Astragalus injection inhibits the expression of JNK3 mRNA after hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation in hippocampal neurons of rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of astragalus injection on the expression of c-jun N terminal kinase(JNK3) mRNA interrelated with apoptosis after hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation in hippocampal neurons of rats.METHODS: The hippocampal neurons cultured for eight days were divided into 4 groups: normal control group,original astragalus injection group,hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation group,astragalus injection group.Hypoxia/ hypoglycemia and reoxygenation group,astragalus injection group and original astragalus injection group were treated with hypoglycemia and reoxygenation after deprived of oxygen and glucose for 30 min.Methods of in situ hybridization and RT-PCR were used respectively to measure the expression of JNK3 mRNA after hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation 0 h,0.5 h,2 h,6 h,24 h,72 h and 120 h.RESULTS: In normal control group the volume of hippocampal neuronal nucleolus was accretion,cellular tuber was distinct and cytokinesis was dyed by yellow a lot.In hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation group the hippocampal neuronal nucleolus was crimple,cellular tuber was shrinked,large number of cytokinesis was dyed by yellow and yellow granule was observed.Compared with normal control group,the numbers of JNK3 mRNA positive neuronal cells at each time point increased obviously in the hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation group(P0.05).The change of neuronal configuration and the numbers of JNK3 mRNA positive neuronal cells in original astragalus injection group accorded with hypoxia/ hypoglycemia and reoxygenation group(P0.05).In astragalus injection group the hippocampal neuronal nucleolus was crimple slightly and segmental cytokinesis was dyed by yellow.Compared to hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation group,the numbers of JNK3 mRNA positive neuronal cells at each time point were less obviously in the astragalus injection group besides 120 h(P0.05).Compared to normal control group,the mean optic density of expression of JNK3 mRNA in hippocampal neurons of rats at each time point increased obviously in hypoxia/ hypoglycemia and reoxygenation group(P0.05).Compared to hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation group,the mean optic density of JNK3 mRNA expression at each time point in original astragalus injection group had no obvious change(P0.05),however the mean optic density of JNK3 mRNA expression in hippocampal neurons of rats at each time point decreased obviously in the astragalus injection group besides 120 h(P0.05).CONCLUSION: Astragalus injection inhibits the expression of JNK3 mRNA after hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation,accordingly inhibits hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.