[Effect of tanshinone II A on the expressions of NeuN, GFAP and CD11b in Aβ1-42; induced newborn rat hippocampal slices in vitro].

OBJECTIVE

To detect the expressions of neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and CD11b in the Aβ1-42 induced newborn rat hippocampal slices in vitro and investigate the neuroprotective effect of tanshinone IIA.

METHODS

Hippocampal slices were randomly divided into 7 groups: normal control group; Aβ1-42 (5.0, 0.5 μg/mL) groups; Aβ (5.0 μg/mL) + low or high (8.0 mg or 16 mg) doses of Tan IIA groups, Aβ (0.5 μg/mL) + low or high (8.0 mg or 16 mg) doses of Tan IIA groups. The expression levels of GFAP, NeuN and CD11b were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the expression of NeuN decreased in the two different doses of Aβ1-42 groups, especially in the high-dose group (P<0.05); while the level significantly increased after high-dose Tan IIA treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of GFAP and CD11b increased in the two different doses of Aβ1-42 groups, and the levels in the high-dose group were the highest (P<0.05); while the levels were reduced significantly by Tan IIA treatment, the more by the high-dose Tan IIA (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Tan IIA can down-regulate the levels of GFAP and CD11b and inhibit the activity of glial cells in rat hippocampal slices induced by Aβ1-42 in vitro.