Ischemic postconditioning: brief ischemia during reperfusion converts persistent ventricular fibrillation into regular rhythm

Objectives: Brief episodes of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion employed during reperfusion after a prolonged ischemic insult may attenuate the total ischemia-reperfusion injury. This phenomenon has been termed ischemic postconditioning. In the present study, we studied the possible effect of postconditioning on persistent reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) in the isolated rat heart model. Methods: Isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts (n=46) were subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia and reperfusion. The hearts with persistent VF (n=11) present after 15 min of reperfusion were then randomly assigned into one of the two groups: (1) control hearts (n=6), in which perfusion was continued without intervention; (2) postconditioned hearts (n=5) subjected to 2 min of global ischemia followed by reperfusion. Left ventricular pressures, heart rate, coronary flow, and electrogram were monitored throughout the experiment. Results: Conversion of VF into regular rhythm was observed in all hearts subjected to postconditioning. Regular beating was maintained by all postconditioned hearts during the subsequent reperfusion. None of the hearts in the control group had normal rhythm at the end of the experiment. At the end of reperfusion, the left ventricular developed pressure was lower in beating postconditioned hearts compared to the hearts that did not develop persistent VF. Conclusions: Ischemic postconditioning possesses strong antiarrhythmic effect against persistent reperfusion-induced tachyarrhythmias. Postconditioning may be an interesting, novel adjunct strategy to protect the heart.     

Postconditioning in rats and mice

OBJECTIVE: For subsequent studies on the molecular mechanisms of postconditioning, we aimed to identify a robust postconditioning protocol in rat and mouse heart. DESIGN: Isolated rat hearts were subjected to different postconditioning protocols (study 1 and 2). The protection was compared to preconditioning. Rats (study 3) in vivo in two different laboratories were postconditioned. Isolated mouse hearts (study 4) and mice in vivo (study 5) were postconditioned. RESULTS: Postconditioning did not protect isolated, perfused rat hearts, however, preconditioning improved function and reduced infarct size. Postconditioning tended to protect rat hearts in vivo in one laboratory (p = 0.10), whereas protection was seen in the other laboratory (infarct size 51+/-11% vs controls 62+/-3%, p = 0.01). Postconditioned mouse hearts were protected, both ex vivo (16+/-9% vs controls 33+/-18%, p = 0.02) and in vivo (21+/-5% vs 42+/-7%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Rat hearts are less suitable for studies of mechanisms of postconditioning. The results suggest that the signaling pathways differ between pre- and postconditioning. Mouse hearts were strongly protected by postconditioning, and genetically engineered mice may be useful for postconditioning research.     

α7nAChR激动剂-缺血后处理对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的影响

目的 探讨α7烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体(α7nAChR)激动剂-缺血后处理对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的影响.方法 成年雄性SD大鼠50只,体重290～320 g,随机分为5组(n=10):假手术组(S组)、缺血再灌注组(IR组)、缺血后处理组(IP组)、α7nAChR激动剂后处理组(P组)和α7nAChR激动剂-缺血后处理组(PIP组).IR组结扎左冠状动脉前降支30 min、再灌注180 min制备心肌缺血再灌注损伤模型;S组仅穿线不结扎;缺血30 min时IP组再灌注10 s缺血10 s,重复3次,P组腹腔注射PNU282987 2.4 mg/kg,PIP组腹腔注射PNU282987 2.4 mg/kg后行缺血后处理.于再灌注180 min时抽取右颈内静脉血样后处死大鼠,取心脏,采用ELISA法测定血清心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ(cTnI)、TNF-α和高迁移率族蛋白Ⅰ(HMGB1)的浓度,采用伊文蓝和TTC双重染色法测定心肌梗死体积.结果 与S组比较,其余各组心肌梗死体积、IR组血清cTnI、TNF-α和HMGB1浓度升高(P＜0.05);与IR组比较,IP组、P组和PIP组心肌梗死体积、血清cTnI、TNF-α和HMGB1浓度降低(P＜0.05);与[P组比较,PIP组心肌梗死体积、P组和PIP组血清cTnI、TNF-α和HMGB1浓度降低(P＜0.05);与P组比较,PIP组心肌梗死体积、血清TNF-α和HMGB1浓度降低(P＜0.05).结论 α7nAChR激动剂-缺血后处理减轻大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的效应较单独应用时强.     

