Objective   To study the effects of NEP1-40 on axon regeneration

motor function recovery of affected limbs and RhoA signal pathway in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats for exploring the possible mechanisms.     Methods   A total of 60 adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were equally divided into sham operation group (sham group)

cerebral ischemia-reperfusion control group (control group)

intra-lateral ventricle injection of PBS group (PBS group)

and intra-lateral ventricle injection of NEP1-40 group (NEP1-40 group). The middle cerebral artery ischemia-reperfusion model (MCAI/R) was established by nylon monofilament occlusion method in rats. The changes in growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) and RhoA expressions were determined by Western blotting technique. The motor function of affected limbs was tested by the “staircase test” of Montoya’s design.     Results   ① The expression of GAP-43 in NEP1-40 group was higher than that in the control and the PBS groups at 7 d and 14 d after MCAI/R

peaking at 7 d; ② The expression of RhoA in NEP1-40 group was significantly lower than that in the control and the PBS groups at each time point; ③ The results of “staircase test” in NEP1-40 group were much higher than those in the control group and the PBS groups at each time point after MCAI/R.     Conclusion   NEP1-40 can improve axon regeneration in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats and promote the recovery of motor function. The mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of RhoA signal pathway.