Research of the protective effect of insulin on hypoxic - ischemic brain damage in neonatal rat

Objective To study the protective effect of insulin on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in neonatal rat. Methods HIBD model based on Rice - Vanncci was established, Apoptosis neurons in cortex and hippocampus were counted by TUNEL(TdT mediated dUTP nick end labeling) method 24 h after HIBD. Results The apoptosis neurons in cortex and hippocampus of low - insulin group were less than those in control group, the moderate - insulin group less than the control group, the high - insulin group more than the control group. The glycemia of low - insulin group was nearly same as that of the control group. The glycemia of moderate - insulin group and high - insulin group was lower than that of the control group. Conclusion Appropriate insulin has protective effect on HIBD in neonatal rats.