Abstract: Objective To observe changes in the Bcl-2 and Bax gene expressions in rat brain mantle during the explosive blast injury. Methods Explosion shock was used to induce blast injury in the rat. From 12h to 96h after the blast injury, light microscope and electron microscope were used to observe the morphologic changes in rat brain mantle. Immunochemical method was used to study the changes in the expression of BCL-2 and BAX proteins in rat brain mantle, and gel electrophoresis was used to observe the changes in DNA ladder. Results During the postburst (12~96h), the increased apoptosis in brain mantle was observed by light microscope and electron microscope. The rate of BCL-2 and BAX positive cells has been the highest 24h after injury, with time their rate descending gradually in brain after the explosion. The DNA electrophoresis showed a typical ladder shape in 12h group, 24h group and 48h group. Above-mentioned changes were the most significant in 24h group. Conclusion The explosive blast injury could cause the apoptosis of some of the cerebral cortical neurons and the decline of BCL-2 /BAX rate.