Objective: To observe the expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xL in rat brain neuron after acute brain trauma.
Methods: The rat model of mild and sever brain trauma were made by diffused brain injury. The expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xL in rat brain neuron was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Rat neuron apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method.
Results: There were few bcl-2 (cortex: 4.40 +/- 1.67, hippocampal: 3.20 +/- 1.30) and lots of bcl-xL (cortex: 45.60 +/- 4.34, hippocampal: 50.20 +/- 3.50) expression in normal controls. After impact, the expression of bcl-2 in rat brain neuron increased, most distinctly on day 1(cortex: 30.0 +/- 4.3, hippocampal: 46.6 +/- 3.2), in mild group. A negative correlation was seen between bcl-2 expression and neuronal apoptosis (-1 < r < -0.847, P< 0.01, n = 10). No change was seen in bcl-xL expression.
Conclusions: bcl-2 expression increased after acute brain trauma but bcl-xL did not change much. Both bcl-2 and bcl-xL are concerned with anti-apoptosis in neuron after acute brain trauma.