环孢霉素A通过ROS-Cyclophilin A-ERK1/2信号途径抑制人脐静脉内皮细胞与中性粒细胞粘附

为研究环孢霉素A(cyclosporin A,CsA)对缺氧／复氧诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞(ECV-304)与中性粒细胞粘附的影响,本工作以缺氧／复氧诱导粘附为模型,采用D-N-乙酰氨基己糖苷酶比色法检测粘附率,流式细胞术检测ECV-304细胞表面粘附分子E-选择素(E-selectin)、细胞间粘附分子-1(ICAM-1)的表达,Fenton反应测定活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)的含量,Westera-blot法检测ECV-304细胞亲环素A(cyclophilin A,CyPA)、磷酸化及总细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK1／2)蛋白的表达。结果发现,ECV-304细胞经缺氧／复氧处理后,ROS释放增多,E-selectin、ICAM-1的表达上调,其表面中性粒细胞的粘附增加,CsA能显著抑制缺氧／复氧的上述作用。缺氧／复氧后,CyPA蛋白表达明显上调,ERK1/2显著活化,细胞总ERK1/2蛋白表达无明显改变。CyPA抑制剂CsA以及CyPA反义寡核苷酸均明显减轻缺氧／复氧诱导的ERK1/2激活,显著减少ECV-304细胞与中性粒细胞柑附。ERK112信号通路特异性阻断剂PD98059亦显著抑制ECV-304细胞与中性粒细胞的粘附。上述结果提示,CsA抑制缺氧气／复氧诱导的ECV-304细胞与中性粒细胞粘附,并可能通过抑制ROS-Cyclophilin A-ERK112的信号转导途径实现。     

活性氧和线粒体ATP敏感钾通道介导肿瘤坏死因子α对缺氧/复氧心肌的保护作用

在培养的乳鼠心肌细胞上,研究肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)对缺氧/复氧损伤心肌的保护作用的机制。结果发现：(1)用TNF-α(10—500U／ml)预处理,缺氧/复氧后心肌细胞内锰超氧化物歧化酶(Mn-SOD)活性增高、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放量减少(P＜0．05);(2)用抗氧化剂N-乙酰半既氨酸(NAC,1mmol/L)、抗霉素A(antimycin A,50μmol/L)、2-巯基丙酰氨基乙酸(2-MPG,400μmol/L)和铜／锌超氧化物歧化酸(Cu/Zn,SOD)抑制剂二乙基二硫代氨基甲酸盐(DDC,100nmol/L)预处理,可取消TNF-α的抑制缺氧/复氧心肌细胞LDH释放和诱导Mn-SOD活性增高的作用;(3)mitoKATP通道抑制剂5-羟基癸酸(5-HD)预处理可阻断TNF-α对缺氧/复氧心肌细胞的保护作用;选择性mitoKATP通道开放剂diazoxide(50μmol/L)预处理可减少复氧后心肌细胞LDH的释放(P＜0．01),其作用可被5-HD(100μmol/L)和NAC所抑制。上述结果表明,活性氧和线粒体ATP敏感钾通道参与介导TNF-α对缺氧/复氧损伤的心肌保护作用。     

番茄红素对大鼠乳鼠心肌细胞缺氧复氧的保护作用以及其机制

目的:探讨番茄红素对心肌细胞缺氧复氧的保护作用以及其分子机制。方法:采用原代培养心肌细胞建立缺氧/复氧损伤模型,实验分8组:正常对照组,H/R组,H/R+番茄红素(1,2,4,8,16,32μmol/L)剂量组。观察各组细胞经H/R损伤后,细胞内天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、肌酸激酶(CK)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化情况,选择正常对照组,H/R组,最佳番茄红素剂量组做MTT分析细胞凋亡,Western检测TRL 4以及NF-κB的表达。结果:番茄红素(16,8,4,2μmol/L)剂量组可显著降低缺氧/复氧损伤心肌细胞内AST、CK、LDH释放量及MDA的生成,并能提高SOD活性。此外番茄红素可减少心肌细胞缺氧/复氧损伤后的心肌凋亡,减少TRL 4受体以及NF-κB的表达。结论:番茄红素具有抗缺氧/复氧损伤,保护心肌细胞的作用,其机制可能是通过抑制TRL 4通路来实现的。     

