Expression of Occludin in brain tissues of rat with streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis / 实用医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expressions of Occludin in brain after bacterial meningitis and to discuss possible molecular mechanism of bacterial meningitis when brain edema occurs. Methods The models of bacterial meningitis and normal control were constructed via inoculating intracisternally with strain Ⅲ streptococcus pneumoniae and the same volume of normal saline solution, respectively. The expression of Occludin in brain was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods respectively and 24 h, 48 h and 5 days after inoculation. Results (1) Loeffler neurologic deficit score (NDS) in 24 h, 48 h and 5 d decreased significantly when compared with that of control group (P < 0.05). (2) After the brain received streptococcus pneumoniae injection, expression of Occludin began to decrease at 24 h and touch the bottom at 48 h,then increase at the 5th day, but still remained lower than that in control group, which indicated statistical difference (P < 0.05). Conclusions Expression of Occludin in the models of bacterial meningitis decreased firstly and then increased regularly. It suggests that Occludin plays a protective role during the development of infectious brain edema.