrieval in the MWM test, but it did show some ameliorating effects on acquisition and memory formation in the PA test in naive mice.     

The ameliorating effects of 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice and its neuroprotective activity

We isolated 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone, a neuroprotective compound from Cynenchum paniculatum in our previous study.The present study was conducted to investigate the possible neuroprotective effect of 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone that has been previously isolated from Cynenchum paniculatum on hippocampal neuronal cell line, HT22 cells and its possible cognitive-enhancing effect on scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice.Neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in HT22 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Also, cognitive enhancing effect against scopolamine (1 mg/kg, ip) induced learning and memory deficit was measured by Morris water maze test. Oral administered of 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone (1, 10, 20, 40 and 50 mg/kg) to amnesic mice induced by scopolamine. In Morris water maze test, 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone (50 mg/kg) improved the impairment of spatial memory induced by scopolamine. 2,3-Dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone protect HT22 cells on glutamate induced cell-death in a dose-dependent manner (EC₅₀ value: 10.94 μM). Furthermore, 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone was found to inhibit [Ca²⁺] accumulation in HT22 cells and had antioxidantive activity. The results showed that 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone exert neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing activities through its antioxidant activity. We suggest that 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone improves cognitive function and may be helpful for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.     

The effect of 7-oxo-DHEA acetate on memory in young and old C57BL/6 mice

7-Oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone, which can be formed from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) by several mammalian tissues, is more effective than its parent steroid as an inducer of thermogenic enzymes when administered to rats. Using the Morris water maze procedure, we tested DHEA and its 7-oxo-derivative for their ability to reverse the memory abolition induced by scopolamine in young C57BL/6 mice, and for their effect on memory in old mice. A single dose of 7-oxo-DHEA-acetate at 24 mg/kg b.w. completely reversed the impairment caused by 1 mg of scopolamine per kg b.w. (P < 0.001). DHEA (20 mg/kg) was also effective (P < 0.01). In old mice given the same single doses followed by feeding 0.05% of the respective steroid in the diet, memory of the water maze training was retained through a four week test period in mice receiving 7-oxo-DHEA-acetate (P < 0.05) but not in the control or DHEA-treated groups. When old mice were not tested until five weeks after being trained 7-oxo-DHEA exerted a slight, but statistically insignificant, improvement in memory retention. The possible effect of 7-oxo-DHEA in human memory problems deserves investigation.     

Rehmannia glutinosa ameliorates scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in rats

Many studies have shown that the steamed root of Rehmannia glutinosa (SRG), which is widely used in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases in the context of Korean traditional medicine, is effective for improving cognitive and memory impairments. The purpose of this study was to examine whether SRG extracts improved memory defects caused by administering scopolamine (SCO) into the brains of rats. The effects of SRG on the acetylcholinergic system and proinflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus were also investigated. Male rats were administered daily doses of SRG (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) for 14 days, 1 h before scopolamine injection (2 mg/kg, i.p.). After inducing cognitive impairment via scopolamine administration, we conducted a passive avoidance test (PAT) and the Morris water maze (MWM) test as behavioral assessments. Changes in cholinergic system reactivity were also examined by measuring the immunoreactive neurons of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and the reactivity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in the hippocampus. Daily administration of SRG improved memory impairment according to the PAT, and reduced the escape latency for finding the platform in the MWM. The administration of SRG consistently significantly alleviated memory-associated decreases in cholinergic immunoreactivity and decreased interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA expression in the hippocampus. The results demonstrated that SRG had a significant neuroprotective effect against the neuronal impairment and memory dysfunction caused by scopolamine in rats. These results suggest that SRG may be useful for improving cognitive functioning by stimulating cholinergic enzyme activities and alleviating inflammatory responses.     

Protective effect of curcumin against intracerebral streptozotocin induced impairment in memory and cerebral blood flow

AimsThe aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of curcumin on cerebral blood flow (CBF), memory impairment, oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction in intracerebral (IC) streptozotocin (STZ) induced memory impairment in mice.Main methodsMemory impairment was induced by STZ (0.5 mg/kg, IC) administered twice with an interval of 48 h in mice. Memory function was assessed by Morris water maze and passive avoidance test. CBF was measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF). To study the preventive effect, curcumin (10, 20 and 50 mg/kg, PO) was administered for 21 days starting from the first dose of STZ. In another set of experiment, curcumin was administered for 7 days from 19th day after confirming STZ induced dementia to observe its therapeutic effect. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress and cholinergic function were estimated in brain on day 21.Key findingsThe major finding of this study is that STZ (IC) caused a significant reduction in CBF along with memory impairment, cholinergic dysfunction and enhanced oxidative stress. Curcumin dose dependently improved CBF in STZ treated mice together with amelioration of memory impairment both in preventive and therapeutic manner.SignificanceThe present study clearly demonstrates the beneficial effects of curcumin, the dietary staple of India, on CBF, memory and oxidative stress which can be exploited for dementia associated with age related vascular and neurodegenerative disorders.     

Scopolamine Induced Amnesia is Reversed by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacopa monniera</Emphasis> Through Participation of Kinase-CREB Pathway

Scopolamine, an anticholinergic drug, is reported to produce amnesia by interference of long term potentiation and has been used for discerning the efficacy of various antiamnesic drugs. The intoxication with anticholinergics and benzodiazepines tend to produce neurodegeneration which cause memory deficits. Our earlier reports have shown the antiamnesic drug, B. monniera to be capable of alleviating diazepam induced memory deficits. We have now tested how scopolamine affects downstream signaling molecules of long term potentiation and if B. monniera can also modulate the scopolamine induced amnesia. We used Morris water maze scale to test the amnesic effect of scopolamine and its reversal by B. monniera. Rota-rod test was used to screen muscle coordination activity of mice before water maze investigations were carried out. The results showed that scopolamine downregulated protein kinase C and iNOS without affecting cAMP, protein kinase A, calmodulin, MAP kinase, nitrite, CREB and pCREB. B. monniera reversed the scopolamine induced amnesia by significantly improving calmodulin and by partially attenuating protein kinase C and pCREB. These observations suggest involvement of calmodulin in evoking antiamnesic effects of B. monniera.     

Cognitive enhancing effects of alpha asarone in amnesic mice by influencing cholinergic and antioxidant defense mechanisms

The effect of α-asarone on impairment of cognitive performance caused by amnesic drug scopolamine was investigated. Treatment with α-asarone attenuated scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits as evaluated by passive avoidance and Y-maze test. Administration of α-asarone for 15 d improved memory and cognitive function as indicated by an increase in transfer latency time and spontaneous alternation in passive avoidance and the Y-maze test respectively. To understand the action of α-asarone, the levels of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the hippocampus (Hippo) and cerebral cortex (CC) of scopolamine-induced amnesic mice were evaluated. The mice treated with Scopolamine showed increased activity of AChE, MDA and SOD levels in both the Hippo and the CC area. Treatment with α-asarone attenuated the increased activity of AChE and normalized the MDA and SOD levels in the Hippo and the CC area in the scopolamine treated amnesic mice. These results suggest that α-asarone has a beneficial effect in cognitive impairment induced by dysfunction of cholinergic system in brain through inhibition of AChE activity and by influencing the antioxidant defense mechanism.