Effects of Cytokines (Interleukin-6) on NOS and Fos expression of Hippocampal and Striatal Neurons during Focal Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion in Rats

Objective: In order to study the changes of NOS and Fos expression of Hippocampal and Striatal neurons during focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion in rats. Methods: 24 Wistar rats were divided into two groups based on the model of middle cerebral artery(MCA) focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion, that is, a control group (simple ischemia reperfusion, n =8) and a experimental group (injected IL-6 into the same lateral ventricle before ischemia, n =16).By the staining of NADPH histochemistry and Fos immunohistochemisty, respectively, the changes of NOS and Fos expression of Hippocalmpal and Striate neurons were observed during ischemia reperfusion 1h, 2h, 4h and 6h.Results: The results showed that the expression of NOS and Fos positive neurons in the core of striate ischemia area were deficient. Whereas in the periphery of striate area, the expression increased markedly. The amount of NOS and Fos positive neurons in Hippocampus increased obviously, with the most significantly increasing in the CA1 area. Furthermore, IL-6 inhibited the expression of NOS and Fos significantly.Conclusion: It is indicated that IL-6 might participate in the modulation of cerebral ischemia reperfusion.