[Roles of bcl-2/bax expression and oligodendrocyte apoptosis in the pathogenesis of heroin-induced spongiform leucoencephalopathy].

Objective: To investigate the role of oligodendrocyte apoptosis under the regulation of the bcl-2/bax protein expression in brain white matter in the pathogenesis of heroin-induced spongiform leucoencephalopathy (HSLE).

Methods: Samples of frontal lobe, cerebellum, and corpus callosum were obtained from the brains during autopsy of 4 HSLE cases and 5 normal controls and underwent light microscopy and electron microscopy. Immunocytochemistry was used to detect the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP), caspase-3, bcl-2 protein, and bax protein.

Results: Widespread demyelination was seen in the white matter of the frontal lobe, cerebellum and corpus callosum of the HSLE cases, most severely in the cerebellum. The levels of caspase-3 and bax expression of the HSLE group were significantly higher than those of the control group (both P <0.05) , however, the bcl-2 level of the HSLE group was no significantly different from that of the control group (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Widespread demyelination in the white matter is a prevailed pathological change of HSLE. Oligodendrocyte apoptosis under induced by the decrease of bcl-2/bax ratio may contribute to the pathogenesis.