金钗石斛提取物对慢性不可预见应激模型小鼠的抗抑郁作用

为了探讨金钗石斛提取物对慢性不可预见应激模型小鼠的抗抑郁作用,将BALB/c小鼠分为6组,即正常组、模型组、阳性药组(帕罗西汀),金钗石斛低(50 mg/kg)、中(100 mg/kg)、高(200 mg/kg)剂量组,灌胃给药两周后,除正常组外,其他组给予慢性不可预见性应激造模35天。造模结束后,通过糖水偏爱、新奇抑制摄食、强迫游泳实验和悬尾实验检测其行为学改变,采用LC-MS/MS测定各组小鼠应激后海马及皮层单胺类神经递质包括多巴胺(dopamine,DA)和5-羟色胺(5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT)的含量改变。结果显示,与正常组相比,模型组小鼠糖水偏爱指数下降(P0.01);与模型组比较,金钗石斛各剂量组可显著逆转模型小鼠出现的糖水偏爱指数下降(P0.01),其作用与阳性药帕罗西汀相当;与正常组相比,模型组小鼠新奇抑制摄食潜伏期延长(P0.01);与模型组比较,金钗石斛各剂量组均可显著缩短新奇抑制摄食潜伏期(P0.01);与正常组相比,模型组小鼠悬尾的不动时间明显延长(P0.01),与模型组比较,帕罗西汀及200 mg/kg金钗石斛均可缩短悬尾的不动时间(P0.05);与正常组相比,模型小鼠在强迫游泳实验中不动时间无明显延长,各给药组的不动时间也未见明显改变(P0.05)。与正常组相比,模型组小鼠皮层和海马中的DA和5-HT含量明显减少(P0.05);帕罗西汀能使模型小鼠海马和皮层DA、海马5-HT含量明显增加(P0.05);金钗石斛低、高剂量组皮层DA含量与模型组相比显著性升高(P0.05),金钗石斛中、高剂量组海马DA含量与模型组相比显著性升高(P0.05);金钗石斛高剂量组皮层和海马5-HT含量显著高于模型组(P0.05),但金钗石斛中剂量组仅海马5-HT含量显著高于模型组(P0.01)。以上结果提示,慢性不可预见应激可导致小鼠的类抑郁样行为出现,而金钗石斛提取物能有效改善慢性不可预见应激模型动物的抑郁样行为学表现,并提高小鼠脑内的DA和5-HT水平。     

雌激素缺乏对痴呆小鼠学习记忆及海马区细胞增殖和成熟的影响

该文旨在研究雌激素缺乏不同时间段对APP/PS1双转基因小鼠学习记忆及海马区细胞增殖和成熟的影响及探究潜在的机制。将3月龄APP/PS1双转基因AD雌性小鼠行双侧卵巢切除(AD-OVX),以假手术AD小鼠(AD-Sham)及同月龄正常野生型小鼠(WT)作为对照,于术后1周(模拟绝经早期)和3月(模拟绝经中晚期), Morris水迷宫行为测试结果显示,在APP/PS1双转基因AD小鼠中, OVX后1周, AD-OVX组与AD-Sham组比较,其逃避潜伏期、搜索路径以及穿越平台的次数无明显差异(P0.05);而OVX后3月, AD-OVX组小鼠找到平台的时间和搜索路径显著延长(P0.05),穿越平台的次数也相应减少(P0.05);子宫重量结果、EDU细胞增殖状况、老年斑、脑内NeuN蛋白和芳香酶的变化水平分别显示,在APP/PS1双转基因AD小鼠中, OVX后1周, AD-OVX组与ADSham组比较,循环雌激素水平无明显变化;小鼠脑内未见老年斑;小鼠海马区新生阳性细胞数量和NeuN的表达反应性增多(P0.05);此时小鼠脑内芳香酶表达也呈反应性升高(P0.05)。而OVX后3月, AD-OVX组小鼠循环雌激素水平明显降低(P0.05);脑内老年斑显著增加(P0.05);小鼠海马区新生阳性细胞数量和NeuN的表达减少(P0.05);此时小鼠脑内芳香酶水平也显著降低(P0.05)。以上结果说明,雌激素缺乏早期可反应性地增加痴呆小鼠海马区细胞的增殖和成熟,对小鼠学习记忆无影响;但随着雌激素缺乏时间的延长,痴呆小鼠出现学习记忆的损害及海马区细胞增殖和成熟减少;该作用可能与脑内芳香酶水平的变化密切相关。     

