Study on the mechanism of nursing intervention based on environmental enrichment on cognitive function in ischemic stroke rats†

Qing Wu; Yang Li; Pei-Pei Du; Yan Chen

doi:10.2478/fon-2025-0034

.blurhash-client-img { display: none !important; }

Study on the mechanism of nursing intervention based on environmental enrichment on cognitive function in ischemic stroke rats†

Frontiers of Nursing

Volume 12 (2025): Issue 3 (September 2025)

By: Qing Wu, Yang Li, Pei-Pei Du and Yan Chen

Open Access

|Sep 2025

Abstract

Objective

Investigating the effects and molecular mechanisms of nursing interventions based on environmental enrichment on cognitive function in ischemic stroke rats.

Methods

A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats belonging to the same batch were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10) using a random number table: Sham Surgery Control Group (Sham), Ischemia-Reperfusion (I/R) Group, and Ischemia-Reperfusion Group with Environmental Enrichment Intervention (I/R + EEI). The expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein in the hippocampus region were measured and compared among different groups.

Results

Compared with the Sham group, the I/R group showed significantly reduced learning and memory abilities, with notably lower BDNF levels (P < 0.05). Compared to the I/R group, the I/R + EEI group exhibited significantly improved learning and memory abilities as well as increased BDNF protein levels (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Abnormal BDNF protein secretion may be the molecular mechanism of cognitive dysfunction due to hippocampal neuronal damage in ischemia-reperfusion, and modifying this neurotransmitter’s secretion can effectively improve cognitive function in ischemia-reperfusion rats.

References

Jiang LW, Zhao JG. Factors influencing cognitive dysfunction after acute ischemic stroke and the effect of cognitive rehabilitation training. Chin Mod Drug Appl. 2022;16:164–168 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dilinu P, Zheng KY, Shadike S. Research progress on related factors of post-stroke cognitive dysfunction from both Traditional Chinese and Western medicine perspectives. Xinjiang J Trad Chin Med. 2020;38:122–125 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Shepherdson D, Mellan J, Hutchins M, eds. Second Nature: Environmental Enrichment for Captive Animals. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press; 1998.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hirata K, Kuge Y, Yokota C, et al. Gene and protein analysis of brain derived neurotrophic factor expression in relation to neurological recovery induced by an enriched environment in a rat stroke model. Neurosci Lett. 2011;495:210–215.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Janssen H, Bernhardt J, Collier JM, et al. An enriched environment improves sensorimotor function post-ischemic stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2010;24:802–813.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Griñan-Ferré C, Pérez-Cáceres D, Gutiérrez-Zetina SM, et al. Environmental enrichment improves behavior, cognition, and brain functional markers in young senescence-accelerated prone mice (SAMP8). Mol Neurobiol. 2016;53:2435–2450.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zhang QG, Wang R, Khan M, Mahesh V, Brann DW. Role of Dickkopf-1, an antagonist of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, in estrogen-induced neuroprotection and attenuation of tau phosphorylation. J Neurosci. 2008;28: 8430–8441.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lin DR, Jie YD, Han JQ. The effect of Youruiklin on the expression of caspase-12 in diabetic rats after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Chin J Neuroimmunol Neurol. 2019;26:20–24 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Li HZ, Fu SJ. The effects of environmental enrichment on the behavior, physiology, and production performance of pigs. Chin Feed. 2020;18:17–20 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tong SJ, Wang K, Zuo HY, Wang L, Wu SB, Zhou MQ. The effects of electroacupuncture on oxidative stress in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and the expression of BDNF signaling pathway-related proteins in rats with acute myocardial ischemia. J Anhui Univ Trad Chin Med. 2023;42:26–31 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wang XY, Hou AS, Song YX, et al. Age-related changes in learning and memory capabilities of mice and synaptic function-related proteins BDNF, PSD95, and GluA1 in the hippocampus. J PLA Med Acad. 2020;41:808–812, 837 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Liao XM, Wang SH, Li B, Yang JY. Design and practice of Morris water maze virtual simulation experiment. Exp Technol Manage. 2021;38:147–150 (in Chinese).Environmental enrichment on cognitive function in ischemic stroke rats
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zhao Y, Gao WY, Yu QX, et al. A study on the learning and memory patterns of mice based on the Morris water maze. J Harbin Univ Commer (Nat Sc Ed). 2020;36:131–136, 141 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Xue F. A Self-Controlled Design Method for Morris Water Maze Behavioral Experiments and its Evaluation Model. Guangdong: Shantou University; 2021 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hu XD, Guan H, Yang LS. Application of the Morris water maze in screening models of delayed encephalopathy from acute CO poisoning. J Ningxia Med Univ. 2020;42:25–29 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Huang ZG, Yin W, Yan Y. The protective effect of isoflurane on brain ischemia-reperfusion injury and its influence on the expression of c-fos and Bax in the hippocampus. J Kunming Med Univ. 2020;41:17–22 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Li X, Wang Y. The effect of dexmedetomidine on learning and memory ability in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. J Neuroanat. 2021;37:459–464 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Yang B. Research on the Protective Effect of Procyanidins Against Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting the TLR4-NLRP3 Pathway. Guangdong: Southern Medical University; 2022 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lyu WL, Xing XS. The interaction mechanism of IGF-1 and LY294002 in rat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Chin J Gerontol. 2023;43: 436–439 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zhang ML. TMEM175 Mediates Lysosomal Function and is Involved in Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Jiangsu: Soochow University; 2021 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zhang LM. Research on the Mechanism of Exosomes in Pyroptosis of Hippocampal and Cortical Cells Caused by Liver Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Tianjin: Tianjin Medical University; 2020 (in Chinese).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fon-2025-0034 | Journal eISSN: 2544-8994 | Journal ISSN: 2097-5368

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Page range: 311 - 316

Submitted on: Dec 12, 2024

Accepted on: Jan 26, 2025

Published on: Sep 25, 2025

Published by: Shanxi Medical Periodical Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

cognitive dysfunction,

environmental enrichment,

ischemic stroke,

brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Related subjects:

Medicine,

Assistive professions, nursing

© 2025 Qing Wu, Yang Li, Pei-Pei Du, Yan Chen, published by Shanxi Medical Periodical Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 12 (2025): Issue 3 (September 2025)