Objective GeneChip is one of the low-throughput gene screening tools, which is quite suitable for detecting target genes associated with certain pathophysiologic process. Our team has applied such technique into the studying of oxidative stress during the Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) and the following ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) after PCI.

Methods 11 patients with confirmed STEMI were admitted to our ER and CCU were involved into our study. 10 healthy volunteers with matching age and sex were set as the controlled group. Blood samples were collected immediately after the diagnosis and the same procedure was done on the 3^rd and 7^th day. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were extracted for RNA extraction. Human Stress & Toxicity Pathway Finder PCR Array was applied for corresponding gene screening. Real Time PCR was applied to confirm the candidate genes mRNA expression.

Results 12 genes were detected with significant changes in the PBMCs of STEMI patients. GADD45A (associated with cell growth/aging), PRDX2 (associated with oxidative stress), HSPD1, DNAJB1, DNAJB2 (associated with heat shock process), RAD50 (associated with DNA restoration), TNFSF6, TRADD (associated with apoptosis) displayed up-regulated expression. CCNG1 (associated with cell proliferation/cancer), CAT, CYP1A1 (associated with oxidative stress), ATM (associated with DNA restoration) were down-regulated. Further RT-PCR confirmed the previously findings.

Conclusions Sophisticated mechanism was involved during the pathophysiologic development of STEMI and the following IRI after PCI. Oxidative stress, heat shock reaction, cell restoration and apoptosis play an important role in the process of injury and repair.