[Changes of ICAM-1 mRNA expression in rats' skeletal muscle after contusion].

Objective: To investigate the expression of intercellular adhesion molecular-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA in contused skeletal muscle of rats using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and its relationship with the contusion interval.

Methods: To make the contusion models with rats skeletal muscle. The samples were taken to extract mRNA at 0.5 h, 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, 24 h, 30 h and from the control group after contusion respectively. FISH was performed on frozen section samples and the sections were observed using LSCM.

Results: The expression of ICAM-1 mRNA peaked at 6 h in skeletal muscle after contusion. Its level fell to 3.46 times the level of control group at 18 h and then increased again.

Conclusion: The time-order expression of ICAM-1 mRNA in 30 hours after contusion is potentially useful for estimation of early wound age.