番茄红素对大鼠乳鼠心肌细胞缺氧复氧的保护作用以及其机制

目的：探讨番茄红素对心肌细胞缺氧复氧的保护作用以及其分子机制。方法：采用原代培养心肌细胞建立缺氧/复氧损伤模型,实验分8组：正常对照组,H/R组,H/R＋番茄红素（1,2,4,8,16,32μmol/L）剂量组。观察各组细胞经H/R损伤后,细胞内天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、肌酸激酶（CK）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量的变化情况,选择正常对照组,H/R组,最佳番茄红素剂量组做MTT分析细胞凋亡,Western检测TRL 4以及NF-κB的表达。结果：番茄红素（16,8,4,2μmol/L）剂量组可显著降低缺氧/复氧损伤心肌细胞内AST、CK、LDH释放量及MDA的生成,并能提高SOD活性。此外番茄红素可减少心肌细胞缺氧/复氧损伤后的心肌凋亡,减少TRL 4受体以及NF-κB的表达。结论：番茄红素具有抗缺氧/复氧损伤,保护心肌细胞的作用,其机制可能是通过抑制TRL 4通路来实现的。     

TNF-α在冻融嗜中性粒细胞介导血管内皮细胞损伤中的作用

目的:探讨肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)在组织冻融造成的血管内皮细胞(VEC)损伤过程中的作用.方法:以右旋糖酐沉降法分离的大鼠嗜中性粒细胞(PMN)和体外培养的大鼠VEC为实验材料,建立细胞冻融模型.通过测定培养液中LDH活性确定VEC损伤程度,采用活性染料吞噬法检测与VEC粘附的PMN数,以流式细胞技术分析淋巴细胞功能相关抗原-1(LFA-1)表达.结果:TNF-α上调冻融PMN表面LFA-1表达,促进冻融PMN与正常VEC粘附,增强VEC损伤.抗LFA-1Mab部分阻断冻融PMN与正常VEC粘附,减轻VEC损伤.结论:在冻融损伤过程中TNF-α促进PMN表面LFA-1表达,增强PMN-VEC粘附,加重VEC损伤.     

三七皂苷对缺氧复氧心肌细胞损伤保护作用的研究

目的：研究三七皂苷对纯化培养大鼠乳鼠心肌细胞缺氧/复氧损伤的保护作用及机制。方法：采用纯化培养的心肌细胞建立缺氧/复氧损伤模型,测定细胞凋亡率、caspase-3、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）含量。结果：与正常组比较,模型组LDH、MDA含量、caspase-3活性及细胞凋亡率明显升高（P＆lt;0.01）,SOD活性明显降低（P＆lt;0.01）;三七皂苷组降低LDH、MDA含量、caspase-3活性和细胞凋亡率,提高SOD活性,与缺氧/复氧组比较各实验指标差异均具有显著性（P＆lt;0.05）。结论：三七皂苷对缺氧/复氧心肌细胞损伤有保护作用,作用机制与清除氧自由基,抗脂质过氧化及降低细胞凋亡率有关。     

腺苷对缺氧/复氧心肌细胞的保护作用

本研究旨在探讨腺苷 (adenosine ,ADO)对缺氧 /复氧 (hypoxia/reoxygenation ,H/R)心肌细胞的保护作用及其分子机制。将原代培养的新生大鼠心肌细胞分成H/R对照组和ADO (1 0 μmol/L)保护组。用倒置相差显微镜观察心肌细胞的生长状态。检测两组培养基质乳酸脱氢酶 (LDH)活性和心肌细胞Ca2 + 和丙二醛 (MDA)浓度。用ELISA法检测肿瘤坏死因子 (TNF α)的表达 ,并用凝胶电泳迁移率改变法 (EMSA)测定核因子 (NF κB)结合活性。所得结果如下 :(1)心肌细胞H/R培养后皱缩、变圆 ,伪足减少 ,ADO组心肌细胞的形态变化小于对照组 ;(2 )ADO减少缺氧和复氧期间心肌细胞LDH的漏出 (bothP <0 0 1) ;(3 )ADO降低缺氧和复氧期间心肌细胞内的Ca2 +浓度 (bothP <0 0 1) ;(4)ADO降低缺氧和复氧期间心肌细胞MDA浓度 (bothP <0 0 1) ;(5 )ADO抑制缺氧和复氧期间TNF α的表达 (bothP <0 0 1) ;(6)ADO抑制缺氧和复氧期间心肌细胞NF κB结合活性 (bothP <0 0 1)。以上结果提示 :(1)外源性ADO可减轻心肌细胞的H/R损伤 ;(2 )外源性ADO抑制H/R期间心肌细胞TNF α的表达 ;(3 )外源性ADO可能通过抑制心肌细胞NF κB结合活性下调TNF α的表达     