血管性痴呆小鼠海马神经元ERK的表达变化

目的：观察血管性痴呆（VD）小鼠海马神经元中细胞外信号调节激酶（ERK）的表达变化,探讨其在VD发病中的作用机制。方法：采用双侧颈总动脉反复缺血／再灌注法制备小鼠VD模型,设立假手术组作为对照。术后第29、30d,经跳台试验和水迷宫试验对两组小鼠进行行为学成绩测试,用免疫组化方法观察两组小鼠海马神经元中ERK的表达变化。结果：VD模型小鼠学习、记忆成绩较假手术组显著下降（P〈0．05）.模型组小鼠海马CA1区ERK1、ERK2的表达及海马CA3区p-ERK的表达较假手术组减少,均有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。结论：海马神经元内ERK的表达减少可能参与了血管性痴呆的发病机制,因此,应用能促进ERK表达的药物可能成为治疗VD的有效方法之一。     

D-半乳糖致衰老模型大鼠的学习记忆和行为学观察及中药干预作用

目的观察D-半乳糖致衰老模型大鼠学习记忆能力和行为学情况,并探讨中药的干预作用。方法大鼠每日一次颈背部皮下注射5%D-半乳糖100 mg/kg。诱导大鼠衰老模型,连续7周,观察衰老模型大鼠的自主活动次数、空间记忆能力、主动回避遭受电击能力、探究活动等行为学表现和学习记忆能力,并用抗衰老片与首乌延寿片进行干预,观察中药的干预作用。结果皮下注射D-半乳糖造模后,衰老模型大鼠自主活动次数显著减少（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）,水迷宫试验探索路径长度和搜台潜伏期显著延长（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）,旷场试验移动路程长度和直立次数显著减少（P〈0.01）,穿梭回避试验平均潜伏期、进入错误区时间显著增加（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）。给予抗衰老片与首乌延寿片干预后,衰老大鼠的自主活动次数显著增加（P〈0.01）,水迷宫试验探索路径长度和搜台潜伏期显著缩短（P〈0.01）,旷场试验移动路程长度和直立次数显著增加（P〈0.01）,穿梭回避试验平均潜伏期、进入错误区时间显著减少（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）。结论D-半乳糖致衰老模型大鼠的自主活动次数减少,对新环境探索能力下降,学习记忆力下降;抗衰老片与首乌延寿片等中药可有效增强衰老模型大鼠的行为活动,提高衰老模型大鼠的学习记忆能力。     

老年与青年小鼠慢性应激后抑郁样行为的观察

目的：探讨慢性应激后不同月龄小鼠抑郁样行为的变化,以及海马和前脑皮层胰岛素样神经营养因子-Ⅱ （IGF-Ⅱ）的作用。方法：昆明品系小白鼠3月龄（青年）和14月龄（老年）,随机分为青年对照组和青年应激组、老年对照组和老年应激组,每组12只、雌雄各半。多因素慢性应激21 d,建立抑郁小鼠模型。采用悬尾实验和蔗糖偏好实验评价小鼠的抑郁样行为;并且检测小鼠海马和前脑皮层IGF-Ⅱ的表达水平。结果：与青年对照组相比,老年对照组小鼠的累积不动时间明显增多（P<0.05）,蔗糖消耗度明显降低（P<0.05）,并且IGF-Ⅱ阳性神经元数目在海马CA1区、CA3区、齿状回（D G）和前脑皮层均明显减少（P<0.01或P<0.05）;慢性应激后,青年应激组小鼠的第一次静止不动时间、累积不动时间和蔗糖消耗度与其对照组比较均有显著性差异（P均<0.01）,IGF-Ⅱ阳性神经元数目在CA1、DG和前脑皮层均显著减少（P<0.05或P<0.01）;与老年对照组比较,老年应激组小鼠的第一次静止不动时间明显减少（P<0.05）、累积不动时间显著增加（P<0.0 5）和蔗糖消耗度明显减少（P<0.05）,海马CA1、CA3和DG区IGF-Ⅱ阳性神经元数目均显著减少（P <0.05或P<0.01）。结论：慢性应激后小鼠的抑郁样行为可能与海马和前脑皮层IGF-Ⅱ表达的下调密切相关。     