Coronary effluent from postconditioned hearts promotes survival of mesenchymal stem cells under hypoxia

Objectives. Mesenchymal stem cells are sensitive to hypoxia under myocardial micro-environment of ischemia and reperfusion. Ischemic postconditioning, which is cardioprotective against ischemia–reperfusion injury, enhances in-vivo survival and therapeutic effects of transplanted stem cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of coronary effluent from postconditioned rat hearts on proliferation and survival of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro under hypoxia. Design. Isolated perfused rat hearts were divided into three groups (n = 6): the Sham group—receiving a 90 min perfusion; the Control group—receiving a 30 min global ischemia followed by a 60 min reperfusion; the ischemic postconditioning group—before sustained reperfusion, 3 cycles of 30 s reperfusion and 30 s ischemia were performed. Inflammation-related factors in coronary effluent were assessed by ELISA. Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow of Sprague–Dawley rats were cultured with coronary effluent under hypoxia (95% nitrogen, 5% carbon dioxide, and < 1% oxygen) for 6- or 18 h. Cell proliferation was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium. Survival rate was measured by Annexin V/PI. Results. Compared with ischemia–reperfusion treatment alone, postconditioning treatment increased the level of interleukin-10 and decreased the level of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in coronary effluent (P < 0.01). Stem cells cultured with postconditioned effluent, compared with those with ischemia–reperfusion effluent, had a higher proliferation (optical density value), more surviving cells, and less necrosis (P < 0.01). Conclusions. Coronary effluent from postconditioned hearts may promote the proliferation and survival of mesenchymal stem cells under hypoxia, and the suppression of inflammation may be involved in this process.     

After four hours of cold ischemia and cardioplegic protocol, the heart can still be rescued with postconditioning

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that ischemia lasting more than 4 hours affects cardiac allograft survival. Ischemia and reperfusion are associated with additional deleterious effects. Protective effects of preconditioning are already being used but protocols based on postconditioning have not been evaluated. We tested the impact of postconditioning on hearts maintained in the cold for a long period of total global ischemia and we compared the results with those obtained with pyruvate, a cardioprotective molecule. METHODS: Isolated working rat hearts were subjected to a global total ischemia (4 h/4 degrees C), followed by 45 min of reperfusion. Postconditioning consisted of brief total global ischemia applied three times during the onset of reperfusion (ischemia: 30 sec, reperfusion: 30 sec). Superoxide anion production and collagen content were evaluated on cryosections. RESULTS: Our results showed that postconditioning led to improvements in cardiac functions that were comparable to those conferred by pyruvate. Postconditioning reduced myocardial damage, gave better functional recovery, and better preserved the collagen content. It reduced the duration of arrhythmias at the onset of reperfusion. In the postconditioning group, this improvement was associated with a reduction in superoxide production. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study showed that postconditioning induced good cardioprotective effects in a long cold (4 hr/4 degrees C) ischemia protocol and led to lower O2 production in part mediated by the reduction in NAPDH oxidase activity. It is interesting to note that, in our experimental conditions, the beneficial effects of postconditioning were comparable to those produced by pyruvate.     

Isoflurane Protects against Myocardial Infarction during Early Reperfusion by Activation of Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase Signal Transduction: Evidence for Anesthetic-induced Postconditioning in Rabbits

Background: Brief episodes of ischemia during early reperfusion after coronary occlusion reduce the extent of myocardial infarction. Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling has been implicated in this "postconditioning" phenomenon. The authors tested the hypothesis that isoflurane produces cardioprotection during early reperfusion after myocardial ischemia by a PI3K-dependent mechanism.

Methods: Pentobarbital-anesthetized rabbits (n = 80) subjected to a 30-min coronary occlusion followed by 3 h reperfusion were assigned to receive saline (control), three cycles of postconditioning ischemia (10 or 20 s each), isoflurane (0.5 or 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration), or the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin (0.6 mg/kg, intravenously) or its vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide. Additional groups of rabbits were exposed to combined postconditioning ischemia (10 s) and 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane in the presence and absence of wortmannin. Phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream target of PI3K, was assessed by Western blotting.

