Abstract: Aim Theeffects of Dexamethasone(Dex) on human fetal heart cells intected by Coxsackie B-2 virus were studiedinvitra.Methods Thelevels of LDH were de termined, thecytopathic effect (CPE), thebeat ing of heart cells and electromicroscopic findings were observedin cultured heart cells infected by coxsackie B-2 virus.Results LDH levels were much low er in theDex-treatedinfected group than those in theinfected group.Less CPE could be foundin theDex-treatedinfected group, while theCPE appeared rapidly in theinfected group atthesameintervals.Atthefi rst day, themyocytes showed nearly normalul trastructure in theDex-treatedinfected group, how ever, themi tochondrial cristae were unclear in theinfected group.Conclusion Dexamethasone exerted someprotective Effects on cultured human fetal heart cells infected by Coxsackie B-2 vi rus.

Key words: human heart cells, culture, Coxsackie B virus, dexamethasone