The brain‐derived neurotrophic factor VAL68MET polymorphism modulates how developmental ethanol exposure impacts the hippocampus

Prenatal exposure to alcohol causes a wide range of deficits known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Many factors determine vulnerability to developmental alcohol exposure including timing and pattern of exposure, nutrition and genetics. Here, we characterized how a prevalent single nucleotide polymorphism in the human brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (val66met) modulates FASDs severity. This polymorphism disrupts BDNF's intracellular trafficking and activity‐dependent secretion, and has been linked to increased incidence of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. We hypothesized that developmental ethanol (EtOH) exposure more severely affects mice carrying this polymorphism. We used transgenic mice homozygous for either valine (BDNF^val/val) or methionine (BDNF^met/met) in residue 68, equivalent to residue 66 in humans. To model EtOH exposure during the second and third trimesters of human pregnancy, we exposed mice to EtOH in vapor chambers during gestational days 12 to 19 and postnatal days 2 to 9. We found that EtOH exposure reduces cell layer volume in the dentate gyrus and the CA1 hippocampal regions of BDNF^met/met but not BDNF^val/val mice during the juvenile period (postnatal day 15). During adulthood, EtOH exposure reduced anxiety‐like behavior and disrupted trace fear conditioning in BDNF^met/met mice, with most effects observed in males. EtOH exposure reduced adult neurogenesis only in the ventral hippocampus of BDNF^val/val male mice. These studies show that the BDNF val66met polymorphism modulates, in a complex manner, the effects of developmental EtOH exposure, and identify a novel genetic risk factor that may regulate FASDs severity in humans.     

Hippocampal neurons recycle BDNF for activity-dependent secretion and LTP maintenance

Regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) secretion plays a critical role in long-term potentiation (LTP). It is generally thought that the supply for this secretion is newly synthesized BDNF targeted to the synapse. Here we provide evidence that hippocampal neurons additionally recycle BDNF for activity-dependent secretion. Exogenously applied BDNF is internalized by cultured neurons and rapidly becomes available for activity-dependent secretion, which is controlled by the same mechanisms that regulate the secretion of newly synthesized BDNF. Moreover, BDNF recycling replaced the new synthesis pathway in mediating the maintenance of LTP in hippocampal slices: the late phase LTP, which is abolished by protein synthesis inhibition, was rescued in slices preincubated with BDNF. Thus, endocytosed BDNF is fed back to the activity-dependent releasable pool required for LTP maintenance.     

NGF,BDNF and Arc mRNA Expression in the Hippocampus of Rats After Administration of Morphine

Morphine can influence immediate early genes (IEG) of activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which are activated in response to physiological stimuli during learning, as well as the nerve growth factor (NGF) gene which increases the expression of several IEGs for memory formation. The purpose of the current study was first to evaluate the effect of acute (1-day) and subchronic (15-days) morphine administration on memory retrieval of rats and second to determine the hippocampal expression of NGF, BDNF and Arc genes as potential contributors in the observed effects in each setting. The effects of morphine (intraperitoneal, 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg) on memory function and gene expression were assessed using inhibitory avoidance test and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. We found that a single dose of morphine at the highest dose of 20 mg/kg decreases the post-training step-through-latency, while repeated administration of the same dose for 15 successive days increases this indicator of memory retrieval. We did not detect a significant change in the hippocampal expression of Arc, BDNF or NGF genes after a single episode of morphine treatment. However, subchronic morphine administration (15 and 20 mg/kg) increased the expression of Arc and BDNF genes in a dose dependent manner. A higher mRNA expression for the NGF was observed at the higher dose of 20 mg/kg. We hypothesize that the subchronic effects were morphine-induced behavioral sensitization which may have been enhanced through increased hippocampal Arc expression.

