Objective:To explore the protective effects of small interference RNA (siRNA) targeted interleukin 28 receptor alpha(IL28RA) gene on the hypoxia reoxygenation cardiomyocytes injury. Methods:A complex was designed and synthesized,which consisted of three pairs of siRNA(siRNA-6158,siRNA-6160,siRNA-6162) interfering IL28RA gene expression. Liposome transfection method was used to transfect the siRNA into primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. The cells were divided into six groups including the normal control group,hypoxia and reoxygenation group (H/R group),H/R group+negative control transfection group,H/R+siRNA-6158 transfection group,H/R +siRNA-6160 transfection group,and H/R +siRNA-6162 transfection group. The cell survival rate and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)level in the supernatant were detected. The appropriate transfection concentration was explored. The IL28RA protein expression was observed in the H/R process by using Western blot method. Results:The siRNA of 80 nmol/L is the appropriate transfection concentration. Compared with the H/R group and H/R group+negative control transfection group,the LDH activity in the H/R +siRNA-6158 group and H/R +siRNA-6160 group was significantly decreased(P < 0.05), the survival rate in the both groups was significantly increased(P < 0.05), and the IL28RA protein in the both groups was significantly reduced (P <0.05). Conclusion:Inhibiting IL28RA gene expression was expected to be an important method of protecting anoxic myocardial disease. [Key words] IL28RA; siRNA transfection; hypoxia and reoxygenation; cardiomyocytes; myocardial damage