Objective:To evaluate the effects of mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF) on the brain water content and the expressions of β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) and neurofilament light polypeptide (NF-L) in rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI) complicated by seawater drowning (SWD). Methods:A total of 60 male rats were randomly divided into three groups: Sham group ( n=12), TBI+ SWD group ( n=24), and mNGF group ( n=24). The rat models were created on the basis of Marmarou′s weight-drop TBI modeling and instilling seawater into the trachea by syringe pump. The mNGF group was administered mNGF intraperitoneally; while the Sham group and the TBI+ SWD group were injected with an equivalent amount of normal saline. The brain water content was measured by using the dry-wet weight method. The pathological changes of the hippocampal tissue and the expressions of β-APP and NF-L were observed through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Results:Brain water content in the mNGF group was similar to that in the TBI+ SWD group ( P>0.05). Compared with the TBI+ SWD group, the expressions of β-APP and NF-L in the hippocampal tissue of the mNGF group were significantly reduced. Conclusion:mNGF can reduce the expressions of β-APP and NF-L, and protect the neurons of the rats after TBI+ SWD.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF) on the brain water content and the expressions of β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) and neurofilament light polypeptide (NF-L) in rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI) complicated by seawater drowning (SWD). Methods:A total of 60 male rats were randomly divided into three groups: Sham group ( n=12), TBI+ SWD group ( n=24), and mNGF group ( n=24). The rat models were created on the basis of Marmarou′s weight-drop TBI modeling and instilling seawater into the trachea by syringe pump. The mNGF group was administered mNGF intraperitoneally; while the Sham group and the TBI+ SWD group were injected with an equivalent amount of normal saline. The brain water content was measured by using the dry-wet weight method. The pathological changes of the hippocampal tissue and the expressions of β-APP and NF-L were observed through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Results:Brain water content in the mNGF group was similar to that in the TBI+ SWD group ( P>0.05). Compared with the TBI+ SWD group, the expressions of β-APP and NF-L in the hippocampal tissue of the mNGF group were significantly reduced. Conclusion:mNGF can reduce the expressions of β-APP and NF-L, and protect the neurons of the rats after TBI+ SWD.