     

No Association of the BDNF Val66met Polymorphism with Implicit Associative Vocabulary and Motor Learning

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been suggested to play a major role in plasticity, neurogenesis and learning in the adult brain. The BDNF gene contains a common val66met polymorphism associated with decreased activity-dependent excretion of BDNF and a potential influence on behaviour, more specifically, on motor learning. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of the BDNF val66met polymorphism on short-term implicit associative learning and whether its influence is cognitive domain-specific (motor vs. language). A sample of 38 young healthy participants was genotyped, screened for background and neuropsychological differences, and tested with two associative implicit learning paradigms in two different cognitive domains, i.e., motor and vocabulary learning. Subjects performed the serial reaction time task (SRTT) to determine implicit motor learning and a recently established associative vocabulary learning task (AVL) for implicit learning of action and object words. To determine the influence of the BDNF polymorphism on domain-specific implicit learning, behavioural improvements in the two tasks were compared between val/val (n = 22) and met carriers (val/met: n = 15 and met/met: n = 1). There was no evidence for an impact of the BDNF val66met polymorphism on the behavioural outcome in implicit short-term learning paradigms in young healthy subjects. Whether this polymorphism plays a relevant role in long-term training paradigms or in subjects with impaired neuronal plasticity or reduced learning capacity, such as aged individuals, demented patients or patients with brain lesions, has to be determined in future studies.     

Spike-timing-dependent BDNF secretion and synaptic plasticity

In acute hippocampal slices, we found that the presence of extracellular brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for the induction of spike-timing-dependent long-term potentiation (tLTP). To determine whether BDNF could be secreted from postsynaptic dendrites in a spike-timing-dependent manner, we used a reduced system of dissociated hippocampal neurons in culture. Repetitive pairing of iontophoretically applied glutamate pulses at the dendrite with neuronal spikes could induce persistent alterations of glutamate-induced responses at the same dendritic site in a manner that mimics spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP)—the glutamate-induced responses were potentiated and depressed when the glutamate pulses were applied 20 ms before and after neuronal spiking, respectively. By monitoring changes in the green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence at the dendrite of hippocampal neurons expressing GFP-tagged BDNF, we found that pairing of iontophoretic glutamate pulses with neuronal spiking resulted in BDNF secretion from the dendrite at the iontophoretic site only when the glutamate pulses were applied within a time window of approximately 40 ms prior to neuronal spiking, consistent with the timing requirement of synaptic potentiation via STDP. Thus, BDNF is required for tLTP and BDNF secretion could be triggered in a spike-timing-dependent manner from the postsynaptic dendrite.     

PACAP Enhances Axon Outgrowth in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons to a Comparable Extent as BDNF

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts neurotrophic activities including modulation of synaptic plasticity and memory, hippocampal neurogenesis, and neuroprotection, most of which are shared with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare morphological effects of PACAP and BDNF on primary cultured hippocampal neurons. At days in vitro (DIV) 3, PACAP increased neurite length and number to similar levels by BDNF, but vasoactive intestinal polypeptide showed much lower effects. In addition, PACAP increased axon, but not dendrite, length, and soma size at DIV 3 similarly to BDNF. The PACAP antagonist PACAP6–38 completely blocked the PACAP-induced increase in axon, but not dendrite, length. Interestingly, the BDNF-induced increase in axon length was also inhibited by PACAP6–38, suggesting a mechanism involving PACAP signaling. K252a, a TrkB receptor inhibitor, inhibited axon outgrowth induced by PACAP and BDNF without affecting dendrite length. These results indicate that in primary cultured hippocampal neurons, PACAP shows morphological actions via its cognate receptor PAC₁, stimulating neurite length and number, and soma size to a comparable extent as BDNF, and that the increase in total neurite length is ascribed to axon outgrowth.     

Blood BDNF Level Is Gender Specific in Severe Depression

Though the role of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a marker for major depressive disorder (MDD) and antidepressant efficacy has been widely studied, the role of BDNF in distinct groups of patients remains unclear. We evaluated the diagnostic value of BDNF as a marker of disease severity measured by HAM-D scores and antidepressants efficacy among MDD patients. Fifty-one patients who met DSM-IV criteria for MDD and were prescribed antidepressants and 38 controls participated in this study. BDNF in serum was measured at baseline, 1st, 2nd and 8th treatment weeks. Depression severity was evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). BDNF polymorphism rs6265 (val66met) was genotyped. We found a positive correlation between blood BDNF levels and severity of depression only among untreated women with severe MDD (HAM-D>24). Serum BDNF levels were lower in untreated MDD patients compared to control group. Antidepressants increased serum BDNF levels and reduced between-group differences after two weeks of treatment. No correlations were observed between BDNF polymorphism, depression severity, duration of illness, age and BDNF serum levels. Further supporting the role of BDNF in the pathology and treatment of MDD, we suggest that it should not be used as a universal biomarker for diagnosis of MDD in the general population. However, it has diagnostic value for the assessment of disease progression and treatment efficacy in individual patients.     

