Altered gene expressions during hypoxia and reoxygenation in cortical neurons isolated from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

The expressions of Bcl-2, thioredoxin (TRX) and cytochrome c oxidase III (C O III) mRNAs after hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R) were examined by quantit ative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using cultured cortic al neurons isolated from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRS P) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). The differences in gene expressions of Bcl- 2, TRX and CO III mRNA between SHRSP and WKY were most remarkable at 30 min of oxygen stimulation, and the expressions of these genes were significant ly lower in SHRSP compared with those in WKY. These findings pointed out th at redox regulatory function and energy metabolism in SHRSP neurons were ma rkedly reduced by oxygen stimulation after hypoxia, and such changes may be involved in neuronal vulnerability. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.