Expression of Nuclear Factor κB and Its Relationship with Apoptosis of Hippocampus in Neonatal Rats with Hypoxia-Ischemia Brain Damage

Objective To observe the correlation between nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) expression and apoptosis after hypoxia-ischemia brain damage(HIBD).Methods Forty-eight 7-day newborn Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group (n=24) and HI group (n=24).The expression of NF-κB in the hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemical techniques.The apoptosis of the hippocampal cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated 2-deoxyuridine 5′-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL)straining.Results The expression of NF-κB in hippocampal cells increased at 6 h after HIBD,peaked at 48 h,and lasted till 72 h when compared with control group(Pa0.05).Fewer of TUNEL-positive cells were found in control group,compared with a marked increase in HI group(Pa0.05);which began at 6 h,and continued to go up at 24,48 and 72 h,with significant statistical difference.In HI group,the elevated level of NF-κB expression and neuronal apoptosis had a significant correlations(r=0.478,0.522,0.641,0.627 Pa0.05).Conclusion The continuous activation of NF-κB plays an important role in the development of neuronal apoptosis on neonatal rats after HIBD.