title: Hyperbaric Oxygen Prevents Cognitive Impairments in Mice Induced by D-Galactose by Improving Cholinergic and Anti-apoptotic Functions.
abstract: Our previous study demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) improved cognitive impairments mainly by regulating oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and aging-related gene expression. However, a method for preventing cognitive dysfunction has yet to be developed. In the present study, we explored the protective effects of HBO on the cholinergic system and apoptosis in D-galactose (D-gal)-treated mice. A model of aging was established via systemic intraperitoneal injection of D-gal daily for 8 weeks. HBO was administered during the last 2 weeks of D-gal injection. Our results showed that HBO in D-gal-treated mice significantly improved behavioral performance on the open field test and passive avoidance task. Studies on the potential mechanisms of this effect showed that HBO significantly reduced oxidative stress and blocked the nuclear factor-κB pathway. Moreover, HBO significantly increased the levels of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholine and decreased the activity of acetylcholinesterase in the hippocampus. Furthermore, HBO markedly increased expression of the anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein meanwhile decreased expression of the pro-apoptosis proteins Bax and caspase-3. Importantly, there was a significant reduction in expression of Aβ-related genes, such as amyloid precursor protein, β-site amyloid cleaving enzyme-1 and cathepsin B mRNA. These decreases were accompanied by significant increases in expression of neprilysin and insulin-degrading enzyme mRNA. Moreover, compared with the Vitamin E group, HBO combined with Vitamin E exhibited significant difference in part of the above mention parameters. These findings suggest that HBO may act as a neuroprotective agent in preventing cognitive impairments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hyperbaric oxygen, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chunxia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Luying
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science, Nanning, 530022, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhihuan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nong
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yaoxuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Hyperbaric oxygen, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jianping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hyperbaric oxygen, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiaorong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 6 Taoyuan Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Guangwei
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 6 Taoyuan Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China. yingzhonglin001@126.com.
authors.forename: Yingzhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D059329:Cholinergic Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005690:Galactose / Q000633:toxicity*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; D005690:Galactose
keywords: Apoptosis; Aβ-related genes; Cholinergic system; D-galactose; Hyperbaric oxygen