Objective To explore the relations between cytokines expression levels and activity of nuclear factor(NF-κB) in different tissue samples of congestive heart failure rat model. Methods Normotensive male Wistar rats weighed (250±20)g were used. Infarction of the left ventricle (LV) was obtained by ligation of the left descending coronary artery under artificial ventilation. Sham operated rats underwent the same surgical procedure with the exception of coronary ligation. At baseline, and 4 and 16 weeks after coronary ligation, all animals were assessed by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. According to hemodynamic change, rats were divided into compensated and decompensated groups. Nuclear proteins from the lung, the heart, the liver and the spleen were extracted separately using EMSA to assay the activity of NF-κB in the tissue samples. Results Compared with other organs, the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA was significantly increased in the lung of rats with compensated heart failure, which was positively correlated with the activity of NF-κB,and negatively correlated with heart function of the rats. Conclusion Sustained activation of NF-κB and elevation of cytokines in chronic heart failure are correlated positively with deteriorated cardiac function. Lung is an important source of synthesis and storage of cytokines at the early stage in an experimental model of heart failure. It is an important organ that contributes to the development and progression of heart failure.?更多