Effects of MK-801 on the brain mitochondrial respiratory function in experimental traumatic brain injury

DAI Wen-guang; QIN Xiao-yong; LI Liang-hui; SONG Xue-liang; FENG Yue; LI Zhen

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-4237.2013.05.017

Abstract：Objective To study the effects of MK-801 on brain mitochondrial respiratory function in rats after experimental traumatic brain injury and the possible mechanisms .Methods A total of 80 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group with 20 rats, untreated group ( non-traumatic therapy group ) with 20 rats,24 hours treatment group (treatment group 1) with 20 rats,72 hours treatment group (treatment group 2) with 20 rats.The middle degree brain injury in rats was made by BIM-Ⅲmulti-function impacting machine .The brain cell mitochondrial respiratory function was measured with oxygen electrode and the ultrastructure changes were ob -served with transmission electron microscope .Results (1) Compared with the control group ,the brain mitochon-drial respiratory function reduced significantly in the untreated group within 72 hours.Treatment group 1 showed certain degrees of attenuation ,and treatment group 2 showed further improvement .(2) Compared with the control group,the ultrastructural characteristics in the control group remained nomal ,while the other three groups(untreated group,treatment group l and treatment group 2) had different degrees of mitochondrial ultrastructural damage ,which could be attenuated after the treatment of magnesium sulfate .Conclusion The mitochondrial respiratory function decreased significantly after traumatic brain injury .MK-801 could improve the mitochondrial respiratory function in rats after traumatic injury.It could also attenuate the mitochondrial ultrastructural damage .The curative effectis correlated with the course of treatment .The longer the course of treatment ,the better the improvement of mitochon-drial respiratory function .