Aim: To explore the mechanisms of hypoxic preconditioning on protecting cultured astrocytes from hypoxia injury.
Methods: Cultured astrocytes were divided randomly into several groups: control(C), hypoxia(H) and hypoxic preconditioning (HP). Cells MTT metabolic activity, qualitation of apoptosis and modality to explore the protection effects of hypoxic preconditioning. Immunocytochemistry of Bcl-2 and Bax to explore the mechanisms of hypoxic preconditioning on protecting astrocytes from hypoxia.
Results: Compared with H group there was marked increase of MTT metabolic activity in HP48 and HP72 groups. Immunocytochemistry of Bcl-2 and Bax showed that compared with H group, expression of Bcl-2 was increased in HP group, while expression of Bax was decreased in HP group.
Conclusion: Hypoxic preconditioning can protect astrocytes from hypoxia. One possible mechanism maybe concerned with inhibition of Bax and maintain of Bcl-2 to depress apoptosis procedure.