菟丝子总黄酮对内分泌衰退痴呆模型小鼠学习记忆功能的影响及保护作用机制

目的:研究菟丝子总黄酮对内分泌衰退痴呆模型小鼠学习记忆功能的影响,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法:将50只昆明种雌性小鼠随机分为模型组,雌激素对照组(0.3 mg·kg-1),菟丝子总黄酮低剂量组(35mg·kg-1),菟丝子总黄酮中剂量组(70 mg·kg-1)和菟丝子总黄酮高剂量组(140 mg·kg-1),采用背部去卵巢法切除双侧卵巢,另取10只小鼠作为假手术对照组,建立内分泌衰退小鼠模型,术后各治疗组进行灌胃给药治疗三个月,假手术组和模型组均给予0.9%生理盐水。给药结束后采用Morris水迷宫观察小鼠行为学变化;放射免疫法检测小鼠血液中雌激素的水平;HE染色光镜观察海马神经元病理形态;流式细胞仪检测小鼠海马神经细胞凋亡率和免疫印迹法检测海马区神经细胞凋亡相关蛋白(Bcl-2、Bax、Csapase-3)及Cyt-c蛋白的表达水平。结果:与假手术组相比,模型组小鼠学习记忆能力明显下降(P0.01);血液中雌激素水平显著降低(P0.01);海马神经细胞凋亡率显著增加(P0.01);Cyt-c、Caspase-3、Bax蛋白表达水平大大增加(P0.01),Bcl-2蛋白表达降低明显(P0.01)。与模型组相比,TFSC各治疗组小鼠学习记忆能力显著增强(P0.05,P0.01,P0.01);血液中雌激素水平上升显著(P0.05,P0.01,P0.01);小鼠海马区神经细胞凋亡率明显下降(P0.05,P0.01,P0.01);同时Cyt-c、Caspase-3、Bax蛋白表达水平均大大降低,Bcl-2蛋白表达均明显增加(P0.05,P0.05,P0.01)。结论:TFSC可上调脑细胞中Bcl-2蛋白的表达水平,抑制Bax、Caspase-3和Cyt-c蛋白的表达量,进而增强神经元的可塑性和营养性,以防止神经细胞从内源性线粒体途径丢失或凋亡,进一步改善内分泌衰退型痴呆小鼠的学习记忆能力。TFSC可能是通过促进或增强下丘脑-脑垂体-性腺轴功能,从而达到增加雌激素水平和改善内分泌系统功能的目的。     

