Abstract: ObjectiveTo study the effect of exercise on expression of p38 after cerebral infarction in rats.MethodsThe right middle cerebral artery was occluded(MCAO) with electric coagulation in Wistar rats,and then were divided into three groups at random 48 hours later: training group which were given wheel-running exercise everyday(n=20);control group(n=20) and sham group(n=10).The expression of p38 in cortex of the three groups were detected on 7th,14th,21th and 28th day after the MCAO.ResultsIn the cortex around the infarcted focus,the expressions of p38 elevated much significantly after cerebral infarction(P<0.05).The expression of p38 in training group were higher than those in control group(P<0.05) on the 21th and 28th day.ConclusionThe cerebral infarction could induce the expression of p38.The exercise could enhance its expression.

Key words: cerebral infarction, wheel-running exercise, rats, p38