Abstract: Objective To study the relationship between the expression of c-Fos protooncogene and skeleton muscle contusion of rats, and to search for a sensitive marker of timing for skeleton muscle contusion. Methods Fitty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into control group and experimental groups. The expression of c-fos was microscopically observed by immunohistochemical method. Results With the time prolonged the c-fos positive intensity and area were increased. Positive expression of c-fos protein appeared at 15min after skeleton muscle contusion, and reached to the peak at 1h after skeleton muscle contusion, then decreased gradually and returned to the normal level on 1d after skeleton muscle contusion. Conclusion The detection of the expression of c-fos protein could be a sensitive marker for timing skeleton muscle contusion.

Key words: skeleton muscle contusion, c-fos, immunochemistry, injury time