Effects of interventional therapy on AQP4 gene expression and neuron apoptosis in rabbits with ischemic brain injury caused by carotid artery stenosis.

: To explore the effects of interventional therapy (IT) on Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) gene expression and neuron apoptosis in rabbits with ischemic brain injury caused by carotid artery stenosis, and to further optimize the therapeutic regime of clinical ischemic brain injury (IBI). : 30 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Sham group (n=10), IBI group (n=10) and IBI+IT group (n=10). A rabbit model of carotid artery stenosis was established to induce IBI. 12 hours later, interventional therapy was achieved through percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) by pumping up the balloon to widen the catheter. The expression of AQP4 mRNA and protein were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. The distributions of rabbit hippocampus and cerebral cortex were detected by Nissl staining. The neuronal function of rabbits in the three groups after surgery was assessed with mNSS score. TUNEL (Terminal Transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End-labelling) staining was used to observe neuron apoptosis in rabbit brain tissue. The expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 protein were detected by western blot. Markers of oxidative stress in rabbit brain tissues were detected by Reactive Oxygen Species ELISA Kits. Morphology of the organelles in rabbit brain tissues was observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). : The protein and mRNA expressions of AQP4 in rabbit brain tissues were significantly decreased in the IBI group. Nissl staining results showed that IT improved IBI in rabbit hippocampus. In addition, IT significantly ameliorated the neuronal function of rabbits, and reduced the apoptosis and oxidative stress level of neurons in brain tissues. Furthermore, we found that after IT, organelle damage was significantly reduced in rabbit neurons. : After receiving IT, AQP4 gene level and neuron apoptosis were significantly reduced in rabbit brain tissues with ischemic brain injury from carotid artery stenosis.