Effect of Melatonin on Synaptic Plasticity in Diabetic Encephalopathy via Mitochondrial Pathway

QI Binbin; SHAN Wei; WANG Gang

Abstract：Objective To observe the effects of melatonin on mitochondrial function and synaptic plasticity in diabetic encephalopathy and to explore the specific mechanisms of melatonin treatment for diabetic encephalopathy.Methods The diabetic mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin,and changes in body weight and blood glucose were detected before modeling,3 days and 12 weeks of modeling,respectively.The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 inflammatory factors were detected by ELISA.Mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial respiratory chain kit were used to detect mitochondrial function in mouse hippocampus.Western Blot was used to detect the expression of mitochondrial autophagy proteins as well as hippocampal synaptic plasticity-related proteins.Results Compared with the CON group,mice in the DM group had significantly lower body weight(P＜0.01),higher blood glucose concentration(P＜0.01),increased levels of TNF-α and IL-6 factors(P＜0.01),significantly lower mitochondrial membrane potential and activities of complex Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅳ(P＜0.01),and significantly lower expression of autophagy proteins LC3 and Beclin and synaptic proteins SYN and PSD95 in hippocampus.However,the above changes were significantly improved after melatonin intervention.Conclusion Melatonin may reduce the damage of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in diabetic mice by improving mitochondrial function,and participate in and improve the occurrence and development of diabetic encephalopathy.