Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on activity of ATPase of brain mitochondria after brain injury in rats

Objective To explore the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin(rhEPO) on activity of ATPase of brain mitochondria after brain injury in rats,and elucidate the possible mechanism of the neuroprotective effect of rhEPO administered to rats with brain injury. Methods The models of laceration of brain included by free falling were established.rhEPO was intraperitoneally injected immediately after brain injury.The mitochondria were isolated at 4 h,12 h,24 h,48 h respectively after treatment,and the levels of activity of Na+-K+ATPase,Ca2+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase of brain mitochondria in the control and rhEPO group were measured by modified Lowry method. Results The levels of activity of the mitochondria Na+-K+ATPase,Ca2+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase were significantly decreased in rats with brain injury(P0.05),while significantly elevated 12 h,24 h and 48 h after treatment with rhEPO compared with the corresponding control group(P0.05). Conclusion Intraperitoneal administration with rhEPO can impove the activity of motochondria ATPase after brain injury in rats,therefore the secondary damage to the brain can be relieved and the prognosis of the brain injury and be improved.