Effects of 17-βestrogen on the expressions of NGF and BDNF in vascular dementia rats

Objective To observe the effects of intra-abdomina infusion of 17-βestrogen on the expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and the cognitive function in vascular dementia(VD) rats.Methods Fourty-eight male Wister rats were randomly divided into three groups,that was,control group (n=16),model group(n=16) and test group (n=16). Model rats of chronic forebrain ischemia were subjected to permanent bilateral common carotid arteries ligation for 2 months. The rats of three groups were intra-abdomina infused with oil,oil and 17β-estrogen respectively. Cognitive function and the contents of NGF and BDNF were observed on 60d after injection of oil or 17-βestrogen by Y maze test and immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immnoadsorbent assay(ELISA). Results The number of learing,the correct times for 10 maze tests of VD rats on 60d after ligation were significantly different from those of the normal rats (P 0.01 ). Significant recovery of cognitive impairment was found in VD rats infused with 17-βestrogen after 60d. The expressions of NGF and BDNF of the VD rats were significantly increased on 60d after ligation,compared with the control group. The expressions of NGF and BDNF in the test group were significantly higher than those of the model group. So were the contents of NGF and BNDF in three groups. Conclusion Intra-abdomina dministration of 17β-estrogen significantly improves the cognitive function and increases the contents of NGF and BDNF in VD rats.