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Background and purpose: Myelin-producing oligodendrocytes play a key role in supporting normal neuronal function of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Formation of myelinating oligodendrocytes from their precursors requires activation and coordination of a set of stage-specific transcriptional regulators that are important for the biosynthesis of myelin components. Olig2 plays an important role in oligodendrocyte differentiation, myelination and remyelination. Some studies indicated the importance of Vitamin B12 in the immunotherapies for MS patients. This study investigated the effects of Vitamin B12 on total protein concentration (TPC) and Olig2 expression in the cerebral cortex. Materials and methods: Thirty mice were divided into three groups (n=10 in each group). The first group received Vitamin B12 injections (50 µg dissolved in normal saline) once a week for three weeks. Normal saline injection was done for the second group and the third group was left without injection as the control group. In this study we investigated the role of vitamin B12 on TPC and Olig2 expression in the cerebral cortex using Bio-Rad protein assay based on the Bradford dye procedure and Western Blot, respectively. Results: The results showed that TPC and Olig2 expression in the cerebral cortex increased in the group injected with vitamin B12 compared with those of the control group. Conclusion: It is believed that vitamin B12 may play a key role in myelination in the CNS by increasing Olig2 expression and thus oligodendrocytes differentiation.

Keywords: Vitamin B12, oligodendrocyte, myelin, olig2

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