p38 MAP kinase is a mediator of ischemic preconditioning in pigs

OBJECTIVE: The role of p38MAPK in ischemic preconditioning (IP) is still equivocal, insofar as the p38MAPK-inhibitor SB203580 abolished IP in rats, rabbits and dogs, but not in pigs. Blockade of p38MAPK prior to the sustained ischemia also generated contradictory findings, insofar as p38MAPK acted as trigger in dogs but as mediator in rats. We have now tested whether the two structurally unrelated p38MAPK-inhibitors, BIX-645 and SB203580, abolished infarct size (IS) reduction by IP in pigs and whether their effects depended on the time of administration. METHODS: Sixty-five enflurane-anesthetized pigs underwent 90 min low-flow ischemia and 120 min reperfusion without or with one preceding cycle of 10 min preconditioning ischemia and 15 min reperfusion. Pigs received BIX-645 (1 mg/kg, i.v.) or SB203580 (10 microM, i.c.) prior to either IP or the sustained ischemia. RESULTS: IS (% TTC-staining) was reduced by IP [4.8+/-3.1(S.E.M.), P<0.05] compared to placebo (25.8+/-5.5). BIX-645 or SB203580 per se had no effect on IS (23.5+/-5.2 and 21.8+/-4.4, respectively). IS reduction by IP was abolished by BIX-645 (26.2+/-6.4 or 25.5+/-4.7) and SB203580 (19.9+/-4.3 or 16.7+/-4.7), given either prior to IP or the sustained ischemia, respectively. The supernatant of homogenized myocardial biopsies taken during the sustained ischemia from preconditioned pigs receiving either BIX-645 or SB203580 inhibited the anisomycin-stimulated ATF-2 phosphorylation in cultured Rat1 fibroblasts. This in vitro inhibition of ATF-2 phosphorylation correlated to the actual IS. CONCLUSION: The attenuation of the IS-reducing effect of IP depends on the effectiveness of blockade of p38MAPK activity. p38MAPK is a mediator of IP in pigs.