Abstract:Objective To observe the effect of acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) on the apoptosis of myocardial H9c2 cells induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and the expressions of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (caspase-3), caspase-8 and caspase-9 and to discuss its possible mechanisms. Methods H9c2 cells were cultured and randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e. model group, Heparin group, FGF-1 group, FGF-1/Heparin group and normal control group. The survival rate of H9c2 cells was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. The apoptotic index of H9c2 cells was observed by TUNEL staining. The expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the normal control group, the survival rate of H9c2 cells was significantly decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the survival rate of H9c2 cells was significantly increased in the FGF-1 group and the FGF-1/Heparin group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the apoptosis index and the expressions of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 of H9c2 cells in the model group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the apoptosis index and the expressions of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 of H9c2 cells were significantly decreased in theFGF-1 group and the FGF-1/Heparin group (P < 0.05). Conclusions FGF-1 could obviously inhibit the apoptosis of H9c2 cells induced by TGF-β1 and its possible mechanism may be related to decrease of the expression level of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9.