In situ proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells after cerebral ischemia reperfusion in rats

Objective To investigate into the proliferation and transference of endogenous neural stem cells after cerebral ischemia injury. Methods An animal model of transient global cerebral ischemia was established by four-vessel occlusion for 10 minutes, followed by reperfusion, as described by Pulsinelli and Brierley. BrdU positive cells and Nestin positive cells were stained by SABC immunohistochemistry. The processes of proliferation and transference of endogenous neural stem cells were observed under light microscope, and the data were analyzed statistically. Results Compared with normal group and sham operated control groups, BrdU positive and Nestin positive cells were increased in the hippocampus, dentate subgranular zone and subependymal zone in operated groups after 24 hours of reperfusion of omni-cerebral ischemia. The expression of BrdU and Nestin reached a peak 7-10 days after the operation, and could still be detected 20 days after the operation. The migration of BrdU positive and Nestin positive cells to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was observed in subependymal region. Conclusion The proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells reaches a peak 7-10 days after the global cerebral ischemia in adult rats. The proliferative cells trend to migrate from the proliferative zone to the target area.