RESUMEN
Objective To observe the effect of microinjection of oxytocin(OT) into paraventricular nucleus(PVN) on gastric ischemia-reperfusion(GI-R) injury and its molecular mechanism.Methods GI-R injury was induced in rats by clamping the celiac artery for 30 min and followed by reperfusing for 1 h.A cannula was inserted into the unilateral PVN for microinjection of OT.The gastric mucosal injury index was counted grossly.The expressions of Akt and caspase-3 in rat gastric mucosa were examined by Western blot and by immunohistochemistry.Results Microinjection of OT into PVN dose-dependently allevated gastric mucosal injury subjected to GI-R.Microinjection OT into PVN significantly increased the expression of Akt protein and decreased the level of caspase-3 in gastric mucosal following GI-R.The effects of OT were prevented by pretreatment with OT receptor antagonist atosiban into the lateral cerebral ventricle.Conclusion Microinjection of OT into PVN significantly protected against GI-R injury.These effects of OT are mediated by its receptors.The mechanisms are mediated by increasing Akt expression,which in turn inhibits caspase-3 expression.