Journal of neurochemistry
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Journal of neurochemistry · Feb 2017
Etidronate rescues cognitive deficits through improving synaptic transmission and suppressing apoptosis in 2-vessel occlusion model rats.
Vascular dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the reduction of cerebral blood flow. It shows a progressive cognitive impairment. In our previous study, we found that etidronate (ET) showed neuroprotective effects against glutamate-injured PC12 cells. ⋯ By testing the levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in 2VO rats, we discovered that ET lowered oxidative stress. Furthermore, ET displayed a better anti-apoptosis ability through detecting the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax protein and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells. In conclusion, ET shows neuroprotective effects on 2VO rats through rescuing spatial working memory deficits, and a possible mechanism may be related to the increased synaptic transmission and the inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis.