Objective   To investigate the effect of 17β-estradiol (E

2

) on the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mRNA in the myocardial tissues in rats during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) process

and explore the relationship between HGF mRNA expression and myocardial apoptosis.    Methods   Using the random number table

40 male SD rats were divided into 2 groups (20 rats in each group) randomly

ischemia-reperfusion (co

ntrol) group and E

2

treatment group. Myocardial I/R models of rats were duplicated by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 20 min then reperfusion for 30 min. The expression of HGF and the apoptosis of myocardiocytes were observed with RT-PCR

TUNEL and flow cytometry.    Results   At the points of cardiac ischemia for 20 min and reperfusion for 30 min

in the E

2

treatment group

the expressions of HGF mRNA were significantly higher than corresponding points of the control group (P0.05). After reperfusion for 30 min

the number of apoptosis cells per unit area in the E

2

treatment group was significantly lower than the control group. And the apoptosis rate of the E

2

treatment group was also lower than the control group (P0.05). At the point of reperfusion of 30 min

the changing of cardiac HGF mRNA between with E

2

treatment and without had the negative relationship with the changing of apoptosis with the corresponding conditions.    Conclusion   E

2

can elevate the expression of HGF mRNA during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion process and then exert its protective effects during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.