Mild hypothermia reduces expression of Fas/FasL and MMP-۳ after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Objective(s):To investigate the effects of local mild hypothermia on the expression of Fas, FasL and MMP-۳ after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Materials and Methods:Male Wistar rats were divided into sham-operated group (Sham), normothermia group (NT), and hypothermia group (HT). MCAO/R model was established by Longa’s method, and reperfusion was allowed after ۲ hr occlusion. Mild hypothermia (۳۳±۰.۵℃) for ۶ hr was initiated at the start of reperfusion. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine expression Fas, FasL, and MMP-۳. Results: Infarct volume was reduced in the hypothermia group (۱۸.۴۳±۴.۲۳%) compared with the normothermia group (۲۴.۷۶±۵.۷۶%) (P<۰.۰۵). In mild hypothermia group, numbers of Fas-positive and MMP-۳ positive cells were significantly less than those of normothermia group (P<۰.۰۵). Neurological functional scores of mild hypothermia were significantly improved (P<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Mild hypothermia decreases infarct volume after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, reduces Fas and MMP-۳ expression, but increases FasL in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats.

Keywords:

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion , Fas , FasL , Hypothermia , MACO rat , MMP-۳