Neuroprotective Effects of MicroRNA-210 on Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

OBJECTIVES To reveal the effect of microRNA-210 on cell apoptosis caused by HIE. METHODS Postnatal day 7 rats after HI injury were intraventricularly injected with microRNA-210 mimic, microRNA-210 inhibitor, or physiological saline. 72 h after the injection, rats were sacrificed and the left hemispheres were collected. The expression level of microRNA-210 was identified by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Apoptosis in brain sections was investigated by TUNEL assay. Apoptosis-related protein expressions were studied by Western blot analysis. RESULTS The results showed that microRNA-210, whose expression was downregulated in the brain 72 h after HI injury, suppressed neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting caspase activity and regulating the balance between bcl-2 and bax levels. DISCUSSION Recent study demonstrated that microRNA-210 has neuroprotective effects through inhibiting apoptosis in a murine model of HIE. It represents a potential novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of HIE.