THE EXPRESSIONS OF NF-κB AND IL-6 IN NEURONS AFTER FOCAL CEREBRAL ISCHEMIC REPERFUSION INJURY IN RATS

Objective To observe the changes of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in neurons after focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion in rats. Methods Thirty-two adult healthy male Wister rats were divided randomly into sham-operated group (n=4) and ischemic-reperfusion group (n=28).The models with focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion were induced by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with a nylon monofilament suture. At reperfusion 6h,12 h,1d,2d,3d,7d,14d, the expressions of NF-κB and IL-6 in neurons were determined by immunohistochemistry assay and image analysis. Results The NF-κB in neuron was expressed weakly and the positive cell appeared light-brown in the sham-operated group. The expression level of NF-κB in neuron increased successfully 6h after reperfusion, and peaked at 1d, then decreased gradually in the cortex and striatum in the ischemic reperfusion group. The site and changing patterns of IL-6 expression was similar to those of NF-κB, but the expression peaked at 2d. The expression pattern between these two factors was significantly correlated (r=0.9196, P＜0.01). Conclusion The expressions of NF-κB and IL-6 might play an important role in cerebral-ischemic reperfusion injury in rats.