[Effect of chronic pressure overload on the left ventricle myocyte apoptosis in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of chronic pressure overload on the apoptosis of the left ventricle myocytes in rabbits. METHODS: Rabbit models of chronic pressure overload-induced heart failure were prepared in which dynamic changes of apoptotic myocytes in the left ventricle were observed by way of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULTS: Only a few apoptotic cells was observed in the sham-operated group, while in the experimental group, the apoptotic left ventricle myocytes significantly increased after operation, presenting a peak level between day 3 and day 7. Seven days after the operation, the apoptotic myocytes began to decrease and till day 14, the apoptotic cell number had been smaller than that measured on day 1. When signs of heart failure set in, the apoptotic myocytes were again increased (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: During chronic pressure overload, myocyte apoptosis in the left ventricle is elevated at the early stages and undulates subsequently, with the peak occurring before hypertrophy is obvious.