Mitogen-activated protein kinases are differentially activated in connection with cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfucntion in heart failure after myocardial infarction

Abstract

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been shown to be activated in congestive heart failure in which oxidative stress and cell apoptosis also have been observed. However, little is known of the time course changes of MAPKs and cardiomyocyte apoptosis after myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we proposed to determine whether the changes of MAPKs are associated with progression of cardiac dysfunction in heart failure after MI. Methods: Rabbits were randomly assigned to ligation of the circumflex coronary artery to produce MI or sham operation.