Dynamic expression changes of Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Hsp70 in middle cerebral artery occlusion rats

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to study the dynamic changes of B cell lymphoma/leukaemia 2 (Bcl-2), caspase-3 and heat shock response protein 70 (Hsp70) in blood serum following acute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats.

Methods: Occlusion of the cerebral artery was accomplished via the intraluminal filament, followed by the TTC staining evaluation and neurological deficit score. Meanwhile, the blood serum was extracted at 0.5, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours and 3 and 7 days after surgery. The serum expression levels of caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Hsp70 were determined using ELISA kits according to the manufacturer’s protocols. Expression correlations between Bcl-2 and Hsp70, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 were analysed using correl function. A rats model was successfully established.

Results: The expression of all three indexes, including Bcl-2, caspase-3 and Hsp70, was significantly increased after surgery (p < 0.05) and peaked at 12, 24 and 24 hours, respectively. Up to 7 days after MCAO, the expression levels of these proteins recovered to the control levels. There were positive correlations between the expressions of Bcl-2 and Hsp70, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The altered expressions of these proteins in the blood serum may result in many symptoms in acute ischaemic stroke individuals.

• B cell lymphoma/leukaemia 2
• caspase-3
• dynamic changes
• heat shock response protein 70
• middle cerebral artery occlusion

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. 30740035).

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.