Objective         To investigate the pathological features of intraventricular injection of iron ion in rats with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and explore the role of iron in acute brain injury after IVH.       Methods        Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given an injection of 100 μL either normal saline (Control) or ferrous chloride (FeCl

2

the iron group) into the right lateral ventricle

and were euthanized at different time points. Brain edema was evaluated by wet-dry weighting in 24 h after injury. Evans blue (EB) staining was used to investigate blood brain barrier (BBB) injury. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase Mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL)

Fluoro-Jade C

(FJC) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were carried out to test the degeneration and apoptosis of hippocampus neurons and observe the damage in ventricular cilia. Hemosiderin deposition was investigated by stripping the whole cerebral ventricles in 7 d after injury.        Results      The iron group had significantly increased brain water content (P0.05)

damaged BBB

large amount of hippocampal neurons degenerated and apoptotic

and a great deal of cilia and microvilli shedding from ventricular ependyma in 24 h after the injury

and lot of hemosiderin deposition on the lateral ventricular wall in 7 d as well when compared to control group.        Conclusion      Intraventricular deposition of iron causes brain edema

BBB damage

injury of ventricular wall and other symptoms of acute brain injury

suggesting that iron may play an important role in the acute injury after IVH.