Results: Postconditioning ischemia for 20 s, but not 10 s, reduced infarct size (P < 0.05) (triphenyltetrazolium staining; 20 +/- 3% and 34 +/- 3% of the left ventricular area at risk, respectively) as compared with control (41 +/- 2%). Exposure to 1.0, but not 0.5, minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane decreased infarct size (21 +/- 2% and 43 +/- 3%, respectively). Wortmannin abolished the protective effects of postconditioning (20 s) and 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane. Combined postconditioning (10 s) and 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane markedly reduced infarct size (17 +/- 5%). This action was also abolished by wortmannin (44 +/- 2%). Isoflurane (1.0 minimum alveolar concentration) increased Akt phosphorylation after ischemia (32 +/- 6%), and this action was blocked by wortmannin.     

Isoflurane protects against myocardial infarction during early reperfusion by activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase signal transduction: evidence for anesthetic-induced postconditioning in rabbits

BACKGROUND: Brief episodes of ischemia during early reperfusion after coronary occlusion reduce the extent of myocardial infarction. Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling has been implicated in this "postconditioning" phenomenon. The authors tested the hypothesis that isoflurane produces cardioprotection during early reperfusion after myocardial ischemia by a PI3K-dependent mechanism. METHODS: Pentobarbital-anesthetized rabbits (n = 80) subjected to a 30-min coronary occlusion followed by 3 h reperfusion were assigned to receive saline (control), three cycles of postconditioning ischemia (10 or 20 s each), isoflurane (0.5 or 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration), or the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin (0.6 mg/kg, intravenously) or its vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide. Additional groups of rabbits were exposed to combined postconditioning ischemia (10 s) and 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane in the presence and absence of wortmannin. Phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream target of PI3K, was assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Postconditioning ischemia for 20 s, but not 10 s, reduced infarct size (P < 0.05) (triphenyltetrazolium staining; 20 +/- 3% and 34 +/- 3% of the left ventricular area at risk, respectively) as compared with control (41 +/- 2%). Exposure to 1.0, but not 0.5, minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane decreased infarct size (21 +/- 2% and 43 +/- 3%, respectively). Wortmannin abolished the protective effects of postconditioning (20 s) and 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane. Combined postconditioning (10 s) and 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane markedly reduced infarct size (17 +/- 5%). This action was also abolished by wortmannin (44 +/- 2%). Isoflurane (1.0 minimum alveolar concentration) increased Akt phosphorylation after ischemia (32 +/- 6%), and this action was blocked by wortmannin. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflurane acts during early reperfusion after prolonged ischemia to salvage myocardium from infarction and reduces the threshold of ischemic postconditioning by activating PI3K.     

Effect of ischemic postconditioning in adult valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: Ischemic postconditioning (POC) by brief episodes of ischemia performed just at the time of reperfusion can reduce infarct size in animal models and clinical settings of percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the clinical applicability of postconditioning in cardiac surgery remains to be determined. We investigated the effect of postconditioning on myocardial protection in patients undergoing valve replacement. METHODS: Fifty adult patients scheduled for elective valve replacement under cold blood cardioplegic arrest were randomly assigned to postconditioning (n=25) or control treatment (n=25). Postconditioning was performed by three cycles of 30s ischemia and 30s reperfusion using aortic re-clamping and de-clamping started 30s after cardioplegic arrest. The creatine kinase-MB, troponin I, transcardiac release of lactate were assayed. Measurements of clinical results were recorded during the study. RESULTS: The types of procedure, age, bypass and aortic cross-clamping times were similar in both groups. The postoperative peak creatine kinase-MB was lower after aortic de-clamping in the postconditioning patients compared with the control group (66+/-24 U/l vs 84+/-20 U/l, p=0.02) and peak cTnI was similar in both groups. The required inotropes were reduced in postconditioning group compared with the control group (2.3+/-1.8 vs 4.1+/-2.2 microg/min/kg, p=0.03). There were reduction trends with regard to transcardiac release of lactate in postconditioning group compared with the control group (0.10+/-0.17 mmol/l vs 0.24+/-0.16 mmol/l, p=0.08). The transcardiac neutrophil count during reperfusion was less in POC group compared with the control group (7.8+/-6.3% vs 14.0+/-8.7%, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that postconditioning may protect adult myocardium undergoing cold blood cardioplegic arrest. These data support the need for a further clinical trial of postconditioning in cardiac surgery.     

