[Sequential changes of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha in experimental spinal cord injury and its significance].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the sequential changes of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) in experimental spinal cord(SCI) injury in rats and analyze its potential effects on SCI.


METHODS
Static compression model of SCI was employed in this study. Expressions of HIF-1 alpha were measured with immunohistochemical staining. Flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptotic ratio and bcl-2 expressions.


RESULTS
HIF-1 alpha began to increase one day after injury, and reached peak at 3-7 days. Two weeks later, it declined significantly. The sequential changes of HIF-1 alpha coincided well with the alterations of apoptotic ratio and bcl-2 content.


CONCLUSIONS
HIF-1 alpha may participate in the secondary ischemic and hypoxic procedures after spinal cord injury and mediate the traumatic apoptosis. Further understanding of HIF-1 alpha may provide new therapeutic regimens for SCI.
Ju
Yan
Y
Neurosurgery Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
He
Min
M
Mao
Boyong
B
Gao
Lida
L
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D005260:Female; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism
D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D014157:Transcription Factors