Role of p38MAPK inhibitor in the development of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of p38mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK)in the development of cerebral vasospasm(CVS)in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH)of rabbits.Methods Twenty-four rabbits were egually divided into blank control group(C)and three SAH model groups of SAH(model control),DMSO(cisterna magna-injected with vehical dimethyl sulfoxide),and SB(cisterna magna-injected with SB203580).The expressions of IL-6 and intercellular adhesion molecule(ICAM)-1 in cerebral vascular wall were detected with immunohistochemical technique and RT-PCR.Results The protein and mRNA expressions of IL-6 and ICAM-1in arterial wall were higher in groups of SAH and DMSO than those in group C(P0.05),which were significantly downregulated in group SB(P0.05).Conclusion The expressions of IL-6and ICAM-1in arterial wall are significantly suppressed by cisterna magna-injected SB203580in experimental SAH of rabbits,which indicates that p38 MAPK takes part in the pathogenesis of CVS after SAH through the inflammatory response in arterial wall.