Effects of erythropoietin on neural apoptosis and expression of bcl-2 and bax in rats induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

Objective To observe the effects of erythropoietin(Epo) on neural apoptosis,expression of bcl-2 and bax in rats induced by focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six Epo-treated groups A,B,C,D,which were performed with intraperitoneal injection of 3 000 IU·kg~(-1) Epo 30 min before ischemia and 2 hours,6 hours and 12 hours after reperfusion.non-treated group(E) and sham-operation(F).HE staining,immunohistochemistry,and TUNEL were used to observe pathological changes and the expression of Epo,bcl-2,bax and neural apoptosis.Results 1.No obvious pathological changes demonstrated in group A,B and C and F,ischemic changes of neuron in infarction zone in group D and E.2.The expression of Epo were greatly increased in group A,B and C than in that of group D and E(P0.05).3.Positive apoptosis cells in group A,B and C and F were decreased remarkably than that in group D and E(P0.05).4.The expression of bcl-2 in group A,B and C were significantly increased than that of group D,E and F(P0.05) and the expression of bax in group A,B and C were greatly decreased than that of group D,E and F(P0.05).Conclusion Epo serves neuroprotective effects and anti-apoptosis by regulating ratio of apoptosis related gene bcl-2/bax.