[Changes and effects of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors in the cerebral cortex of rats after diffuse brain injuries coupled with hypopiesia secondary brain insults].

Objective: To study the changes and effects of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) after diffuse brain injuries (DBI) coupled with hypopiesia secondary brain insults (SBI).

Methods: Male SD rats were randomized into four groups: normal control, sham-operated, DBI alone and DBI coupled with SBI group. The SBI model was made on the basis of Marmarou's model. The mRNAs of the mGluRs were detected at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after injuries by in-situ hybridization, and the positive neurons were counted.

Results: Statistical analysis showed no significance between normal control group and sham-operated group, DBI group in mGluR 2, 3 mRNA (all P>0.05). The number of mGluR 2, 3 positive neurons decreased at 12 hours after injury and the peak occurred at 48 hours after injury in the injured cerebral cortex in DBI alone group (both P<0.05). However, in DBI with SBI group, there was a significant decrease of the number of mGluR2, 3 positive neurons at 6 hours after injury and the peak happened at 24 hours after injury (both P<0.05).

Conclusion: mGluR2, 3, factors with the function of protecting brain, might play an important role in the path physiology of DBI and SBI.