Expression of cyclin-dependent protein kinase 5 in the hippocampus of vascular dementia mice after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion

R74; BACKGROUND: The p25-activated cyclin-dependent protein kinase 5 (Cdk5) may induce neuronal cell death and cause the development of dementia following cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. OBJECTIVE: To observe changes in the expression of Cdk5 and p25 in hippocampal tissue of vascular dementia mice at different time points following cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled animal experiment was performed in the clinical trial center of Hebei Provincial People's Hospital between September 2007 and October 2008.MATERIALS: Cdk5 rabbit anti-mouse polyclonal antibody, p35 rabbit anti-mouse polyclonal antibody, and β-actin mouse monoclonal antibody were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., USA; horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG and horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mice IgG were offered by Beijing Zhongshan Goldenbridye Biotechnology Co.,Ltd., China; the protein quantitative kit was produced by Applygen Gene Technology Corp., Beijing, China; cDNA reverse transcription and PCR amplification reagents were products of TianGen&Biotech (Beijing) Co.,Ltd., China.METHODS: One hundred and sixty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into two groups: a sham-operated group (n=65) and a model group (n=95). Vascular dementia was induced with three periods of transient ischemia and reperfusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries. In the sham-operated group, the bilateral common carotid arteries were not blocked.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Behavioral tests were done at four and six weeks post surgery. Pathological changes in the hippocampal CA1 region were observed with hematoxylin-eosin staining. Cdk5 mRNA expression was examined by RT-PCR, and Western blots were used to evaluate Cdk5 and p25 expression. Learning and memory performance were assayed using the Morris water maze. RESULTS: Vascular dementia reduced learning and memory performance at 4 and 6 weeks post surgery. Vascular dementia also caused severe, time-dependent neuronal damage and death in the hippocampal CA1 region. Dementia induction also increased mRNA and protein expression of Cdk5 and p25 at both 4 and 6 weeks after surgery.CONCLUSION: Cdk5/p25 is involved in the development of vascular dementia in mice following cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.