Lipo‑prostaglandin E1 modifies cognitive impairment in rats with vascular cognitive impairment by promoting angiogenesis via the VEGF/VEGFR pathway

Liu,Bohui; Zhang,Suping; Xiong,Xifeng; Ling,Li; He,Rui; Wang,Muzhen; Deng,Wanqing; Liu,Zhihe; Li,Yi

doi:10.3892/mmr.2017.6984

Lipo‑prostaglandin E1 modifies cognitive impairment in rats with vascular cognitive impairment by promoting angiogenesis via the VEGF/VEGFR pathway

Authors:
- Bohui Liu
- Suping Zhang
- Xifeng Xiong
- Li Ling
- Rui He
- Muzhen Wang
- Wanqing Deng
- Zhihe Liu
- Yi Li
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Affiliations: Department of Neurology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510220, P.R. China, Guangzhou Institute of Traumatic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510220, P.R. China
Published online on: July 14, 2017 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6984
Pages: 3117-3124
Copyright: © Liu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The pathological mechanism of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) involves ischemic lesions in the hippocampus. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) serves roles in the promotion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, angiogenesis and enhances blood flow to ischemic regions. However, the effect of PGE1 on cognitive function in VCI rats and the underlying mechanism are unknown. In the current study, learning and memory function in VCI rats treated by lipo‑PGE1 injection was assessed through Morris Water Maze test. Furthermore, the histological alterations, blood vessel numbers in the hippocampal CA1 region and relative VEGF protein and mRNA expression were researched. The results confirmed that VCI rats treated with lipo‑PGE1 presented improved cognitive function, less neuronal cell loss, a greater number of blood vessels in the hippocampal region and higher VEGF protein and mRNA expression. However, the role of lipo‑PGE1 in VCI rats can be inhibited by SU5416 (a specific VEGFR2 antagonist). The results indicated that lipo‑PGE1 may alleviate cognitive deficits in VCI rats. The underlying mechanism may be associated with angiogenesis promoted by lipo‑PGE1, which may involve the VEGF/VEGFR pathway. These findings may have therapeutic implications for cognitive impairment induced by hypoperfusion or chronic ischemic lesions.

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