Strength exercise suppresses STZ-induced spatial memory impairment and modulates BDNF/ERK-CAMKII/CREB signalling pathway in the hippocampus of mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that has generated scientific interest because of its prevalence in the population. Studies indicate that physical exercise promotes neuroplasticity and improves cognitive function in animal models and in human beings. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of strength exercise on the hippocampal protein contents and memory performance in mice subjected to a model of sporadic AD induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Swiss mice received two injections of STZ (3 mg/kg, intracerebroventricular). After 21 days, they began physical training using a ladde. Mice performed this protocol for 4 weeks. After the last exercise training session, mice performed the Morris Water Maze test. The samples of hippocampus were excised and used to determine protein contents of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), extracellular signal-regulated kinase-Ca²⁺ (ERK), calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CAMKII) and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) signalling pathway. Strength exercise was effective against the decrease in the time spent and distance travelled in the target quadrant by STZ-injected mice. Strength exercise was also effective against the reduction of mature BDNF, tropomyosin receptor kinase B and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) hippocampal protein levels in STZ mice. The decrease in the hippocampal ratio of pERK/ERK, pCAMKII/CAMKII and pCREB/CREB induced by STZ was reversed by strength exercise. Strength exercise decreased Bax/Bcl2 ratio in the hippocampus of STZ-injected mice. The present study demonstrates that strength exercise modulated the hippocampal BDNF/ERK-CAMKII/CREB signalling pathway and suppressed STZ-induced spatial memory impairment in mice.     

Meta-Analysis of BDNF Levels in Autism

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) centrally mediates growth, differentiation and survival of neurons, and the synaptic plasticity that underlies learning and memory. Recent meta-analyses have reported significantly lower peripheral BDNF among individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, compared with controls. To evaluate the role of BDNF in autism, and to compare autism to psychotic-affective disorders with regard to BDNF, we conducted a meta-analysis of BDNF levels in autism. Inclusion criteria were met by 15 studies, which included 1242 participants. The meta-analysis estimated a significant summary effect size of 0.33 (95 % CI 0.21–0.45, P < 0.001), suggesting higher BDNF in autism than in controls. The studies showed notable heterogeneity, but no evidence of publication biases. Higher peripheral BDNF in autism is concordant with several neurological and psychological theories on the causes and symptoms of this condition, and it contrasts notably with the lower levels of BDNF found in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.     

Associations of BDNF Genotype and Promoter Methylation with Acute and Long-Term Stroke Outcomes in an East Asian Cohort

Background

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to play an important role in poststroke recovery. BDNF secretion is influenced by genetic and epigenetic profiles. This study aimed to investigate whether BDNF val66met polymorphism and promoter methylation status were associated with outcomes at two weeks and one year after stroke.

Methods and Findings

A total of 286 patients were evaluated at the time of admission and two weeks after stroke, and 222 (78%) were followed one year later in order to evaluate consequences of stroke at both acute and chronic stages. Stroke outcomes were dichotomised into good and poor by the modified Rankin Scale. Stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale), physical disability (Barthel Index), and cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination) were measured. Associations of BDNF genotype and methylation status on stroke outcomes and assessment scale scores were investigated using logistic regression, repeated measures ANOVA and partial correlation tests. BDNF val66met polymorphism was independently associated with poor outcome at 2 weeks and at 1 year, and with worsening physical disability and cognitive function over that period. Higher BDNF promoter methylation status was independently associated with worse outcomes at 1 year, and with the worsening of physical disability and cognitive function. No significant genotype-methylation interactions were found.

Conclusions

A role for BDNF in poststroke recovery was supported, and clinical utility of BDNF genetic and epigenetic profile as prognostic biomarkers and a target for drug development was suggested.     

