Effect of Nimodipine on Neuron Apoptosis Following Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion in Rats

Objective To investigate the effect of nimodipine on neuron apoptosis in the MCAO rat models of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.Methods One hundred and twenty male Wistar rats weighing 250~300g were randomly divided into four groups: normal group,sham operation group,cerebral ischemic group and nimodipine intervention group.Cerebral ischemic and nimodipine intervention groups were further divided into 1-,3-,6-,12-,24-,36-,48-,72h-and 7d-groups according to the different reperfusion time after cerebral ischemia respectively.The MACO rat model of focal cerebral ischemia was produced,rat neurological deficit was recorded and neuron apoptosis following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was detected by using TUNEL assay.Results The number of neuron apoptosis in the cerebral ischemic group at different time points was significantly increased compared with the sham operation and normal groups,with a significant difference(P0.05).The number of neuron apoptosis was significantly decreased after nimodipine intervention(P0.05).Conclusion Nimodipine may inhibit the development of neuron apoptosis in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and has an neuroprotective effect on the cerebral cells after ischemia-reperfusion injury.