Programmed cell death in the developing heart: regulation by BMP4 and FGF2.

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, plays an important role in embryonic development. To provide new insights into the role of programmed cell death in cardiac development, we examined the hearts of the murine embryos from E9.5 to postnatal day 3. Using terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assays, apoptosis was detected in the endocardial cushions and myocardium from E11.5 to postnatal day 3 (P3). In the ventricular myocardium, more apoptotic cells were observed in the left than right ventricles throughout embryonic and early postnatal development. Apoptosis was also present in the trabeculae and papillary muscles of the ventricles. In the outflow tract, cell death was present in the endocardial cushions before they fuse to form the conotruncal septum (E11.5-E12. 5) and reached a peak intensity when the conotruncal septum formed (E13.5). In the atrioventricular (AV) endocardial cushions, cell death was detected in the fusion seam of the cushion tissues at E12. 5 and E13.5 during AV septation. When the patterns of apoptosis were compared with patterns of cell division, we found that programmed cell death occurred in the areas in the endocardial cushions and trabeculae where rates of cell proliferation were low. We also found that programmed cell death was regulated by the growth factors, BMP4 and FGF2, in vitro. BMP4 induced, whereas FGF2 inhibited, apoptosis in both endocardial cushions and ventricular myocardium. Overall, our observations show that there is apoptosis in the regions where fusion or remodeling of tissues occurs. We also show that cardiac programmed cell death can be influenced by growth factors.     

Regional distribution of citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in the bovine heart

Gradients of oxidative and glycolytic enzyme activities in the heart were studied by comparing samples taken from 10 locations from each of six bull hearts, within 30 min after slaughter. Citrate synthase (CS) was used as a marker of the oxidative potential and the lactate dehydrogenase (LD) subunits II and M as markers of aerobic glycolytic and anaerobic glycolytic potential respectively. CS activity in the ventricular tissue was greater than that of the right atrium, and no difference was found between the right and left ventricles. The left ventricular free wall had higher CS activity at the base than at the apex of the heart. Both the H and M subunit activities of LD increased in the following order: right atrium, right ventricle, ventricular septum, left ventricle. The left ventricular free wall showed higher H and M subunit activities at the base than at the apex. Within the left ventricular wall at the base, subendocardium had higher H and M subunit activities than subepicardium. The M subunit constituted the highest fraction of LD in the subendocardium and in the papillary muscle of the left ventricle. In conclusion, this study suggests that there are metabolic differences along both the radial and the longitudinal axes of the left ventricle and across the ventricular septum. These differences indicate that the greatest cellular stress, both aerobic glycolytic and anaerobic glycolytic in nature, occurs within the subendocardium at the base of the left ventricle and in the left ventricular papillary muscle.     

The perinatal rat: body weight, hematocrit and regional changes in heart weight and lactate dehydrogenase isozyme composition and activity

Body weight (BW), hematocrit (Hct), heart weight (HW) and cardiac lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and isozyme pattern were studied in the perinatal rat. BW increased linearly, from 5 days before birth till 10 days after birth, while Hct increased from 30 to 34% within 1 day of birth. HW increased in step with BW. However, the relative contribution to total HW of right ventricle (RV), interventricular septum (S) and atria declined relative to the left ventricle free wall (LVW) beginning 2 to 3 days before birth. RV/LVW declined steadily throughout the study period. LDH specific activity in LVW, RV, S and atria increased greatly prior to birth and less so afterwards, with atria showing the lowest values throughout the study. Total LDH activity in each portion of the heart paralleled the respective regional weight changes. LDH isozyme composition (percent M subunit) declined at the time of birth in LVW, RV and S from 63 to 43%; change in atrial M subunit was smaller. The change in LDH isozyme composition could be accounted for in LVW, RV and S by increasing H subunit activity alone. In atria, both M and H subunit activity increased.     

Increased myocardial capillary density in dogs with experimental emphysema

In the hearts of control beagle dogs, capillary density in the right ventricle was found to be similar to that of the subendocardium of the left ventricle but lower than that of the subepicardium of the left ventricle. In emphysematous animals, 6 months after the exposure to papain (the emphysema-inducing agent), capillary density in the right ventricle and in the subendocardium of the left ventricle increased significantly, reaching values similar to that of the subepicardium of the left ventricle, which remained constant. These morphologic changes are considered to be an adaptation to a prolonged condition of increased myocardial oxygen demand and/or may represent an early stage of a developing cardiac hypertrophy.     

