Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of fastigial nucleus stimulation(FNS)on heart rate variability(HRV)of surgically induced myocardial infarction rats.Methods 100 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated in four groups,including sham-operation control group,rats with coronary arteries ligated but fastigial nucleus(FN)sham stimulated(AMI group),rats both coronary arteries ligated and FN stimulated(FNS group),and rats on which FN lesioned 5 d before,then coronary arteries ligated and FN stimulated(FNL group).HRV characteristics were determined 6 h,1 d,7 d and 21 d after the ligation,and mortality rates were observed after 21 d.Results FNS can improve the survival of myocardial infarction rats,and this may be due to the increased vagal tone and decreased sympathetic tone.Conclusion FNS may have cardio-protective effects on surgically induced myocardial infarction rats.

Key words: fastigial nucleus, electrical stimulation, myocardial infarction, heart rate variability(HRV)