The relationship among apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in a rat hind limb ischemia reperfusion model

Objective:To elucide the dynamic changes of apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in a rat limb ischemia-reperfusion model.Methods: Using femoris artery clamped model, the blood stream were occluded for five hours before reperfusion. 49 rats were devided into ischemia group and reperfusion group. The reperfusion group involved Ih subgroup, 3h subgroup, 6h subgroup, 12h subgroup, 18h subgroup and 24h subgroup. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in muscle tissue were measured through immunnhistoohemistry, and the apoptosis were observed through TUNEL method and electronic microscope. Results: Increasing of apoptosis index (AI) and the expression of Bax protein were discovered, and the expression of Bel- protein was increased at the beginning, then declined. There was a significantly positive correlation between AI and Bax protein, a significantly negative correlation between AI and Bcl-2 protein, and a significantly negative correlation between AI and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. ( P 0.01). Conclusion: Apoptosis participates in limb reperfusion injury. The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax declines gadually, which accelerate the occurrence of apoptosis.