Objective      To investigate the effect of Diazoxide in mediating NF-κB and caspase-3 during ischemia-reperfusion in rat cardiac muscles.       Methods      Isolated rat heart model was used in our experiment. Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group

ischemia-reperfusion group

Diazoxide treatment group

Diazoxide inhibitor group (n=10 in each group). The apoptosis index of cardiac myocytes was detected by TUNEL. The expression NF-κB was measured by Western blotting. Caspase-3 levels in myocardium were measured by using fluorescent assay.       Results      The apoptosis index in DZ group was significantly lower than that in ischemia-reperfusion group

but higher than that in control group. NF-κB level in nucleus significantly increased after ischemia-reperfusion and caspase-3 activity had the same change. Treatment of Diazoxide significantly inhibited NF-κB level in nucleus

and concomitantly decreased the activity of caspase-3 in myocardium. The Diazoxide inhibitor could significantly increase the expression of NF-κB and the activity of caspase-3.       Conclusion      Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion can result in intensive activation of NF-κB and caspase-3. Early treatment with Diazoxide might attenuate myocardial injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion and relieve the apoptosis of cardiac myocytes.