Effects of Salidroside on gene expression in ischemic brain of rats

We employed DNA microarray to identify genes differentially regulated by salidroside in ischemic brain of MCAO rats. With a cut of p < .01 and 2-fold change, we found that 121 genes were upregulated and 142 genes were down-regulated in the MCAO group, compared to the sham group. Administration of salidroside (1 h after reperfusion, daily for 6 d) enhanced 28 transcripts and suppressed 16 transcripts. The genes involved in neuroplasticity and oxygen carrier were further confirmed by qRT-PCR. Our data suggest that salidroside could regulate neuroplasticity in post-ischemic stroke, in addition to its neuroportective function. MCAO rats were injected intraperitoneally with salidroside (50 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle (saline) once a day for 6 d, commencing 1 h after reperfusion (n=3 /group). Ischemic brain was dissected for RNA extraction. Differential gene expression regulated by salidroside were analysed by microarray and subsequently confirmed by qRT-PCR.