Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on hippocampal the neuron apoptotic and the expression of p38MAPK in alzheimer disease rat model. Methods Eighteen healthy male SD rats weighing 260~290 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=6) normal saline group (group NS), alzheimer disease group (group AD) and hyperbaric oxygen treatment group (group HBO). The animal model of cognitive dysfunction was established after Aβ1-40 was injected into hippocampus in rats of group AD and group HBO, and the same volume normal saline but not Aβ1-40 was injected in group NS. The rats in group HBO received hyperbaric oxygen treatment daily for 7d, 1 d after AD models were established whereas rats in group S and NP placed in hyperbaric chamber 100 min and did not receive any treatment. Morris waters-maze test was performed on 1 day before injection-surgery and 21th day after injection-surgery each group.The animals were sacrificed after behavior test the last time, the hippocampus then were removed to detect the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was evaluated by TUNEL staining, and the expression of p-p38MAPK were observed by Western Bolt. Result Compared with1 day before injection-surgery,the swimming distance and escape latent period were significantly longer in group AD and group HBO on the 21d day after surgery (P<0.05). Compared with group NS, the swimming distance and escape latent period were significantly longer in group AD on the 21d day after surgery, the neuron apoptotic rate and the expression of p-p38MAPK in hippocampus was significantly enhanced in group AD on the 21d day after surgery (P<0.05). Compared with group AD, the swimming distance and escape latent period were significantly shorter, the neuron apoptotic rate and the expression of p-p38MAPK in hippocampus was significantly down-regulated in group AD on the 21d day after surgery (P<0.05). Conclusion HBO treatment can alleviate the cognitive dysfunction of AD and decease the apoptosis induced by Aβ in rats, and the mechanism is related to inhibiting p-p38MAPK .
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