The molecular genetics of cognition: dopamine, COMT and BDNF

The important contribution of genetic factors to the development of cognition and intelligence is widely acknowledged, but identification of these genes has proven to be difficult. Given a variety of evidence implicating the prefrontal cortex and its dopaminergic circuits in cognition, most of the research conducted to date has focused on genes regulating dopaminergic function. Here we review the genetic association studies carried out on catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and the dopamine receptor genes, D1, D2 and D4. In addition, the evidence implicating another promising candidate gene, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neuropsychological function, is assessed. Both the COMT val158met polymorphism and the BDNF val66met variant appear to influence cognitive function, but the specific neurocognitive processes involved continue to be a matter of debate. Part of the difficulty is distinguishing between false positives, pleiotropy and the influence of a general intelligence factor, g. Also at issue is the complexity of the relevant neuromolecular pathways, which make the inference of simple causal relationships difficult. The implications of molecular genetic cognitive research for psychiatry are discussed in light of these data.     

Maternal Exercise during Pregnancy Increases BDNF Levels and Cell Numbers in the Hippocampal Formation but Not in the Cerebral Cortex of Adult Rat Offspring

Clinical evidence has shown that physical exercise during pregnancy may alter brain development and improve cognitive function of offspring. However, the mechanisms through which maternal exercise might promote such effects are not well understood. The present study examined levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and absolute cell numbers in the hippocampal formation and cerebral cortex of rat pups born from mothers exercised during pregnancy. Additionally, we evaluated the cognitive abilities of adult offspring in different behavioral paradigms (exploratory activity and habituation in open field tests, spatial memory in a water maze test, and aversive memory in a step-down inhibitory avoidance task). Results showed that maternal exercise during pregnancy increased BDNF levels and absolute numbers of neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the hippocampal formation of offspring. No differences in BDNF levels or cell numbers were detected in the cerebral cortex. It was also observed that offspring from exercised mothers exhibited better cognitive performance in nonassociative (habituation) and associative (spatial learning) mnemonic tasks than did offspring from sedentary mothers. Our findings indicate that maternal exercise during pregnancy enhances offspring cognitive function (habituation behavior and spatial learning) and increases BDNF levels and cell numbers in the hippocampal formation of offspring.     

SMAD pathway mediation of BDNF and TGF beta 2 regulation of proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal granule neurons

Hippocampal granule cells self-renew throughout life, whereas their cerebellar counterparts become post-mitotic during early postnatal development, suggesting that locally acting, tissue-specific factors may regulate the proliferative potential of each cell type. Confirming this, we show that conditioned medium from hippocampal cells (CM(Hippocampus)) stimulates proliferation in cerebellar cultures and, vice versa, that mitosis in hippocampal cells is inhibited by CM(Cerebellum). The anti-proliferative effects of CM(Cerebellum) were accompanied by increased expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27, as well as markers of neuronal maturity/differentiation. CM(Cerebellum) was found to contain peptide-like factors with distinct anti-proliferative/differentiating and neuroprotective activities with differing chromatographic properties. Preadsorption of CM(Cerebellum) with antisera against candidate cytokines showed that TGFbeta2 and BDNF could account for the major part of the anti-proliferative and pro-differentiating activities, an interpretation strengthened by studies involving treatment with purified TGFbeta2 and BDNF. Interference with signaling pathways downstream of TGFbeta and BDNF using dominant-negative forms of their respective receptors (TGFbeta2-RII and TRKB) or of dominant-negative forms of SMAD3 and co-SMAD4 negated the anti-proliferative/differentiating actions of CM(Cerebellum). Treatment with CM(Cerebellum) caused nuclear translocation of SMAD2 and SMAD4, and also transactivated a TGFbeta2-responsive gene. BDNF actions were shown to depend on activation of ERK1/2 and to converge on the SMAD signaling cascade, possibly after stimulation of TGFbeta2 synthesis/secretion. In conclusion, our results show that the regulation of hippocampal cell fate in vitro is regulated through an interplay between the actions of BDNF and TGFbeta.     

