The effect of calcium antagonist on Bcl-2 and Bax genes expression after cerebral ischemia in rats / 临床神经病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression in hippocampus region after cerebral ischemia in rats and the modulation of expression by Nimodipine.Methods The cerebral ischemic model of rat was made by occluding left middle cerebral artery according to Nagasawy and Zea Longa improvement method. The rats in one group were pre-treated with Nimodipine. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA were measured by RT-PCR method.Results Both Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA were induced in the hippocampus regions after middle cerebral artery occlusion. The Bcl-2 mRNA level was continuously high. However,the level of Bax mRNA increased gradually at first,reached a peak at 24 h,then decreased slowly.For the rats pretreated with Nimodipine Bcl-2 mRNA was up-regulated and Bax mRNA was down-regulated in the hippocampus at 6 and 24 h after ischemia.Conclusion Calcium antagonist can regulate Bcl-2 and Bax genes expression in the hippocampus region after cerebral ischemia.This study indicates that pharmacological modulation of Bcl-2 family member expression may become a new strategy to interfere with neuronal damage.