Abstract: [Abstract] Objective Using cultured rat chondrocytes to detect the influence of the expression of silence gene Bax interfered with RNA to cell apoptosis via mitochondria. Methods SD rat cartilage cells were isolated and cultured in vitro; expression of silence gene Bax was interfered with Bax siRNA;. expression levels of mRNA and proteins were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot; cells activity were tested by MTT assay; detect apoptosis rate was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double labeling assay; expression levels of Bcl-2, Cytochrome C proteins were detected by Western blot. Results after interfering with Bax siRNA for 24h, Bax mRNA and protein expression were significantly reduced. Apoptosis was inhibited, and cell survival rate increased. Moreover, in cells which silenced at Bax gene, Cytochrome C protein level decreased, while expression of Bcl-2 protein levels elevated. Conclusion To interfere silence gene Bax with RNA could inhibit apoptosis of rat chondrocytes and promote their survival, which may be associated with the mitochondrial pathway.

Key words: [Key words] Bax gene, RNA interference, Chondrocytes, Apoptosis, Mitochondria pathway