Abstract:OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of microRNA expression in cortex tissues in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD)and the possible roles of microRNA in the pathogenesis of HIBD.MethodsRat HIBD model was prepared. The cortex tissues were obtained 14 days after the HIBD event. The microRNA expression profiles were measured using microRNA microarray. Expression of 9 microRNAs (miR-126,-26a,-674-5p,-21,-25,-290, miR-124,-125b-5p and microRNA-9a) was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: he results of microRNA expression profiles indicated that 27 pieces of microRNA were up-regulated more than 2 folds and 60 pieces were down-regulated more than 2 folds compared with the normal control group. The results of the 9 microRNAs detected by quantitative real-time PCR were consistent with those detected by microRNA microarray. CONCLUSIONS: HIBD rats have significant changes in microRNA expression, suggesting that microRNA expression may play important roles in the pathogenesis of HIBD.[Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2010, 12 (5):373-376]