Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  1998 Oct;31(10):924-927.

Expression of Bcl-2 Protein in Ischemia-Reperfused Myocardium of Rabbit

• Kim SH
• Park YT
• Seo PW
• Ryu JW
• Park SS
• Kim YK
• Choi CH
• Ryu GM
• Kim SS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Myocardial cell death after myocardial infarction or reperfusion is classified into necrosis and apoptosis. Bcl-2 protein is a cytoplasmic protein, which inhibits apoptosis and is expressed in acute stage of myocardial infarction but not in normal heart. This study was performed to investigate whether Bcl-2 protein was expressed respectively to the reperfusion time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty nine New Zealand white rabbits weighing 1.5-4.8 kg (mean, 2.9kg) were alloted into 7 groups (n=5 in each group) which underwent left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion. The animals were sacrificed at 1, 4, 8, 12, 24 hours, and 3, 7 days after occlusion. Ventricle was excised immediately after intervention. Tissues were fixed in 10% buffured formalin and embedded in paraffin. Bcl-2 protein was detected by immunohistochemical stain with using monoclonal antibody against Bcl-2 protein. RESULTS: The positive immunohistochemical reactivity for Bcl-2 protein was observed in 12, 24 hours, and 3 days reperfusion groups. Bcl-2 protein was detected in salvaged myocytes surrounding the infarcted area.
CONCLUSIONS
Bcl-2 protein is expressed at the late acute stage of infarct. Therefore, the expression of Bcl-2 protein may not protect acute cell death, but may play a role in the prevention of late cell death after myocardial is chemia-reperfusion.

Keyword

Myocardial reperfusion; Myocardial protection

MeSH Terms

Animals
Apoptosis
Cell Death
Coronary Vessels
Cytoplasm
Formaldehyde
Heart
Muscle Cells
Myocardial Infarction
Myocardial Reperfusion
Myocardium*
Necrosis
Paraffin
Rabbits
Reperfusion
Formaldehyde
Paraffin