Abstract:Objective To study the effect of ischemia/reperfusion on brain in aged rats. Methods Thirty male aged SD rats (18 to 20 months) were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group (Sham group), permanent ischemia group (I group), ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R group). Except the Sham group, the other groups were established by using ligation of middle cerebral artery. Twenty-four hours after the operation, cerebral infarction volume was detected by TTC staining; the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by ELISA test; the expression of high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1) was examined by ELISA test and western blot analysis. Results Compared with Sham group, cerebral infarction volume was increased, SOD activity and cerebral blood flow were decreased (P < 0.05), the level of MDA and the expression of HMGB1 were up-regulated in I group (P < 0.05). Compared with I group, cerebral infarction volume was decreased, SOD activity was increased (P < 0.05), the level of MDA and the expression of HMGB1 were downregulated (P < 0.05) in I/R group. The differences were statistically significant. Conclusions Compared with middle cerebral artery permanent ischemia, the brain damage could be alleviated after middle cerebral artery ischemia/ reperfusion in aged rats.