The effect of erythropoietin on neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal dentate gyrus in streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer’s disease in rats

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder associated with neuronal degeneration in the areas involve in learning and memory. It has been proposed that erythropoietin probably has neuroprotective effects. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of erythropoietin on neuronal apoptosis in the granular layer of dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Animal model of Alzheimer’s was established via bilateral intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of streptozotocin (STZ). After 2 weeks and observation of cognitive disorder, rats received intraperitoneal (IP) injection of erythropoietin every other day with a dose of 5000 IU/kg for 2 weeks. Finally, the rats were anesthetized and their brains were dissected for immunohistochemical study. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) method was used to study neuronal apoptosis. Findings: Intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin increased the number of apoptotic cells in the granular layer of dentate gyrus significantly (P < 0.05). Although erythropoietin had no effect on the control rats, it significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells in the lesion group (P < 0.01) Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that erythropoietin may be effective in reducing the complications of neurodegenerative diseases by reducing neuronal apoptosis. © 2018, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.