藏药镰形棘豆对缺氧/复氧H_9C_2心肌细胞损伤的保护作用

探讨藏药镰形棘豆(OFB)提取物对缺氧/复氧(H/R)H_9C_2心肌细胞损伤的保护作用。方法:采用三气培养箱培养法建立H_9C_2心肌细胞缺氧/复氧损伤模型。实验分为3组:正常细胞对照组;缺氧/复氧损伤组(H/R);7个药物加缺氧/复氧损伤组(H/R+OFB);于缺氧/复氧开始时分别加入终浓度为0.1 mg/L、1 mg/L、10 mg/L、100 mg/L、300 mg/L、600 mg/L、1 000 mg/L的镰形棘豆提取物,以细胞活力为指标,利用MTS法测定药物对细胞活力的影响。检测镰形棘豆乙酸乙酯水甲醇压柱组分与氯仿萃取组分不同给药剂量对H_9C_2心肌细胞缺氧/复氧损伤的影响。结果:与模型组相比药物处理组显著升高缺氧/复氧H_9C_2心肌细胞活力(p0.05)。结论:藏药镰形棘豆对H_9C_2心肌细胞的缺氧/复氧损伤有保护作用。     

苦豆碱对缺氧/复氧损伤的人脐静脉内皮细胞保护机制研究

苦豆碱(aloperine,ALO)是一种具有抗炎、抗肿瘤及抗感染功效的生物碱,但其对人脐静脉内皮细胞缺氧/复氧损伤的影响尚不明确。本研究利用人脐静脉内皮细胞建立了体外缺氧/复氧损伤的细胞模型,对细胞进行分组处理:对照组、缺氧/复氧损伤组、苦豆碱(20、50和100μmol/L)预处理组。对细胞活力、细胞内乳酸盐脱氢酶(LDH)、丙二醛(MDA)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,细胞内白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α),以及内质网应激相关蛋白GRP78,XBP-1和凋亡相关蛋白CHOP的表达进行了检测。我们发现与缺氧/复氧损伤组相比,苦豆碱预处理能显著提高细胞活力和SOD活性、降低LDH活性、MDA含量以及IL-1β和TNF-α的水平(P0.05)。另外,苦豆碱预处理还显著下调缺氧/复氧损伤引起的GRP78、XBP-1和CHOP水平的上升(P0.05)。本研究证实苦豆碱能够提高细胞抗脂质过氧化反应的能力、降低炎症因子水平、抑制内质网应激引起的细胞凋亡,改善缺氧/复氧损伤引起的内皮细胞损伤。     

金属硫蛋白在心肌细胞保护中与抗氧化酶的关系

目的：探讨金属硫蛋白（MT）在心肌细胞缺氧／复氧损伤（H／R）和预缺氧（HRC）保护中与抗氧化酶的关系。方法：建立培养的乳鼠心肌细胞缺氧／复氧模型,检测HPC、锌诱导、外源MT和MT抗体等处理下,心肌细胞MT含量变化及抗氧化酶（SOD,CAT,GSHpx）活力的相应变化。结果：HPC和锌诱导组MT含量及抗氧化酶的活力均显著高于H／R组P＜0. 05、P＜0.01）：外源MT处理后SOD活力显著高于对照组（P＜0.01）,CAT和GSHpx活力虽然显著低于对照组但显著高于H／R组（P＜0.01）;使用MT抗体后,酶活力最低。结论：MT参与HPC的心肌细胞保护作用,并通过保护抗氧化酶的活力的机制减轻H／R所致的心肌损伤。     

