title: [Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 after brain contusion in rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 after brain contusion and its applicability for estimating the age of brain contusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats had been divided into three groups: control group, sham operation group and brain contusion group. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 at different time was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By the immunohistochemistry, no staining was observed in control and sham operation groups. The positive staining of MMP-3 appeared 6 hours after contusion, increased gradually in 24 hours and peaked 5 days after contusion, then started to decrease, 14 days after contusion still could be observed. By the Western blot analysis, no expression of MMP-3 was detected in control and sham groups. The positive staining of MMP-3 appeared 6 hours after contusion, increased gradually and maximized 5 days after contusion, then started to decrease, 14 days after contusion still could be found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Time-order expression of MMP-3 could be used for estimating the age of brain contusion in forensic pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-chong
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Ru-bo
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hong-xia
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Fu-yuan
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000201:enzymology*; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3