The immunohistochemistry study of TNF-α and its receptors in pallium of rat brain following whole-brain irradiation

Objective: To investigate the possible role of acute phage of brain radiation injuries by the observation of the dynamic expression of the TNF-α, TNFR1 and TNFR2 in the rat pallium. Methods: A early model of brain radiation-induced injuries in the rat was developed. Analysis of the expression of TNF-α,TNFR1 and TNFR2 in the pallium was done at different dose and time level after whole-brain irradiation with immunohistochemistry and computer technology. Results: The expression of TNF-α, TNFR1 and TNFR2 in the pallium was at lower level in 0 Gy group. There was not significant difference between the expression of normal group and 0Gy group (P>0.05). The expression of TNF-α was observed at 2 Gy, 10 Gy and 30 Gy groups and different time levels with micro- scope. The expression of TNF-areached the peak level at 12 h in those three groups(P0.05). The expression of TNF-α in those three irradiated groups returned to the basic level after 24 h. The dynamic expressions of TNFR1 and TNFR2 were similar to that of TNF-α by the same way. Conclusion: The expression of TNFα, TNFR1 and TNFR2 in the rat pallium following radiation induced injuries increases and decreases rapidly within 24 h and shows that they may play a important role in the early pathological processes of the ionizing irradiation injury of rat brain. (authors)