Objective       To explore the role of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in ventricular arrhythmia after ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)  in isolated rat hearts.        Methods       Male SD rats (SPF grade

8-10 weeks old

weighing 200-230 g) were subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia which induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and then 30 min of reperfusion in the Langendorff apparatus. Surface electrocardiography

  (ECG) was used to observe arrhythmia continuously after pretreatment with ILK agonists and inhibitors.        Results       As compared to the I/R group

the I/R+ILK agonist groups (ILK agonist middle concentration group 10

-7

mol/L and ILK agonist high concentration group 2×10

-7

mol/L) showed reduced incidence of  ventricular tachycardia (VT) (50.0% vs 87.5%

50.0% vs 87.5%

respectively; both P0.05) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) (12.5% vs 50.0%

12.5% vs 50.0%

respectively; both P0.05) as well as ventricular arrhythmia score (1.6±1.4 vs 3.3±1.3

1.5±1.5 vs 3.3±1.3

respectively; both P0.05) after reperfusion. In contrast

the IR+ILK inhibitor groups (ILK inhibitor middle concentration group 6×10

-7

mol/L and ILK inhibitor high concentration group 1.2×10

-6

mol/L) showed increased incidence of VF (87.5% vs 50.0%

87.5% vs 50.0%

respectively; both P0.05) and ventricular arrhythmia score (5.3±1.5 vs 3.3±1.3

5.5±1.4 vs 3.3±1.3 respectively; both P0.05) after reperfusion.        Conclusion       ILK plays an important role in I/R ventricular arrhythmia of isolated rat hearts. Regulating ILK activity may be a potential therapeutic measure for reperfusion ventricular arrhythmia.