No effect of 5HTTLPR or BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on hippocampal morphology in major depression

Neuroimaging research implicates the hippocampus in the aetiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Imaging genetics studies have investigated the influence of the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5HTTLPR) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism on the hippocampus in healthy individuals and patients with depression (MDD). However, conflicting results have led to inconclusive evidence about the effect of 5HTTLPR or BDNF on hippocampal volume (HCV). We hypothesized that analysis methods based on three-dimensional (3D) hippocampal shape mapping could offer improved sensitivity to clarify these effects. Magnetic resonance imaging data were collected in parallel samples of 111 healthy individuals and 84 MDD patients. Manual hippocampal segmentation was conducted and the resulting data used to investigate the influence of 5HTTLPR and BDNF Val66Met genotypes on HCV and 3D shape within each sample. Hippocampal volume normalized by intracranial volume (ICV) showed no significant difference between 5HTTLPR S allele carriers and L/L homozygotes or between BDNF Met allele carriers and Val/Val homozygotes in the group of healthy individuals. Moreover, there was no significant difference in normalized HCV between 5HTTLPR diallelic and triallelic classifications or between the BDNF Val66Met genotypes in MDD patients, although there was a relationship between BDNF Val66Met and ICV. Shape analysis detected dispersed between-group differences, but these effects did not survive multiple testing correction. In this study, there was no evidence of a genetic effect for 5HTTLPR or BDNF Val66Met on hippocampal morphology in either healthy individuals or MDD patients despite the relatively large sample sizes and sensitive methodology.     

Running throughout middle-age improves memory function, hippocampal neurogenesis, and BDNF levels in female C57BL/6J mice

Age-related memory loss is considered to commence at middle-age and coincides with reduced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and neurotrophin levels. Consistent physical activity at midlife may preserve brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, new cell genesis, and learning. In the present study, 9-month-old female C57Bl/6J mice were housed with or without a running wheel and injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to label newborn cells. Morris water maze learning, open field activity and rotarod behavior were tested 1 and 6 months after exercise onset. Here we show that long-term running improved retention of spatial memory and modestly enhanced rotarod performance at 15 months of age. Both hippocampal neurogenesis and mature BDNF peptide levels were elevated after long-term running. Thus, regular exercise from the onset and during middle-age may maintain brain function.     

Rosmarinic Acid Ameliorates Depressive-Like Behaviors in a Rat Model of CUS and Up-Regulates BDNF Levels in the Hippocampus and Hippocampal-Derived Astrocytes

Rosmarinic acid (RA), a primary constituent of a Chinese herbal medicine, has been shown to have some therapeutic effects in an animal model of depression, but its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) for 21 days, and received RA for 14 days from the last week of CUS, then the behavioral changes, hippocampal pERK1/2 and BDNF levels were observed. Rats were further treated with U0126 (an ERK1/2 phosphorylation inhibitor) 30 min before RA treatment to assess the effects of RA and ERK1/2 signaling in depressive-like behavior and hippocampal BDNF levels. In addition, brains of newly born Sprague–Dawley rats were used to harvest and expand hippocampal astrocytes. Cells were exposed to different concentrations of RA (sham, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 μg/mL) or U0126 (2 μM as a final concentration) + RA (sham, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 μg/mL) for 48 h, and the pERK1/2 and BDNF levels were assessed by western and ELISA assays. RA administration (10 mg/kg daily) reversed depressive-like behaviors in rats exposed to a chronic unpredictable stress paradigm and restored pERK1/2 protein expression and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Moreover, in vitro experiments revealed that 20 μg/mL RA increased pERK1/2 and BDNF levels in cultured astrocytes. Interestingly, the effects of RA were inhibited by U0126. RA might be a useful treatment for depression and the changes in ERK1/2 signaling and BDNF levels may play a critical role in the pharmacological action of RA.     

A novel form of synaptic plasticity in field CA3 of hippocampus requires GPER1 activation and BDNF release

Estrogen is an important modulator of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation through its rapid action on membrane-associated receptors. Here, we found that both estradiol and the G-protein–coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) specific agonist G1 rapidly induce brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) release, leading to transient stimulation of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein translation and GluA1-containing AMPA receptor internalization in field CA3 of hippocampus. We also show that type-I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation does not induce Arc translation nor long-term depression (LTD) at the mossy fiber pathway, as opposed to its effects in CA1, and it only triggers LTD after GPER1 stimulation. Furthermore, this form of mGluR-dependent LTD is associated with ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation of GluA1, and is prevented by proteasome inhibition. Overall, our study identifies a novel mechanism by which estrogen and BDNF regulate hippocampal synaptic plasticity in the adult brain.     

