Objectives To observe effects of valsartan on expression of gp130 in cardiac hypertrophy rat induced by Ang II.

Methods Neonatal rat cardiomyocyte induced by Ang II into cardiac hypertrophy, and cultivated with different concentrentions of valsartan, used phase contrast microscope to measure transdiameter of cardiomyocyte, the protein synthesis rate was measured by 3H-leucine incorporation; The expression of gp130 mRNA and protein were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) and western-blot.

Results Compared with the control group, myocardial fibre diameter and ³H-leucine incorporation increased in Ang II group (P < 0.05); Compared with the Ang II, myocardial fibre diameter and ³H-leucine incorporation significantly decreased in valsartan + Ang II group (P < 0.05), and a certain concentration dependence with valsartan; The expression of gp130 mRNA and gp130 protein in Ang II group were significantly increased, however in valsartan + Ang II group, valsartan could reduced the expression gp130 mRNA and protein dose-dependently, which stimulated by Ang II.

Conclusions Valsartan dose-dependently inhibited the expression of gp130 in hypertrophy myocardial rat induced by Ang II, postponed the development of myocardial hypertrophy, and played a important role to protect myocardial cell.