Abstract: Objective To investigate the influence of heme oxygenase -1/carbon monoxide (HO-1/CO) system on apoptotic myocardial cells induced by angiotensin II (AngII) . Methods Primary culture of myocardial cells in neonatal Wistar rat, randomly divided cells into four groups. Respectively with Real Time - PCR and Western blot analyzed HO -1 mRNA and protein expression, colorimetric method was used for determination of cell culture supernatant fluid medium carbon oxygen hemoglobin content; flow cytometry instrument was used to detect cells apoptosis rate. Results AngII group of myocardial cell HO -1 mRNA, protein, COHb content and cell apoptosis were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), AngII+hemin group HO -1 mRNA, protein and COHb content further raise (P < 0.05), while apoptosis rollback (P < 0.05), but still higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05), and AngII+ZnPPIX group only apoptosis significantly increased (P < 0.05), other index no significant change. Conclusion HO-1/CO system attenuate the myocardial cells apoptosis induced by AngII.

Key words: key words:heme oxygenase-1, Endogenous carbon monoxide, Myocardial cells, apoptosis