Protective effect of progesterone on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in newborn rats

ObjectiveTo study the effect of progesterone on free radical and apoptosis of hypoxic-ischem is brain damage in new bom rats.MethodsNinety 7-day-old neonatal rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operated group, hypoxic-ischem is and pretreatment group.The neuron apoptosis, the activity of GSHPx and the content of SOD and MDA were measured at 6h, 24h, 48h, 72h, Sd, respectively.ResultsThe neuronal apoptosis and MDA content in hypoxic-ischem is group were significantly higher than that in the sham-operated group(P<0.01),and those measures in pretreatment group were significantly lower than that in hypoxic-ischem is group(P<0.05).The activity of GSH-Px and the content of SOD in hypoxic-ischem is group were significantly lower than that in the sham-operated group and pretreatment group (P<0.05).ConclusionProgesterone can decrease the neuronal apoptosis and MDA content, increase the activity of GSHPx and the content of SOD of hypoxic-ischem is brain damage in new born rats.