ObjectiveTo study the changes of levels of α subunits of stimulatory (Gsα) and inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein (Giα) in newborn guinea pig (0 2 days old) myocardium undergoing global ischemic reperfusion, and influences on the changes by St.Thomas Ⅱ and cold blood cardioplegic solution.MethodsThirty newborn guinea pigs were randomly assigned to three groups. GroupⅠ ( n = 10): the newborn hearts suffered by hypothermic global ischemia; group Ⅱ( n =10): the newborn hearts arrested by St. Thomas Ⅱ , and group Ⅲ ( n = 10): the newborn hearts arrested by cold blood cardioplegic solution. Levels of Gsα and Giα were investigated with Western blot analysis.ResultsNo differences of levels of Gsα and Giα were found in three groups before ischemia ( P gt;0.05). The level of Gsα after ischemia was significantly decreased than before ischemia in groupⅠand group Ⅱ ( P lt; 0 01), whereas no pronounced changes in group Ⅲ ( P gt;0.05) were noted after ischemia. The level of Gsα in group Ⅲ was not significantly changed after reperfusion compared with before ischemia( P gt;0 05), and it was much higher than those in groupⅠand group Ⅱ ( P lt; 0 01). Level of Giα was found not markedly changed in group Ⅲ after reperfusion compared with that before ischemia, but was notable higher in groupⅠand group Ⅱ( P lt;0.01). ConclusionsSignificant decrease of level of Gsα, whereas marked increase of level of Giα are found in myocardium of newborn guinea pig undergoing hypothermic (20℃) ischemic reperfusion. No impact of St. Thomas Ⅱ on these changes is verified, but recovery to the level of Gsα and Giα before ischemia is achieved by cold blood cardioplegic solution after ischemia and reperfusion. Unbalance between Gsα and Giα is the one of the mechanisms of ischemic reperfusion injury for immature myocardium.