The expression and significance of TNF-α, VEGF and ET-1 in the border zone after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective To investigate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) with brain injury secondary to hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). Methods Fifty-two patients admitted to Department of Pathology, Chengde Central Hospital with HICH (experimental group) were divided into 5 groups based on the time interval between illness onset to operation: ≤6 h group (6 cases), >6-12 h group (15 cases), > 12-24 h group (16 cases), > 24-48 h group (7 cases) and > 48-72 h group (8 cases). The expression of TNF-α, VEGF and ET-1 in the border zone (brain tissues surrounding the hematoma) in the 52 patients and 10 normal controls were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry in order to explore the relationship of the factor expression to HICH-induced brain injury. Results The expression levels of TNF-α, VEGF and ET-1 mRNA in the ≤ 6 h group , > 6-12 h group, > 12-24 h group, >24-48 h group and > 48-72 h group were significantly higher than those in controls (all P<0.05), and their expression was increased first and then decreased as the illness progresses. The mRNA levels of TNF-α, VEGF and ET-1 in the experimental group were also significantly different when compared between different time points (all P<0.05). Conclusion TNF-α, VEGF and ET-1 might be involved in and facilitate HICH-induced brain injury. Key words: Intracranial hemorrhage, hypertensive; Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; Vascular endothelial growth factors; Endothelin-1; Real-time polymerase chain reaction