Protective effects of metallothionein for myocardial interstitium on isolated rat hearts.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of metallothionein (MT) for myocardial interstitium on isolated rat heart. Methods 16 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. Controll group (C,n = 8),Distilled water was injected intreaperitioneally and 24 hours later isolated hearts were perfused by Langendorff model and stored in 4 C for 3 hours with Histidine-trytophan-ketoglurate(HTK) solutions, and then isolated hearts were perfused by Langendorff model for 25min. Experiment group(E,n= 8) ,3. 6% ZnSO4 were injected intreaperitioneally and 24 hours later isolated hearts were perfused by Langendorff model and stored in 4 C for 3 hours with HTK solution, and then isolated hearts were perfused by Langendorff model for 25min. MT content, the recovery of hemodynamics, hydroxyproline (HP) and endothelin (ET) content,and ultrastructure were tested. Results There were significantly increase in MT, hemodynamics recovery and HP content in E group than C group,and significantly reduce in ET in E group than C group. the E group ultrastructure injuries are less than C group. Conclusion This study demonstrated that MT has significantly protective effects for myocardial interstitium on isolated rat heart.