Electrical stimulation of cerebellar fastigial nucleus promotes the expression of growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene β and motor function recovery in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats

This study focused on the effects of electrical stimulation of cerebellar fastigial nucleus on the expression of growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene β (Gadd45β) and on motor function recovery after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham I/R (control group), I/R (I/R group), I/R with sham stimulation and I/R with electrical stimulation at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 2 d and 3 d after I/R. Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion was established by nylon monofilament occlusion method. Fastigial nucleus (FN) electrical stimulation was applied at 2 h after ischemia for 1 h. The changes in the expression of Gadd45β were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western-blot respectively. Another group of rats were divided into the same 4 groups. Montoya staircase test score was used to test the motor function of affected forelimb. The levels of Gadd45β were significantly elevated after I/R injury. FN electrical stimulation treatment elevated the expression of Gadd45β further and improved motor function recovery. These results suggest that FN electrical stimulation can promote the expression of Gadd45β and motor function recovery after focal cerebral ischemia.

► Cerebral ischemia increases the mRNA and protein expression of Gadd45β. ► FN stimulation increases Gadd45β expression further after cerebral ischemia. ► FN stimulation promotes motor function recovery after cerebral ischemia.