Changes in expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1α induced by focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats

Objective To investigate the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1α(mGluR1α) in focal cerebral ischemia in rats, and to explore its role in ischemic neuronal injury.Methods Forty-eight SD rats were divided into 8 groups,of which,one group received sham surgery (SS),and the other 7 groups received 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion for 1 h,3 h,6 h,12 h,24 h,48 h and 72 h respectively.The immunoreactivity and mRNA level of mGluR1α and number of damaged neurons were evaluated in each group.Results Compared with the SS group,the transcription of mGluR1α mRNA was elevated from 1 h and peaked within 6 h after reperfusion,and the increase in expression of mGluR1α started at 3 h and reached its peak within 12 h.Meanwhile there was a same time-course in ischemic neuronal injury.Conclusions It is suggested that up-regulation of mGluR1α might be a key event in the neuronal injury induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.