Effects of simulated microgravity on rat cardiomyocyte apoptosis

AIM:To investigate the effects of simulated microgravity on apoptosis of neonatal primary rat cardiomyocytes. METHODS: Clinostat was used to simulate microgravity condition. Apoptosis rates were examined by flow cytometry, and mRNA expression of p53, bcl-2 and caspase-3 were measured by RT-PCR methods. RESULTS: Flow cytometry results showed that the rates of apoptotic cardiomyocytes were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). Compared with those in control group, mRNA expression of p53 and caspase-3 increased significantly (P<0.05), whereas bcl-2 mRNA expression decreased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Simulated microgravity induces apoptosis of neonatal primary rat cardiomyocytes.