Metallothionein-Ⅰ/Ⅱ in Brain Injury Repair Mechanism and Its Application in Forensic Medicine / 法医学杂志

ABSTRACT

M etallothionein (MT) is a kind of metal binding protein. As an im portant mem ber in metalloth-ionein fam ily, MT-Ⅰ/Ⅱ regulates metabolismand detoxication of brain metal ion and scavenges free radicals. It is capable of anti-inflam matory response and anti-oxidative stress so as to protect the brain tissue. During the repair process of brain injury, the latest study showed that MT-Ⅰ/Ⅱ could stim ulate brain anti-inflam matory factors, grow th factors, neurotrophic factors and the expression of the receptor, and prom ote the extension of axon of neuron,wich makes contribution to the regeneration of neuron and has im portant effect on the recovery of brain injury. Based on the findings, this article reviews the struc-ture, expression, distribution, adjustion, function, mechanism in the repair of brain injury of MT-Ⅰ/Ⅱand its application prospect in forensic medicine. It could provide anew approach for the design and manufacture of brain injury drugs as well as for age estimation of the brain injury.