Effects of taurine on the expression of neurons SCF mRNA of focal cerebral ischemia in rat

Objective To investigate the effects of taurine on the expression of stem cell factor mRNA of the focal cerebral ischemia in rat.Methods 63 adult male rats were randomly divided into taurine-treated group (Taurine, 80 mg/kg, began at the day of MCAO and continuously intravenous injection for 10 min, daily for 7 days) and controlled group (0.9% normal saline, 1 ml, continuously intravenous injection for 10 min daily for 7 days). The rats received right middle cerebral artery occlusion at 2h and different hours of reperfusion. Expression of SCF was detected by in situ hybridization in the rats subjected to2h,24h,3d,7d, 14 d of reperfusion and sham-operated group (n=3). Results Low level SCF mRNA expressions were found in cortex, striatum and extraventricular zone in sham-operated group. The expression of SCF mRNA in ischemic hemisphere of controlled group increased markedly compared with sham-operated group (t=2.16~25.19, P＜ 0.05), besides that of 2 h in cortex, 2 h in striatum, 2h and 14d in extraventricular zone. SCF mRNA expression in the treatment group increased markedly in cortex,striatum and extraventricular zone at 3d and 7d(t=5.19~ 26.17,P＜0.05). Conclusion Taurine increased the SCF mRNA expression in MCAO rats, therefore it might promote the creation of neural stem cell. Key words: Taurine; Neurons; Neural stem cell factor; Ischmia reperfusion injury