Effect of Progesterone on Expressions of Superoxide Dismutase and Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 in Brain Tissues of Neonatal Rats with Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage

Objective To explore the expressions of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) in the brain tissues of newborn rat after hypoxic-ischemic(HI) and the effects of progesterone(PROG) on SOD and MMP-3 expression.Methods Seventy-two neonatal SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group(normal group),sham-operated group,HI group and PROG group.The model of neonatal rat with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD) was made.The permeability of the blood-brain barrier was observed by using transmission electron microscopy,the level of SOD in the brain was assessed by hydroxylammoniumchloride autoxidation,MMP-3 protein expression in cerebral cortex part of the brain was detected by immunohistochemical.SPSS 12.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results In normal group and sham-operated group,capillary vessel′s morphology of blood brain barrier of neonatal rats were integrity and smooth,and structure were clarity.The permeability of blood-brain barrier in HI group was obviously enhanced and had slight changes in PROG group.Compared with the sham-operated group,the level of SOD in HI group significantly decreased(P0.01);and compared with HI group,the level of SOD in PROG group significantly increased(P0.01).The positive expression of MMP-3 in HI group was significantly increased compared with that in normal group,and the PROG group was decreased compared with that in HI group.Conclusion By reducing MMP-3 expression,PROG reduces the blood-brain barrier damage,which may exert one of its protective mechanisms in the protection of the brain.