Expression changes of nerve growth factor in prefrontal cortex of rat model with post-stroke depression

Objective To explore the expression changes of nerve growth factor( NGF) mRNA and high affinity tyrosine kinase receptor A( Trk A) mRNA in the prefrontal cortex of rats with post-stroke depression( PSD). Methods A total of 32 adult female SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group( n = 8),depression group( n = 8),stroke group( n = 8) and PSD group( n = 8). In the stroke group,focal cerebral ischemic rat models were made with suture-occluded method. In the depression group,the chronic stress depression model rats were made by chronic unpredictable medium stress combined with separately breeding. In the PSD group,focal cerebral ischemic rat models were made with suture-occluded method,after postoperative 1 week,PSD rat models were then established by comprehensive separately breeding and moderate stress. Twenty-nine days after modeling,we took 0. 5 cm thick frontal cortex( about 100 mg) to detect the NGF and Trk A mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex tissues. Results All of the groups had the expression of GADPH,NGF and Trk A mRNA in the prefrontal cortex of rats. The gene expression of NGF mRNA in the prefrontal cortex of PSD group was significantly lower than that of the normal control group( P 0. 05). Whereas there was no statistical difference among the rest of groups( P 0. 05). Conclusion The reduced expression of NGF mRNA in the prefrontal cortex may be responsible for the pathogenesis of PSD.