ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate changes of brain mast cells after transient global ischemia in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Transient global ischemia damage was induced by four-vessel occlusion. After 1 h to 14 days of ischemia, rats were perfused intracardially by 4% paraformaldehyde. The brains were dissected to serial sections using freeze microtome, and then stained with toluidine blue. Brain mast cell was observed under microscope.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Most brain mast cells were located in thalamus. The number of mast cells in thalamus markedly decreased during reperfusion after transient global ischemia. However, the degranulation rate of thalamus mast cells showed reverse change after ischemia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Brain mast cells markedly degranulate after transient global ischemia, which may be involved in the pathological process after ischemia.</p>