Effects of Alcohol Exposure on the Expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in Embryonic Neuroepithelial Cells in Golden Hamster / 环境与健康杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in embryonic neuroepithelial cells in Golden hamster exposured to the teratogenic dose of alcohol. Methods The experimental pregnant golden hamsters were given ethanol through intraperitoneally injected, 5.8 g/kg body weight. The Bcl-2 and Bax expressions in neuroepithelial cells of experimental and control animals were detected with immunohistochemical and image analysis at 4,8,16,24,48 and 72 h time points after treatment. Results Bcl-2 and Bax proteins distributed in nuclear membranes and cytoplasm of the neuroepithelial cells as well as mesenchymal cells. In control groups, the expressions of these two kind proteins increased as the time passed at beginning, 16 hours after, came to the summit and then descended gradually. Compared with the control, the expressions of Bcl-2 in experimental groups were down-regulated, expressions of Bax were up-regulated except at 8 h time point. Conclusion Alcohol can induce down-regulation of the expression of Bcl-2 protein and up-regulation of the expression of bax protein, which may play a an important role in regulation of apoptosis in alcohol-induced neural tube malformation.