Association of HIF-1α expression and apoptosis after experimental traumatic brain injury in rat

Objective To explore the the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF 1α) and the correlation between HIF 1α and apoptosis after traumatic brain injury.Methods Using experimental traumatic brain injury model in the rats,the expression of HIF 1α was detected by using immunohistochemistry in cerebral tissue.Apoptotic cell death was evaluated by using TUNEL.Double labeled immunohistochemistry and TUNEL were used to investigate the relationship between HIF 1α and apotosis.Results There was significantly difference in expression of HIF 1α between the experimental group and the control group (P0.01).In the experimental group,the strongest expression of HIF 1α was detected at 48 h.The evidence of apoptotic cell death after experimental traumatic brain injury was found by TUNEL.Apoptotic percentages being increased or decreased were according with the changes in the positive expression of HIF 1α (r=0.62).Conclusion Secondary brain ischemia might play a crucial role in apoptotic cell death after traumatic brain injury;HIF 1α can promote apoptotic cell death after experimental traumatic brain injury.