Turkish Journal of Biochemistry, vol.40, no.6, pp.518-523, 2015 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: In this study, the changes in the levels of the epidermal growth factor (EGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and thioredoxine (TRX) in the cerebral tissue of rats following the cerebral ischemia model were investigated. Methods: The left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was done in 27 out of 48 rats recruited into the study for obtaining focal cerebral ischemia model (MCAO group). Twenty-one rats underwent a sham operation; the middle cerebral artery was exposed but not occluded (Sham group). EGF, TNF-α, and TRX levels were studied in the operated left and contralateral hemispheres at the 16th, 48th, and 96th hours, and on the 30th day after operation in both sham and MCAO groups. Results: EGF levels at 96th hour in MCAO group were higher than those of sham group in both right and left hemispheres; and also the levels of EGF at 48th hour in MCAO group were lower significantly than those of sham group in just left hemisphere. In MCAO group, TNF-α levels on the 30th day in right hemisphere were higher than those in left hemisphere. Whereas TRX levels at the 48th hour in right hemisphere were higher than those in left hemisphere. Conclusion: The results suggested that cerebral ischemia following MCAO might affect EGF, TNF-α and TRX levels in both ischemic and contralateral hemispheres in cerebral tissue; and this effect may change by the time passed after MCAO.