Relationship between the expression of bax and Th in the substantia nigra and striatum and Parkinson′s disease in rats

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expressions of bax and Th proteins and Parkinson′s disease (PD) via the animal model. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into control group and groups with PD of 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The rat model of hemiparkinson was constructed by an infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine(6-OHDA) to the right substantia nigra of the midbrain and the control was administered saline solution. The expressions of bax and Th proteins in the sustantia nigra and striatum were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results The groups with PD differed significantly with the control group in that neuronal apoptosis in the sustantia nigra and striatum was present. The expression of bax proteins peaked in the group with PD of 3 days and then rapidly decreased but still higher than that in the control group. The level of Th protein expression was the highest in the control group and quickly declined in the groups with PD. Conclusions 6-OHDA can induce neuronal apoptosis in the substantia nigra in rats. Bax, a pro-apoptotic protein, plays a key role in initiating and inducing apoptosis in the substantia nigra.