Investigating the role of the AMPK signaling pathway in preventing CCI-induced neuropathy in rats: Focus on anti-inflammatory effects

Title : Investigating the role of the AMPK signaling pathway in preventing CCI-induced neuropathy in rats: Focus on anti-inflammatory effects

Abstract:

Objective: It has been shown that the AMPK signaling pathway helps maintain the structure of nerve cells and prevent damage caused by hypoxia by preserving the energy available in these cells. This signaling pathway is activated by various drugs, including metformin.

Methods: In this study, thirty male rats were randomly divided into Healthy rats, CCI (Chronic Constriction Injury), CCI + Metformin, CCI + Dorsomorphin, and CCI + Metformin + Dorsomorphin groups. Behavioral tests were performed on the third, seventh, and fourteenth days after inducing CCI. On the last day, the inflammatory cytokines and pathology were investigated after dissecting the spinal cords and sciatic nerves of the animals, respectively.

Results: The results of this study indicated that metformin can improve performance in behavioral tests and reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines. Histological analyses further revealed that metformin decreases inflammation and necrosis in sciatic nerve tissue. Notably, this effect was observed despite dorsomorphin injection, which prevented the therapeutic effects of metformin in the fifth group.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that stimulation of the AMPK signaling pathway could effectively preserve the structure of the sciatic nerve, reduce inflammation, and improve responses to behavioral tests.

Keywords: AMPK, Metformin, CCI, Neuropathy, Rat

Biography:

Dr. Amin Hasanvand studied Veterinary Medicine at The Islamic Azad University Shahrekord Branch (IAUSHK), Iran in 2007. He then joined the research group of Prof. Dehpour at the Department of Pharmacology, Tehran University of Medical Science. He received his PhD degree in 2016 at the same University. In the same year, he was accepted as a member of the academic board of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences and is currently continuing his work with the rank of associate professor. He has published more than 40 research articles.