Effects of hydrogen sulfide on cognitive dysfunction and NR2B in rats

Abstract Background Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (hepatic I/R) has been found to induce cognitive dysfunction. The NR2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors is a major factor in memory and learning processes, and hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) may modulate this NMDA receptor. Therefore, in this study, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a donor of H2 S) was administered in an animal model of hepatic I/R to investigate the effects of H2 S on cognitive impairment and expression of NR2B. Materials and methods NaHS (5 mg/kg) or normal saline was administered intraperitoneally once a day for 11 consecutive days, during which a rat model of 70% hepatic I/R was established on the fourth day. Cognitive function was evaluated using a Morris water maze, mRNA and protein levels of the NR2B subunit were detected in the hippocampus by RT-PCR and Western blotting. All these tests were performed on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Results Cognitive dysfunction was detected in the hepatic I/R group, and this dysfunction was associated with a decrease in the mRNA and protein levels of the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptors in the hippocampus. In contrast, treatment with NaHS significantly ameliorated the impairment of cognitive function caused by hepatic I/R, and an increase in mRNA and protein levels of the NR2B subunit were detected in the corresponding hippocampus tissues. Conclusions The present data suggest that H2 S exerts a protective effect on hepatic I/R-induced cognitive impairment, and this effect may be associated with the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor. H2 S may represent a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of postoperative cognitive dysfunction after liver surgery.