Effects of Nao Yikang on Enzymes of Central Cholinergic System in Rats with Alzheimer's Disease

Objective To observe the protective effects of Nao Yikang(NYK) on central cholinergic system in rats with Alzheimer's disease(AD).MethodsBilateral infusions of Ibotenic acid(IBO) into nucleus basalis of Meynert(NBM) using stereotaxic apparatus was adopted to establish the rat model of AD.NYK at different dosage has been administered to AD rats.The activities of brain acetylcholinesterase(AChE) and butyrocholinesterase(BuChE) as well as the morphology of choline acetyltransferase(ChAT)-positive cells in the basal forebrain were detected.ResultsNYK could inhibit the activities of AChE and BuChE,improve the morphology and increase the number of ChAT-positive cells as well.ConclusionNYK may be able to increase the synthesis of acetylcholine(ACh) through elevating the expression of ChAT,inhibit the degradation of ACh by inhibiting the activities of AChE and BuChE,thus elevating the level of ACh in rats' brain and improve the ability of learning and memory.