Effects of adiponectin on the cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats induced by ischemia and reperfusion and the expression of the related protein

Aim To study the effect of adiponectin(APN) on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2,Bax,Caspase-3 in rats with ischemia/reperfusion(I/R).Methods The I/R injury model was established by occluding the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery for 30 min and removing the ligation later to reperfusion for 3 hours.Forty-eight rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: sham group,I/R group and APN+I/R group.The infarct size was determined by using Evens blue and TTC double dye staining in 8 rats in each group.Others were monitored hemodynamics,then the ultrastructural change of myocardial tissue was observed by transmission electron microscope;cardiomyocyte apoptosis was marked by TUNEL;Bcl-2,Bax,Caspase-3 protein expression were tested by Western blot.Results APN pretreatment could decrease infarct size and ameliorate hemodynamics of I/R.APN also could inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis,increase the Bcl-2 protein expression(P0.05) and reduce the Bax and Caspase-3 protein expression(P0.05) in rats with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion.Conclusion The preexposure to APN provides protective effect on I/R injury,which is likely associated with the inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis by up-regulating Bcl-2 protein expression and down-regulating Bax,Caspase-3 protein expression.