Collagen remodeling after myocardial infarction in the rat heart.

In this study changes in the amount and distribution of types I and III collagen mRNA and protein were investigated in the rat heart after induction of a left ventricular myocardial infarction (MI). Sham operated rats served as controls. The animals were sacrificed at different time intervals after operation. Northern blotting of cardiac RNA and hybridization with cDNA probes for types I and III procollagen revealed a 5- to 15-fold increase in the infarcted left ventricle. Type III procollagen mRNA levels were already increased at day 2 after MI, whereas type I procollagen mRNA followed this response at day 4 after MI. This increase was sustained for at least 21 days in the infarcted left ventricle for type III procollagen mRNA, whereas type 1 procollagen mRNA levels were still elevated at 90 days after MI. In the noninfarcted right ventricle a 5- to 7-fold increase was observed for both type I and type III procollagen mRNA levels, but only at day 4 after MI. In the non-infarcted septum a transient increase was observed for type I procollagen mRNA from day 7-21 (4- to 5-fold increase) and a decline to sham levels thereafter. In the septum type III procollagen mRNA levels were only elevated at 7 days after MI (4- to 5-fold increase) compared with sham operated controls. In situ hybridization with the same types I and III procollagen probes showed procollagen mRNA-producing cells in the infarcted area around necrotic cardiomyocytes, and in the interstitial cells in the non-infarcted part of the myocardium. No labeling was detected above cardiomyocytes. Combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed that the collagen mRNA producing cells have a myofibroblast-like phenotype in the infarcted myocardium and are fibroblasts in the noninfarcted septum and right ventricle. The increase in types I and III procollagen mRNA in both infarcted and non-infarcted myocardium was followed by an increased collagen deposition, measured by computerized morphometry on sirius red-stained tissue sections as well as by the hydroxyproline assay. In the non-infarcted septum and right ventricle the collagen-positive area was maximal at day 14 (3- to 5-fold increase compared with sham operated controls) and slightly declined at day 21. In the infarcted myocardium the collagen-positive area was 57 +/- 10% at day 14 after MI. Hydroxyproline contents were significantly increased in the noninfarcted septum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Catecholamine-induced apoptosis and necrosis in cardiac and skeletal myocytes of the rat in vivo: the same or separate death pathways?

High levels of catecholamines are myotoxic but the relative amounts of apoptosis and necrosis have not been established in vivo in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect and quantify myocyte-specific necrosis (myosin antibody in vivo) and apoptosis (caspase-3 antibody in vitro) in the heart and soleus muscles of male Wistar rats that had received single subcutaneous injections of isoprenaline over the range 1 microg to 5 mg [kg body weight (BW)](-1). Peak myocyte apoptosis occurred 3-6 h after, and necrosis 18 h after, a single injection of 5 mg (kg BW)(-1) isoprenaline in vivo. In the heart myocyte death was mediated through the beta1-adrenergic receptor whereas myocyte death in the soleus muscle was mediated through the beta2-adrenergic receptor. Cardiomyocyte death was heterogeneously distributed throughout the heart, being greatest in the left ventricle (LV) subendocardium and peaking close to the apex, but with significantly more necrosis than apoptosis. Extensive co-localization of caspase-3 and myosin labelling was found in the myocytes of both the heart and the slow-twitch soleus muscle. This, together with similar spatial distributions and responses to catecholamine doses, suggests that either caspase-3 activation occurs in necrotic as well as apoptotic myocytes or that a large proportion of apoptotic myocytes progress to secondary necrosis in vivo.     

