Objective To explore the relationship between uncoupling protein-2(UCP2) and apoptosis in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy.Methods The pressure overload animal model was established in rats by abdomial aorta coarctation and an equal number of sham-operated rats served as controls.The time course was 1,2,4,7,14,21 and 30 days after operation.The UCP2 mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR.The TUNEL method was applied to detect the myocardial apoptosis.Results(1) Compared with control group,the expression of UCP2 mRNA was upregulated at 4 days,and developed progressively to 30 days.(2) The apoptosis increased significantly at d 1,and reached a plateau between d 4-d 7;afterwards,it decreased continuously to low level.However,the apoptosis was so rare that it was undetectable in control group.Conclusion Although the precise role for UCP2 need to be clarified in the future works,it may participate in the regulation of apoptosis during the pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy.