Abstract:

Objective     To investigate the presence and relationship of p38MAPK, NF-κB and ICAM-1 in the occurrence and progress of CVS(cerebral vasospasm) in the basilar artery of rabbits. Methods    92 New Zealand pure rabbits were divided into the normal, the control and the SAH(subarachnoid hemorrhage) groups, and the latter was further divided into 6 subgroups:  groups of 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 9 days, 11  days after SAH. Models of SAH and CVS were successfully established via double-injection into the major cistern and basilar artery(BA) . Morphological  observation, immunohistochemistry and hybridization in situ were employed to observe the variances of the basilar artery and dynamic expressions of p38MAPK, NF-κB and ICAM-1in the wall of the BA. Results    Stenosis of BA were identified on 3rd day, obvious on 5th day, and peaked on 7th day after SAH. With the decreased vascular lumen, expression of ICAM-1increased and peaked on 7th day, while expressions of  p38MAPK, NF-κB increased and peaked on 5th day but later fell. Expression of p38MAPK, NF-κB and ICAM-1 in protein and mRNA level showed differences in time order. Conclusion    Inflammation controlled by p38MAPK and NF-κB which are induced by ICAM-1  exists in cerebral vasospasm. These relations play important roles in the onset and progress of CVS.

Key words: Subarachnoid hemorrhage; p38 Mitogen-activated kinase protein; Nuclear transcription factor-κB; Intercellular adhesion molecule-1; Cerebral vasospasm；Models,animal; Rabbits