孤儿核受体Nur77对缺/复氧损伤中心肌细胞自噬的调节

目的:研究孤儿核受体Nur77对缺/复氧损伤中心肌细胞自噬的调节作用。方法:差速贴壁法分离乳鼠心肌细胞,经免疫荧光染色鉴定纯度。缺氧(1%O_2、5%CO_2和94%N_2)培养12 h后,常氧培养2 h构建心肌细胞缺/复氧损伤。实时定量PCR和western blot的方法检测Nur77的表达变化。通过siRNA转染抑制心肌细胞nur77表达,通过自噬标志蛋白表达改变作为细胞自噬水平的变化。结果:原代分离的心肌细胞纯度95%以上。缺氧12 h和缺/复氧(12 h/2 h)刺激后,心肌细胞中Nur77表达都明显升高(P0.01)。与缺氧组相比,缺/复氧组细胞质中的水平明显增加(P0.01),细胞核中Nur77水平无明显变化。抑制Nur77后,缺/复氧组自噬水平明显降低,缺氧组心肌细胞自噬水平无明显变化。结论:Nur77参与缺/复氧损伤中心肌细胞自噬水平的调节。     

Homer1b/c在缺氧复氧损伤神经元中的保护作用研究

目的:探讨Homer1b/c在缺氧复氧损伤神经元中的作用。方法:构建pc DNA3.1-Homer1b/c质粒和Homer1b/c si RNA,过表达及si RNA干扰Neuro-2a细胞中Homer1b/c的水平,western blot分析观察上调及下调Homer1b/c后Homer1b/c的蛋白表达变化,再予细胞缺氧复氧损伤处理,观察细胞生存率、乳酸脱氢酶(Lactic dehydrogenase,LDH)释放量及caspase-3活性的变化。结果:过表达及si RNA干扰Homer1b/c后,Homer1b/c的蛋白水平分别较正常组明显增高及降低(P值分别0.01),提示过表达及干扰Homer1b/c的效果均明显,分别能明显提高及降低Homer1b/c的水平。在缺氧复氧损伤条件下,Homer1b/c过表达组较空质粒转染组,其细胞生存率明显增加,LDH释放量、caspase-3活性明显降低(P值分别0.05);相反,下调Homer1b/c的水平后,与control si RNA转染组相比,细胞生存率明显降低,而LDH释放量和caspase-3活性明显增加(P值分别0.05)。结论:Homer1b/c在缺氧复氧损伤神经元中具有神经保护作用。     

大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的保护作用

为探讨p53上调凋亡调制物(p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis, PUMA)在大鼠心肌细胞缺氧/复氧（hypoxia/reoxygenatio, H/R）损伤中的作用,本 研究将靶向PUMA的siRNA（si-PUMA）转染大鼠心肌细胞以建立PUMA沉默表达模型,观察其对心肌细胞H/R损伤的影响.RT-PCR和Western印迹结果表明,最适转染浓度50 nmol/L si-PUMA能靶向抑制H/R损伤心肌细胞的PUMA表达;MTT法检测心肌细胞存活率及培养基乳酸脱氢酶（lactate dehydrogenase, LDH）活性测定结果发现,si-PUMA 组细胞存活率较H/R 6 h模型组明显提高,培养液中LDH活性显著降低（P<0.01）;分光光度法及Annexin V-FITC/PI联合染色流式细胞凋亡检测结果显示,si-PUMA组caspase-3活性较H/R 6h组明显下调,细胞凋亡率明显降低（P <0.01）;RT-PCR结果 提示,与H/R 6 h组相比,si-PUMA组Bax及Bcl-2表达分别出现显著下调及上调（P <0.05）.以上结果表明,靶向PUMA的siRNA转染能明显增强心肌细胞耐受H/R损伤的能力,对心肌细胞具有较好的保护作用;PUMA介导H/R诱导的心肌细胞凋亡,是心肌缺血/再灌注损伤基因治疗的一个潜在靶点.     

