THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF TONGYAN SPRAY ON RATS WITH DYSPHAGIA AND THE INFLUENCE OF HYPOGLOSSAL NUCLEUS MOTION-RELATED TRANSMITTER

Abstract

Objective: The present stud was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effects of Tongyan Spray on different models of rats with dysphagia and the effects of sublingual nuclear motion-related transmitters. Methods: SD rats were divided into control group, dysphagia group and drug treatment group. The control group was not treated, and the dysphagia group and drug treatment group were modeled for dysphagia. The control group and the dysphagia group were treated with normal saline in the same way. The changes of body weight, water intake, swallowing times and swallowing latency of rats were recorded in each group. Nissl bodies, 5-HT, AChE, P38 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in sublingual nucleus of rats were detected by Nissl bodies staining and immunohistochemistry. Results: In the drug treatment group, swallowing times, swallowing latency, food intake, water intake, and body weight increased significantly, compared to the dysphagia group (P<0.05). In addition, the levels of Nissl bodies, 5-HT and AChE increased in the drug treatment group (P<0.05), while p38 and nNOS contents decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Tongyan Spray could inhibit the activation of the p38MAPK pathway, reduce the expression of nNOS and the production of NO, increase the content of 5-HT and ACh, protect the sublingual neurons, and effectively improve the swallowing function of rats.