Decreasing in intelligence of adult and old mice induced by glucocorticoid and its mechanism

Immunosuppresion and decrease in intellgence of adult and old mice were induced by glucocorticoids (GCOR, sc, 4 mg kg~(-1), qd×28 d). Calcium fluoresence indicator Fura 2-AM was used to measure free intracellular calcium ([Ca~(2 )]_i.Programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis was measured by electron microscopy and flow cytometry.The results showed that GCOR caused immunosupression and decrease in intelligence as well as PCD of hippocaripus in mature and old mice.In vivo