七氟醚后处理对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注时心肌细胞凋亡的影响

目的 探讨七氟醚后处理对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注(IR)时心肌细胞凋亡的影响.方法 雄性SD大鼠48只,随机分4组(n=12),制备离体心脏灌注模型,K-H液平衡灌注30 min后,C组灌注K-H液120 min;IR组缺血30 min,K-H液再灌注90 min;缺血后处理组(IP组)缺血30 min后行4个循环复灌20 s/缺血20 s,再灌注K-H液;七氟醚后处理组(SP组)缺血30 min后灌注含七氟醚的K-H液5 min,K-H液冲洗10 min,再灌注K-H液.IP组和SP组再灌注总时间90 min.灌注期间测定心功能,灌注结束时取心脏测定心梗面积、Bcl-2、细胞色素C和Caspase-3蛋白表达水平,计算心肌细胞凋亡指数(AI).结果 与C组比较,其余各组左心室最大上升或下降速率(±dp/dt)、左心室发展压(LVDP)、HR降低,左心室舒张末压(LVEDP)和AI升高,Bel-2、细胞色素C和Caspase-3蛋白表达上调(P<0.05);与IR组比较,IP组和SP组±dp/dt、LVDP升高,LVEDP和AI降低,心梗面积减小,Bcl-2表达上调,细胞色素C和Caspase-3蛋白表达下调(P<0.05).结论 七氟醚后处理可减少大鼠离体心脏IR时心肌细胞凋亡,其机制与其下调细胞色素C和Caspase-3蛋白表达,上调Bcl-2表达有关.     

Unveiling gender differences in demand ischemia: a study in a rat model of genetic hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Female gender is associated with reduced tolerance against acute ischemic events and a higher degree of left ventricular hypertrophy under chronic pressure overload. We tested whether female and male rats with left ventricular hypertrophy present the same susceptibility to demand ischemia. METHODS: Hearts from hypertrophied female and male salt-resistant and salt-sensitive Dahl rats (n=8 per group) underwent 30min of demand ischemia induced by rapid pacing (7Hz) and an 85% reduction of basal coronary blood flow, followed by 30min of reperfusion on an isovolumic red cell perfused Langendorff model. RESULTS: In female hearts, high-salt diet induced a pronounced hypertrophy of the septum (2.38+/-0.09 vs 2.17+/-0.08mm; p<0.01), whereas male hearts showed the greatest increase in the anterior/posterior wall of the left ventricle (LV) (3.19+/-0.22 vs 2.01+/-0.16mm; p<0.05) compared with salt-resistant controls. At baseline, LV-developed pressure/g LV was significantly higher in female than male hearts (200+/-13 and 196+/-14 vs 161+/-10 and 152+/-15mmHgg(-1); p<0.01), independent of hypertrophy, indicating greater contractility in females. During ischemia, LV-developed pressure decreased in all groups; at the end of reperfusion, hypertrophied female and male hearts showed higher developed pressures independent of gender (148+/-3 and 130+/-8 vs 100+/-7 and 85+/-6mmHg; p<0.01). In contrast, diastolic pressure was more pronounced in female than in male hypertrophied hearts during ischemia and reperfusion (24+/-3 vs 12+/-2mmHg; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In the pressure overload model of the Dahl salt-sensitive rat, female gender is associated with a more pronounced concentric hypertrophy, whereas male hearts develop a more eccentric type of remodeling. Although present at baseline, after ischemia/reperfusion systolic function is gender-independent but more determined by hypertrophy. In contrast, diastolic function is gender-dependent and aggravated by hypertrophy, leading to pronounced diastolic dysfunction. We can conclude that in the malignant setting of demand ischemia/reperfusion gender differences in hypertrophied hearts are unmasked: female hypertrophied hearts are more susceptible to ischemia/reperfusion than males. To determine whether in female hypertensive patients with acute coronary syndromes, diastolic dysfunction could contribute to the worse clinical course, further experimental and clinical studies are needed.     

