Gene expression of nerve cell proliferation associated factors following cerebral ischemia reperfusion in rats

Objective: To study the expressions of Nestin,stem cell factor(SCF) and neural cell adhesion molecule(NCAM) in neurons after ischemia reperfusion injury in rat brain.Methods: Thirty-six adult female SD rats were induced by intraluminal middle cerebral artery(MCA) occlusion for 1.5()h and reperfusion for 2()h,6()h,12()h,1()d,2()d,3()d,7()d and 14()d [treated groups and sham-operated group(n=4)] with a nylon monofilament suture.In situ hybridization was used to examine the expression of Nestin,SCF and NCAM mRNA.Results: Nestin mRNA expression in cortex and striatum increased markedly in ischemic hemisphere at most times compared to sham-operated group.SCF mRNA expression in cortex and striatum increased significantly in ischemic hemisphere except for early times compared to sham-operated group.NCAM mRNA expression was observed after reperfusion(2()h),peaked at reperfusion 12()h in cortex and 1()d in striaum,and decreased to the basic level of sham-operated group at reperfusion 14()d.Conclusion: SCF expression may enhance neural stem cells proliferation following ischemia reperfusion.The increasing NCAM expression may play an important role in the repair of injured brain tissue.