Exploration on Mechenism of Sevoflurane-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Rats by Ginsenoside Rg1 Based on the tau Protein Hyperphosphorylation Mediated by the GSK-3 β /CDK5 Signaling Pathway
Abstract: Objective: To investigate whether ginsenoside Rg1 improves sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in rats by inhibiting tau protein phosphorylation through the regulation of the glycogen synthase kinase- 3β (GSK-3β)/cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) signaling pathway. Methods:Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control group, Sevoflurane (Sevo) group, Rg1 intervention (Sevo+Rg1) group, and GSK-3β inhibitor intervention (Sevo+Rg1+SB) group,10 rats in each group. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze test. Hippocampal neuronal pathology and apoptosis were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Levels of neuronal injury markers neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100 calcium-binding protein β (S-100β) were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of proteins related to the GSK-3β/CDK5 pathway was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with the Control group, the Sevo group exhibited significantly prolonged escape latency, decreased number of platform crossings, shortened time spent in the target quadrant, disordered hippocampal neuron arrangement, increased apoptosis rate, elevated levels of NSE/S-100β, and upregulated expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax)/Bcl-2 ratio, p-GSK- 3β (Tyr216), P25, and p-tau (Ser396) (P<0.05). Compared with the Sevo group, the Sevo+Rg1 group showed significantly shortened escape latency, increased number of platform crossings, prolonged time spent in the target quadrant,improved hippocampal neuron arrangement,decreased apoptosis rate,reduced levels of NSE/S-100β,and downregulated expression of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio,p-GSK-3β(Tyr216),P25,and p-tau(Ser396)( P<0.05). Compared with the Sevo+Rg1 group,the Sevo+Rg1+SB group reversed the regulatory effects of Rg1 on the above indicators,with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg1 can improve sevoflurane-induced neuronal apoptosis and cognitive dysfunction by inhibiting tau protein phosphorylation via the GSK-3β/CDK5 signaling pathway.