The effects of D-galactose on the expression of p-ERK 1 /2 in hippocampus of mice and on learning and memory ability

Objective To study the effects of D-galactose on the expression of p-ERK 1/2 in hippocampus of mice and on learning and memory ability. Methods Twenty Kunming mice,half male and half female,were divided into two groups. To establish aging model of mice,D-galactose was injected daily in the subcutaneous for 35 days in the dosage of125 mg / kg. The control group was given saline. In the modeling period,the general condition of mice was observed.Step-down and morris water maze were carried out to test the learning and memory ability at the last one week. After the experiment,the animals were sacrificed to extract hippocampal tissue. The expression of p-ERK1 / 2 in hippocampal of mice was detected by western blot. Results Step-down test showed that compared with the control group,the latency in the model group decrease significantly( P 0. 01) and the number of electric shock in the model group increase significantly( P 0. 01). Morris water maze showed that the latency of escape in the model group were longer than the control group( P 0. 01). Western blotting results showed that the expression of p-ERK1 / 2 significantly decreased in the model group and the effect is more pronounced in male mice. Conclusion D-galactose may impair learning and memory ability by inhibiting the expression of p-ERK1 / 2 in hippocampal of mice and the effect is more pronounced in male mice.