Neuroprotection by BDNF against glutamate-induced apoptotic cell death is mediated by ERK and PI3-kinase pathways

Neurotrophins protect neurons against glutamate excitotoxicity, but the signaling mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. We studied the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) and Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in the protection of cultured hippocampal neurons from glutamate induced apoptotic cell death, characterized by nuclear condensation and activation of caspase-3-like enzymes. Pre-incubation with the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), for 24 h, reduced glutamate-evoked apoptotic morphology and caspase-3-like activity, and transiently increased the activity of the PI3-K and of the Ras/MAPK pathways. Inhibition of the PI3-K and of the Ras/MAPK signaling pathways abrogated the protective effect of BDNF against glutamate-induced neuronal death and similar effects were observed upon inhibition of protein synthesis. Moreover, incubation of hippocampal neurons with BDNF, for 24 h, increased Bcl-2 protein levels. The results indicate that the protective effect of BDNF in hippocampal neurons against glutamate toxicity is mediated by the PI3-K and the Ras/MAPK signaling pathways, and involves a long-term change in protein synthesis.     

何首乌苷通过激活BDNF/TrkB信号通路拮抗H2O2诱导的大鼠海马神经元氧化损伤

探讨脑源性神经营养因子/酪氨酸激酶受体B(BDNF/TrkB)信号通路激活参与何首乌苷(PMG)对过氧化氢(H2O2)诱导神经元氧化应激损伤的保护作用。实验采用神经元原代培养,建立大鼠乳鼠海马神经元氧化应激损伤模型。实验结果显示高浓度的H2O2与MTT测定的细胞存活率降低相关,选择细胞存活率在40%~50%之间的200μmol/LH2O2浓度作为氧化应激损伤的实验浓度。与模型组相比,PMG预处理组(200μmol/L)可抑制H2O2诱导的神经元损伤(P<0.001)。TUNEL和β-微管蛋白III荧光染色显示PMG保护H2O2诱导的神经细胞损伤,明显降低细胞凋亡率(P<0.001),细胞骨架形态恢复正常。与PMG+H2O2预处理组相比较,当加入BDNF/TrkB信号转导通路阻断剂K252a后,PMG+H2O2+K252a组神经元细胞存活率大幅度下降(P<0.01),细胞骨架形态呈损伤状态。同时,我们发现PMG预处理恢复H2O2诱导的BDNF和P-TrkB的低表达水平,并且用K252a阻断BDNF/TrkB信号传导抑制了PMG对BDNF和P-TrkB表达水平的影响(P<0.01)。综上所述,何首乌苷可能通过激活BDNF/TrkB信号转导通路及维护神经元骨架的完整,实现对大鼠海马神经元氧化应激损伤的拮抗作用。     

人参皂甙对老龄大鼠海马结构BDNF及Trk B蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨老龄大鼠海马结构BDNF及Trk B蛋白表达的老龄性变化,同时对比观察人参皂甙对其改变的影响。方法雌性Wistar大鼠39只,分为青年组、老龄组、给药组(第17个月始饲以人参皂甙至27月龄)。采用免疫组化及Western blot方法对海马结构BDNF反应产物及Trk B蛋白进行定性、定量分析。结果老龄组CA3、CA1区BDNF含量分别较青年组下降13.3%、10.4%(P<0.05);其给药组和老龄组相比变化不大(P>0.05)。齿状回从青年到老年变化不明显(P>0.05),但给药组比老龄组增加16.7%(P<0.01)。老龄组海马结构Trk B蛋白表达较青年组下调了99.7%;给药组较老龄组上调了78.5%(P<0.01)。结论老龄组海马结构BDNF及Trk B蛋白表达较青年组明显降低,而人参皂甙可明显上调齿状回BDNF含量和海马结构Trk B蛋白的表达。