超声刺激在红藻氨酸诱导的癫痫小鼠中呈现抗癫痫和海马神经保护作用

目的研究超声刺激(ultrasound stimulation, US)在红藻氨酸(kainate, KA)诱导的小鼠癫痫模型中的抗癫痫作用。方法将小鼠随机分为对照组(n=11)、KA组(n=12)和KA+US组(n=12)。通过侧脑室注射KA建立小鼠癫痫模型,并给予US处理2周。通过视频监控记录US对KA诱发的小鼠癫痫相关行为的影响;通过脑电图检测US对小鼠癫痫发作时的脑电活动的影响;通过尼氏染色观察US对海马CA3区神经元大体形态和密度的影响;通过FJB与NeuN共定位观察US对海马CA3区神经元退化变性的影响;通过GFAP免疫组织化学染色观察US对海马CA3区星形胶质细胞活化增生的影响。结果 US可显著减少KA处理后小鼠癫痫发作次数并延长癫痫发作潜伏期。脑电图记录结果显示,US可显著降低棘波频率。尼氏染色显示,KA组海马CA3区神经元呈现核固缩且神经元密度降低;相对于KA组,KA+US组海马CA3区神经元核固缩明显减少,神经元密度明显增加。FBJ和NeuN共定位染色显示,US可显著降低KA引起的海马CA3区神经元退化变性。GFAP免疫组织化学染色显示,KA组海马CA3区星形胶质细胞明显增多,而US可减少其数量。结论 US具有抗癫痫作用,且这一作用可能与其抑制海马CA3区的神经元退化并降低星形胶质细胞活化增生相关。     

电针对不同剂量X射线照射C57小鼠神经干细胞增殖和分化的影响及机制

本文旨在探讨电针对不同剂量X射线照射C57小鼠海马区内源性神经干细胞增殖、分化及Notch信号通路的影响。将30日龄C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为对照组、放射线照射组和电针组。对照组不接受照射处理,放射线照射组小鼠接受10min的4、8或16 Gy X射线照射,电针组在相应照射后接受3个疗程的电针(百会、风府和双侧肾俞)治疗。用免疫组织化学方法检测海马区内源性神经干细胞增殖和分化情况,用RT-PCR和Western blot分别检测海马区Notch信号通路相关基因mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果显示,与对照组比较,放射线照射组海马BrdU阳性细胞(4、8 Gy亚组)和BrdU/NeuN双标阳性细胞(3个剂量亚组)数目均显著减少,而电针治疗可逆转以上变化。放射线照射组各剂量亚组BrdU/GFAP双标阳性细胞数目相对对照组均显著减少,而电针治疗可以逆转4和8 Gy剂量亚组的这一变化。此外,与对照组比较,放射线照射组各剂量亚组小鼠海马Notch1mRNA及蛋白表达均显著上调,而Mash1基因及蛋白表达显著下降;而与放射线照射组比较,电针组各剂量亚组海马Notch1mRNA及蛋白表达均显著下降,4和8 Gy亚组Mash1 mRNA和蛋白表达均显著增加。上述结果提示,放射线照射可以抑制小鼠海马区神经干细胞增殖和分化,电针(百会、风府和双侧肾俞)能够显著提高放射线照射小鼠海马区神经干细胞的增殖和分化,这一作用可能与Notch蛋白信号通路相关。     

电针对SAMP8小鼠海马区PS1蛋白表达的影响

目的:研究电针对于SAMP8模型小鼠海马区早老蛋白1(presenilian 1,PS1)表达的影响,探讨电针治疗阿尔兹海默病(AD)的作用机制。方法:将20只SAMP8小鼠(早老化小鼠)随机分为模型对照组、电针治疗组,每组10只;10只SAMR1小鼠(正常老化小鼠)组成正常对照组。正常对照组和模型对照组正常饲养15天,在电针治疗组治疗时抓取束缚一次,不做任何治疗;电针治疗组每天治疗前抓取束缚之后再进行电针治疗,治疗穴位选取"百会"、"印堂"、"人中"三穴,频率2 Hz,电流强度以小鼠头部微颤为宜,留针20 min,每日1次,共15天。电针治疗结束后,通过Morris水迷宫实验观察小鼠的行为学变化;通过免疫组化观察SAMP8小鼠海马区PS1蛋白表达情况;通过Western blot方法检测各组海马区的PS1蛋白表达水平。结果:行为学中Morris水迷宫检测显示:模型组与正常对照组比较逃避潜伏时增加,空间探索实验穿越平台次数和平台象限游泳时间明显减少(P0.05,P0.01);电针治疗组逃避潜伏时明显减少,空间探索实验穿越平台次数和平台象限游泳时间明显增加(P0.05);免疫组化观察各组海马区PS1蛋白表达,电针治疗组较模型组明显降低;Western blot结果显示PS1蛋白在海马区表达水平,模型组高于正常对照组(P0.01),而电针治疗组低于模型组(P0.01)。结论:电针可以改善小鼠的学习记忆能力,而且电针治疗组海马区PS1蛋白含量明显低于模型组,电针治疗可能参与减弱PS1蛋白的表达,降低Aβ水平,对于AD治疗有益。     

