Open AccessOcular Nerve Growth Factor Administration Modulates Brain‐derived Neurotrophic Factor Signaling in Prefrontal Cortex of Healthy and Diabetic Rats
Author(s) -
Rosso Pamela,
De Nicolò Sara,
Carito Valentina,
Fiore Marco,
Iannitelli Angela,
Moreno Sandra,
Tirassa Paola
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
cns neuroscience and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1755-5949
pISSN - 1755-5930
DOI - 10.1111/cns.12661
Subject(s) - nerve growth factor , neurotrophic factors , brain derived neurotrophic factor , neurotrophin , endocrinology , medicine , streptozotocin , prefrontal cortex , trk receptor , neuroprotection , neuroscience , psychology , receptor , diabetes mellitus , cognition
Summary Aims Nerve growth factor ( NGF ) eyedrops (ed‐ NGF ) activate brain neurons, stimulate growth factors, including brain‐derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF ), and exert neuroprotection in the forebrain of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats ( STZ rats). In this study, the effects of ed‐ NGF on BDNF signaling in the prefrontal cortex ( PFC ) were explored in healthy and STZ ‐diabetic rats, in which cortical neuronal and axonal loss, and altered circulating BDNF associated with depressive phenotype are also described. Methods STZ and healthy ( CTR ) adult rats received ed‐ NGF twice a day for 2 weeks. Depressive phenotype was identified by force swimming test ( FST ). Proteins extracted from PFC were processed for ELISA and Western blot analyses to measure the expression of BDNF , pro BDNF , and their receptors and intracellular signals. Results ed‐ NGF treatment modulates BDNF pathway in PFC and normalizes the STZ ‐induced BDNF alterations by stimulating TRK ‐mediated survival mechanism. A decreased latency in FST was also found in STZ rats, while no change was observed comparing CTR + NGF and STZ + NGF with CTR . Conclusion The present data confirm the capacity of ed‐ NGF treatment to affect brain neurons and lead to brain damage recovery by activating protective and remodeling pathways triggered by BDNF . We suggest that the ed‐ NGF ‐induced changes in BDNF signaling might influence the manifestation of depressive phenotype in diabetic rats.