Effect of dl-butylphthalide on the expression of caspase-3 after chronic cerebral ischemia in rats

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of dl-butylphthalide(NBP) on the expression of caspase-3 in cortex and hippocampus after chronic cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods Chronic cerebral ischemia models were established by the permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries. Sixty rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and NBP-treated group. The morphologic change of the neurons was observed with HE stainingand the expression of caspase-3 in rat brain cortex and hippocampus was measured by immunohistochemical technique. Results The expression of caspase-3 in cortex and hippocampus was significantly increased in model group compared with that in control group, but decreased in NBP-treated group compared with that in model group(P<0.05). Conclusions NBP may exert neuroprotective effect by decreasing the expression of caspase-3 in cortex and hippocampus after chronic cerebral ischemia in rats. Key words: Caspase-3 ; Chronic cerebral ischemia ; Dl-butylphthalide ; Rat ;