[Naoluoxintong reduces protein expression of TLR4, TRAF6 and TNF-α in frontal and parietal cortex of rats with focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion].

Objective To investigate the effect of Naoluoxintong on the protein expression of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor-6 (TRAF6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the frontal and parietal cortex of the rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R). Methods The modified rat model of MCAO/R was established by suture method. SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: a sham control group, a model group, a Tongxinluo group, and a Naoluoxintong group, with 30 rats in each group. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of TLR4 and TRAF6 in the ischemic lateral frontal cortex, and the expression of TNF-α was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the sham control group, the model group had significantly higher expression of TLR4 and TRAF6 on the 3rd, 7th and 14th days, which were reduced by Naoluoxintong and Tongxinluo treatments. Interestingly, the expression of TLR4 on the 3rd, 7th and 14th days were lower in the Naoluoxintong group as compared with those in the Tongxinluo group. Immunohistochemistry showed that TNF-α expression was also enhanced in the model group on the 3rd and 7th days, which were reduced by Naoluoxintong and Tongxinluo treatments. However, TNF-α expression at the different time points was no significantly difference between the Naoluoxintong and Tongxinluo groups. Conclusion Naoluoxintong could reduce MCAO/R-induced expression of TLR4, TRAF6 and TNF-α, which might be related to the effects of Naoluoxintong in cerebral ischemia injury.