Influence of diethylstilbestrol on proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of the effect of diethylstilbestrol on the proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells(NSCs) in fetal rats.Methods: Hippocampal neural stem cells from the embryo(gestational day 16) of fetal rats were prepared and divided into five groups:control,diethylstilbestrol 1×10^-7 mol/L,diethylstilbestrol 1×10^-8 mol/L,diethylstilbestrol 1×10^-9 mol/L and BDNF 5×10^-2 mg/L.The expressions of Nestin,neurone specific enolase(NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) were determined by immunohistochemistry,and the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.Results: Different doses of diethylstilbestrol could increase the area of neural spheres,quantity of NSE,and GFAP-positive cells.At a concentration of 10^-8 mol/L,diethylstilbestrol facilitated the proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal NSCs of fetal rats the most,and the level of BDNA mRNA was the highest(P<0.01).Conclusions: Diethylstilbestrol enhances the proliferation of hippocampal NSCs in fetal rats,which is probably related to the up-regulation of the BDNF mRNAs' expression.