Relationship between expression of bcl-2 gene and neuronal apoptosis in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage

Objective To observe the expression of bcl-2 gene in cell apoptosis of neonatal rats followed by hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD) and investigate the mechanism of neuronal apoptosis after HIBD.Methods Fifty-four neonatal SD rats were used in 1 sham-operated group and 8 trial groups. The models of HIBD were established in neonatal rats by inhaling the mixed gases of 92 % N 2 and 8 % O 2, the animals were sacrificed by dislocation their heads at different time points(0.5,1,3,6,12,24,48,72 h), the hippocampus were dissected for morphological analysis. The neuronal apoptosis and the expression of bcl-2 gene in hippocampus were detected by the methods of immunohistochemistry. Results The apoptotic cells appeared at the time point of 3 h, and reached the peak at 48 h, then decreased. The positive cell of bcl-2 protein increased from the time point of 30 min and reached the peak at 6 h and then decreased gradually following HIBD. Conclusion The expression of bcl-2 gene plays a role in the process of neuronal apoptosis following HIBD.