AMPA受体和相关蛋白在束缚应激大鼠相关脑区的表达变化及逍遥散对其影响

目的：观察海马及杏仁核α-氨基羟甲基恶唑丙酸（AMPA）受体亚基和相关调节蛋白在束缚应激状态下蛋白表达变化及逍遥散的调节作用。方法：使用每天捆绑3 h的方法制作慢性束缚应激动物模型,并用逍遥散进行干预,分别于7 d后和21 d后用Western blot方法检测各组大鼠海马CA1区、CA3区、齿状回（DG）和杏仁核的AMPA受体亚基GluR2/3及N-乙基顺丁烯二酰亚胺敏感性的融合蛋白（NSF）、PKC作用蛋白1（PICK1）蛋白表达的情况。结果：7 d应激可使DG和杏仁核的GluR2/3、NSF表达显著降低（P均〈0.05）,使PICK1在CA1区的表达量显著增多（P〈0.05）,逍遥散对PICK1变化显示出一定调节作用。21 d应激可使CA1区的GluR2/3、NSF表达升高,其中GluR2/3有显著性差异（P〈0.01）,而在杏仁核表达有降低趋势,逍遥散对其均有显著调节作用（均为P〈0.05）,21 d应激使杏仁核PICK1表达量出现升高趋势,逍遥散可显著降低其表达（P〈0.05）。结论：AMPA受体在短期重复应激和慢性应激状态下反应不同,海马和杏仁核反应相反,逍遥散对慢性应激状态下AMPA受体表达的调节作用较短期重复应激强。     

Systemically delivered Erythropoietin transiently enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis

Erythropoietin is a primary regulator of erythropoiesis in the hematopoietic system. More recently erythropoietin has been shown to play a role in neurogenesis and provide neurotrophic support to injured CNS tissue. Here the effects of large systemic doses of erythropoietin on basal levels of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice were examined. A 7-day period of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) administration increased the number of bromodeoxyuridine [BrdU(+)] cells in the sub-granular zone (SGZ) by 30%. Analysis of cell phenotype revealed an increase in mitotically active doublecortin(+) neuronal progenitor cells and glial fibrillary acidic protein(+) SGZ radial astrocytes/stem cells but not mature S100beta(+) astrocytes. These effects appeared to be mediated, in part, by mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and potentially regulated by suppressor of cytokine signaling-3. Hippocampal levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase 42/44 and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 were increased 2-6 h after a single systemic rhEPO injection. However, rhEPO had no observed effect on the long-term survival of new born cells in the SGZ, with similar numbers of BrdU(+) cells and BrdU(+)/NeuN(+) co-labeled cells after 4 weeks. Therefore, systemically delivered rhEPO transiently increased adult hippocampal neurogenesis without any apparent long-term effects.     

Antidepressant-like effect of the water extract of the fixed combination of Gardenia jasminoides,Citrus aurantium and Magnolia officinalis in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress

