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Abstract
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Background: Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) causes memory and learning impairments and apoptosis in the
hippocampus. The aim of present study aimed to investigate the anti-apoptotic effects of silymarin-loaded chitosan
nanoparticles (SM-CS-NPs) on the expression of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 genes in hippocampal neurons after I/R injury.
Material and methods: SM and SM-CS-NPs were orally administered (15 mg/kg) for 14 days, and then cerebral I/R
injury was induced by the bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). One day after I/R induction, memory and
learning impairments and various biochemical estimations were assessed.
Results: Our results indicated that SM-CS-NPs improved I/R-induced memory and learning impairments and oxidative
damage in the hippocampal region. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated that SM-CS-NPs pretreatment inhibited I/R-induced
neuronal apoptosis by increasing the expression of Bcl-2 and decreasing the expression of Caspase-3 in the hippocampus.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that SM-CS-NPs exert neuroprotective effects, and the neuroprotection is likely to
be associated with the regulation of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3, leading to inhibition of apoptotic cell death in hippocampal
neurons
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