Expression and significance of AQP4 in contusion brain tissue

Objective To observe the expression of aquaporin 4(AQP4) in contused human brain tissue and discuss the relationship with brain edema.Methods Twenty contusion brain tissues and three lobectomic brain tissues in nonfunctional areas(brain decompression) were obtained from 20 patients who underwent surgery treatment for brain contusions 2 h~5 d after trauma.The expression of AQP4 were detected by immunohistochemistry methods;brain edema and BBB index were observed at the same time.Results Brain edema and the expression of AQP4 increased progressively within 2 h~5 d after brain injury,and reached peak on 24~72 h;they correlated positively each other(P0.05).The expression of AQP4 in lobectomic brain tissue was lower than that contusion brain tissue at different time points(P0.05).AQP4 levels correlated positively with BBB index during 2~24 h(P0.05);and they did not correlate during 24 h~5 d.Conclusions The expression of AQP4 increases in contusion brain tissue after injury.AQP4 may participate in development of brain edema.