BackgroundWater extract of the fixed combination of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit, Citrus aurantium L. fruit and Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. bark, traditional name – Zhi-Zi-Hou-Po (ZZHPD) is used for treatment of depressive-like symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.Hypothesis/PurposeThe present study aimed to explore antidepressant-like effects and potential mechanisms of ZZHPD in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).Study designAntidepressant-like effects of ZZHPD were investigated through behavioral tests, and potential mechanism was assessed by neuroendocrine system, neurotrophin and hippocampal neurogenesis.MethodsAntidepressant-like effects of ZZHPD (3.66, 7.32 and 14.64 g/kg/day) were estimated through coat state test, sucrose preference test, forced swimming test and open-field test. Effects of ZZHPD on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis were evaluated by hormones measurement and dexamethasone suppression test. In addition, the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus was measured, as well as hippocampal neurogenesis was investigated by doublecortin (DCX) and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine/neuronal nuclei (BrdU/NeuN).ResultsThe results demonstrated that ZZHPD significantly reversed the depressive-like behaviors, normalized the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT), restored the negative feedback loop of HPA axis and improved the levels of BDNF, DCX and BrdU/NeuN compared with those in CUMS-induced rats.ConclusionThe above results revealed that ZZHPD exerted antidepressant-like effects possibly by normalizing HPA axis function, increasing expression of BDNF in hippocampus and promoting hippocampal neurogenesis.     

Chronic lithium enhances hippocampal long-term potentiation,but not neurogenesis,in the aged rat dentate gyrus

We investigated the hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), neurogenesis, and the activation of signaling molecules in the 20-month-old aged rats following chronic lithium treatment. Chronic lithium treatment produced a significant 79% increase in the numbers of BrdU(+) cells after treatment completion in the dentate gyrus (DG). Both LTP obtained from slices perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF-LTP), and LTP recorded in the presence of bicuculline (bicuculline-LTP) were significantly greater in the lithium group than in the saline controls. Our results show that as with young rats, chronic lithium can substantially increase LTP and the number of BrdU(+) cells in the aged rats. However, neurogenesis, assessed by colocalization of NeuN and BrdU, was not detected in the aged rat DG subjected to chronic lithium treatment. Therefore, it is concluded that the increase in LTP and the number of BrdU(+) cells might not be associated with increases in neurogenesis in the granule cell layer of the DG. Lithium might has a beneficial effects through other signaling pathways in the aged brain.     

Chloride Co-transporter NKCC1 Inhibitor Bumetanide Enhances Neurogenesis and Behavioral Recovery in Rats After Experimental Stroke

Bumetanide, a selective Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^?-co-transporter inhibitor, is widely used in clinical practice as a loop diuretic. In addition, bumetanide has been reported to attenuate ischemia-induced cerebral edema and reduce neuronal injury. This study examined whether bumetanide could influence neurogenesis and behavioral recovery in rats after experimentally induced stroke. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham, sham treated with bumetanide, ischemia, and ischemia treated with bumetanide. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by injection of endothelin-1. Bumetanide (0.2 mg/kg/day) was infused into the lateral ventricle with drug administration being initiated 1 week after ischemia and continued for 3 weeks. Behavioral impairment and recovery were evaluated by tapered/ledged beam-walking test on post-stroke days 28. Then, the rats were perfused for BrdU/DCX (neuroblast marker), BrdU/NeuN (neuronal marker), BrdU/GFAP (astrocyte marker), and BrdU/Iba-1 (microglia marker) immunohistochemistry. The numbers of neuroblasts in the subventricular zone (SVZ) were significantly increased after the experimentally induced stroke. Bumetanide treatment increased migration of neuroblasts in the SVZ towards the infarct area, enhanced long-term survival of newborn neurons, and improved sensorimotor recovery, but it did not exert any effects on inflammation. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that chronic bumetanide treatment enhances neurogenesis and behavioral recovery after experimentally induced stroke in rats.     

Zinc chelation reduces traumatic brain injury-induced neurogenesis in the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus

