The role of apoptosis in ishemic damage to the myocardium
Rybakova, M.G.; Kuznetsova, I.A.
Arkhiv Patologii 67(5): 23-25
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-1955 PMID: 16323475 Document Number: 590817
36 specimens of the myocardium were obtained during necropsy of patients who had died of acute cardiac failure. Bcl-2, caspase 3 and p53 were studied immunohistochemically. TUNEL method was used to study apoptic DNA fragmentation in cardiomyocytes (Cms). The results suggest that apoptosis contributes to the development of cardiomyocyte injury in ishemia. Apoptotic death of Cms may lead to electric instabilly of the myocardium in early ishemia and cause sudden cardiac death. Apoptosis of the Cms may precede extension of the necrotic area. Further studies of apoptotic death of Cms in ishemic heart disease may help to renew therapeutic strategies aimed at regulation of apoptosis.