3.3 Fingolimod treatment enhanced neurogenesis in the dentate
gyrus of PCP-treated rats
Since the learning and memory processes are closely related to
hippocampal neurogenesis (Deng, Aimone et
al., 2010), and fingolimod ameliorates hippocampal-dependent
behavioural tasks, we reasoned that the potential effects of fingolimod
may be involved in neurogenesis. Therefore, we performed BrdU, NeuN, and
DCX staining to assess neurogenic potential in the hippocampus
(Figure
4A). The results showed that the number of BrdU-
(Figure
4B), BrdU/NeuN- (double-positive)
(Figure
4C), and DCX-positive
(Figure
4D) in the PCP-treated (10 mg/kg, i.p.) group was significantly lower
than that in the control, indicating impairments of hippocampal
neurogenesis. As expected, fingolimod treatment (0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg,
i.p.) significantly reversed this neurogenesis deficit by promoting
neuronal proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.