Abstract:

[Abstract]   Objective   To study the effect of simvastatin (SIM) on the expression of neuron specific enoalse (NSE) in
rat brain and serum after traumatic brain injury (TBI), and therapeutic effects of SIM on TBI thereof.  Methods   A total of 90 Sprague-Dwalye (SD) rats aged8weeks were randomly divided into sham TBI group, control group and treatment group (n=30). The TBI model was established in control group and treatment group by using Feeney method. Rats in treatment group were fed SIM10mg/kg in the evening pre-injury and in every evening post-injury while those in control group were fed the same dose of starch at the same time. Blood samples (3mL) were collected from carotid atrery in three groups, then rats were sacrificed and brains were collected at different time points (3h,12h,24h,3d,7d and14d post-injury). The serum expressions of NSE were detected by ELISA method. The NSE expressions in hippocampal area CA3were detected with immunohistochemistry.  Results   (1) In control group, the serum NSE level was significantly increased at 3h after injury, reached the peak at 3d, and was still higher than that of sham injury group at14d. In treatment group, the serum NSE level was increased3h after injury, reached the peak at24h, decreased after3d, and was near the sham injury group at14d after injury, but was significantly lower than that of control group. (2) Immunohistochemical detection showed that the NSE optical density values in hippocampal area CA3area were decreased at3h after injury in control group. The optical density values reached the lowest level between3d to7d and were still significantly lower than those of sham injury group at14d. In treatment group the optical density value was decreased at3h after injury, reached the lowest level between12h to24h and rebounded significantly at7d, then at14d up to the level of sham injury group.  Conclusion   SIM can promote the decrease of serum NSE level in TBI rats and increase the NSE expression of hippocampal neurons of injured side, showing protective effects on neuronal damage after traumatic brain injury.

Key words: brain injuries, neuron-specific enolase, simvastatin, Rats, Sprague-Dawley