Expression of NF-κB, metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases in rat ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction

AIM To observe changes of expression of NF-κB, metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) during ventricular remodeling following acute myocardial infarction and to investigate its pathological significance. METHODS The myocardial infarction model was established on rats by ligation of coronary artery. Twenty four hours after the operation, rats were randomly divided into operation group and sham group. The protein expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were examined by immunohistochemical analysis and Western-blot. The change of NF-κB activity was analyzed by EMSA. RESULTS The activity of NF-κB was enhanced after myocardial infarction and the expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were elevated(P0 .0 5 ) . CONCLUSION NF-κB activity and expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 change significantly after myocardial infarction, suggesting that all the three factors maybe involved in ventricular remodeling following acute myocardial infarction.