Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on the expressions of ET-1 and eNOS mRNA in the internal carotid artery in the anterior and posterior circulation of rabbits by real-time-FQ-PCR

Abstract

Objective To detect the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA in the internal carotid artery (ICA) and basal artery (BA) of rabbits,and also to explore the mechanism involved in the constriction of the cerebrovascular anterior circulation and dilation of the cerebrovascular posterior circulation.Methods Twenty-four healthy adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups:the experimental group and the control group,each consisting of 12 animals.The rabbits in the experimental group were exposed to HB0 at 2 ATA for 60 minutes a day for 3 successive days,while the rabbits in the control group were normally fed without any treatment.Real-time-FQ-PCR was used to detect expression levels of ET-1 and eNOS mRNA in both ICA and BA of the 2 groups.Results Slight expressions of ET-1 and eNOS mRNA could be detected in ICA and BA of the experimental group.Significant increase in the expression of ET-1 mRNA and marked decrease in the expression of eNOS mRNA in ICA could be detected in the experimental group (1.679 ± 0.097),as compared with that of the control group (1.000 ± 0.017).At the same time,HBO exposure could significantly induce the expression of ET-1 mRNA and marked increase in the expression of eNOS mRNA in BA,with statistical significance (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Through regulation of the expression amount of ET-1 and eNOS mRNA in both ICA and BA,HBO could play a role in the contraction of cerebrovascular anterior circulation and dilation of cerebrovascular posterior circulation. Key words: Hyperbaric oxygen; Basal artery; Endothelin-1; Endothelial nitric oxide synthase; Real-time-FQ-PCR