Abstract: AIM: To investigate the effects of 3-aminobenzamide( 3-AB) on interleukin-10( IL-10),levels of tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α) and expression of PARP and apoptosis-inducing factor( AIF)on cardiocytes in rats with heart failure( HF). METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five adult Wistar rats underwent 6-w left anterior descending artery ligation to be models of HF. Rats were divided into HF group,3-AB group and sham-operated group. Rats in 3-AB group received 3-AB( 30 mg / kg) by intraperitoneal injection. Myocardial IL-10 and TNF-α levels in the rats were measured by radioimmunity and changes of expressions of PARP and AIF protein were measured by immunohistochemical staining in each group after treatment with 3-AB at 2-,4-and 6-w. RESULTS: Compared with those in sham-operated rats,myocardial IL-10 levels and myocardial TNF-α levels in HF group increased 2-,4-and 6-w after treatment and compared with those in the HF groups,both markedly decreased at the same time points( P < 0. 05). Compared with those in sham groups,expressions of PARP and AIF increased in HF groups and expressions of PARP and AIF were significantly suppressed in 3-AB in positive cells at the same time points( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The present findings indicate that 3-AB could lower IL-10 and TNF-α concentrations and inhibit inflammatory reaction and apoptosis by decreasing PARP and AIF expressions,thus protecting cardiocytes in rats with HF.