Cx43基因对近端流出道隔心肌化过程的调控机制

目的:探讨connexin43（Cx43）基因在小鼠近端流出道隔心肌化的作用及其机制。 方法:选用胚胎（ED）11.5 d至出生后1 d的Cx43基因剔除（KO）纯合型（Cx43-/-）、杂合型（Cx43+/-）及野生型（Cx43+/+）C57/BL6小鼠作为研究对象；采用PCR方法鉴定基因型；HE染色观察心脏结构，免疫组化法测定横纹肌肌动蛋白α-SCA、凋亡相关分子active caspase-3及神经嵴细胞的标志物AP-2的表达。 结果:①Cx43-/-小鼠大多出生后24 h内即死亡。大体解剖见明显的右室流出道圆锥部异常膨隆，右心房扩张；组织切片HE染色示右室流出道壁大量异常小梁状组织增生突起，形成多个囊状结构，右室流出道腔明显狭窄，右室腔扩张。Cx43+/-和Cx43+/+心脏无明显异常。②Cx43-/-小鼠近端流出道隔中央区域α-SCA的表达明显滞后。③Active caspase-3组化显示Cx43+/+凋亡细胞主要出现在近端流出道隔，ED12.5至ED15.5均可见到；Cx43+/-凋亡减少，Cx43-/-则仅见很少凋亡细胞。④Cx43-/-流出道AP-2的表达增多，且表达位置异常。 结论:Cx43 KO小鼠以右室流出道异常增生引起的梗阻性畸形为主要特征，该病变过程可能与胚胎期近端流出道隔心肌化迟滞有关，其近端流出道隔细胞凋亡减少和神经嵴细胞表达异常很可能参与了流出道心肌化异常的形成，表明Cx43在近端流出道隔心肌化过程中具有重要作用。     

Apoptosis and proliferation of cardiomyocytes in heart failure of different etiologies.

Apoptosis and proliferation of myocytes were studied in human heart failure (HF). Endomyocardial samples from the right ventricle of 38 patients with terminal HF were compared with 10 traffic accident victims without a history of cardiovascular disease. The TUNEL method was used for the detection of apoptosis, and immunohistochemical methods were used for the evaluation of p53, bcl-2, proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and proliferation marker MIB-1.Apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, which was not p53-dependent, was present in 0.07 % of myocytes in HF, whereas no apoptotic myocytes were found in the control group (p < 0.01). An increased expression of bcl-2 was found in HF compared to controls (p < 0.01), yet bcl-2 failed to protect myocytes from apoptosis. Increased expression of proliferation markers was found in myocytes in HF compared to controls (PCNA labeling: 3.7% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.01; MIB-1 labeling: 0.1% vs. 0%, p< 0.01). Nevertheless, no mitotic figures in cardiomyocytes were found in our specimens. The volume density of interstitium was 22% in HF vs. 10% in the control group (p < 0.01).In conclusion, apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and fibrosis play an important role in HF, whereas clinical importance and the rate of myocyte proliferation remain to be determined.     

Dynamics of the interventricular septum and free ventricular walls during selective left ventricular volume loading in dogs

A previous study suggested that a change in the position of the interventricular septum played an important role in regulating cardiac performance during selective right ventricular volume loading. In the present study the cardiac response to selective left ventricular volume loading induced by a shunt between the subclavian artery and the left atrium was examined in anesthetized open-chest dogs. Opening the shunt increased left and reduced right ventricular stroke volume, particularly after blood volume expansion. The end-diastolic transseptal pressure difference increased. Myocardial segment length in the septum and free walls of both ventricles and the distances between the septum and the free walls were measured by an ultrasonic technique. Comparisons at similar left ventricular stroke volume with the shunt open and closed showed that the Frank-Starling mechanisms of the free wall of the left ventricle and the septum were stimulated less with the shunt open. At similar right ventricular stroke volume the end-diastolic dimension of the right ventricular free wall was larger with the shunt open. The distance decreased across the right ventricle and increased across the left ventricle when the shunt was open. We conclude that a change in the position of the septum improves left and reduces right ventricular performance during selective left ventricular volume loading.     