Evaluation of Pulmonary Reperfusion Injury in Rats Undergoing Mesenteric Ischemia and Reperfusion and Protective Effect of Postconditioning on this Process

INTRODUCTION

Some publications have demonstrated the presence of lung reperfusion injury in mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion (I/R), but under to diverse methods. Postconditioning has been recognized as effective in preventing reperfusion injury in various organs and tissues. However, its effectiveness has not been evaluated in the prevention of lung reperfusion injury after mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the presence of pulmonary reperfusion injury and the protective effect of ischemic postconditioning on lung parenchyma in rats submitted to mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion.

METHODS

Thirty Wistar rats were distributed into three groups: group A (10 rats), which was held mesenteric ischemia (30 minutes) and reperfusion (60 minutes); group B (10 rats), ischemia and reperfusion, interspersed by postconditioning with two alternating cycles of reperfusion and reocclusion, for two minutes each; and group C (10 rats), ischemia and reperfusion interleaved by postconditioning with four alternating cycles of reperfusion and reocclusion of 30 seconds each. Finally, it was resected the upper lung lobe for histological analysis.

RESULTS

There were mild lung lesions (grade 1) in all samples. There was no statistical difference between groups 1 and 2 (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion in rats for thirty and sixty minutes, respectively, caused mild reperfusion injury in lung. Postconditioning was not able to minimize the remote reperfusion injury and there was no difference comparing two cycles of two minutes with four cycles of 30 seconds.     

Differences in prolonged ischemia length using ischemic preconditioning in the rabbit heart. Tolerable limitation time for surgically induced myocardial ischemia during normothermic cardiac operation

BACKGROUND: To determine the effect of the tolerable limitation time of prolonged ischemia after ischemic preconditioning on postischemic functional recovery and infarct size reduction in the rabbit heart. METHODS: White rabbits (n=30) were used for Langendorff perfusion. Control hearts were perfused at 37 degrees C for 180 min; 30 min global ischemia hearts (30GI) received 30 min global ischemia and 120 min reperfusion; IPC+30GI hearts received 5 min zero flow global ischemia and 5 min reperfusion prior to 30 min global ischemia; 20 min global ischemia hearts (20GI) received 20 min global ischemia and 120 min reperfusion; IPC+20GI hearts received 5 min zero flow global ischemia and 5 min reperfusion prior to 20 min global ischemia. RESULTS: Infarct size in the 30GI hearts was 33.5+/-4.0% and 1.7+/-0.5% in the control hearts. The 20GI hearts and IPC+30GI hearts decreased infarct size, as compared with the 30GI hearts (13.0+/-1.8% and 16.6+/-1.7%, respectively; p<0.001, 20GI vs 30GI; p<0.01, IPC+30GI vs 30GI; p>0.05, 20GI vs IPC+30GI) but did not enhance postischemic functional recovery. The IPC+20GI hearts (3.5+/-0.6%) significantly decreased infarct size as compared with the 20GI hearts (p<0.05, IPC+20GI vs 20GI), and there was no significant difference between the IPC+20GI and the control hearts (p>0.05), but the IPC+20GI hearts did not enhance postischemic functional recovery. CONCLUSIONS: A 20 min ischemia may be the tolerable limitation time of prolonged ischemia after ischemic preconditioning in an isolated rabbit heart model.     

芬太尼联合七氟烷后处理对离体大鼠缺血/再灌注心功能的影响

目的 研究芬太尼联合七氟烷后处理对离体大鼠缺血/再灌注(ischemia/reperfusion,I/R)心脏心功能的影响.方法 建立离体大鼠心脏缺血40 min,再灌注120 min模型.根据再灌注开始10 min的不同处理,使用随机数字表法将实验动物随机分为4组(n=10):I/R对照组(Con),七氟烷后处理组(...     

