Role of apoptosis and Bcl-2,Bax gene in rabbits with lung ischemia reperfusion injury

Objective: To evaluate the effects of apoptosis and expression of apoptotic related genes on lung tissues of rabbits after lung ischemia reperfusion. Methods: Single lung in situ ischemia reperfusion animal model was used. 48 rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: control group(C), ischemia reperfusion 1h group(IR1h), ischemia reperfusion 3h group (IR3h) and ischemia reperfusion 5h group (IR5h). By using TUNEL, immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques, apoptosis and Bcl-2, Bax mRNA and protein expression were studied in lung tissues of rabbits treating with lung ischemia reperfusion and in control subjects. Results: Increasing of apoposis index(AI)and the expression of Bax gene were discovered during lung ischemia reperfusion injury in rabbits,and the expression of Bcl-2 was increased at the beginning, then declined. There was a significant positive correlation between AI and the expression of Bax (r=0.926,0.933; P 0.01,respectively),and there was a significant negative correlation between AI and the ratio of Bcl-2 protein/Bax protein.Bcl-2 mRNA/BaxmRNA(r=-0.836,-0.879: P 0.01,respectively). Conclusion: Apoptosis participates in lung ischemia reperfusion injury. The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax declines gradually,which accelerates the occurrence of apoptosis.