Effects of Fas protein expression on neural apoptosis in hippocampus after traumatic brain injury in rats

Objective To study the mechanisms of nerve cell apoptosis after traumatic brain injury and the influences of CTP on rats after brain trauma. Methods The model of severe closed traumatic brain injury (TBI) was used. A total of 300 Wistar rats were divided randomly into TBI group, CTP treatment group, and sham operation group. The Fas protein expression and neural apoptosis in each group were observed at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 168, and 336 h after TBI. At the same time, the rest 12 rats were employed as the normal controls. Immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining were used to observe the neural apoptosis and the expression of Fas protein in hippocampus of rats after TBI. Results Increased expression of Fas protein and neural apoptosis were found in the rat hippocampus after TBI. Conclusion The increased expression of Fas protein may result in neural apoptosis after TBI. CTP can reduce the expression of Fas protein and neural apoptosis.