OBJECTIVE: To study the expression changes of neuroglobin in rats with the model 
of diffuse traumatic brain injury and explore the relationship between the 
neuroglobin and neuron apoptosis in traumatic brain injury.
METHODS: The diffuse traumatic brain injury of rats was induced by the 
Marmarou's 'weight-drop' device. And the immunohistochemical technique was used 
to detect the expression changes of neuroglobin and neuron apoptosis in rat 
brain at different time points post-injury.
RESULTS: The expression of neuroglobin increased twice and reached peaks at 2 
hours and 72 hours post-injury respectively. And the increased expression of 
neuroglobin from 30 minutes to 1 hour post-injury and from 48 hours to 72 hours 
post-injury accompanied with the decreased expression ratio of Bax to Bcl-2.
CONCLUSION: The increased expression of neuroglobin in traumatic brain injury 
informed us that neuroglobin had anti-apoptosis action in post-injury neuron. It 
could protect the neuron from traumatic stress and secondary ischemia and 
hypoxia insults during ultra-early and acute stages.