Objective:To investigate the effect on post-infarct heart function and apoptosis of cardiocyte with Ad5-HGF(adenovirus-mediated human hepatocyte growth factor) transference in swine models. Methods:Total 12 young swine were randomly divided into 2 groups, which were control group(null-Ad5,1 ml) and Ad5-HGF group(5 × 109 Pfu/ml,1ml). In four weeks after left anterior descending(LAD) coronary artery ligation,Ad5-HGF(5 × 109 Pfu/ml,1 ml)was transferred in the therapeutic group,and null-Ad5(1 ml) was transferred in the control group via right coronary artery. At 4th and 7th week after LAD ligation, gate cardiac perfusion imaging was performed to evaluate cardiac perfusion and LVEF. Swine were sacrificed in the 7th week,the apoptotic index of cardiocyte was observed by TUNEL, and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results:①In four weeks after LAD ligation,no difference was found between the control group and Ad5-HGF group in the cardiac perfusion and LVEF(P > 0.05). At three weeks after gene transfer,heart function was significantly improved in the Ad5-HGF group(P < 0.01), while unchanged in the control group(P > 0.05). The improvement of heart function was greater in the Ad5-HGF group than that in the control group(P < 0.01). ②TUNEL assay showed that there were lots of apoptotic cardioctyes in the border zone in two groups,but the Ad5-HGF group had a more obvious reduction in the apoptotic index, compared with the control group(P < 0.01). ③The expression of Bcl-2 protein was increased and the expression of Bax protein was inhibited in the Ad5-HGF group, compared with that of the control group(P < 0.01). Conclusion:Ad5-HGF transferred via noninfarct-related coronary artery could reduce apoptosis of cardiocyte and ameliorate post-infarct heart function. The up-regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax may play an important role in the anti-apoptotic effect of Ad5-HGF.