The changes in apoptosis and Fas/FasL expression in newborn rats with lung injury by hypoxia

Objectives To observe the expression of apoptosis related gene Fas/FasL on lung injury caused by hypoxia and inhaled 100%O2 after hypoxia. Methods Two lung injury rat models were established by hypoxia or inhaled 100%O2 respectively. Apoptosis of the lung tissue was observed with the methods of Tunel and in situ hybridization. mRNA expression of Fas/FasL was detected by SqRt PCR. Results Apoptosis of rat pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells and pneumoangiogram endothelial cells appeared after 4 hours in two groups. And the index of apoptosis increased with the time passing by (P=0.003, 0.005 respectively). And expression of Fas/FasL mRNA or proteins was up regulated in two groups, which in inhaled pure oxygen group was higher than in hypoxia group. Conclusions Apoptosis and upregulated Fas/FasL mRNA and its relatedproteins play an important role on lung injury which was caused by hypoxia or inhaled pure oxygen after hypoxia.