Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the effect of HgCl₂ on the astrocyte in spinal cord.MethodsThirty SDrats(15♀,15♂,weighting 160~200g)w ere randomized into 3 groups of 10(5♀,5♂)each.Group Aand group Breceived HgCl₂ juice at a dose of 17mg/kg(1/4 LD₅₀),8.5 mg/kg(1/8 LD₅₀)respectively by gavage daily.Group Creceived 0.9% saline 2 ml by gavage daily.To found the sub-acute mercury poisoningr at model within(20±2)days.Then male rats in each group were dissected and the chelator(DMPS)was injected into the abdomen of female rats of group A and Bata dose of 28 mg/kg for 2 periods.Group Areceived DMPS+POF(pentoxifylline)and group Breceived DMPS only.The POF was used at a dose of 29.22 mg/kg by gavage daily for 14 days.The rats were all dissected and the spinal cord(L5-6)were gotten after the trial finished.Then the pathological section of spinal cord was made from and GFAP was detected.ResultsThe average gray scale in group Aand group Bare all less and the positive cell rate are all larger significantly compaired with control group.The POF depress the activation of astrocyte significantly.ConclusionSub-acute poisoning of HgCl₂ enhance GFAP level significantly in spinal cor d,and POF depresses the activation of astrocyte.