Gastrodin Improves Cognitive Dysfunction in REM Sleep-Deprived Rats by Regulating TLR4/NF-κB and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathways

Abstract

Gastrodin is the active ingredient in Gastrodia elata. Our previous studies demonstrated that gastrodin ameliorated cerebral ischemia–reperfusion and hypoperfusion injury and improved cognitive deficit in Alzheimer’s disease. This study aims to examine the effects of gastrodin on REM sleep deprivation in rats. Gastrodin (100 and 150 mg/kg) was orally administered for 7 consecutive days before REM sleep deprivation. Seventy-two hours later, pentobarbital-induced sleep tests and a Morris water maze were performed to measure REM sleep quality and learning and memory ability. Histopathology was observed with hematoxylin–eosin staining, and the expression of the NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways was examined using Western blot. After REM sleep deprivation, sleep latency increased and sleep duration decreased, and the ability of learning and memory was impaired. Neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region and the cortex were damaged. Gastrodin treatment significantly improved REM sleep-deprivation-induced sleep disturbance, cognitive deficits and neuron damage in the hippocampus CA1 region and cerebral cortex. A mechanism analysis revealed that the NF-κB pathway was activated and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was inhibited after REM sleep deprivation, and gastrodin ameliorated these aberrant changes. Gastrodin improves REM sleep-deprivation-induced sleep disturbance and cognitive dysfunction by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways and can be considered a potential candidate for the treatment of REM sleep deprivation.