Changes in expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNA after ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat retina and its significance

Objective To investigate the changes in expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNA after ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat retina and its significance.Method The rat model of experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury in retina was made by method of increasing intraocular pressure.30 Wistar rats were divided into the normal group(n=4) and the ischemia-reperfusion injury group(n=16).The latter group was subdivided into four time points as 2,6,24 and 72 h after reperfusion(n=4/time point).The expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNA in rat retina was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) technique. Results The expression level of bcl-2 mRNA in rat retina began to decrease 2h after ischemia-reperfusion injury, reached to the lowest at 6h,and lasted to 72h,and was significantly different with that in the normal group(P0.01).In contrast to the expression of bcl-2,the expression of bax mRNA increased after ischemia-reperfusion,reached the peak at 6h,and kept a higher level to 72h,also had significant difference with the normal group(P0.01). Conclusion Bcl-2 and bax may involve in the apoptotic process of retina neurons induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury.