Objective: To evaluate the significance of changes of neuropeptide Y (NPY) activity in plasma and brain tissue during experimental intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).
Methods: Seventy Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group and ICH group with each group subdivided into preoperation, 0.5 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours,24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours postoperation subgroups, respectively (n=5). The ICH was established by infusing collagenase and heparin into rat caudate. The changes of NPY in plasma and perihemotoma at preoperation, 0.5 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after operation were observed, respectively. NPY was determined by radio-immunoassay. The morphologic change of brain was detected.
Results: NPY activity in plasma and perihematoma increased synchronously after cerebral hemorrhage, and peaked at 24 hours, then began to reduce in 48 hours, it was still higher than those of preoperation at 72 hours after hemorrhage (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The correspondent pathological changes were observed in brain tissue under light microscope and electron microscope.
Conclusion: NPY might be involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral hemorrhage.