Intracerebroventricular streptozotocin induces behavioral impairments and increases short ‑term C3 gene expression in the hippocampus of Wistar rats.

Intracerebroventricular streptozotocin induces behavioral impairments and increases short‑term C3 gene expression in the hippocampus of Wistar rats. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars). 2020;80(2):160-171 Authors: Pfutzenreuter G, Nieradka K, Pincerati MR, da Silva IS Abstract A non‑transgenic rat model based on intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ) has been used as an animal model to investigate mechanisms associated to the late onset of sporadic Alzheimer's disease, such as anatomical and behavioral impairments. However, molecular aspects related to gene expression, mainly in the hippocampus, require more investigation. Thus, this study evaluated the early and late cognitive functions and hippocampal gene expression after STZ administration. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: STZ (injected bilaterally), control group for the early memory function evaluation (1 month after surgery = phase 1, same volume of vehicle), and the same treatment for the late memory function evaluation (4 months after surgery = phase 2). The animals were observed in the elevated plus maze to assess behaviors related to anxiety, risk‑assessment and fear‑related memories. The behavioral tests were followed by brain removal and hippocampal dissection for RNA extraction and qRT‑PCR to assess the expression levels of 4 Alzheimer's disease related genes: Mapt, Apoe, C3 and Ps‑1. Animals from both phases showed increased time percen...
Source: Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) Source Type: research