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Anat Cell Biol 2024; 57(3): 419-430
Published online September 30, 2024
https://doi.org/10.5115/acb.23.284
Copyright © Korean Association of ANATOMISTS.
Exploring the therapeutic potential: Apelin-13’s neuroprotective effects foster sustained functional motor recovery in a rat model of Huntington’s disease
Shaysteh Torkamani-Dordshaikh1,2 
, Shahram Darabi3 , Mohsen Norouzian1 , Reza Bahar4 , Amirreza Beirami2 , Meysam Hassani Moghaddam5 , Mobina Fathi4 , Kimia Vakili6 , Foozhan Tahmasebinia6 , Maryam Bahrami7 , Hojjat Allah Abbaszadeh2,4,7 , Abbas Aliaghaei1,4
1Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 2Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 3Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, 4Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 5Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 6Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 7Rayan Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Ravan Sazeh Company, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence to:Hojjat Allah Abbaszadeh
Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717443, Iran
E-mail: dr.abbaszadeh@sbmu.ac.ir
Abbas Aliaghaei
Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 193954719, Iran
E-mail: aghaei60@gmail.com
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a hereditary condition considered by the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain, resultant in motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Despite current treatment modalities including pharmaceuticals and various therapies, a definitive cure remains elusive. Therefore, this study investigates the therapeutic potential effect of Apelin-13 in HD management. Thirty male Wistar rats were allocated into three groups: a control group, a group with HD, and a group with both HD and administered Apelin-13. Apelin-13 was administered continuously over a 28-day period at a dosage of around 30 mg/kg to mitigate inflammation in rats subjected to 3-NP injection within an experimental HD model. Behavioral tests, such as rotarod, electromyography (EMG), elevated plus maze, and open field assessments, demonstrated that Apelin-13 improved motor function and coordination in rats injected with 3-NP. Apelin-13 treatment significantly increased neuronal density and decreased glial cell counts compared to the control group. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed reduced gliosis and expression of inflammatory factors in the treatment group. Moreover, Apelin-13 administration led to elevated levels of glutathione and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the treated group. Apelin-13 demonstrates neuroprotective effects, leading to improved movement and reduced inflammatory and fibrotic factors in the HD model.
Keywords: Huntington, Apelin, Neuroprotection, Inflammation
