Oral Pyruvate Effects on Dorsal Root Ganglia in Simulated Weightlessness Rats

Background: Long-term microgravity in spaceflight has been demonstrated with induction of multi-organ damage and dysfunction, including the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) injury. Present studies investigated protective effects oral pyruvate drinking water on lumbar 5 (L5) DRG tissues rats subjected hindlimb unweighting (HU). Methods: Sprague-Dawley male were randomly divided into four groups (N = 10): control (CON) group, suspension (SUS) normal saline (SAL) group sodium (PYR) respectively. Rats SUS, SAL PYR treated simulated by HU tail for an 8-week period. fed saline, Histopathological hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining Nissl-stained neurons as well myelin sheath immunofluorescence examinations L5 carried out. The protein expression glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), fibrillary acidic (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) S100 calcium-binding B (S100B) levels adenosine triphosphate (ATP) triphosphatase (ATPase) also determined after procedures. Results: Data showed that nerve tissues’ structure function robustly altered SUS groups, whereas morphological changes not significantly different between CON group; GDNF, GFAP, NSE S100B changed but mostly preserved or overexpressed following However, ATP ATPase retained, still worse than group. significance protection against injury dose formula solutions discussed use astronauts space missions. Conclusions: This study indicates can effectively protect pathological alterations dysfunction induced rats. Further investigations are needed. J Neurol Res. 2022;12(1):9-20 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jnr709