Research of Taurine in improving the proliferation of neural stem cells in fetal rats with intrauterine growth restriction in fetal rats by inhibiting Rho/ROCK signaling pathway

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of Taurine on the proliferation of neural stem cells(NSCs) with intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR) in fetal rats and the expressions of Ras homolog gene family member A(RhoA) and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase(ROCK)Ⅱ in the process of proliferation. Methods IUGR fetal rats models were established with low protein diet.NSCs from subventricular zone were isolated and cultured in vitro.The NSCs were divided into 5 groups: normal control group(group Ⅰ), IUGR group(group Ⅱ), IUGR+ Taurine group(group Ⅲ), IUGR+ ROCK blockers group(group Ⅳ), IUGR+ Taurine+ ROCK blockers group(group Ⅴ). The cells were examined by immunofluorescence for counting fatty acid binding protein 7(FABP7)-positive cells.mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK were detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Results (1)Data of group Ⅰ were presented as standard, the number of FABP7 positive cells in group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ, group Ⅲ, group Ⅳ, group Ⅴ was (100.0±1.6)%, (63.8±5.2)%, (82.8±4.3)%, (78.6±2.7)%, and (87.6±3.2)%, respectively.Compared with group Ⅰ, FABP7 positive cells in group Ⅱ decreased signi-ficantly by approximately 36%(t=14.98, P 0.05). Conclusions Taurine supplementation can promote the proliferation of NSCs in IUGR fetal rats by inhibiting Rho/ROCK signaling pathway, thus to improve IUGR fetal brain development. Key words: Taurine; Intrauterine growth restriction; Neural stem cell; Ras homolog gene familymember A; Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase Ⅱ