Hepatocyte Growth Factor Effects On The Expression Of Bcl-2 And Bax Gene In Facial Neurons After Facial Neurontmesis In Rabbit

Objective The aim of this study is to investigation whether the hepatocyte growth factor effects on the expression of bcl-2 and bax protein and apoptosis in facial neuron following facial neurotmesis. Methods New Zealand rabbits were randomized in two groups, including the experimental and the control group and each group was randomized in 7 , 14 , 21 and 28-day groups. Following facial neurontmesis, a nerve growth chamber were created by suturing the epineurium to silicone chamber. The chambers of experimental group were injected with HGF and the control group were injected with normal saline. The changes of expression of the bcl-2 and bax protein in facial neurons were observed after the operation using the methods of SABC immunohistochemical staining. And the changes of apoptosis in facial neurons were observed after the operation using the methods of Terminal deoxylnucleotidyl transferase mediated-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Results: The expression of bcl-2 of facial neurons were higher in the experimental group significantly than those of the control group from 7 to 28 days after amputation, but the expression of bax of facial neurons is indistinctive on the contrary. The bcl-2/bax has notability differential between the experimental group and the control group. In the experimental group the neurons of apoptosis are obviously less than the control group. Conclusion: This indicationed that HGF can upgrade the expression of bcl-2 protein in facial neuron and play an important regulation role in the process of facial neurons apoptosis following nerve amputation.