Objective: To explore the changes of four functional proteins which are related to Schwan cells (SCs), including myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), nerve growth factor (NGF), p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) on damage and repair of peripheral nerve induced by acrylamide (Acr). From the changes of the protein level, some meaningful information for the mechanism of Acr neurotoxicity and the screening of biomarkers might be acquired.
Methods: Rats were administrated with Acr at dose of 7. 5, 15 and 20 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection for 3 weeks, high-dose group were observed for 4 weeks after 3 weeks exposure of Acr to create an animal model of peripheral nerve in injury and repair. Protein level of MAG, p75NTR, NGF and NCAM in rat sciatic nerve at the end of exposure and convalescent were measured by western blot. The level of MAG in plasma at the end of exposure and convalescent was measured by ELISA.
Results: (1) Rats treated with Acr appeared peripheral nerve damage symptom and began to recover after 4 weeks. The abnormal symptoms in female group were heavier than that of males, especially the high dose group. (2) Compared with the control group, the level of MAG decreased in the medium dose group and high dose group (P < 0.05), the level of p75NTR increased in high dose group (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in the level of NGF between the control group and treated groups of male rats. Compared with the male control group, the level of NCAM in the the high dose group increased (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with the control group, the level of plasma MAG in the high dose group decreased (P < 0.05), while that in the recovery group was slightly increased.
Conclusion: The changes of those functional proteins may reflect the state of the peripheral nerve damage induced by Acr. The downregulation of MAG in rat plasma may be related with that in sciatic nerve.