Objective     To investigate the expression of HSP 70 in human glioma cells by heat shocking human glioma cells SHG-44.      Methods     After SHG-44 cells were cultured in the condition of 43 ℃ for 2 h and then 37 ℃ for 10 h

they were cultured with adriamycin (HS+ADM

25 ng/ml) or without (HS). SHG-44 cells getting no heat shocking and with or without adriamycin treatment served as ADM group and control. HSP 70 was examined by means of immunohistochemistry and its mRNA level was measured by RT-PCR.      Results     The HSP 70 positive rate was (61.5±18.3)% in HS+ADM group

with no significance to (61.0±14.1)% of HS group

but was significantly higher than control [(8.50±4.09)%

P0.05]. RT-PCR analysis indicated similar outcomes. The apoptotic ratio was (52.7±19.1)% in ADM group and (25.0±10.7)% in HS+ADM group

both significanty differences were observed between these 2 groups (P0.05) and in them with control  [(6.5±3.6)%

P0.05].  There was no significant difference in comparison of HS group [(7.2±3.6)%] and control.      Conclusion     Heat shock can induce the expression of HSP 70

indicating it may be involved in the drug resistance to ADM of human glioma.