Protective effect of rutin on cerebellar cortical neurons in acrylamide-intoxicated rats and its underlying mechanism

Objective To explore whether rutin (Rut) protects cerebellar cortical neurons of rats intoxicated with acrylamide (ACR) and the possible underlying biological events. Methods Four groups, including a control group, an ACR model group, a Rut treatment group, and a Rut plus LY294002 (abbreviated as LY, a PI3K signaling pathway inhibitor) treatment group, were established, into which 36 rats of male gender were equally randomized (n = 9 for each group). Following a three-week drug administration (gavage) scheme, the rats’ behaviour outcomes were evaluated once a week. Morphological changes and protein expressions in the cerebellar cortex were detected by HE/Nissl staining, immunofluorescence and Western Blot, respectively. Utilizing commercial kits, cerebellar oxidative stress index levels were appraised. Results Compared with the ACR group, Rut intervention significantly improved behavioral performance, increased the content of GSH and the activity of SOD, diminished the content of MDA, upregulated CalbindinD-28K and Parvalbumin, and enhanced the ratios of phosphorylated AKT and PI3K. LY co-treatment markedly reversed these effects of Rut. Conclusion Rut prevents the damage of cerebellar cortical neurons induced by ACR, with the underlying biological events possibly involving oxidative stress alleviation and PI3K/AKT cascade activation.