Effects of Puerarin on the expression of iNOS, CGRP, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in spinal cord anterior horn after brachial plexus root avulsion injury

doi:10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2019.05.008

Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2019, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (5) : 517-522. DOI: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2019.05.008

WANG Yu¹, CHEN Chuan-qi², WANG Wen-sheng¹, YU Bao-jun¹, ZHANG Yi¹, LI Dan¹, CHEN Long-ju¹

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Abstract

Objective　To investigate the effect of Puerarin on the expression of iNOS, CGRP and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in spinal anterior horn following brachial plexus root avulsion injury (BPRAI). Methods　Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a low-dose group, a middle-dose group and a high-dose group with 10 rats in each group. BPRAI modeling was made in the model group, low-dose group, middle-dose group and high-dose group by avulsing the anterior roots and transecting posterior roots of right C5~7 segment of spinal nerve. Puerarin was injected intraperitoneally in the low-dose group, middle-dose group and high-dose group after the operation at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg·kg-1·d-1 respectively. The normal group and model group were given intraperitoneal injection of saline of equal volume for 4 weeks. Nissl staining, immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to observe the survival rate, the expression of iNOS and CGRP of alpha motorneurons (α-MNs), and PI3K/Akt pathway related proteins in the spinal cord on the injured side. Results At the 4th week, low, middle and high doses of Puerarin could inhibit the loss of α-MNs (P<0.05 or P<0.01); middle and high doses of Puerarin could inhibit the expression of iNOS (P<0.05); high doses of Puerarin could significantly promote the expression of CGRP protein (P<0.05 or P<0.01); low, middle and high doses of Puerarin could significantly inhibit the expression of p-Akt1/2/3 (P<0.01). Conclusions Puerarin can ameliorate the death of alpha-MNs induced by BPRAI. The protective effect of Puerarin may be related to its inhibition of iNOS expression and promotion of CGRP expression, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is involved in its regulation.

Key words

Puerarin; / Brachial plexus root injury; / Alpha motorneurons; / iNOS; / CGRP; / PI3K/Akt

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WANG Yu, CHEN Chuan-qi, WANG Wen-sheng, YU Bao-jun, ZHANG Yi, LI Dan, CHEN Long-ju. Effects of Puerarin on the expression of iNOS, CGRP, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in spinal cord anterior horn after brachial plexus root avulsion injury[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy. 2019, 37(5): 517-522 https://doi.org/10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2019.05.008

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