The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on the function of brain mitochondria after brain injury

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of recombinant human erythropoietin(rhEPO)on brain mitochondrial energy metabolism and mitachondrial respiratory functionin after brain injury in rats.Method A total of 63 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into three groups:the rhEPO treated group(n =28),the control group(n=28),the shanl group(n=7).The models of contusion of brain caused by freefalling were set up in rhEPO treated group(n=28).The recombinant human erythropoietin was intraperitoneally injected in dose of 10 U/g immediately after brain injury and it was repeated every 10 hours in rhEPO group treated.The same models of contused brain were made without rhEPO treatment as control group(n=28).In control group,the same volume of normal saline was used in replacemem of rhEPO.Aburr hole was made on the skull of the sham group(n=7),but the brain tissue was not wounded.The mitochondria were isolated at 6 h,12 h,24h,48 h after trealment,respectively.The activity of ATPase and SOD,the content MDA and brain mitochondrial respiratory function were measured by biochemical technique.The data were analyzed with the F-test and t-test.Results The activity of ATPase(P＜0.05),SOD(P＜0.01)and brain mitochondrial respiratory function(P ＜0.05)were increased.and the levd of MDA in brain mitochondria was reduced markedly in rats treated with rhEPO.Conclusions Treatment with rhEPO can alleviates the secondary brain injury by affecting mitochondrial function. Key words: Recombinant human erythropoietin; Brain injttry; Mitochondria; Respiratory function