Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2011, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (27): 5044-5047.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2011.27.023

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Effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on neural cell apoptosis in the hippocampus of vascular dementia rats

Li Xiao-yun1, Lan Xi-fa2   

  1. 1Department of Rehabilitation, Qinhuangdao Third Hospital, Qinhuangdao  066000, Hebei Province, China
    2Department of Neurology, Qinhuangdao First Hospital Affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Qinhuangdao  066000, Hebei Province, China
  • Received:2010-12-13 Revised:2011-01-13 Online:2011-07-02 Published:2011-07-02
  • Contact: Lan Xi-fa, Doctor, Chief physician, Associate professor, Department of Neurology, Qinhuangdao First Hospital Affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Qinhuangdao 066000, Hebei Province, China lanxifa2000@126.com
  • About author:Li Xiao-yun, Associate chief physician, Department of Rehabilitation, Qinhuangdao Third Hospital, Qinhuangdao 066000, Hebei Province, China

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The study found that granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) can activate adult neural stem cells of the brain, stimulate their proliferation and differentiation, but also promote the secretion of varieties of neurotrophic factors of the brain, reduce ischemic lesions in the animal model of cerebral ischemia, and promote the long-term recovery of missing neurological function in chronic brain stroke models.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of G-CSF on the apoptosis of neural cells of the hippocampus of rats with vascular dementia.
METHODS: Rats were treated with a permanent bilateral occlusion of both common carotid arteries (2-VO) for establishing vascular dementia model. In the experimental group, the rats were given G-CSF by subcutaneous injection. In the control group, the rats were treated with saline. In the sham surgery group, an incision was made at midline of the neck, without ligation of common carotid artery. Morris water maze test was conducted to perform the oriented navigation and to observe escape latency in rats, and to assess the spatial learning and memory abilities. Neuronal cell apoptosis in the hippocampus of rats was investigated by TUNEL staining and image analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the sham surgery group, the average escape latency of rats was significantly longer in the control and experimental groups at 7 days following cerebral ischemia (P < 0.01). The number of TUNEL positive neurons in the hippocampus was significantly greater in the control and experimental groups compared with the sham surgery group (P < 0.01). With prolonged time, the learning and memory abilities became gradually severe and the number of TUNEL-positive cells gradually increased on days 14 and 28. The average escape latency of rats was significantly shorter in the experimental group compared with the control group on days 14 and 28. The number of TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampus was significantly reduced in the experimental group compared with the control group. These indicated that treatment of exogenous G-CSF at early stage following cerebral ischemia contributes to the decrease in apoptosis of neural cells in the hippocampus and improves the learning and memory abilities in rats.

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