an efficient protocol for embryonic carcinoma cells p19 differentiation to cardiomyocytes using oxytocin as inducer

background: the capability of embryonic carcinoma cells p19 in differentiation to cardiomyocyte was examined through inducing effects of oxytocin (ot) and 5-azacytidin (5az) individually and compared with each other in laboratory condition. materials and methods: p19 embryoid bodies (ebs) was formed through hanging drops method. then, ebs were treated with (5az) or (ot) and the eb medium (ctrl) until 12 days. morphology and beating number per minute were recorded every two days. viability was carried out every three days. the expression of several cardiomyocyte-associated genes was assessed by rt-pcr. results: the beating area percentage of ebs in ot treatment groups was more than that of the 5az group in all days of experiment. however, only in final stage, a significant increase was observed in beating area of ot group. there was no significant difference in viability and morphological changes. ot induction expressed three more specific proteins in cell culture than 5az. conclusion: statistical analysis revealed that response to ot inducer was more excessive than 5az in all treatment groups. the oxytocin was found to be effective inducer of cardiomyocytes differentiation from embryonic carcinoma cells p19 than 5-azacytidine.