Objective: To explore the relation among apoptosis of myocardial cell and the expression of TGF-beta1 in VMC.
Methods and results: In the experiment, Viral myocarditis (VMC) in BALB/C mouse was obtained by inculating herpes simplex virus I type into abdominal cavity. The rate of VMC was 91.67% after 3 - 35 days of virus infection. The apoptosis (78.33%) and expression of TGF-beta1 (81.76%) were found in the myocardium of infected mouse by TUNEL and immunohistochemical method and electron microscope. AI of myocardial cell was 34.14+/-11.56 - 26.14+/-10.2.
Conclusion: Apoptosis and expression of TGF-beta1 may participate in occurrence and development of VMC.