AIMTo discuss the effects of restrained stress on cardiac myocyte apoptosis of rats in the whole body, and the effect of anti-stress-induced cardiac myocyte injury treated by Chinese herbs yixinning.

METHODSAgarose gel electrophoresis and TUNEL are used to detect cardiac myocyte apoptosis.

RESULTS(1) When restrained stress 1,2,4 week, the DNA ladder of stress groups was negative, while in situ apoptosis of stress groups increased apparently compared with control group (P < 0.01). (3) The DNA ladder of yixinning groups was negative too, while in situ apoptosis of yixinning groups decreased compared with stress group (P < 0.05). (3) Whereas in distilled water group, the above indices had no statistical significance compared with stress model group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe restrained stress can induce cardiac myocyte apoptosis in rats. Chinese herbs "yixnning" can inhibit cardiac myocyte apoptosis, and have functions of anti-stress injury.