Abstract:

BACKGROUND: At present, it is not yet clear about the alteration of oligodendrocyte precursor cells after transient cerebral ischemic and in the repair process.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the alteration of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in aged rats after transient cerebral ischemia.
METHODS: A rat model of transient cerebral ischemia was established by thread embolism methods. Twenty-four aged male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, days 1, 7 and 14 after ischemia-reperfusion groups. Rats in the control group were only subjected to an exposed blood vessel and sutured with no embolism. Rats in the ischemia-reperfusion groups were subjected to reperfusion for 1, 7 and 14 days after model establishment.
RESUTS AND CONCLUSION: ①Compared with the control group, the number of cells positive for chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, unmature oligodendrocyte marker and 2’,3’-cyclic nucleotide 3’-phosphodiesterase in the infarction core was significantly decreased at each time point after transient cerebral ischemia. ②In peri-infarction area, the number of cells positive for chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan and unmature oligodendrocyte marker was increased gradually with time, which was increased dramatically at days 7 and 14 after transient cerebral ischemia. While, the number of 2’,3’-cyclic nucleotide 3’-phosphodiesterase-positive cells was decreased slightly at days 1 and 7 after transient cerebral ischemia. ③There was no significant difference among the number of the three kinds of antigen positive cells in the contralateral cerebral infarction area. These findings suggest that the number of oligodendrocyte precursor cells is increased in the peri-infarcted area after transient cerebral ischemia in aged SD rats. The cells may differentiate into mature cells and participate in the repair of cerebral ischemia injury.