The relationship between apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in a rat hind limb ischemia/reperfusion model

Objective: To elucidate the dynamic changes of oxygen free radicals and apoptosis in a rat limb ischemia/reperfusion model, analyse their interrelat ions and the protective effects of sodium ferulate. Methods: Using femoral artery clamped model, the femoral artery of rats was occluded fo r 5 hours, and reperfusion was performed. 63 rats were devided into ischemia group (without repe rfusion), control group (with normal salinc) and experiment group (with sodium f erulate). The content of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) in muscular tissue was measured and apoptosis was detected with the TUNEL meth od and electron microscope. Results: Oxygen free radicals levels expressed as SOD and MDA, and apoptosis index(AI) en hanced markedly with the time of reperfusion prolongation. There was a significa ntly positive correlation between oxygen free radicals and AI(P0. 01). Both parameters in experiment group were significantly lower than those in the control group with the same reperfusion time (P0.01). Conclusion:Both oxygen free radicals and apoptosis participate in limb reperfusion injury, and sodium ferulate may play an important role to a l leviate this injury by a mechanism which correlates to the effect of resistin g free radical and inhibiting the occurrence of apoptosis.