Objectives To study the effect that in vivo β-adrenergic receptor kinase inhibition through peripheral vein in a rat model of heart failure after myocardial infarction.

Methods The male SD rats whose body weights were about 250 grams were used. Rats underwent ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery to induce acute myocardial infarction, and heart failure occurred 4 weeks later. The survival rats after operation were randomly divided into experimental group, control group and sham-operated group. Adeno-βARKct or empty virus delivery to the rats through the caudal vein. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), hemodynamic index, catecholamine and NT-ProBNP of blood plasma, and catecholamine and the expression of βARK1 of non-infarcted left ventricular tissue was measured.

Results Compared with the control group, the LVEF and catecholamine of myocardial tissue in experimental group were higher, the catecholamine and NT-ProBNP of blood plasma and the expression of βARK1 of myocardial tissue were lower.

Conclusions In vivo delivery of Adeno-βARKct is feasible by peripheral vein, and it can improve cardiac function of heart failure rats after myocardial infarction.