Effect of ganglioside on neuron apoptosis after focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Aim To investigate the inhibition of neuron apoptosis after cerebral ischemia by gangliaside and its possible mechanism.Methods The model of middle cerebral artery occluasion was prepared by using a filament,and Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group,model group and gangliaside-treated groups,including low dose group,middle dose group and high dose group,respectively.The neurological function was scored.The content of NO was measured.And the percentage of neuron apoptosis was detected.The expressions of iNOS and Caspase-3 mRNA were analyzed.Results In comparison with the sham-operated group,the score of nerve function,NO content,apoptosis percentage,and iNOS and Caspase-3 mRNA increased in the model groups,the low dose group,the middle dose group and the high dose group with the statistical significance(P0.05).In comparison with the model group and the low dose group,those decreased in the middle dose group and the high dose group had statistical significance(P0.05).There was no statistical difference between the model group and the low dose group(P0.05,as well as between the middle dose group and the high dose group(P0.05).Conclusions In vivo ischemia models,the suitable dose GM can reduce the expression of iNOS,inhibit the cell apoptosis and protect the nerve cell.