Objective: The aim of this article was to observe the effect of Yiqi Huoxue decoction on myocardial energy metabolism of rats with congestive heart failure. Method: Eighty rats were subject to exhaustive swimming and hunger to cause heart failure model with coronary artery ligation.Two weeks after operation

the survivals were divided into four groups:model group

Chinese medicine group

western medicine group

and normal group 4 group

treated by gavage or with distilled water for 28 days. We detected the changes of the expression of proteins and genes of peroxisome proliferator activation receptor gamma coactivator 1 (PPAR γ-coactivator-1

PGC-1) by using Western blot and RT-PCR method.The concentration of high-energy phosphate (adenosine triphosphate

ATP) was determined by using colorimetric method

and the contents of serum N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTNI) concentration were determined via ELISA. Result: Compared with normal group

the ATP and PGC-1 α levels of rats in model group and other groups were significantly lower (P<0.01)

while the contents of NT-proBNP and cTnI were significantly increased (P<0.01);compared with the model group

the ATP and PGC-1 α levels of rats in Chinese medicine group and western medicine group

increased significantly (P<0.01)

the contents of NT-proBNP and cTnI decreased (P<0.01). In western medicine group and Chinese medicine group

there was no significant difference inthe levels of ATP

PGC-1 α

NT-proBNP and cTnI in the serum. Conclusion: Yiqi Huoxue decoction can significantly reduce NT-proBNP and cTnI content in rats with chronic heart failure

improve the energy metabolism

promote the production of PGC-1 alpha

and delay the development of chronic heart failure.