Effects of Enriched Environment on Neurological Function and Glucose Metabolism in Ischemic Penumbra in Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury Rats / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effects of enriched environment on neurological function in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury rats and the glucose metabolism in ischemic penumbra. Methods:A total of 72 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n = 24), model group (n = 24) and enriched environment group (n = 24). The latter two groups suffered cerebral ischemia 60 minutes and reperfused with modified Longa's method. The enriched environment group was fed in enriched environment after operation. All the rats were assessed with modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) before, and one, seven, 14, 21 and 28 days after operation. One and 28 days after operation, twelve rats from each groups were sacrificed after mNSS assessment, respectively. The histopathology was observed with HE staining. The expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) in ischemic penumbra were determined with reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. The levels of ATP, ADP and AMP in ischemic penumbra were measured with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the energy charge (EC) was calculated. Results:Compared with the model group, the scores of mNSS decreased in the enriched environment group since 14 days after operation (P < 0.05). The cells in the penumbra presented edema, nuclear pyknosis marginalization, vacuolar arrangement and other pathological changes in the model group and the riched environment group one day after operation; while compared with the model group, the levels of ATP and EC decreased and the mRNAs and protein expression of HIF-1α, GLUT1 and PFKFB3 increased in the enriched environment group (P < 0.05). The pathology improved in the riched environment group compared with that in the model group 28 days after operation; while the mRNAs and protein expression of HIF-1α, GLUT1 and PFKFB3 increased, as well as the levels of ATP and EC (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Enriched environment can promote the recovery of neurological function in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, which may associate with promoting expression of HIF-1α and downstream GLUT1 and PFKFB3, and improving glucose metabolism.