Relations Between fas Gene Expression in Myocardium and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats

Objective To explore whether there are any relations between fas gene expression in myocardium and left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) in spontaneous hypertensive rats(SHR). Methods Sixteen SHRs and WKYs were enrolled, systolic pressure was measured by tail-sleeve method. Fas mRNA expression in myocardium detected by RT-PCR method. Results Compared with WKY, the expression of fas in myocardium were significantly increased in SHR, and was positively correlated with left ventricular mass index(LVMI). Conclusions The fas mRNA expression in SHR increase during the early phase of myocardial hypertrophy and may play a important role in heart failure during late phase of SHR.