The dynamic expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in hippocampal subfields CA3 after focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Objective To study the dynamic expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus after a focal cerebral ischemia and the neuroplasticity in hippocampus after injury. Methods 40 healthy adult SD rats were divided randomly into ischemic group and control group. Unilateral cerebral ischemia was induced in rats by permanent occlusion of the distal middle cerebral artery. The expression of BDNF was examined by immunohistochemical techniques. Results In the ischemic group, the expression of BDNF in hippocampal subfields CA3 began to increase on the 7th, increased significantly on the 14th (P0.01), attained the peak 21 days later, and it decreased in the later days. Conclusions It was suggested that there might be neuroplasticity of regeneration and repair in central neural system after cerebral ischemia injury.