RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of tanshinone IIA (TS IIA) pretreatment on the expression of the inflammatory factor IL-1β and RelA mRNA in rats with focal cerebral ischemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 100 adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, namely the model, ischemic preconditioning (IPC), TSIIA preconditioning, TSIIA treatment, sham-operated, and blank control groups. In the former 4 groups, rat models of focal cerebral ischemia were established with corresponding treatments. The expressions of IL-1β and RelA mRNA in each group were detected using RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the groups showed expressions of IL-1β and RelA mRNA with the exception of the blank control group. Compared to the model group, TSIIA preconditioning group, TSIIA treatment group, and IPC group all had significantly reduced expression of IL-1β and RelA mRNA (P < 0.05). The expressions were lower in IPC group than in TSIIA preconditioning group and TSIIA treatment group(P < 0.05), and no significant difference was found in the expressions between the latter two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The protective effect of pretreatment with TS IIA against cerebral ischemia is related to the reduction of IL-1β and RelA mRNA expressions.</p>