The Expression Of VEGF And GFAP After Spinal Cord Injury And The Study Of Their Correlations

Objective To study the expressions of VEGF and GFAP after spinal cord injury , and analyze their correlations.Methods 36 SD rats were divided randomly into six groups, the group of 8h, 12h, 1d, 3d, 7d after SCI, and the group of control is treated only with vertebral plate removal. There were six rats in each group. SABC Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expressions of VEGF, GFAP. Their correlation was also analyzed.Results Both VEGF and GFAP were increased after SCI, there was a significant relationship between the changes of VEGF and GFAP(r=0.676,p<0.001). The expression of VEGF was maximal on days 3 after spinal cord injury and continued till the day 7. The expression of GFAP increased constantly during 7 days. The numerical data as follow, VEGF positive areas: 259.27±31.89 um2, 266.60±34.95 um2, 350.63±30.03 um2, 403.67±42.35 um2, 405.30±23.48 um2 ;There is no positive expression in control group; GFAP positive areas : 520.10±33.92um2, 581.13±30.91 um2, 606.67±24.93 um2, 695.41±24.58 um2, 806.97±27.87 um2, 914.70±47.20 um2.Each stage in both VEGF and GFAP group compared to their control group P<0.01; The contrast inside each group P<0.01,expect for the group of VEGF 3 day and 7 day P>0.05, which demonstrate no significant difference between the two group.Conclusion The early response of astrocyte to SCI probably was correlated to the expressing of VEGF,The expression of VEGF by astrocyte maybe one of the mechanism for the increase of GFAP.