ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α ) in isolated rat heart at different time points after myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation. MethodsThe isolated langendorff perfused rat heart model was established. Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: a sham group, hypoxia/reoxygenation groups including a H/R 0.5 h group, a 1 h group and a 2 h group. The heart rate(HR), the 1eft ventricular development pressure(LVDP), maximal rates of increase/decrease of the left ventricular pressure(±dp/dtmax) were continuously recorded. The concentrations of TNF-α and creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB) in myocardium, mRNA expression of TNF-α in myocardium were tested. Ultra structure of myocardium was observed under electron microscope. ResultsThe levels of LVDP, ±dp/dtmax, and HR of hypoxia/reoxygenation group were significantly lower than those in the sham group(P<0.05).The levels of TNF-α and CK-MB and the expressions of TNF-α at mRNA level in the hypoxia/reoxygenation group were higher than those in the sham group(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the above parameters among the H/R 0.5 h group, the 1 h group, the 2 h group(P<0.05).The concentrations of TNF-α and CK-MB, the mRNA expression of TNF-α were higher in the I/R 2 h group than those in the other two groups. ConclusionThe high expression of TNF-α in myocardium after myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation in rats is related to the degree of myocardium damage and may lead to myocardial injury.