ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between expression of Fas, bcl-2 and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in myocardial ischemia in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Myocardial ischemia was experimentally induced by ligating the left coronary artery. The rate were killed from 10 minutes to 7 days after the operation. Apoptotic myocardial cells were detected by TUNEL method. The expression of Fas and bcl-2 was studied by ABC immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cardiomyocytic apoptosis appeared from 3 to 36 hours after ischemia. This phenomenon however could not be detected by TUNEL method 7 days after ischemia. The expression of Fas could be detected by ABC immunohistochemistry from 3 hours to 7 days after ischemia, and the expression of bcl-2 from 10 minutes to 7 days. Cardiomyocytic apoptosis and Fas / bcl-2 expression appeared in different regions of myocardium: apoptosis in the ischemic regions, while Fas and bcl-2 expression in regions without obvious ischemia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In rats, Fas and bcl-2 may not directly regulate apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in case of myocardial ischemia.</p>