Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2015, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (3): 316-319.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2015.03.018

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Apoptosis of oligodendrocyte mediated by Caspase-12 in nerve fiber degeneration after compression spinal cord injury in rats

WU Xiu-yu1,  YU Peng-hui1,  CAI Shi-chang1,  SUN Shan-quan2,  WANG Ke-jian2 ,  HUANG Si-qin3   

  1. 1.Human Anatomy Department, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China;   2. Institute of Neuroscience, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China;  3.Traditional Chinese Medicine College, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
  • Received:2014-06-30 Online:2015-05-25 Published:2015-07-24

Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the correlation between the demyelination and apoptosis of oligodendrocyte and the mechanism of apoptosis in the compression spinal cord injury(CSCI).   Methods Eighty-four adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, a normal group(n=12), an operation group(n=36) and a sham operation group(n=36). The CSCI model was established with a self-made device in the operation group. The operation process in the sham operation group was the same as the operation group except the compression of spinal cord. The segments of compression spinal cord were properly taken at an interval of 1, 3 and 7 days after operation. Luxol fast blue (LFB),Immunofluorescence (IF) and TUNEL staining were performed to observe the pathological degeneration of white matters and apoptosis of oligodendrocyte. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of Caspase-12.    Results   LFB staining showed that the degeneration of nerve fiber occurred in the white matter and a great number of fibers were lost after compression. IF and TUNEL double staining demonstrated oligodendrocytes apoptosis occurred in spinal cord and the cell number of oligodendrocytes apoptosis increased significantly compared with the normal and sham operation group (P<0.05). Expression of Caspase-12 also increased after compression significantly. Conclusion   Demyelination occurrence and the apoptosis of oligodendrocyte may be related to the demyelination. Caspase-12 may be mediated the cell apoptosis.

Key words: Spinal cord compression, Nerve degeneration, Caspase-12, Oligodendrocyte, Apoptosis, Rat