Effects of Chronic Stress on the Expression of Bcl-xl in Hippocampus of the Rats

Objective: To observe the changes of Bcl-xl expression in hippocampus of the rats with the forced-swimming and the changes of Bcl-xl after poststress. Methods: The protocol was established with the forced-swimming as the chronic stress model. Open-field test was executed to measure the behaviors of the rats. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the changes of Bcl-xl expression in the hippocampus. Results: Compared to the control group,the expression of Bcl-xl in CA3 region of the hippocampus and dendate gyrus(DG)of the rats was decreased morphologically. With the computerized image analysis, the gray degree increased significantly (P 0.01) and the changes showed the same results after the poststress. Conclusion: Chronic stress decreased the expression of the Bcl-xl in CA3 region and DG in the hippocampus of the rats and the changes showed the same results after the poststress.