鸡胚心室小梁发育与肌性室间隔的形成

用显微解剖术和扫描电镜方法观察第２０－２９期鸡胚心室小梁的发育及肌性室间隔的形成过程。心脏外部观，原始心室左右部无明显的囊袋样扩张。在原始心室内部，小梁完全形成后即呈出出左右部分的形态差异。小梁在原始心室中线偏右处开始聚集，随后渐融合在一起，形成肌性室间隔。本研究表明，心室小染不仅是一种有规律排列的结构，而且与肌性室间隔的形成有关。     

Cardiac function and morphology with aging in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

To determine the effects of a chronic pressure load on cardiac function and morphology, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and two normotensive strains of Wistar rats (WKY and NWR) were studied under ether anesthesia at 13, 25, 52, and 90 wk of age. Although resting cardiac index of the SHR was comparable to that of WKY and NWR at all ages, the peak cardiac output and peak stroke volume per gram of left ventricle determined during a rapid intravenous infusion of Tyrode solution was markedly reduced in the SHR only at 90 wk of age. Autonomic inhibition did not alter the peak stroke volume attained, but reduced peak cardiac output at all ages in each of the strains. Absolute left ventricular dimensions in the SHR increased out of proportion to body growth, consistent with concentric hypertrophy. As peak pumping ability markedly declined from 52 to 90 wk of age in the SHR, the free wall of the left ventricle greatly thickened whereas the septum remained unchanged. At this time the right ventricle also hypertrophied. This disproportionate thickening of the walls of the left ventricle and the hypertrophy of the right ventricle were reflected in measurements of their fiber diameters. These alterations in ventricular architecture may contribute to the decrease in pumping ability observed in long-standing hypertension.     

Delayed apoptotic pyramidal cell death in CA4 and CA1 hippocampal subfields after a single intraseptal injection of kainate

We have performed a detailed time-course analysis of cell death in the hippocampal formation, basal forebrain and amygdala following a single intraseptal injection of kainate in adult rats. Acetylcholinesterase histochemistry revealed a profound loss of staining in the medial septum but not in the diagonal band, and cholinergic fiber density was highly reduced in the hippocampus and amygdala at 10 days postinjection. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated uridine 5'-triphosphatebiotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) histochemistry was performed for precise location of apoptotic cells. Both the medial septum and amygdala exhibited numerous TUNEL-positive nuclei after the intraseptal injection of kainate, while the lateral septum exhibited a lower but significant incidence in terms of apoptotic cells. In the medial septum, the presence of apoptotic cells was at a location displaying acetylcholinesterase staining. TUNEL histochemistry revealed a time-dependent sequential apoptotic cell death in hippocampal pyramidal cells. During the first two days postinjection, apoptosis in the hippocampus was only evident in the CA3 region. At five days postinjection, the entire CA4 region became apoptotic. At 10 days postinjection, the whole extent of the CA1 pyramidal cell layer exhibited numerous TUNEL-positive nuclei. The time-course of kainate-induced apoptosis in Ammons's horn correlated with the disappearance of hippocampal pyramidal neurons as detected by Nissl staining, which is suggestive of a prominent apoptotic death for these cells. The temporal delayed distant damage to CA4 and CA1 hippocampal subfields after a single intraseptal kainate injection is not seen in other models employing kainate and may be a valuable tool for exploring the cellular mechanisms leading to cell death in conditions of status epilepticus.     

Proliferation and apoptosis in the corneal stroma in longterm follow-up after photorefractive keratectomy

This study aimed at investigating the proliferation and apoptosis of corneal cells following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) treatment. PRK (-6.0 D correction) was performed with the Asclepion-Meditec MEL70 G-scan excimer laser on the right eye of each of 33 rabbits under combined local and general anaesthesia. Animals were sacrificed at 4 h, 1, 4, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 112 days postoperatively, and corneal samples from these eight groups were examined histologically. Stromal cell proliferation was evaluated by immunocytochemical analysis of Ki67. Apoptosis was detected using the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay method. The untreated left eyes served as controls. Ki67 positivity was detected in the upper stroma on day 1, 4, 7, and 14, and keratocyte apoptosis on day 1, 4, 7, and 14 after PRK, but not at an earlier or later time. Neither Ki67 positivity nor apoptotic activity was observed in the controls (untreated corneas). PRK was found to trigger proliferation and apoptosis of corneal keratocytes. The frequency and spatial distribution of keratocyte proliferation and apoptosis are likely to be important determinants of the corneal wound healing process, but the detailed regulatory mechanisms have not yet been characterized.     

