[Effects of dl-3-n-butylphthalide on expression of VEGF and bFGF in rat brain with permanent focal cerebral ischemia].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of dl-3n-butylphthalide (NBP) on the protein and mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in rats brain with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).


METHODS
The model of permanent MCAO was established by using the suture method of Longa, with which the nylon suture was used to make rat middle cerebral artery (MCA) blocked. Sham-operated rats (n=20) were prepared in similar fashion, but without doing the closed occlusion of the MCA. Operated rats were randomizely divided into model control and NBP groups (n= 20 for each). By intragastric administration, sham-operated and model control group rats were given vegetable oil 2 mL twice daily for 3 days, and also NBP group rats were given NBP 25 mg/kg twice daily for 3 days. The infarct volume and neurological deficit scores were determined by tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and Longa's score separately. The protein and mRNA of VEGF and bFGF were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
NBP markedly inhibited the neurological deficit and reduced the infarct volumes as compared to model control group (P < 0.05). NBP significantly upregulated VEGF and bFGF expression in both protein and mRNA levels in the peripheral infarct and hippocampus regions in contrast with sham-operated and model control groups (P < 0.05). In the infarct core, the protein and mRNA levels of VEGF and bFGF did not show significantly any difference (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
NBP can significantly reduce neurological deficit and infarction volume, and therefore may have protective effect for cerebral ischemia through upregulating the expression of VEGF and bFGF.
Li
Qi-Fu
QF
Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Kong
Shuang-yan
SY
Deji
Qu-zong
QZ
He
Li
L
Zhou
Dong
D
D000818:Animals; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D001572:Benzofurans; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467498:vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; C027125:3-n-butylphthalide