Effects of propofol and dizocilpine maleate on the cognitive abilities and the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein of rats after the electroconvulsive therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of propofol and dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) on the cognitive abilities the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein of rats after the electroconvulsive therapy.

METHODS

Two intervention factors including electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT) (two levels: not applied and one treatment course) and drug intervention (three levels: intravenous saline,intravenous MK-801, and intravenous propofol). The morris water maze test started within 1 day after ECT to evaluate the learning-memory. The glutamate level in the hippocampus of rats was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The Tau protein that includes Tau5 (total Tau protein), PHF-1 (pSer(396/404)), AT8 (pSer(199/202)), and 12E8 (pSer(262)) in the hippocampus of rats was determined using Western blotting.

RESULTS

Propofol, MK-801, and ECT could induce the impairment of learning-memory in depressed rats. The electroconvulsive shock significantly up-regulated the glutamate level, which was reduces by the propofol. The ECT up-regulated the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein in the hippocampus of depressed rats, which was reduced by propofol and MK-801.

CONCLUSION

Both propofol and MK-801 could protect against the impairment of learning-memory and reduce the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein induced by ECT in depressed rats.