The study on expression of NF-kappaB in experimental brain contusion in rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of NF-kappaB in different post-traumatic intervals and severity of brain injury. METHODS: Fifty-four brain tissue samples of slight (n=24), moderate (n=24) brain injury, sham (n=3) and control (n=3) of rat were examined by immunohistochemical staining, westernblot and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Up-regulating of NF-kappaB expression was found in tissues from traumatic brain injury compared with controls in early 1 hour after TBI, and reached peak at 24h and 48h and disappeared after 7 days. The expression of NF-kappaB mRNA has association with contusion severity. CONCLUSION: NF-kappaB may benefit to the estimation of posttraumatic intervals of brain injury.