[The study on the expression of caspase-3 in experimental brain contusion in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of caspase-3 in different posttraumatic intervals and severity of brain injury.


METHODS
The study examined brain tissue samples of slight (n = 24), severe (n = 24) brain injury and control (n = 6) of rat, using immunohistochemical staining, western-blot and RT-PCR method.


RESULTS
Up-regulating of caspase-3 expression was found in tissue from traumatic brain injury compared with controls in early 1 hour after TBI, and lasted for 14 days. The gray degree and threshold area of caspase-3 positive cells is different in different severity of brain injury.


CONCLUSIONS
The increasing of caspase-3 expression indicates that TBI exists. The gray degree, threshold area of caspase-3 positive cells and the cleavage degree of pro-caspase-3 have association with the severity of brain injury.
Tao
Lu-yang
LY
School of Medicine, Suzhou University, Suzhou 215007, China. luyangtao@suda.edu.cn
Chen
Xi-ping
XP
Bian
Shi-zhong
SZ
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors
D012333:RNA, Messenger; C505410:Casp3 protein, rat; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases