Abstract: Objective: To build a seawater immerging brain contusion model,observe the effect of seawater on traumatic brain edema and alteration of protein expression of apoptosis-ralated genes Bcl-2 and Bax. Methods: Brain contusion area of stereostatic impact injuried adult rabbits were subjected to fresh seawater immerging for 30 minutes.We observed pathological changes of traunatic brain edema,and examined protein expression of apoptosis-related genes Bax and Bcl-2 by immunohistochemical staining. Results of immunohistochemical staining were analysed by computer image-analysis system. Results: Traumatic brain edema occured in both groups. Immunoreactivity of Bcl-2 protein in experimental group was lower than that in control group,but Bax protein immunoreactivity was higher,the ratio of Bal-2/Bax had a decreasing tendency.Conculsions:Seawater immerging has the aggravated effect on traumatic brain edema,and possibly promotes cells apoptosis around brain contusion area.