Numerous studies have demonstrated that traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases hippocampal neurogenesis in the rodent brain. However, the mechanisms underlying increased neurogenesis after TBI remain unknown. Continuous neurogenesis occurs in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in the adult brain. The mechanism that maintains active neurogenesis in the hippocampal area is not known. A high level of vesicular zinc is localized in the presynaptic terminals of the SGZ (mossy fiber). The mossy fiber of dentate granular cells contains high levels of chelatable zinc in their terminal vesicles, which can be released into the extracellular space during neuronal activity. Previously, our lab presented findings indicating that a possible correlation may exist between synaptic zinc localization and high rates of neurogenesis in this area after hypoglycemia or epilepsy. Using a weight drop animal model to mimic human TBI, we tested our hypothesis that zinc plays a key role in modulating hippocampal neurogenesis after TBI. Thus, we injected a zinc chelator, clioquinol (CQ, 30 mg/kg), into the intraperitoneal space to reduce brain zinc availability twice per day for 1 week. Neuronal death was evaluated with Fluoro Jade-B and NeuN staining to determine whether CQ has neuroprotective effects after TBI. The number of degenerating neurons (FJB (+)) and live neurons (NeuN (+)) was similar in vehicle and in CQ-treated rats at 1 week after TBI. Neurogenesis was evaluated using BrdU, Ki67 and doublecortin (DCX) immunostaining 1 week after TBI. The number of BrdU, Ki67 and DCX positive cell was increased after TBI. However, the number of BrdU, Ki67 and DCX positive cells was significantly decreased by CQ treatment. The present study shows that zinc chelation did not prevent neurodegeneration but did reduce TBI-induced progenitor cell proliferation and neurogenesis. Therefore, this study suggests that zinc has an essential role for modulating hippocampal neurogenesis after TBI.     

Effects of Enriched Physical and Social Environments on Motor Performance,Associative Learning,and Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Mice

We have studied the motor abilities and associative learning capabilities of adult mice placed in different enriched environments. Three-month-old animals were maintained for a month alone (AL), alone in a physically enriched environment (PHY), and, finally, in groups in the absence (SO) or presence (SOPHY) of an enriched environment. The animals'' capabilities were subsequently checked in the rotarod test, and for classical and instrumental learning. The PHY and SOPHY groups presented better performances in the rotarod test and in the acquisition of the instrumental learning task. In contrast, no significant differences between groups were observed for classical eyeblink conditioning. The four groups presented similar increases in the strength of field EPSPs (fEPSPs) evoked at the hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapse across classical conditioning sessions, with no significant differences between groups. These trained animals were pulse-injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to determine hippocampal neurogenesis. No significant differences were found in the number of NeuN/BrdU double-labeled neurons. We repeated the same BrdU study in one-month-old mice raised for an additional month in the above-mentioned four different environments. These animals were not submitted to rotarod or conditioned tests. Non-trained PHY and SOPHY groups presented more neurogenesis than the other two groups. Thus, neurogenesis seems to be related to physical enrichment at early ages, but not to learning acquisition in adult mice.     

胎次、性别对成年小鼠海马齿状回神经发生及学习记忆的影响

目的探讨胎次、性别是否对成年小鼠海马齿状回神经发生及学习记忆产生影响。方法运用Morris水迷宫系统检测第1～3胎成年小鼠的学习记忆能力,腹腔注射BrdU,标记神经干细胞,检测不同胎次、性别小鼠海马齿状回中的神经发生的差异。结果 （1）在同性别、不同胎次成年小鼠间,第2胎的学习记忆能力（LMA）均显著地高于第1、3胎的,其影响规律为LMA2〉LMA1〉LMA3,且P〈0.05;在同胎次、不同性别成年小鼠间,雌性小鼠的LMA均高于雄性小鼠的,但其差异无显著性（P〉0.05）。（2）在同性别、不同胎次成年小鼠间,第2胎海马DG新生神经细胞的数量（N）均高于第1、3胎的,其影响规律分别为NF2〉NF3〉NF1和NM2〉NM1〉NM3,但其差异无显著性（P〉0.05）;在同胎次、不同性别成年小鼠间,雌性小鼠的N均高于雄性小鼠的,但其差异无显著性（P〉0.05）。结论胎次、性别对实验动物神经发生及学习记忆等方面产生的影响是肯定的。因此,在使用实验动物时,应予以充分考虑,尽量使用胎次、性别相同的。     