The optimization conditions of establishing an H9c2 cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation injury model based on an AnaeroPack System

Ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of cardiomyocyte apoptosis after vascular recanalization, which was mimicked by a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury model of cardiomyocytes in vitro. In this study, we explored an optimal H/R duration procedure using the AnaeroPack System. To study the H/R procedure, cardiomyocytes were exposed to the AnaeroPack System with sugar and serum-free medium, followed by reoxygenation under normal conditions. Cell injury was detected through lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cardiac troponin (c-Tn) release, morphological changes, cell apoptosis, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins. The results showed that the damage to H9c2 cells increased with prolonged hypoxia time, as demonstrated by increased apoptosis rate, LDH and c-Tn release, HIF-1α expression, as well as decreased expression of Bcl-2. Furthermore, hypoxia for 10 h and reoxygenation for 6 h exhibited the highest apoptosis rate and damage and cytokine release; in addition, cells were deformed, small, and visibly round. After 12 h of hypoxia, the majority of the cells were dead. Taken together, this study showed that subjecting H9c2 cells to the AnaeroPack System for 10 h and reoxygenation for 6 h can achieve a practicable and repeatable H/R injury model.     

Insulin Protects Apoptotic Cardiomyocytes from Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury through the Sphingosine Kinase/Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Axis

Objective

Experimental and clinical studies have shown that administration of insulin during reperfusion is cardioprotective, but the mechanisms underlying this effect are still unknown. In this study, the ability of insulin to protect apoptotic cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury using the sphingosine kinase/sphingosine 1-phosphate axis was investigated.

Methods and Results

Rat cardiomyocytes were isolated and subjected to hypoxia and reoxygenation. [γ-32P] ATP was used to assess sphingosine kinase activity. Insulin was found to increase sphingosine kinase activity. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis showed changes in the subcellular location of sphingosine kinase 1 from cytosol to the membrane in cardiomyocytes. Insulin caused cardiomyocytes to accumulate of S1P in a dose-dependent manner. FRET efficiency showed that insulin also transactivates the S1P₁ receptor. TUNEL staining showed that administration of insulin during reoxygenation could to reduce the rate of reoxygenation-induced apoptosis, which is a requirement for SphK 1 activity. It also reduced the rate of activation of the S1P receptor and inhibited hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cell death in cardiomyocytes.

Conclusion

The sphingosine kinase 1/sphingosine 1-phosphate/S1P receptor axis is one pathway through which insulin protects rat cardiomyocytes from apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation injury.     

靶向PUMA的siRNA对缺氧/复氧诱导大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的保护作用

为探讨p53上调凋亡调制物(p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis,PUMA)在大鼠心肌细胞缺氧/复氧(hypoxia/reoxygenatio,H/R)损伤中的作用,本研究将靶向PUMA的siRNA(si-PUMA)转染大鼠心肌细胞以建立PUMA沉默表达模型,观察其对心肌细胞H/R损伤的影响.RT-PCR和Western印迹结果表明,最适转染浓度50 nmol/L si-PUMA能靶向抑制H/R损伤心肌细胞的PUMA表达;MTT法检测心肌细胞存活率及培养基乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)活性测定结果发现,si-PUMA组细胞存活率较H/R 6 h模型组明显提高,培养液中LDH活性显著降低(P<0.01);分光光度法及Annexin V-FITC/PI联合染色流式细胞凋亡检测结果显示,si-PUMA组caspase-3活性较H/R 6h组明显下调,细胞凋亡率明显降低(P<0.01);RT-PCR结果提示,与H/R6 h组相比,si-PUMA组Bax及Bcl-2表达分别出现显著下调及上调(P<0.05).以上结果表明,靶向PUMA的siRN...     

