Abstract:Objective: To explore the effects of baicalin on autistic-like behavior and neuronal damage in rats with autism by regulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway. Methods: A rat model of autism was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid during pregnancy. The offspring were assigned into model group, baicalin group (100mg/kg), and baicalin+cAMP inhibitor (SQ22536) group (100mg/kg baicalin+2.22mg/kg SQ22536), with 12 rats in each group. The offspring of normal rats were considered as control group. The open field experiment was used to evaluate the spatial cognition and exploration ability of rats. Three-box experiments were used to test the social skills of rats. The self-combing experiment was used to test the stereotyped behavior of rats. Hematoxylin eosin (HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe the damage of rat hippocampal tissue and neurons. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in rat hippocampal tissue. Western blot was used to detect cAMP, CREB, phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB), and BDNF proteins in rat hippocampal tissue. Results: For the control group, the hippocampal tissue structure of rats in the model group was damaged, the number of neuronal cells decreased, and the central region residence time, contact time with empty cages, combing frequency, and combing time raised, the TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 levels, and the cAMP, p-CREB, and BDNF proteins increased, but the number of upright times and contact time with unfamiliar mice decreased (P<0.05). For the model group, the hippocampal tissue structure and morphology of rats in the baicalin group were greatly improved, the number of neuronal cells raised, and the central region residence time, contact time with empty cages, combing frequency, and combing time reduced, the TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 levels, and the cAMP, p-CREB, and BDNF proteins decreased, but the number of upright times and contact time with unfamiliar mice increased (P<0.05). The cAMP inhibitor SQ22536 can reverse the improvement effect of baicalin on the above indicators in autistic rats (P<0.05). Conclusion: Baicalin may alleviate autism like behavior and neuronal damage in rats with autism by activating cAMP/CREB/BDNF pathway.
钟文闻, 邹正寿 向庆伟. 黄芩苷调控cAMP/CREB/BDNF通路对自闭症大鼠自闭样行为和神经元损伤的影响[J]. 河北医学, 2025, 31(11): 1787-1792.
ZHONG Wenwen, et al. Effects of Baicalein Modulation of the cAMP/CREB/BDNF Pathway on Autistic-Like Behaviour and Neuronal Damage in Autistic Rats. HeBei Med, 2025, 31(11): 1787-1792.
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