APP5肽对糖尿病小鼠学习记忆功能与海马神经元蛋白表达的影响

目的研究APP5肽对糖尿病模型小鼠学习记忆能力及海马神经元蛋白表达的影响。方法用链脲佐菌素诱发小鼠糖尿病模型,应用APP5肽（0.0014 mg/kg）皮下注射治疗,5周后进行Morris水迷宫试验;小鼠脑组织海马做Akt、PI3K、P-CREB、Bcl-2、Bax、CytoC免疫组织化学染色;另一部分鼠脑海马,做Bcl-2、Bax抗体蛋白免疫印记。结果（1）水迷宫试验：糖尿病模型小鼠到达站台游动时间比正常对照组延长（P〈0.01）;而APP5肽皮下注射治疗组较DM组动物分别缩短（P〈0.01）。（2）神经免疫组织化学实验和Western blot：给予APP5肽糖尿病小鼠与对照组小鼠海马组织内神经元表达细胞存活相关蛋白及抗凋亡相关蛋白PI3K、Akt、P-CREB、Bcl-2阳性细胞数相似,明显高于糖尿病小鼠（P〈0.01）;APP5肽给予糖尿病小鼠与对照组小鼠表达凋亡蛋白Bax、cytoC阳性细胞数相似,明显少于糖尿病小鼠（P〈0.01）。Western blot结果相同。结论糖尿病小鼠海马神经元表达细胞存活相关蛋白下降,神经元表达细胞凋亡相关蛋白增加,导致其学习记忆能力下降。APP5肽应用可以使上述蛋白恢复到接近正常,从而改善糖尿病小鼠学习记忆能力。     

Oroxylin A,a Flavonoid,Stimulates Adult Neurogenesis in the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus Region of Mice

Previously, we reported the cognitive enhancing effects of oroxylin A in unimpaired mice and its memory ameliorating activity in various memory impaired mice. To elucidate the mechanism mediating the cognitive effects of oroxylin A, this study examined the consequences of oroxylin A administration on neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus using immunostaining for 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. In addition, we determined whether the new cells adopted a neuronal or glial fate by examining the co-localization of BrdU staining with neuronal or glial markers. Administration of oroxylin A in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner increased the number of BrdU-incorporating cells. Moreover, the percentage of BrdU-incorporating cells co-localized with neuronal markers, neuronal nuclei, was significantly increased by the oroxylin A administration. These results suggest that the increased neurogenesis induced by the administration of oroxylin A could be, at least in part, associated with its positive effects on cognitive processing.     

Genetic influences on exercise-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis across 12 divergent mouse strains

New neurons are continuously born in the hippocampus of several mammalian species throughout adulthood. Adult neurogenesis represents a natural model for understanding how to grow and incorporate new nerve cells into preexisting circuits in the brain. Finding molecules or biological pathways that increase neurogenesis has broad potential for regenerative medicine. One strategy is to identify mouse strains that display large vs. small increases in neurogenesis in response to wheel running so that the strains can be contrasted to find common genes or biological pathways associated with enhanced neuron formation. Therefore, mice from 12 different isogenic strains were housed with or without running wheels for 43 days to measure the genetic regulation of exercise-induced neurogenesis. During the first 10 days mice received daily injections of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to label dividing cells. Neurogenesis was measured as the total number of BrdU cells co-expressing NeuN mature neuronal marker in the hippocampal granule cell layer by immunohistochemistry. Exercise increased neurogenesis in all strains, but the magnitude significantly depended on genotype. Strain means for distance run on wheels, but not distance traveled in cages without wheels, were significantly correlated with strain mean level of neurogenesis. Furthermore, certain strains displayed greater neurogenesis than others for a fixed level of running. Strain means for neurogenesis under sedentary conditions were not correlated with neurogenesis under runner conditions suggesting that different genes influence baseline vs. exercise-induced neurogenesis. Genetic contributions to exercise-induced hippocampal neurogenesis suggest that it may be possible to identify genes and pathways associated with enhanced neuroplastic responses to exercise.