Effects of lidocaine on the expression of intercellulor adhesion molecule-1 and NF- κB in hippocampus following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of lidocaine on the expression of intercellulor adhesion molecule-1 and nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) protein and mRNA in hippocampus following global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) in rats. Methods: A total of 32 male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A sham-operated (n = 8); group B I/R (n = 8). and group C I/R + 5 mg lidocaine; group D I/R + 10 mg lidocaine. Cerebral I/R was produced by Longa's method. Reperfusion was done after 10 min of cerebral ischemia. The animals were decapitated at the end of 24 h reperfusion and the brains were removed. The levels of ICAM-1 and NF- κB mRNA, protein expression in the hippocampus were detected by RT-PCR, Western bloting and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: I/R induced ICAM-1 and NF- κB mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus. Intraperitoneal lidocaine pretreatment significantly inhibited the ICAM-1 and NF- κB expression in hippocampus (B vs. C,D, P<0.01). Conclusion: Cerebral I/R induces significant increase in the expression of ICAM-1 and NF- κB, and lidocaine pretreatment can significantly inhibit I/R induced ICAM-1 and NF- κB expression.