Mitochondrial involvement in IGF-1 induced protection of cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury

Studies in animal models of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion revealed that the administration of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) can provide substantial cardioprotective effect. However, the mechanisms by which IGF-1 prevents myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury are not fully understood. This study addresses whether mitochondrial bioenergetic pathways are involved in the cardioprotective effects of IGF-1. Single cardiomyocytes from adult rats were incubated in the absence or presence of IGF-1 for 60 min and subjected to 60 min hypoxia followed by 30 min reoxygenation at 37°C. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by assessment of enzyme activities of oxidative phosphorylation and Krebs cycle pathways. Hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) caused significant inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory complex IV and V activities and of the Krebs cycle enzyme citrate synthase, whereas pretreatment with IGF-1 maintained enzyme activities in myocytes at or near control levels. Mitochondrial membrane potential, evaluated with JC-1 staining, was significantly higher in IGF-1 + HR- treated myocytes than in HR alone, with levels similar to those found in normal control cardiomyocytes. In addition, IGF-1 reduced both HR-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and malondialdehyde production (an indicator of lipid peroxidation) in cardiomyocytes. These results suggest that IGF-1 protects cardiomyocytes from HR injury via stabilizing mitochondria and reducing reactive oxidative species (ROS) damage.     

Green tea protection of hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in cultured cardiac cells

Antioxidant-rich diets exert a protective effect in diseases involving oxidative damage. Among dietary components, green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants. In this study, cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were used to clarify the protective effect of a green tea extract on cell damage and lipid peroxidation induced by different periods of hypoxia followed by reoxigenation. Cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to 2--8 hr hypoxia, eventually followed by reoxygenation, in the absence or presence of alpha-tocopherol or green tea. LDH release and the production of conjugated diene lipids were measured, and appeared linearly related to the duration of hypoxia. During hypoxia, both LDH release and conjugated diene production were reduced by alpha-tocopherol and, in a dose dependent manner, by green tea, the 50 &mgr;g/ml being the most effective dose. Reoxygenation caused no further increase in LDH leakage, while it caused a significant increase in conjugate dienes, which absolute value was lower in antioxidant supplemented cells. Anyway, the ratio between conjugated diene production after hypoxia and after reoxygenation was similar in all groups, indicating that the severity of free radical-induced reoxygenation injury is proportional to the severity of previous hypoxic injury. Since hypoxic damage is reduced by alpha-tocopherol and green tea, our data suggest that any nutritional intervention to attenuate reoxygenation injury must be directed toward the attenuation of the hypoxic injury. Therefore, recommendations about a high dietary intake of antioxidants may be useful not only in the prevention, but also in the reduction of cardiac injury following ischemia.     

Hypoxic postconditioning enhances the survival and inhibits apoptosis of cardiomyocytes following reoxygenation: role of peroxynitrite formation

Objectives: Our previous study has shown that slow or “controlled” reperfusion for the ischemic heart reduces cardiomyocyte injury and myocardial infarction, while the mechanisms involved are largely unclear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that enhancement of survival and prevention of apoptosis in hypoxic/reoxygenated cardiomyocytes by hypoxic postconditioning (HPC) are associated with the reduction in peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) formation induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Methods: Isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to 2 h of hypoxia followed by 3 h of reoxygenation. After 2 h of hypoxia the cardiomyocytes were either abruptly reperfused with pre-oxygenized culture medium or postconditioned by two cycles of 5 min of brief reoxygenation and 5 min of re-hypoxia followed by 160 min of abrupt reoxygenation. Results: H/R resulted in severe injury in cardiomyocytes as evidenced by decreased cell viability, increased LDH leakage in the culture medium, increased apoptotic index (P values all less than 0.01 vs. normoxia control group) and DNA ladder formation, which could be significantly attenuated by HPC treatment applied before the abrupt reoxygenation (P < 0.05 vs. H/R group). In addition, H/R induced a significant increase in ONOO⁻ formation as determined by nitrotyrosine content in cardiomyocytes (P < 0.01 vs. normoxia control). Treatment with the potent ONOO⁻ scavenger uric acid (UA) at reoxygenation significantly decreased ONOO⁻ production and protected myocytes against H/R injury, whereas the same treatment with UA could not further enhance myocyte survival in HPC group (P > 0.05 vs. HPC alone). Statistical analysis showed that cell viability closely correlated inversely with myocyte ONOO⁻ formation (P < 0.01). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that hypoxic postconditioning protects myocytes against apoptosis following reoxygenation and enhances myocytes survival, which is partly attributable to the reduced ONOO⁻ formation following reoxygenation. H.-C. Wang and H.-F. Zhang contributed equally to this study.