Role of endothelial apoptosis induced by LPS in myocardial no-reflow after ischemia and reperfusion

Objective. To evaluate the role of endothelial apoptosis in myocardial no-reflow during ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods. Coronary artery was occluded for 30 minutes followed by 2 hours reperfusion in group I/R. Rabbits were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 50 mu g/kg, i.v.) for 5 hours before ischemia/reperfusion in group LPS. Size of no-reflow zone was determined by injecting thioflavin S immediately before the hearts were excised. Endothelial apoptosis were determined by in situ TDT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling. Results. LPS could induce coronary endothelial cell apoptosis. Compared with those in I/R group, both size of no-reflow zone and myocardial infarction zone in group LPS increased significantly. Conclusions. Apoptosis of endothelial cell of coronary artery induced by LPS could increase no-reflow in rabbit hearts. [Life Science Journal. 2008; 5(1): 35 - 37] (ISSN: 1097 - 8135).