Effects of dl-3n-butylphthalide on study and memory abilities and hippocampus expression of MMP-9 in rat model of radiation injuries of brain

Abstract

Objective To study the effects of dl-3n-butylphthalide on study and memory abilities and hippocampus expression of MMP-9 in rat model of radiation injuries of brain. Methods Wistar rats were divided into radiation group radiated by linear accelerator and control group . Morris water test were taken to study the learning and memory ability of rats in each group before irradiation and 120 d after irradiation. Results Morris water maze test results showed that: in the academic test, compared with model group, high-dose butylphthalide group and low dose butylphthalide group had significantly shorter escape latency((79.61±7.17)s, (43.64±4.72)s, (42.15±4.19)s) and decreased number of errors(36.43±6.59, 14.58±4.22, 13.66±3.91)(P<0.01). In the memory test, compared with model group, high-dose butylphthalide group and low dose butylphthalide group had significantly longer the former platform quadrant time respectively (30.09±3.68)s, (31.25±3.17)s vs (17.57±4.29)s and faster swimming speed respectively(P<0.01). Conclusion Butylphthalide can significantly reduce hippocampal neurons' expression of MMP-9, which indicates that butylphthalide has curative effect on radiation brain injuries by regulating the expression of MMD-9. Key words: Butylphthalide; Radiation brain injuries; Learning and memory; Rat