Apoptosis and expressions of bcl-2 and bax protein in perihematomal brain regions of rats

Objective:To investigate the relations between the expressions of bcl-2 and bax protein and apoptosis in perihematomal brain regions of rats. Method: Seventy SD rats were individed randomly two groups,experimental group and control group. A model of ICH was established by stereotactically injection of 0.5U bacterial collagenaseⅦ into caudate nucleus in the rats. Rats in two groups were executed after 6h,12h,24h,48h,72h,7d and 14d,respectively. TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis,and SP method to detect expressions of bcl-2 and bax protein in the perihematomal brain tissues.Result:The apoptosis and expressions of bcl-2 and bax protein were significant different in rats of experimental group compared to the rats of control group. The peak value were at the 6th, 48th hour, respectively. The expression of bcl-2 protein was negatively correlated with the number of apoptotic cells(r=-0.7628,P0.05). The expression of bax protein was positively correlated with the number of apoptotic cells(r=0.8438,P0.01). Conclusion: Apoptosis may present and reflect brain damage after intracerebral hemorrhage. Gene bcl-2 and bax may play an important role during the period of apoptosis.