Correlation of the expression of inflammatory factors with expression of apoptosis-related genes Bax and Bcl-2, in burned rats

Abstract

Correlation of the expression of inflammatory factors with expression of apoptosis-related genes, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), in burned rats was investigated. Forty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into SHAM group (n=10), I degrees burn group (n=10), II degrees burn group (n=10) and III degrees burn group (n=10). Changes in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Bax messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), Bcl-2 mRNA, Bax protein and Bcl-2 protein expression levels were detected. The correlation of TNF-alpha, Bax and Bcl-2 with the degree of burn in rats was observed, and the correlation of TNF-alpha with Bax and Bcl-2 was also analyzed. Moreover, Bax mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA were detected via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and TNF-alpha, Bax protein and Bcl-2 protein were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In burn groups, TNF-alpha, Bax mRNA and Bax protein levels were significantly increased at each time point compared with those at the previous time point (P<0.05), but Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased compared with those at the previous time point (P<0.05). At the same time point, TNF-alpha, Bax mRNA, Bcl-2 mRNA, Bax protein and Bcl-2 protein expression levels had statistically significant differences between any given two groups (P<0.05). The TNF-alpha expression level was positively correlated with Bax expression levels and negatively correlated with Bcl-2 expression levels. Additionally, TNF-alpha, Bax mRNA and Bax protein had positive correlations with the degree of burn and time after burn, while Bcl-2 mRNA and Bcl-2 protein had negative correlations with the degree of burn and time after burn. Continuous monitoring of changes in the TNF-alpha level can be used as a means to evaluate the degree of burn and apoptosis, and to prevent the deepening of burn wounds, thus facilitating the early clinical evaluation of prognosis.