The Expression Development of Proapoptic Molecule C/EBP Homology Protein mRNA and Protein Following Focal Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rats

Aim To detect the expression development of proapoptic molecule C/EBP homology protein(CHOP)mRNA and protein,and explore its effect on neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats.Methods Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)for 2 hours followed by reperfusion in sprague-dawley rats.Then,the expression of CHOP protein and/or mRNA were measured with methods of immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)at 1 h,3 h,6 h,12 h and 24 h after reperfusion in cerebral cortex of rats.The neuronal apoptosis was detected by the method of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL).Results In cerebral ischemia model group,the expression level of CHOP mRNA reached a peak at 12 h after reperfusion and that of CHOP protein reached a peak at 24 h after reperfusion,which paralleled with the tendency of neuronal apoptosis development.Conclusion Cerebral ischemia reperfusion may induce CHOP expression.CHOP may play an important role in neuronal apoptosis induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.