ZHANG Shu-sen, KUANG Shi-xiang, XIAO Yan, et al. Effect of Naotong Capsule on the NMDA Receptors and Pyramidal Cells in Hippocampus of Vascular Dementia Model Rats[J]. Chinese journal of experimental traditional medical formulae, 2012, 18(10): 230-235.
ZHANG Shu-sen, KUANG Shi-xiang, XIAO Yan, et al. Effect of Naotong Capsule on the NMDA Receptors and Pyramidal Cells in Hippocampus of Vascular Dementia Model Rats[J]. Chinese journal of experimental traditional medical formulae, 2012, 18(10): 230-235.DOI:
Objective: To observe the effects of Naotong Capsule on N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor(NMDA) receptors and pyramidal cells in hippocampus of vascular dementia (VD) model rats. Method: Nineteen rats were taken at random into sham group
the rest were VD models established by modified Pulsinelli 4 vascular occlusions method (4-VO) and were randomly divided into model group
and Naotong Capsule low-dose group(300 mg·kg-1·d-1). Morris water maze was used to test learning and memory abilities of rats. The mRNA expression level of NMDA receptors (subunit 1 and 2B) were determined by the Real-time Quantitative PCR. And the morphology and number of neurons in CA1 region of the hippocampus were observed by light microscope. Result: Compare to the model group
the escape time was shortened(P<0.01)
times of spanning the previous platform increased (P<0.01
P<0.05)
the mRNA expression level of subunit 1 decreased(P<0.01) and the mRNA expression level of subunit 2B increased(P<0.01
P<0.05)
pyramidal cells showed no obvious pathogenesis and more pyramidal cells with less pyramidal cells loss rate were found in Naotong Capsule large-dose and middle-dose treatment group. Compare to the Nimodipine group
times of spanning the previous platform increased(P<0.01)
the mRNA expression level of subunit 1 decreased(P<0.01) in Naotong Capsule large-dose and middle-dose treatment group
and the mRNA expression level of subunit 2B increased(P<0.05)
the number of neurons in CA1 region of the hippocampus increased(P<0.01) in Naotong Capsule large-dose treatment group. Conclusion: Naotong Capsule can improve learning and memory abilities of VD rats by decreasing the mRNA expression level of subunit 1
increasing the mRNA expression level of subunit 2B of NMDA receptor and by decreasing pyramidal cells injury and loss rate in CA1 region of the hippocampus
which may be one of the therapeutic mechanisms of VD.