Alteration of endothelin-1 mRNA expression in acute contusive spinal cord in rats / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To determine the topographic and spactial changes of endothelin-1 (ET-1) mRNA in cords after spinal cord injury(SCI). METHODS: A SCI model of the rat was made by modified Allen's weight drop method(50g-cm). ET-1 mRNA in the spinal cords before and after injury was examined by in situ hybridization and the content of ET-1 mRNA was determined by semi-quantitative image pattern analysis. RESULIS Compared with control, the ET-1 mRNA positive neurons, glial cells and endothelial cells increased and the positive signal enhanced in the adjacent cord of the contused region. There was also a significant increase in positive unit of ET-1 mRNA staining in injured spinal cord except 48 h-group. The quantity of neuron expressing ET-1 mRNA decreased gradually in contused region after SCI, while the quantity of glial cell expressing ET-1 mRNA increased. CONCLUSION: Expression of ET-1 mRNA upregulates in spinal cord after SCI. It suggests a pathophysiological role for ET-1 in SCI. Neuron is the main contributor to the increase for ET-1 in injured spinal cord.