Changes of HO-1 gene expression in brain following ischemia and reperfusion of limbs / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To detect the changes of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) expression in brain following ischemia-reperfusion of hindlimbs in rats and to elucidate their significance. METHODS: Ischemia-reperfusion was established using the occlusion for 4 h and re-opening for 2-24 h of the femoral arteries. The expression of HO-1 mRNA in brain was detected with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression and location of HO-1 protein were detected with immunohistochemical technique. The observation of pathologic changes of brain was made following the inhibition of HO-1 by zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP). RESULTS: The relative expression level of HO-1 mRNA significantly increased in I-R group, compared to those in control group. It was maximal in I-R 12 h group, and thereafter expression level of HO-1 mRNA decreased, however significant expression was still detected in I-R 24 h group (P