Abstract: Objective To study the relationship between expression of C-FOS protein and brain concussion and find a sensitive marker of diagnosis of the brain concussion. Methods Fifty-five rats were randomly divided into brain concussion groups and control group. The expression of C-FOS protein was microscopically observed by immunohistochemical method. Results There were negative expression of C-FOS protein in control group. In brain concussion group, however, positive expression of C-FOS protein in some neurons was seen at 15min after brain concussion, and reach to the peak at 6h after brain concussion, then decreased gradually. Conclusion These findings suggest that detection of C-FOS protein could be an index of diagnosis of brain concussion and a sensitive marker of timing of injury after brain concussion.

Key words: brain concussion, C-FOS protein, immunohistochemistry, injury time