Changes in expression of cold-inducible RNA binding protein in hippocampus after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a rat model of cardiac arrest

Objective To evaluate the changes in the expression of cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRP) in the hippocampus after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a rat model of cardiac arrest. Methods Eighty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 280–320 g, aged 3 months, were randomly divided into 3 groups using a random number table: control (group C, n=15), sham operation group (group S, n=15) and CPR group (n=55). Cardiac arrest was induced through ventricular fibrillation caused by transoesophageal cardiac pacing, and then CPR was performed in group CPR.At 6 h, 12 h, and 1, 3 and 7 days after CPR, and the hippocampi were removed for detection of the expression of CIRP mRNA (using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) and CIRP protein (using Western blot). The brain tissues were also obtained at 3 days after CPR for detection of CIRP expression in the hippocampal CA1 region by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with group C, the expression of CIRP mRNA was significantly up-regulated at 1, 3, and 7 days after CPR, and the expression of CIRP was up-regulated at 1 and 3 days after CPR in group CRP (P 0.05). Compared with the values at 3 days after CPB, the expression of CIRP mRNA was significantly down-regulated at each time point after CPR, and the expression of CIRP was down-regulated at 6 h, 12 h, and 7 days after CPR in group CRP (P<0.05). CIRP was mainly expressed in the nucleus of pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region. Conclusion Up-regulated expression of hippocampal CIRP is one of the endogenous mechanisms that inhibit cell apoptosis in the brain tissues of rats. Key words: Heart arrest, induced; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; RNA-binding proteins; Hippocampus