Effects of NaHS and hydroxylamine on the expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its receptors in rats after cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Background H 2 S can also protect nerve cells. The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) on the expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptors, tyrosine protein kinase B (TrkB) and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), in brain tissues of rats with cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR) following the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Methods Rats ( n = 240) with CA/CPR were divided into three groups: Intervention ( n = 80) that received sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, 14 μmoL/kg·d) intervention after ROSC; Inhibition ( n = 80) that received hydroxylamine (40 μmoL/kg·d) intervention after ROSC; and Control ( n = 80) that received saline after ROSC. Kaplan-Meyer analysis was used to analyze the survival data. Quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR), Western blot, immunohistochemistry and IODs (integrated optical density) were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of BDNF, TrkB and p75NTR in rat brain tissues. Results Survival rate of the three groups had significant difference (χ 2 = 28.376, p = 0.000). The Intervention group had the highest survival rate (82.5%), while the Inhibition group had the lowest survival rate (62.5%). The mRNA and protein levels of BDNF and TrkB in the Intervention group were significantly higher compared to the Control group ( p < 0.05); while the mRNA and protein levels of BDNF and TrkB in the Inhibition group was significantly lower than the Control group ( p < 0.05) on days 1, 3, and 7. However, the mRNA and protein levels of p75NTR in the Intervention group were significantly lower than the Control group ( p < 0.05); while the mRNA and protein levels of p75NTR in the Inhibition group were significantly higher than the Control group ( p < 0.05) on days 1, 3, and 7. Conclusion NaHS treatment increases the survival rate of rats after CA and ROSC by upregulating the expression and activation of BDNF and its receptor TrkB, and down-regulating p75NTR expression.