The TNF-κB and IL-6's expression in the rat retina after injury by ischemia-reperfusion and the effect of β-aescin on its expression

Objective: To study NF-κB and IL-6 expression in a rat retina that has been inj ured by ischemia-reperfusion and the effect of β-aescin on its expression.Methods: A retinal model of the rat retina for ischemia-reperfusion was establi s hed. 60 SD rats were divided into two groups: one was an ischemia-reperfusion g r oup and the other was an ischemia-reperfussion and β-aescin group. Each group wa s then divided into sub-groups according to the amount of time after ischemia- re perfusion:1 hour,6 hours,12 hours,24 hours,48 hours,and 72 hours. Each sub -group consisted of 5 rats. NF-κB mRNA and IL-6 mRNA in the rat retina was m easured by the ISH method. Each rat was examined by ERG before being sacrificed.Results: NF-κB and IL-6 began to express at 6 hours after ischemia-reperfusio n i n the ischemia-reperfusion group. The highest level of expression occurred 24 h o urs after injury. In the ischemia-reperfusion and β-aescin group,the NF-κB and IL-6 expressed at 12 hours after ischemia-reperfusion injury and reached the hi ghest level at 24 hours. However,its level was lower than the level for the isc hemia-reperfusion group at every stage(P0.05). The b wave of the ERG in the is chemia-reperfusion group was lower than that for the ischemia-reperfusion and β-aescin group at every stage(P0.05).Conclusion: NF-κB may induce IL-6 and play an important role in ischemia-reperfusion inj ury in the rat retina. The β-aescin may suppress NF-κB activity and protect the retina from injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion.