低氧条件下大鼠血管内皮细胞的形态观察

原代培养大鼠血管内皮细胞,将培养箱内通入5%CO2-95%N2混合气体（氧分压为18.3 mmHg）并培养大鼠血管内皮细胞12、24h,使用MTT法、LDH活力测定及细胞骨架染色对低氧细胞模型鉴定,研究大鼠血管内皮细胞低氧模型的建立条件及其形态学特点。在低氧12h条件下,血管内皮细胞存活率降低、LDH释放增加,但细胞骨架保持完整;在低氧24h条件下,血管内皮细胞存活率降低、LDH释放增加,细胞骨架破碎。结果表明在低氧（氧分压为18.3 mmHg）24h条件下,可以建立大鼠血管内皮细胞低氧模型。     

葛根素对大鼠星形胶质细胞的体外保护作用

目的：研究葛根素（Pue)对缺氧缺糖（OGD）、谷氨酸钠（Glu)或反式－氨基－环戊基－ 1,3－二羧酸（trans-ACPD)引起的体外培养大鼠星形胶质细胞损伤的保护作用。方法：用乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）试剂盒测定细胞LDH漏出,用3－氧－甲基[1-^3H]－D－葡萄糖摄取法测定细胞体积。结果：缺氧缺糖5h、Glu 0.5mmol/L或trans-ACPD 1mmol/L作用星形胶质细胞1h,细胞体积及LDH漏出明显增加;当细胞在缺氧缺糖、Glu或trans-ACPD损伤的同时,加Pue 0.1mmol/L,能明显减少细胞的体积及LDH的漏出。结论：Pue对OGD、谷氨酸或trans-ACPD致大鼠星形胶质细胞损伤有保护作用。     

急性低氧条件下大鼠循环血中内皮细胞及肺小动脉内皮细胞的改变

目的:探讨急性低氧对血管内皮细胞(VEC)和循环血液中内皮细胞(CEC)的影响.方法:用光镜观察急性低氧情况下血中CEC的形态并记数,用组织化学染色和显微分光光度计对血中年轻型CEC及肺小动脉VEC的乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性进行定量分析.结果:与低氧前相比,低氧后各组VEC的LDH活性均下降,且随低氧时间延长,LDH活性下降越明显.而低氧前后各组年轻型CEC的LDH活性是一致的,且明显低于各组VEC的LDH活性.低氧前CEC多为衰老型,低氧后CEC数量增多且多为年轻型,随低氧时间延长年轻型CEC增多越明显.结论:CEC的形态和数量的变化可以反映血管的损伤情况;VEC的LDH活性可以反映VEC向CEC转化的进程;年轻型CEC的LDH活性可以反映VEC脱落时的损伤程度.     

SURZB/Kir6.1通道开放剂纳他卡林对低氧致大鼠主动脉内皮细胞损伤的保护作用

目的:探讨纳他卡林对低氧引起大鼠主动脉内皮细胞损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法:选取大鼠主动脉内皮细胞作为体外低氧损伤的细胞模型,分为正常对照组、低氧模型组、纳他卡林低、中、高剂量组,利用MTT法测定细胞生存率,硝酸还原酶法检测一氧化氮(NO)释放,RT-PCR法检测细胞间粘附因子-1(ICAM-1)、内皮素-1(ET-1)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)mRNA水平。结果:纳他卡林三个剂量组均可逆转低氧所致的血管内皮细胞功能改变,包括提高内皮细胞生存活力和NO的释放水平,显著抑制低氧引发的内皮细胞ICAM-1,ET-1,VEGF mRNA表达量的上调。结论:纳他卡林对低氧诱发的血管内皮细胞分泌功能改变、细胞通透性增加及炎性因子的分泌均具有保护作用。     

金属硫蛋白拮抗同型半胱氨酸对血管内皮细胞的脂质过氧化作用

目的:观察金属硫蛋白(metallothionein,MT)对同型半胱氨酸(homocysteine Hcy)损伤血管内皮细胞的拮抗作用及机制.方法:培养液中分别加入Hcy及Hcy MT孵育血管内皮细胞,自动生化分析仪测培养液乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性,硫代巴比妥酸法测细胞丙二醛(MDA)含量.结果:同型半胱氨酸增加内皮细胞LDH及蛋白漏出,并使细胞MDA含量明显升高.MT呈浓度依赖性地抑制Hcy所致的血管内皮细胞损伤及MDA增高.结论:MT拮抗Hcy对血管内皮细胞的脂质过氧化损伤.     

通络救脑注射液对大鼠脑微血管内皮细胞活性 及其条件培养液影响的初步研究

目的：观察通络救脑注射液对正常及拟缺血大鼠脑微血管内皮细胞的活性影响,并初步探讨细胞条件培养液内蛋白分泌的时效特征、奠定可溶性蛋白深入分析的技术基础。方法：通络救脑注射液作用于正常夏拟缺血脑微血管内皮细胞之后,用MTS／PMS比色分析法测定细胞的活性,Bradford法测定细胞培养液总蛋白含量,比色分析法测定细胞培养液乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）漏出值,同步观察了5个时间点的细胞活性及条件培养液总蛋白量及LDH释放量。结果：通络救脑注射液能够提高拟缺血细胞的活性,且抑制LDH释放量;正常组分泌总蛋白量3h达到高峰,此时细胞活性最佳,LDH释放量亦少。拟缺血组分泌总蛋白量是6h达到高峰,此时LDH释放量最少,但细胞活性与3h比较有所下降。结论：通络救脑注射液对拟缺血细胞损伤具有保护作用：以3h至6h的细胞条件培养液做为收集目标是研究条件培养液的最佳时间段。     

牡砺糖胺聚糖对血管内皮细胞损伤的保护作用研究

目的：探讨牡蛎糖胺聚糖（O—GAG）对血管内皮细胞损伤的保护作用,观察它对损伤的血管内皮细胞内一氧化氮（NO）、丙二醛（iDA）含量及乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性的影响。方法：采用人脐静脉内皮细胞株ECV304体外培养的方法,建立过氧化氢（H2O2）诱导的内皮细胞损伤模型,噻唑蓝（MTT）比色法观察牡蛎糖胺聚糖对血管内皮细胞增殖活性的影响,硝酸还原酶法、硫代巴比妥酸法和硝基苯肼法分别检测细胞内NO的含量、细胞培养液内MDA的含量和LDH的活性。结果：模型组较正常对照组细胞增殖活性明显降低（P〈0．01）。与模型组相比,经牡蛎糖胺聚糖预处理的各保护组（除10μg／ml）细胞增殖活性明显增加（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）,NO的含量增加,MDA的含量和LDH的活性降低（P〈0．01）。牡蛎糖胺聚糖（100、200μg／ml）对于正常的内皮细胞有促增殖作用（P〈0．05）。结论：牡蛎糖胺聚糖对氧化损伤的血管内皮细胞具有保护作用,其作用机制可能与增加细胞NO含量、减少MDA生成和LDH释放有关。牡蛎糖胺聚糖对正常血管内皮细胞在一定剂量范围内有促增殖作用．     

低氧脑水肿大鼠脑组织VEGF和AQPs基因及蛋白表达的变化

目的：探讨低氧脑水肿时血管内皮细胞生长因子（VEGF）、水通道蛋白（AQP1和AQP4）基因和蛋白表达变化,为阐明急性低氧对脑组织的损伤及低氧脑水肿的发病机制提供实验依据。方法：Wistar大鼠随机分为4个组：常氧对照组（Control）、低氧暴露4 000 m组（4 000 m）、低氧暴露6 000 m组（6 000 m）和低氧暴露8 000 m组（8 000 m）,低氧组于低压舱中模拟相应海拔高度持续暴露8 h建立低氧脑水肿模型。用干-湿重法测定脑组织水含量,常规光镜观察脑组织形态学的改变;用RT-PCR法和免疫组化法检测低氧脑水肿时大鼠脑组织VEGF、AQP1和AQP4mRNA和蛋白表达的变化。结果：①干-湿重法测定表明,低氧（≥6 000 m）暴露后,大鼠脑组织水含量明显增加（P〈0.01）。②常规光镜检测结果表明,低氧暴露4 000 m时大鼠脑神经细胞、血管内皮细胞和星形胶质细胞足突轻度肿胀,组织中出现漏出液;低氧暴露6 000 m时脑血管内皮细胞和星形胶质细胞足突肿胀加重,血管与组织间隙扩大,组织中漏出液增多;低氧暴露8 000m时脑血管内皮细胞和星形胶质细胞足突重度肿胀,血管与组织间隙进一步扩大,组织中漏出液明显增多。③低氧脑水肿时,VEGF、AQP1、AQP4mRNA表达水平增高,AQP1在内皮细胞异常表达,内皮细胞VEGF和AQP1、星形胶质细胞足突AQP4蛋白质表达水平增高。结论：低氧脑水肿时,VEGF、AQP1和AQP4表达和分布的变化可能是引起血脑屏障损伤、导致低氧脑水肿的发病机制之一。     

乳酸对培养大鼠大脑皮层神经元缺氧/复氧损伤的影响

目的:观察不同浓度乳酸对原代培养大鼠大脑皮层神经元缺氧/复氧(H/R)损伤的影响及其机制。方法:原代培养大鼠大脑皮层神经元缺氧8、12、24h后在培养液中添加不同浓度乳酸(终浓度分别为0、0.5、1.0、2.0、5.0mmol/L),复氧24h,以细胞存活率和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放量为指标,观察不同浓度乳酸对神经元H/R损伤的影响,并以盐酸模拟乳酸解离的H 的作用,探讨乳酸对大脑皮层神经元H/R损伤影响的机制。结果:5.0mmol/L乳酸和盐酸引起常氧神经元损伤并加重神经元H/R损伤;1.0mmol/L乳酸对缺氧12h和24h神经元H/R损伤具有保护作用,相同浓度盐酸对神经元H/R损伤无影响。结论:较低浓度乳酸对神经元H/R损伤具有保护作用,其机制与H 的作用无关;较高浓度乳酸加重神经元H/R损伤,其机制可能包括H 的作用。     

镁离子对培养细胞紫外线辐射损伤的防护作用研究

通过观察镁离子对紫外线辐射损伤后细胞活性与光产物产量的影响,以明确镁离子对UVB辐射细胞损伤的防护作用.在实验中,选择成人成纤维细胞(HDF-a)和角质形成细胞(HaCaT)进行细胞培养,筛选小剂量UVB辐射进行诱导性损伤,观察不同浓度镁离子(0.1 mmol/L,0.2 mmol/L,0.4 mmol/L,0.8 mmol/L,1.2 mmol/L)对辐射损伤的细胞活性、基因组断裂情况及光产物产量的影响.研究结果显示,在UVB辐射后,两个细胞系细胞活性显著下降,镁离子培养液孵育的细胞活性均比UVB辐射损伤对照组显著升高,而镁离子孵育后细胞光产物嘧啶二聚体(CPDs)量明显减少.实验研究证实,镁离子对UVB辐射损伤的培养细胞具有防护作用,为UV辐射所致的DNA损伤的修复提供理论基础.     

Intracellular adenosine formation and release by freshly-isolated vascular endothelial cells from rat skeletal muscle: effects of hypoxia and/or acidosis

Previous studies suggested indirectly that vascular endothelial cells (VECs) might be able to release intracellularly-formed adenosine. We isolated VECs from the rat soleus muscle using collagenase digestion and magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). The VEC preparation had >90% purity based on cell morphology, fluorescence immunostaining, and RT-PCR of endothelial markers. The kinetic properties of endothelial cytosolic 5′-nucleotidase suggested it was the AMP-preferring N-I isoform: its catalytic activity was 4 times higher than ecto-5′nucleotidase. Adenosine kinase had 50 times greater catalytic activity than adenosine deaminase, suggesting that adenosine removal in VECs is mainly through incorporation into adenine nucleotides. The maximal activities of cytosolic 5′-nucleotidase and adenosine kinase were similar. Adenosine and ATP accumulated in the medium surrounding VECs in primary culture. Hypoxia doubled the adenosine, but ATP was unchanged; AOPCP did not alter medium adenosine, suggesting that hypoxic VECs had released intracellularly-formed adenosine. Acidosis increased medium ATP, but extracellular conversion of ATP to AMP was inhibited, and adenosine remained unchanged. Acidosis in the buffer-perfused rat gracilis muscle elevated AMP and adenosine in the venous effluent, but AOPCP abolished the increase in adenosine, suggesting that adenosine is formed extracellularly by non-endothelial tissues during acidosis in vivo. Hypoxia plus acidosis increased medium ATP by a similar amount to acidosis alone and adenosine 6-fold; AOPCP returned the medium adenosine to the level seen with hypoxia alone. These data suggest that VECs release intracellularly formed adenosine in hypoxia, ATP during acidosis, and both under simulated ischaemic conditions, with further extracellular conversion of ATP to adenosine.     

外源性精胺对缺氧诱导乳鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响及其机制

目的：观察外源性精胺对缺氧所致的乳鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响,并探讨其机制。方法：复制原代培养乳鼠心肌细胞缺氧损伤模型（使用pH=6.8的Hank's平衡盐溶液作为细胞培养基,排出氧气,然后在缺氧箱中培养24 h）,细胞随机分为正常对照（Control）组、缺氧（Hypoxia）组和精胺干预（Hypoxia+Sp）组。Western blot检测心肌细胞多胺代谢关键酶（ODC、SSAT）蛋白质表达;CCK-8,Hoechst 33342染色观察细胞凋亡情况;光吸收法检测细胞（或培养液）内T-SOD和Caspase-3/-9活性,MDA、GSH含量;DCFH-DA染色观察细胞内活性氧（ROS）生成。结果：与正常组相比,Hypoxia组SSAT蛋白质表达、细胞凋亡率、MDA含量以及细胞内ROS生成增加,而ODC蛋白质表达、SOD活性、GSH含量降低;与Hypoxia组比较,Sp处理可减轻上述指标的变化。结论：外源性精胺可减轻缺氧引起的乳鼠心肌细胞损伤和凋亡,其机制与恢复多胺稳态和清除活性氧有关。     

Effects of sex hormones and their balance on the proliferation of rat vascular endothelial cells

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the adjustment of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone on the proliferation of female and male rat vascular endothelial cells (VECs) separately. METHODS: Rat lung VECs were cultured according to the block explanting method. MTT assay was used to measure the proliferation of VECs. RESULTS: 17beta-Estradiol (E(2)) at 3 x 10(-8) and 3 x 10(-7) M accelerated the proliferation of female rat VECs (p < 0.01). E(2) at 3 x 10(-9), 3 x 10(-8) and 3 x 10(-7) M accelerated the proliferation of male rat VECs (p < 0.05). Tamoxifen, the estrogen receptor antagonist, could block the effect of estrogen on the proliferation of VECs. Testosterone at 3 x 10(-8) and 3 x 10(-7) M significantly increased the proliferation of male rat VECs (p < 0.05), but had no effect on female rat VECs. Progesterone at 10(-9) and 10(-8) M had no effect on female rat VECs alone. When the ratio of E(2) to progesterone was 3/10, the proliferation of female rat VECs was accelerated (p < 0.05). When the ratio of E(2) to testosterone was 1/1, the proliferation of female rat VECs was also hastened (p < 0.05). However, when the ratio was reduced to 1/100, the hastening effect disappeared. CONCLUSION: Estrogen can speed up the proliferation of female and male rat VECs, while progesterone has no effect on female rat VECs alone. The balance of the ratio of E(2) to testosterone, E(2) to progesterone may play an important role in the proliferation of female rat VECs.     

热休克蛋白90在缺氧心肌细胞中表达的初步研究

观察热休克蛋白90(HSP90)在缺氧心肌细胞中的表达变化规律,并初步阐明HSP90在早期心肌缺氧损害中的作用。方法:原代培养SD大鼠乳鼠心肌细胞,随机分为正常对照组、缺氧组和加HSP90阻断剂格尔霉素(geldanamycin,GA)预处理后再缺氧组(GA 缺氧组),蛋白免疫印迹法(western blot)及间接免疫荧光法检测缺氧1、3、6、12、24h后心肌细胞中HSP90蛋白分布表达情况,并检测细胞上清中肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)及乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)的含量变化。结果:心肌细胞缺氧3h后HSP90蛋白在胞浆内表达量升高,持续到12h达到峰值。与单纯缺氧组相比,GA 缺氧组中LDH,CK-MB含量在不同时相点均有显著升高。结论:缺氧早期即可引起心肌细胞胞浆中HSP90蛋白表达增强,HSP90可能在早期心肌缺氧损害中发挥其内源性抗损伤机制。     

Lipopolysaccharide induces autophagy through BIRC2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as an important proinflammatory agent, targets the endothelium. However, almost all in vitro experiments of the effect of LPS on vascular endothelial cells (VECs) were performed under an artificially decreased concentration of serum that was not enough to maintain the cell growth for a long time. The mechanism underlying LPS action on VECs cultured in a nutrient‐rich condition is not clear. To address this question and mimic the in vivo condition, we investigated the effect of LPS on VEC autophagy, which is involved in numerous physiological processes. The effect of LPS on microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) distribution, LC3‐II accumulation and p62 degradation showed that LPS effectively induced autophagy in VECs cultured in the presence of 20% serum. To understand the mechanism by which LPS triggers the cell autophagy, we first investigated the effects of LPS on the expression of BIRC2 (cIAP1), a well‐known apoptosis inhibitor, and on the kinase activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and nuclear translocation of p53. LPS increased BIRC2 expression in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner and elevated the intranuclear level of p53 but had no effect on the mTOR pathway when it triggered VEC autophagy. Furthermore, knockdown of BIRC2 by RNA interference inhibited the autophagy and the translocation of p53 to nuclei induced by LPS. These data suggest a novel role for BIRC2 in LPS‐induced autophagy in VECs. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 174–179, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

银杏叶提取物对新生SD 乳鼠心肌细胞缺氧损伤的影响

目的:研究银杏叶提取物对缺氧状态下新生SD乳鼠心肌细胞的影响及其可能机制。方法:新生1天SD乳鼠心肌细胞原代培养并利用氮气培养箱模拟低氧构建乳鼠心肌缺氧体外模型。分为3组处理:对照组,缺氧组,缺氧+药物拮抗组。缺氧时间为12 h,通过免疫组化等检测方法,观察各组心肌细胞的损伤情况及心肌Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达情况。结果:缺氧可以造成新生SD乳鼠心肌细胞凋亡的发生(hypoxia:75.21%±1.21%,control:1.38%±0.45%,P<0.05,n=20),并导致其表达凋亡抑制因子Bcl-2蛋白水平的显著降低(0.125 fold VS control group,P<0.05),促细胞凋亡因子Bax蛋白水平显著升高(3.011fold VS control group,P<0.05);而银杏叶提取物作用后可明显逆转新生SD乳鼠心肌细胞凋亡的发生(EGb761:23.17%±0.43%,hypoxia:73.13%±1.22%,P<0.05,n=20),并明显逆转Bcl-2(5.716 fold VS hypoxia group,P<0.05)、Bax(0.273fold VS hypoxia group,P<0.05)等蛋白的表达水平。结论:凋亡相关因子Bcl-2和Bax等参与缺氧致心肌损伤过程,导致心肌细胞凋亡,银杏叶提取物能降低心肌Bax表达,提高Bcl-2表达,从而保护心肌细胞,抑制凋亡。     

Hypoxia-induced brain cell damage in male albino wistar rat

The biochemical markers of rat under low oxygen concentration, including brain water level, lactic acid, necrosis and Na+-K+-ATPase, was detected to analyze the hypoxia-induced brain damage, and to analyze the mechanism of brain injury. Histopathological alteration in brain tissue induced by hypoxia were investigated through hematoxylin and eosin stain (HE). Hypoxia induced factor-1a (HIF-1a) expression level in the brain was carried out using immunohistochemistry. Lactic acid level was positively correlated with the level of hypoxia, while concentration-dependent decrease in total Na+-K+-ATPase activity was noted. Hypoxia induced rathad a significant difference on brain water content compared to controls. The level of necrosis and lactic acid level was increased, and the decrease of Na+-K+-ATPase activity was observed. Histopathological examination of brain confirmed that there was neuronal cell death in hippocampal region. HIF-1a expression increased the hypoxia adaptation capability of the rat through the expressions of genes. Lactic acid, Na+-K+-ATPase and HIF-1a plays an important role in brain injury.     

Protective effect of gap junction uncouplers given during hypoxia against reoxygenation injury in isolated rat hearts

It has been shown that cell-to-cell chemical coupling may persist during severe myocardial hypoxia or ischemia. We aimed to analyze the effects of different, chemically unrelated gap junction uncouplers on the progression of ischemic injury in hypoxic myocardium. First, we analyzed the effects of heptanol, 18alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid, and palmitoleic acid on intracellular Ca2+ concentration during simulated hypoxia (2 mM NaCN) in isolated cardiomyocytes. Next, we analyzed their effects on developed and diastolic tension and electrical impedance in 47 isolated rat hearts submitted to 40 min of hypoxia and reoxygenation. All treatments were applied only during the hypoxic period. Cell injury was determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Heptanol, but not 18alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid nor palmitoleic acid, attenuated the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration induced by simulated ischemia in cardiomyocytes and delayed rigor development (rigor onset at 7.31 +/- 0.71 min in controls vs. 14.76 +/- 1.44 in heptanol-treated hearts, P < 0.001) and the onset of the marked changes in electrical impedance (tissue resistivity: 4.02 +/- 0.29 vs. 7.75 +/- 1.84 min, P = 0.016) in hypoxic rat hearts. LDH release from hypoxic hearts was minimal and was not significantly modified by drugs. However, all gap junction uncouplers, given during hypoxia, attenuated LDH release during subsequent reoxygenation. Dose-response analysis showed that increasing heptanol concentration beyond the level associated with maximal effects on cell coupling resulted in further protection against hypoxic injury. In conclusion, gap junction uncoupling during hypoxia has a protective effect on cell death occurring upon subsequent reoxygenation, and heptanol has, in addition, a marked protective effect independent of its uncoupling actions.     

氯化钴增强培养海马神经元葡萄糖转运活性参与抗缺氧的作用

本文用培养新生大鼠海马神经元观察了氯化钴对葡萄糖转运活性的影响及其在神经元抗缺氧中的作用。结果表明,用CoCl2处理的培养海马神经元,24h后其2-脱氧-D-[1-^3H]葡萄糖摄取率和葡萄糖转运体GLUT1和GLUT3mRNA表达明显高于对照组,并且其在缺氧6或8h后的损伤也明显减轻,氯化钴对神经元缺氧损伤的保护作用被葡萄糖转运体抑制剂细胞松弛素B大部分消除,结果提示,氯化钴能够增强神经元GLUT1和GLUT3mRNA的表达和葡萄糖转运活性,CoCl2的这一作用可能是其增强神经元抗缺氧的重要机制。     

Chemical hypoxia triggers apoptosis of cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes: Modulation by calcium-regulated proteases and protein kinases

Myocardial infarctions and stroke arise primarily as a result of hypoxia/ischemia-induced cell injury. However, the molecular mechanism of cardiac cell death due to hypoxia has not been elucidated. We showed here that chemical hypoxia induced by 1 mM azide triggered apoptosis of isolated neonatal rat ventricular cardiac myocytes but had no effect on cardiac fibroblasts. The azide-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis could be characterized by a reversible initiation phase (0-6 h after azide exposure) during which cytosolic ATP levels remained little affected. This was followed by an irreversible execution phase (12-18 h) exhibiting prominent internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, cell membrane leakage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased calpain messenger RNA. Blocking extracellular calcium influx or intracellular calcium release was each effective in suppressing myocyte apoptosis. Cell death was also found to be mediated by calcium sensitive signal transduction events based on the use of specific antagonists. Consistent with the induction of calpain expression during apoptosis, blocking de novo protein synthesis and calpain activity inhibited cell death. These regulatory features coupled with the ease of the cell system suggest that the myocyte apoptosis model described here should be useful in the study of events leading to the demise of the myocardium.