Effects of Puerarin on the expressions of TNF-α mRNA and IL-1β mRNA in rats after global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

Objective To explore the protective mechanism of Puerarin on brain after global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.Methods The rats were randomly divided into three groups:sham operation group(S group),only exposed anatomically without cerebral ischemia and reperfusion ;ischemia and reperfusion group(IR group),global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion with administration of equal volume of normal saline through abdomen;Puerarin group(P group),global cerebral iscbemia and reperfusion with administration of Puerarin through abdomen.Global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was induced by means of Pulsmelli's four vessels occlusion method.The expressions of TNF-α mRNA and IL-1β mRNA were determined by In situ hybridization at 2 h,6 h,12 h,24 h,48 h after global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.The number of surviving neurons was calculated through Olympus microscopy after HE staining in hippocampal CA 1 region tissues.Results Compared with IR group,the expressions of TNF-α mRNA and IL-1 βmRNA in P group were significantly decreased(P0.01 and P0.05),and the number of surviving neurons was obvisously increased(P0.01 and P0.05).Conclusion The protective effect of Puerarin on rat brain might be associated with decreased expressions of TNF-α mRNA and IL-1β mRNA after global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.