Abstract: Objective To explore the changes of expression of heat-shock proteins（HSP） 70 mRNA in hippocampus of rats after diffuse axonal injury（DAI）. Methods RT-PCR products of HSP70 mRNA were tested by agarose gel electrophoresis after RT-PCR amplification. The changes of HSP70 mRNA expression were observed in rat hippocampus after DAI. Results The expression of HSP70 mRNA in the hippocampus could be detected 4 h after DAI. It reached maximum at 24 h and declined after 48 h. Conclusion HSP70 mRNA in hippocampus of rats could be useful for diagnosis of DAI.

Key words: forensic pathology, diffuse axonal injury, hippocampus, HSP70 heat-shock proteins, rats