Objective: To study the relationship between the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 proteins, and apoptosis in radiation compound wound healing of rats.
Methods: Apoptosis, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were estimated by in situ terminal labeling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemical methods.
Results: (1) Changes of the apoptosis in wound healing showed three typical characteristics: early occurrence, high frequency and delayed disappearance after radiation to rats when compared with those of simple wound group, which might be an important reason for radiation-induced delayed wound healing. (2) The expression of Bax protein increased evidently with the increment of apoptosis and showed a good corresponding relationship with the apoptotic frequency in the process of wound healing. While the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased obviously as the apoptosis reached a maximum and showed increasing tendency up to normal level when the apoptosis decreased distinctively.
Conclusions: Bax and Bcl-2 proteins play an important role in the apoptotic regulation of radiation compound wound healing in rats.