OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of verapamil and purarin on apoptosis of cardiac myocytes in ischemic and
reperfused rats.
METHODS:Ischemic and
reperfused model of 56 male adult rats was established by LAD occlusion, among them 32 rats were pre treated with
verapamil and puerarin. Then apoptosis of cardiac myocytes, Bcl 2 and Bax related genes and influence of verapamil and puerarin were observed. Apoptotic myocytes were detected with TUNEL; Bcl 2 and Bax were detected with immunhisochemistry. RESULTS:Apoptotic myocytes were not increased in ischemia only group but significantly increased in ischemic and reperfused group ( P <0.001); the amount of apoptotic myocytes may be reduced by treatment with verapamil before ischemia or before reperfusion ( P <0.001) and may also be reduced by treatment with puerarin before reperfusion ( P <0.003). The expression of Bcl 2 and Bax were increased in ischemic, reperfused, and pretreatment groups. CONCLUSION:Apoptosis of cardiac myocytes were observed after ischemic and reperfusion. The process can be accelerated by perfusion and inhibited by pre-treatment with verapamil or puerarin. The expression of Bcl 2 and Bax were increased by ischemic stimulation.