Abstract:

Objective To investigate effects of deferoxamine (DFX) on neuroblobin (Ngb) expression in cerebral penumbra and lesions in rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in acute stage. Methods Ninety SD rats were randomly assigned to sham operation group (n=30), experimental group (n=30) and control group (n=30). A controlled cortical impact (CCI) model was established for experimental group and control group. Rats in the sham group underwent the same surgical procedure without injury. Rats in the experimental group were intraperitoneal injected with DFX (100 mg/kg) at 2 and 6 h after TBI and were administrated once every 12 h afterward. Rats in the control group were intraperitoneal injected with the same volume of saline at same time points. At 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery, six rats from each group were sacrificed and brains were harvested. The Ngb expression in cerebral penumbra was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Six rats from each group underwent MRI examination at 3.0T at 3 d after TBI and lesion volumes were calculated on the basis of T2weighted images. Results Ngb mRNA and protein expressions in penumbra significantly increased in early stage after TBI, reached peaks at 12 and 24 h, respectively, and then decreased slowly and maintained fairly high levels until 48 h after TBI. Ngb mRNA and protein expressions at 12, 24 and 48 h after TBI in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Lesion volumes at 3 d after TBI in the experimental group were smaller than those in the control group. Conclusion DFX has neuroprotective effect in acute stage after TBI. It can reduce the lesion volume and the protective effect may be associated with inducing the expression of endogenous brain protection factor Ngb.

Key words: deferoxamine, traumatic brain injury, neuroglobin, lesion volume