Abstract
Objective To investigate whether basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) supplementation to pregnant rats would alleviate fetal rat brain damage. Methods Fifty-three fetal rats of twenty-day gestational age were randomly divided into five groups: normal control, distressed control and group D1, D2, and D3 of different timings of intravenous bFGF treatment in pregnant SD rats. Fetal rats in the latter four groups suffered from distress in uteri in an animal model of perinatal asphyxia. Intra-and extracellular concentrations of calcium, natrium, and potassium in fetal rat brains were measured in each group. Results Intracellular free calcium concentrations of fetal rat brains in group D1 (475 ± 91 nmol/L) and in group D3 (474 ± 49 nmol/L) were both significantly higher than those in normal control (315 ± 87 nmol/L) (one side P < 0.01) , but significantly lower than those in distressed control (552 ± 94 nmol/L) (one side P < 0.05) . At the same time, their total concentrations of calcium, natrium, and potassium dropped to different extents. Conclusion bFGF supplementation to pregnant rats, before fetal rat distress or at the time of reperfusion suppressed the increase in intracellular free calcium concentration and alleviated cerebral edemata, thus protected brain cells against hypoxia. The results suggest that bFGF supplementation to pregnant women or to asplyxiated neonates may help ameliorate brain injury of asphyxiated neonates. Key words: Fibroblast growth foctor, basic; Brain damage, chronic; Fetal distress
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