Effects of NGB over-expression on learning and memory, ability spatial exploration ability of AD transgenic mice

SONG Xiaozheng; ZHANG Xiong

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-266X.2018.11.003

Abstract：Objective To observe the effects of intracerebroventricular injection of neuroglobin over-expression (NGB) on the learning and memorial ability and spatial exploration ability of Alzheimer's disease (AD) transgenic mice and to explore its potential mechanisms.Methods Twenty-four AD mice were randomly divided into three groups:The mice in the experimental group were given pCDNA3.1 (1 μg/μL) + pNGB (1 μg/μL) through intracerebroventricular injection,mice in the model group were injected with normal saline + pCDNA3.1 (1 μg/μL),and mice in the control group were injected with normal saline (5 μg/μL),once a week,for 8 weeks.Morris water mazc test was used to observe the learning and memory ability and the spatial exploration ability of mice.The activities of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9,and their protein expression were detected by Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 kits and Western blotting,respeetively.Results Compared with the model group and control group,the mice had shorter escape latency on the fifth day in the experimental group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the model group and the control group,mice in the experiment group had more crossings on the sixth day,and longer crossing distance and longer crossing time (all P ＜ 0.05).The activity and protein expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in brain tissues decreased in the experimental group as compared with those of the control group (both P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Intracerebroventricular injection of pNGB could significantly improve the learning and memory ability and spatial exploration ability of AD transgenic mice by inhibiting the activity and protein expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9.