Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the expressions of NF-κB and IL-6 around the hematoma and their correlations with cerebral edema in rat′s brain after experimental intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH). Methods   120 SD rats were randomly divided into 1 sham-operated group and 5 ICH model groups(20 in each group). The intracerebral hemorrhage model was established by nonthrombogenic autologous blood injection in rats. The water content of brain（BWC）-was measured with dry/wet weight method. Histopathological changes were determined by Nissl staining. Locations of NF-κB and IL-6 proteins around the hematoma in cerebral tissues were detected by immunofluorescence. NF-κB and IL-6 expressions around the hematoma in cerebral tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results   Nissl′s bodies of nerve cells in ICH model groups were obviously lost. NF-κB and IL-6 expressions in ICH model groups were significantly higher than those in sham-operated group(P<0.05). NF-κB and IL-6 appeared at 6h, then gradually increased and reached a maximum at 3d. Significant differences existed between ICH model groups and sham-operated group(P<0.05). There were positive correlations between the expressions of NF-κB and IL-6 and the cerebral water content(P<0.05). Conclusion   High expressions of NF-κB in the rats of ICH model groups show that activatedNF-κB can aggravate inflammatory reactions by inducing cytokine IL-6 expression, and take part in the pathological process of brain edema.

Key words: Intracerebral hemorrhage; Nuclear factor-κB; Interleukin-6; Brain edema; Immunofluorescence; Immunohistochemistry