A Study On Expression Of Fas Protein In Myocardium Of Dilated Myocardiopathy

Background Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of cardiovascular diseases which often causes sudden death. At present, the cardiomyopathy had been understood more deeply and had a new diagnostic standard, but it is known yet about its real cause of the disease, pathogenesis and mechanism of sudden death. In recent years, scientists have researched the cause of the disease in the level of protein, genes and gene mutation for new diagnosis and treatment. Investigation indicated that a lot of heart diseases have relation with myocardiumc cell apoptosis, and among them the expression of Fas protein has been shown closely relation with dilated cardiomyopathy.Objective To study about the Fas protein expression in the myocardium in the cases of sudden death due to DCM, and its relationship with occurance of sudden death caused by DCM in order to afford a new reference for prevention and treatment for DCM and to offer a new train of thoughts for forensic expertise of sudden death caused by DCM. Methods 9 autopsy cases of sudden death caused by DCM and the heart samples were choosen from Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, HUST form 1997 to 2007. Other 11 cases who died of violence and other diseases were selected as control group. The immunohistochemistry technology (SABC method) and computerized images analysis were used to detect the myocardiuml Fas protein expression in the cases of sudden death with DCM. The average optical density (OD) and area (S value) of Fas protein expression in the myocardium in left and right ventricles were quantitatively detected with image analytic system. The analysis and processing of the data were conducted with SPSS 14.0 professional statistical software package.Resultsâ‘ General material: In 9 cases of the experimental group of DCM, there were 8 male and 1 female with age ranging form 22 to 46 ( x 36.8) years old except one child of 9 years old.â‘¡The result of immunohistochemistry staining: Myocardiuml expression in both of left and right ventricles had increased obviously in the experimental group. The positive dying spots were different in size, distribution color and disparity. They were distributed in the form of particle and strip. The obvious change in the control group had not been observed, but there were some slight changes only in the coloring degree and expression area.The result of image quantitative analysis: About expression area (S value), there were remarkable differences between the experimental group and the control group (P=0.002). However, there was not significant in difference between the two groups OD value. Conclusionâ‘ Fas protein expression in each case of sudden death due to DCM increased obviously and the positive dying spots were different in size, distribution color and disparity.â‘¡The alteration of quantity and distribution of myocardiuml Fas protein expression were probably related to occurance of sudden death, which caused by arrhythmia and heart failure in patients with DCM.