Upregulative effect of CGRP on expression of CREB and phospho-CREB protein during focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rat parietal cortex

AIM:To investigate the effect of calcitonin gene related peptide(CGRP)on the expression of cyclic AMP response element binding protein(CREB)and phosphorylated-CREB in rat parietal cortex during focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R).METHODS:Focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model was induced by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery using the intraluminal suture method.The expressions of CREB and phospho-CREB in the parietal cortex in different groups(sham group,focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group and CGRP group)were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting,and the positive products were analyzed by image analysis system.RESULTS:There was definite expression of CREB in right parietal cortex in sham group,while it was lesser in I/R group than that in sham group,but it became more in CGRP group than that in I/R group(P0.05).Phospho-CREB was barely detected in right parietal cortex in sham group and it became more in I/R group than that in sham group.The expression of phospho-CREB increased in CGRP group than that in I/R group of the right parietal cortex(P0.05).CONCLUSION:CGRP upregulates the expression of CREB and phospho-CREB in the ischemic neurons of the parietal cortex during focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and CREB probably involves in the mechanism of protective role of CGRP to ischemic neurons.