Objective: To investigate the effect of constrainting stress on biological characters and function of mitochondrial membrane in rat heart and to explore the possible mitochondrial membrane mechanism underlying stress-induced heart injury.
Method: Stress animal model was established. After constrained for different times, all rats were killed and several indexes were examined.
Result: Constrainting stress can induce mitochondrial permeability transition, decrease of mitochondrial membrane fluidity, increase of the production of membrane lipid peroxidation and injury of mitochondrial respiratory function which is in time-dependent manner.
Conclusion: Mitochondrial membrane impairment and its effects are the important mechanism of stress-induced heart injury.