ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the dynamics of the induction of S100beta in different parts of rat brain following the diffuse brain injury.@*METHODS@#Immunohistochemistry and auto-image analysis were to determine the expression of astroglial S100beta after diffuse brain injury in rats. Forty rats were distributed into groups according to injury time of 30min, and2,4,12,24h, and 3,6 d after diffuse brain injury, and normal rats as control.@*RESULTS@#The number of S100beta positive cells in the four areas increased significantly followed by a decrease, and then a further increase. The expression of S100beta could be detected increasing in 2h, and increased significantly in 4h, and it reached apex 12h after DBI, and decreased gradually to the level less than normal 3d, and returned to normal 7d following injury. In the postmortem injury groups, there were no significant changes in anti-S100beta immunoreactivities in four areas of brain compared to the control group.@*CONCLUSION@#The present study showed the time-dependent expression of S100beta is obvious following diffuse brain injury, and suggested S100beta be suitable as a marker for brain injury age determination.