Role of SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway in sleep deprivation-induced cognitive dysfunction in rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the role of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in sleep deprivation-induced cognitive dysfunction in rats.Methods:Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 54-56 weeks, weighing 600-750 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), sleep deprivation group (group SD) and sleep deprivation+ SIRT1 agonist Srt1720 group (group SD+ Srt). Sleep deprivation model was established by modified multi-platform water environment method.Srt1720 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally every 12 h starting from 24 h before establishing the model in group SD+ Srt, while the equal volume of 0.9% normal saline was injected intraperitoneally in C and SD groups.After the end of sleep deprivation, Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the cognitive function.Animals were then sacrificed, and their hippocampi were removed for determination of neuronal degeneration rate in hippocampal CA1 region (using HE staining), the apoptosis rate in hippocampal CA1 (using TUNEL assay ), the expression of SIRT1 and Nrf2 in hippocampal CA1 (by immunohistochemistry) and the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (by microplate method). Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the time of staying at the platform quadrant was shortened, and the frequency of crossing the platform was decreased on 2-4 days, the apoptotic rate and neuronal degeneration rate were increased, the expression of SIRT1 and Nrf2 was down-regulated, ROC content was increased, and SOD content was decreased in SD and SD+ Srt groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group SD, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the time of staying at the platform quadrant was prolonged, and the frequency of crossing the platform was increased on 3 and 4 days, the apoptotic rate and neuronal degeneration rate were decreased, the expression of SIRT1 and Nrf2 was up-regulated, ROC content was decreased, and SOD content was increased in group SD+ Srt ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Sleep deprivation can induce oxidative stress response in hippocampus by inhibiting the activation of SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway, leading to cognitive dysfunction in rats.