ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the changes of mRNA and protein expressions of heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) in rat ischemic myocardium at different intervals ischemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>60 SD male rats weighing 250-350 g, were randomly divided into one sham-operated group and five study groups (group A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, the left coronary artery of rats has been ligated for 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h respectively). Myocardil samples from infarct zone, ischemic and non-ischemic zone, were obtained for histology examination, and the mRNA for H-FABP in ischemic myocardial tissue were determined by RT-PCR. Serum free fatty acid(FFA) was determined by colorimetric method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to sham hearts, H-FABP mRNA expression were significantly decreased in ischemia zone of AMI rat hearts (P < 0.05), especially in rats underwent 4 h ischemia and 6 h ischemia (P < 0.01). Serum FFA were significantly increased in AMI rats relative to sham rats (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Significant down-regulated heart-type fatty acid binding protein after myocardial ischemia might play an important role in myocardial injury and energy metabolism disorder.</p>