Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in the rats with spinal cord continuous compression injury

Objective:To investigate the expression changes and effects of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) in spinal cord continuous compression injury.Method:The spinal cord continuous compression injury model was made by compression to the posterior spinal cord using blunt plastics screw and a comparison study was performed between control group and continuously compressive spinal cord injury group.The behavior and the motor neurologic function changes of experimental rats were observed,Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression of HIF-1α at day 1,2 weeks and 6 weeks postoperatively.Result:Compared with the control group,the motor neurologic function of the continuously compressive spinal cord injury group was statistical difference significantly(P0.01).Motor neurologic function was improved more significantly at 6 weeks after continuous compression injury than that of the day 1(P0.05).Expression of HIF-1α protein was upregulated in experimental rats,spinal cord continuous compression injury(P0.01),the level of HIF-1α protein increased markedly at 2 weeks and kept on this level up to 6 weeks.Conclusion:HIF-1α was involved in the pathogenesis of spinal cord continuous compression injury.Endogenous HIF-1α may be involved in the cell tolerance of spinal cord tissue to hypoxia circumstance.