Effect of hydroxyethylpuerarin on expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of hydroxyethylpuerarin on expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and explore its mechanism of action. METHODS: Rats were subjected to cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO). After 2 h ischemia and 24 h reperfusion, the protein and mRNA expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were evaluated by Western blot and RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: Hydroxyethylpuerarin significantly reduced the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in ischemic brain tissue after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. CONCLUSION: Hydroxyethylpuerarin may attenuate ischemic brain injury by down-regulation the expression of adhesion molecules in ischemic brain tissue.