Effect of tonifying liver and kidney-essence herbs on expression of Nogo-A and p75(NTR) in cerebral ischemic stroke rats model.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of tonifying liver and kidney-essence herbs on expression of a nerve regeneration inhibitor, Nogo for neuron A (Nogo-A), and its associated signaling molecule, low-affinity neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75(NTR)), in rats with cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS), with the aim of exploring the possible mechanism of tonifying liver and kidney-essence herbs in recovery following injury to the central nervous system. METHODS: A cerebral ischemic stroke model in SD rats was established with the suture-occlusion method. Successful model rats were divided into placebo and herb groups at random; sham-operated and control groups were set up simultaneously. Each of these groups was divided into six subgroups at random. Expression of Nogo-A and p75(NTR) was evaluated with immunofluorescence microscopy at days 3, and weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 after administration. RESULTS: Tonifying liver and kidney-essence herbs suppressed the expression of Nogo-A and p75(NTR) (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Suppressing the expression of Nogo-A and p75(NTR) is possibly one of the mechanisms underlying the ability of tonifying liver and kidney-essence herbs to promote recovery of the injured central nervous system.