Effects of Rattin on Cognitive Ability and Expressions of B-Cell Lymphoma 2 (BCL-2)/BCL2 Associated X (Bax) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Hippocampus of Rats with Vascular Dementia

Abstract

Vascular dementia (VD) is a cerebral dysfunction. Brain neuropeptide analogue Rattin is firstly found in rat brain tissue and plays a treatment effect in Alzheimer’s disease. However, its function and related mechanism in VD rat still needs elucidation. Rats were randomly separated into sham group, VD model group and Rattin treatment group followed by analysis of learning ability by Morris water maze, Rattin level by real time PCR and Western blot, Bcl-2 and Bax levels by Western blot, BDNF expression by immunofluorescence. Rattin mRNA and protein expression was reduced, Bcl-2 was downregulated, Bax was upregulated, and BDNF expression was attenuated in the brain tissue of VD model group compared to sham group (P < 0005). Rattin significantly increased Rattin mRNA and protein expression, improved learning ability, upregulated Bcl-2 level, suppressed Bax expres- sion, and enhanced BDNF level in VD rats (P < 0005). Rattin ameliorates VD through regulating cell apoptosis, promoting BDNF expression, and improving learning ability.