Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the effect of citreoviridin(CIT)on cardiac myocytes in vitro and structure and function of myocardium in rats.MethodsThe CIT-induced ultrastructural changes on primary culture cardiocyte were observed by electron microscopy.The rats were fed with contaminated feed by CIT at 15mg/(kg·d)body weight for 8 week.The hearts were taken away and observed for light microscopy.ResultsMicroscopically,the prominent histopathological changes induced by CIT were manifested as extensive infiltration of lymphocytes and mononuclear cells,myofibril disintegration and cardiac myocyte granular degeneration or vacuolation.The cardiac myocytes were irregular shape,high density chromatin margination occurred under the nuclear membrane,myofilaments and mitochondrial cristae were clear,there was alarge amount of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm,some mitochondrial vacuolation appeared in group treated with 2.5μmol/L CIT as examined by electromicroscopy.The intact structure of cardiac myocyte was not seen in group treated with 25μmol/L CIT.The damages of cardiac myocyte were increased with the dose increasing.ConclusionsCIT could cause degeneration and necrosis in cardiac myocytes in vitro and myocardium in rats.