Relationship between bcl-2/bax gene and cell apoptosis and their role in spinal cord injury

Objective To explore the relationship between bcl-2/bax gene and apoptosis and their role in spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods The Wistar rats of SCI done by Allen's weight dropping way impact on the posteriors of spinal cord T10 were randomly divided into 7 groups (6 experimental groups and 1 control group).Every group drew the material 2,4,8 h,and 1,3,7 days after SCI,having 4 rats in every time point.The expression of bax and bcl-2 gene was detected by using immunohistochemistry method and apoptotic cells by TUNEL staining. Results There was no apoptotic cells in spinal cord normal group.The apoptotic cells were found 2 h after SCI in experimental groups,and the number of the positive cells reached the peak (84.53± 8.00) at 8th hafter injury,then gradually decreased.The peak of bax gene expression was at 8 h (0.311± 0.012),and at this time the expression of bcl-2 gene began increase,reached the peak at 24th h after injury,and then slowly decreased with a gadual decrease of apoptosis accordingly. Conclusion Apoptosis related genes bax and bcl-2 may participate the second SCI.Apoptosis may play an important role in the process of secondary SCI.