Mild hypothermia reduces ischemic brain injury

Using Global cerebral ischemia to study the normothermia, mild hypothermia, hyperthermia on ischemic injury. The mortality in these group at 20min/72h and 20min/168h were 33.3%, 16.7%, 50% and 58.3%, 25%, 100%, respectively. The density of pyramidal cells decreased in hyperthermia and increased in mild hypothermia. c-fos expression was rapid and strengthened in mild hypothermia and decreased in hyperthermia. Mild hypothermia decreased p53 expression and increased bcl-2 expression, but hyperthermia decreased bcl-2 expression and increased p53 expression. TUNEL-positive neurons decreased in mild hypothermia and elevated in hyperthermia. Hypothermia via reducing p53, elevating c-fos and bcl-2 expression to reduce ischemic neurons death due to necrosis and apoptosis. Hyperthemia accelerated ischemic injury.