Abstract: Objective To find whether Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 take part in the pathophysiological mechanism of tetramine toxification. Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal control group, the sham poisoned group, high dose poisoned group, low dose poisoned group.High dose poisoned group were administered 1.0 mg/kg weight body tetramine by mouth, however low dose poisoned group was administered tetramine 0.1 mg/kg weight body by mouth. The rats of the sham poisoned group were administered water, and rats of normal control group were given nothing. Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 were detected by immunohistochemistry staining and the results were assessed by image analysis system. Results The expressions of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in all organs were similar, ie, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 expressed obviously in all organs of high dose poisoned group; in all organs of low dose poisoned group, they were hardly detected at 30 min after administration, however, at 3 h after administration, they could be detected obviously; Bcl-2 got to peak at 6 h～3 d after administration and Caspase-3 got to peak at 24 h～3 d after administration. Conclusion Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 take part in the pathophysiological procedure of tetramine poisoned rats.

Key words: tetramine, poison, Bcl-2, Caspase-3