Relationship between NF-κB expression and neuron apoptosis after cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats

Objective To investigate the relationship between nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) expression and neuron apoptosis after cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.Methods Rats were subjected to cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury through the occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.Neurological deficits were determined by Longa's score.Immunohistochemistry and TUNEL were used to detect NF-κB expression and neuron apoptosis.Results The expression of NF-κB in the ischemic area up-regulated after cerebral ischemia(P0.01),peaking at 24 h after ischemia reperfusion injury.The number of apoptotic cells increased obviously(P0.01). Conclusion The increase in the number of apoptotic cells is correlated with the up-regulation of NF-κB expression.