Role of Micro Ribonucleic Acid-124 in Protecting Against Nerve Injury After Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion

Abstract

The researchers aimed to evaluate micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-124 for its protective role in nerve injury in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. A focal middle cerebral artery embolism model was constructed. Compared with sham operation group, model and miR-124 NC groups had significantly increased miR-124 expression, neurobehavioral score, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, brain infarct volume, and apoptosis rate, elevated expression levels of Bcl-2- associated X (Bax) protein as well as cleaved caspase-3, 8 and 9, attenuated activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lowered expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) (P<0.01). By contrast to those in model and miR-124 NC groups, Bcl- 2 expression rose, miR-124 expression, neurobehavioral score, brain infarct volume percentage and apoptosis rate reduced, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, 8 and 9 expression levels declined, SOD activity enhanced, and MDA content in miR- 124 mimic group dropped (P<0.01). In conclusion, miR-124 protects rats from nerve injury after cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion by improving the antioxidant capacity and regulating the expressions of apoptosis-associated proteins.