title: Erythropoietin ameliorates the motor and cognitive function impairments in a rat model of hepatic cirrhosis.
abstract: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious consequence of hepatic cirrhosis (HC). Previous studies have demonstrated cognitive impairments in both clinical and animal experiments of HC. Some potential therapeutic agents have been used to alleviate the cognitive symptoms in the animal models of HC. In the current study, the possible effect of erythropoietin (ERY) as a potent neuroprotective agent on motor and cognitive impairments induced by HC has been studied. Male Wistar rats (180-200 g) underwent bile duct ligation (BDL) or sham surgery. Administration of ERY (5,000 IU/kg, i.p., daily for three days) was initiated 2 weeks after surgery and lasted for the next 28 days. Open field, rotarod, Morris water maze and passive avoidance learning was used to evaluate the motor and cognitive function of the animals. ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyze the data. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. BDL rats had an increased level of hepatic enzymes and bilirubin. Impairment of balance function by BDL was reversed by ERY. Spatial and passive avoidance learning impairments observed in BDL rats were also reversed by chronic administration of ERY. ERY can be offered as a potential neuroprotective agent in the treatment of patients with HC that manifest mental dysfunctions. Though further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanisms, the neuroprotective properties of ERY against BDL impairments were demonstrated in the current study.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Iraj
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aghaei
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nazeri
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shabani
authors.forename: Marziehsadat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mossavinasab
authors.forename: Fatemeh Khaleghi
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Mirhosseini
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nayebpour
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalili
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000601:surgery; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D018737:Hand Strength; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008026:Ligation; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D004921:Erythropoietin