Effect of Xiao Shuan Ke Li on Neuronal Apoptosis and Learning Ability of Neonatal Rats with Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage

Objective To explore the effects of Xiao Shuan Ke Li(XSKL) on the neuronal apoptosis and the ability of learning in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD).Methods Thirty-six seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham operation group(n=12),treatment group(n=12) and HIBD group(n=12).Animal model of HIBD was induced according to the Yager method.The rats in treatment group were given oral XSKL(8 g·kg-1,qd) for 14 days.HIBD group and sham operation group were given the same amounts of saline for 14 days.The abilities of space learning and memory were tested by water-maze test after 14 days since HIBD model was made;after that,the morphologic changes in the brain were observed,and the quantitative pathological score of 3 groups were compared.The changes of neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 area were observed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay method.Results The training times of water-maze test in sham operation group(5.83±1.11) were better than that in HIBD group(12.91±1.56)and treatment group(7.58±1.24)(Pa0.01).The brain organization in rats degenerated and necrosised significantly in HIBD group,while only focal nerve cell degenerated in treatment group,and rarely in sham operation group.The cortex quantitative pathological score in HIBD group was much higher than those in sham operation group(P0.01),while in treatment group was lower than that in HIBD group(P0.01).TUNEL method showed that the amounts of nerve cell apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 area was little in sham operation group,and treatment group was much fewer than that in HIBD group(P0.01).Conclusions XSKL can reduce the brain damage of HIBD rats,and improve the ability of space learning and memory.The mechanism is that XSKL can inhibit the neuronal apoptosis of HIBD.