Cardiac cellular responses to altered nutrition in the neonatal rat

Rats reared in litters of 18, 12, and 6 to determine whether preweanling nutritional state would alter rates of cardiac cell division, weighed 31.7, 39.1, 48.2 g, respectively, at 21 days of age. Weights of left ventricles also increased (93.2, 123.5, and 167.2 mg) as did those of right ventricles (29.9, 43.2, and 54.3 mg). Total DNA content rose in both ventricles in the pups reared 6 per litter vs. those reared 18 per litter (6/litter vs. 18/litter), but more so in the left ventricle (79%) than in the right (24%). Autoradiography confirmed that this increase in ventricular DNA resulted from increased proliferation of cardiac muscle cells, fibroblasts, and vascular endothelial cells. When 3H-labeled thymidine was injected on day 1, autoradiographs prepared on day 21 reflected an increased dilution of label in the 6/litter rats, consistent with enhanced proliferation. The labeling index and grains per nucleus of left ventricular muscle cells of the 6/litter rats were 29% (P less than 0.005) and 20% (P less than 0.001) less than those of the 18/litter rats. Less vigorous but definite hyperplasia occurred in the right ventricle, which appeared to respond with an increase more in cell size than in cell number.     

Cardiac expression of polysialylated NCAM in the chicken embryo: correlation with the ventricular conduction system.

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and its polysialic acid moeity (PSA) affect cellular interactions during the development of the nervous system and skeletal muscle. NCAM has also been identified in the embryonic heart of various species including humans. However, knowledge regarding the role of NCAM and its function-modulating PSA in cardiogenesis is limited. The distribution of NCAM and its PSA in the ventricular myocardium of chicken embryos was determined by indirect immunofluorescence staining. The NCAM polypeptide was found throughout the cardiac myocardium. In contrast PSA was located in discrete regions in stage 20 to 44 embryos (during and after septation). Myocardium at the subendocardial regions of the atrioventricular canal and ventricular trabeculae were PSA positive by stage 20. At later stages, transverse sections of the postseptation heart just below the level of the atrioventricular interface revealed a PSA-positive bundle of myocardium in the septum. This bundle was continuous with two branches at a more apical level which in turn were continuous with the PSA-positive subendocardial myocardium lining the left and right ventricles. This pattern of PSA in the myocardium was similar to that of the ventricular conduction system configuration defined in the adult heart. Electron micrographs of the subendocardium of the ventricular septum revealed PSA positivity on myofibril-containing cells with the ultrastructural location of Purkinje fibers. At later stages (35-44) a subset of cells within PSA-positive regions was stained by an antibody against an isoform of the myosin heavy chain found in adult Purkinje fibers. These cells and surrounding tissue lacked PSA in the adult heart. Thus polysialylated NCAM may be modulating cell-cell interactions during the development of the ventricular conduction system.     

L-精氨酸对高肺血流量大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖与凋亡的影响

探讨L－精氨酸（L－Arginine,L-Arg）对高肺血流量所致肺动脉高压平滑肌细胞增殖与凋亡的干预作用。18只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组、分流组和分流＋L精氨酸（L－Arg）组。对分流组和分流＋L－Arg组大鼠行腹主动脉－下腔静脉分流术。观察术后11周大鼠肺动脉平均压（mPAP)和右心室肥厚的改变，采用免疫组织化学方法研究肺动脉平滑肌细胞PCNA和Fas的表达，并通过原位缺口末端标记方法（TUNEL）检测大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞的凋亡。结果表明分流组大鼠mPAP、右心室（RV）与左心室加室间隔（LV＋S）的比值，肺中、小型动脉平滑肌细胞增殖指数（PI），凋亡指数（AI），PI／AI比值明显高于对照组大鼠（P＜0．05），同时，分流后肺动脉平滑肌细胞Fas表达增高。然后，分流＋L－精氨酸组大鼠mPAP、RV／LV＋S明显低于分流组（P＜0．05及0．01）。并且L－Arg减少了肺中、小型动脉平滑肌细胞的增殖，促进了凋亡（P＜0．01），wviycL-Arg组大鼠PI／AI比值较分流组明显降低（P＜0．01），同时，L－Arg使分流大鼠肺平滑肌细胞Fas表达明显增强。以上结果提示，L－精氨酸通过抑制肺动脉平滑肌细胞的增殖，促进其凋亡，从而对同肺血流量所致肺动脉高压的形成有重要的调节作用。     

