Changes in hippocampal distribution and gene expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) on different days following intracerebral hemorrhage

Background and Aim : The insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is a growth factor and anti-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in memory consolidation. The present study aimed to examine the variations in distribution and gene expression of the IGF-2 on different days following acute hippocampal damage and cell death resulting from intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).Methods : ICH was induced by injection of 100 μL of autologous blood into the left hippocampus of 96 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Then, on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, and 14, samples of brain tissue were collected to perform histopathological, immunohistochemical, and RT-PCR examinations.Results : The stereological study indicated that the volume of hippocampus and number of neurons had a significant reduction in ICH groups compared to sham groups, and the infarct volume, number of non-neurons and dead-neurons had a significant increase in ICH groups compared to sham groups; Immunohistochemical data showed that IGF-2 increased in ICH groups, and the expression of IGF-2 gene observed in all groups, but no significant difference was seen between sham and ICH groups.Conclusion : . Increased endogenous IGF-2 as growth and anti-inflammatory factor following hemorrhagic stroke reveals a critical role of this factor in injury recovery.

Keywords:

Intracerebral hemorrhage , Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 , Learning and Memory , Hippocampus