ABSTRACT
AIM:To investigate the expression of nuclear factor-?B(NF-?B),inducable nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)in diabetic myocardium.METHODS:Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into control and experimental groups.Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ.The weight,blood glucose level and heart weight index(HWI)were measured 24 weeks after injection.The myocardial NF-?B,iNOS and COX-2 were stained at the same time.Furthermore,NF-?B activation in myocardium was investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA).RESULTS:(1)Compared to the normal rats,the NF-?B-positive cells in the myocardium in diabetic rats significantly increased.(2)NF-?B activation in myocardium by EMSA was significantly higher in the diabetic rats than that in the normal rats.(3)The iNOS was not expressed in normal rat myocardium and was significantly expressed in the diabetic rat myocardium.(4)The COX-2 was rarely expressed in normal rat myocardium and was significantly expressed in the diabetic rat myocardium.CONCLUSION:The expressions of NF-?B,iNOS and COX-2 are significantly enhanced in the diabetic myocardium.