骨形态发生蛋白-2在小鼠胚胎心流出道发育中的作用

目的 探讨骨形态发生蛋白-2(BMP-2)在小鼠胚胎心流出道发育过程中的作用。 方法 对胚龄9d(E9) ～E15（各胚龄取3～7只）小鼠心连续石蜡切片,用抗α-横纹肌肌动蛋白(α-SCA)抗体、抗胰岛素增强子结合蛋白(ISL-1)抗体、抗增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)抗体、抗BMP-2抗体进行免疫组织化学染色。结果 E9,流出道心胶质内无细胞,心肌增殖活性低,BMP-2弱表达于流出道心肌、心内膜及心包腔背侧壁。E9～11,流出道增长,心包腔背侧壁ISL-1阳性细胞至流出道远端分化为心肌细胞后增殖逐渐减弱。E10～11,流出道嵴内间充质细胞逐渐增加,可见BMP-2、PCNA阳性细胞;流出道BMP-2表达逐渐增强达高峰,向两端延伸逐渐减弱,动脉端可及心包反折处。E12,流出道缩短,BMP-2表达减弱。E13～15,流出道隔逐渐肌化,BMP-2在心脏近大血管部心肌呈较弱表达。E10～13,流出道远段心肌呈低增殖活性,近段及右心室心肌增殖成小梁致右心室形成及扩大。结论 BMP-2诱导第二生心区(SHF)细胞分化为心肌细胞添加至心动脉端,参与心流出道嵴的发育。BMP-2抑制流出道心肌增殖,流出道近段BMP 2表达减弱重启了心肌细胞增殖,致右心室形成及流出道缩短。低水平的BMP 2可能诱导流出道隔间充质细胞向心肌分化。     

Cell death and cell proliferation in mouse submandibular gland during early post-irradiation phase

The effects of irradiation on different cell compartments in the submandibular gland were analyzed in adult C57BL/6 mice exposed to X-ray irradiation and followed up for 10 days. Apoptosis was quantified using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling method (TUNEL). Cell proliferation was detected using immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Radiation-induced apoptosis occurred rapidly, reaching a maximum 3 days post-irradiation. The percentage of apoptotic cells increased with the irradiation dose. At day 1 post-irradiation, cell proliferation was significantly reduced in comparison to sham-irradiated controls. After post-irradiation arrest of the cell cycle, proliferation increased in all gland compartments, reaching a maximum at day 6 post-irradiation. The proliferation response corresponded to the dose of irradiation. We suggest that the reason for gland dysfunction could be the coexistence of high apoptotic and proliferative activity in the irradiated gland.     

Immunohistochemical evaluation of cardiac connexin43 in rats exposed to low-frequency noise

Introduction: Low-frequency noise (LFN) leads to an abnormal proliferation of collagen and development of tissue fibrosis. It has been shown that myocardial fibrosis in association with gap junction remodeling occurs in several cardiac diseases and can be implicated in the development of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. We previously reported a strong development of myocardial fibrosis induced by LFN in rats but it is not known whether LFN induces any modification on cardiac connexin43 (Cx43). Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate modifications on cardiac Cx43 induced by LFN in Wistar rats. Methods: Two groups of rats were considered: A LFN-exposed group with 10 rats submitted continuously to LFN during 3 months and a control group with 8 rats. The hearts were sectioned from the ventricular apex to the atria and the mid-ventricular fragment was selected. The immunohistochemical evaluation of Cx43 was performed using the polyclonal antibody connexin-43m diluted 1:1000 overnight at 4°C. Quantifications of Cx43 and muscle were performed with the image J software and the ratio Cx43/muscle was analyzed in the left ventricle, interventricular septum and right ventricle. Results: The ratio Cx43/muscle was significantly reduced in LFN-exposed rats (p=0.001). The mean value decreased 46.2%, 22.2% and 55.6% respectively in the left ventricle (p=0.008), interventricular septum (p=0.301) and right ventricle (p=0.004). Conclusions: LFN induces modifications on cardiac Cx43 in rats. The Cx43 reduction observed in our study suggests that LFN may induce an arrhythmogenic substrate and opens a new investigational area concerning the effects of LFN on the heart.