Abstract: Objective To observe the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 II (LC3II) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) in CA1 area of hippocampus in vascular dementia rats. Methods 48 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group and model group. Meanwhile, each group was further divided into 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks subgroups (n=6). Vascular dementia model was established by blocking four vessels. The expressions of LC3II and MAP-2 protein were detected with immunohistochemistry in the CA1 area of hippocampus. Results The expression of LC3II significantly increased, and the expression of MAP-2 decreased in the model group compared with the sham group at every time point (P<0.001). The expression of LC3II was negatively correlated with MAP-2 at every time point in the model group (r=-0.723, P<0.05). Conclusion It may play an important role for the occurrence and development of vascular dementia that the expression of LC3II increased and MAP-2 descreased in CA1 area of hippocampus in rats.

Key words: vascular dementia, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3, microtubule-associated protein 2, hippocampus, autophagy