迷走神经电刺激后处理对大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的影响

目的 评价迷走神经电刺激后处理对大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的影响.方法 雄性SD大鼠40只,体重250 g～350 g,采用计算机产生的随机数平均分为4组(每组10只):假手术组(S组)、缺血/再灌注组(IR组)、缺血预处理组(IPC组)和迷走神经电刺激后处理组(POES组).除S组外,其余各组均结扎冠状动脉左前降支30...     

Transportation or noise is associated with tolerance to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury

Myocardial stress can result in myocellular phenotypic changes including enhanced activity of antioxidant enzyme systems. Accordingly, endogenous tissue antioxidant enzyme activity has been associated with resistance to cardiac ischemia and reperfusion injury. The present study was designed to determine if environmental perturbations could alter myocardial antioxidant enzyme (catalase) activity and function after ischemia. Isolated perfused rat hearts (Langendorff apparatus, 37 degrees C) were subjected to 20 min global ischemia (37 degrees C) and 40 min reperfusion. Rats studied immediately following shipment had increased myocardial catalase activity (1330 +/- 3.5 U/g, P < 0.05 vs quarantined control) and increased resistance to ischemia and reperfusion injury (end reperfusion developed pressure, DP 55 +/- 4.0 mm Hg, P < 0.05 vs quarantined control). However, control rats that were quarantined for 4 weeks exhibited a progressive decrease in catalase activity (760 +/- 10 U/g) for 3 weeks of quarantine. There was a concurrent decrease in resistance to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury (DP 40 +/- 3.6 mm Hg). Similarly, quarantined rats subjected to construction-related noise levels in excess of 90 dB (A scale) had increased myocardial catalase activity (1140 +/- 3.3 U/g, P < 0.05) and functional tolerance to ischemia and reperfusion (DP 66 +/- 3.3 mm Hg, P < 0.05). Finally, rats experiencing 90-dB noise levels for 2 days exhibited increased myocardial catalase activity (1125 +/- 30 U/g, P < 0.05) and myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury tolerance (DP 62 +/- 1.7 mm Hg, P < 0.05). We conclude that variations in environmental conditions can relate to changes in antioxidant defense mechanisms and tolerance to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in the rat.     

Postconditioning is an effective strategy to reduce renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury

Background. Several recent studies have shown that a brief ischaemiaapplied during the onset of reperfusion (postconditioning) iscardioprotective in different animal models. The potential applicationof postconditioning to organs different from the heart, i.e.kidney, is not available and is investigated in the presentstudy. We also tested the hypothesis that mitochondria playa central role in renal protection during reperfusion. Methods. Wistar rats were subjected to left nephrectomy and90-min right kidney occlusion. In controls, the blood flow wasrestored without intervention. In postconditioned rats, completereperfusion was preceded by 3 min, 6 min and 12 min of reperfusionin a consecutive sequence, each separated by 5 min of reocclusion.Animals were studied for 48 h. Mitochondrial respiratory chainfunction, rate of hydroperoxide production and carbonyl proteinswere measured at the end of postconditioning and 24 h and 48h after reperfusion. Results. BUN and creatinine significantly decreased in the postconditioninggroup as compared to control rats. Mitochondrial respiratoryfunction was significantly impaired in control rats, mainlyat the level of Complex II. Postconditioning significantly reducedthis mitochondria impairment. The rate of mitochondrial peroxideproduction was higher in the control group than in the protectedgroup at the end of postconditioning reperfusion. Moreover,mitochondrial protein oxidation was significantly higher incontrol rats than in the postconditioning group at the end ofreperfusion. Conclusions. In the present study, postconditioning reducedrenal functional injury and reduces mitochondria respiratorychain impairment, mitochondria peroxide production and proteindamage.     

Isoflurane postconditioning prevents opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore through inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta

BACKGROUND: Postischemic administration of volatile anesthetics activates reperfusion injury salvage kinases and decreases myocardial damage. However, the mechanisms underlying anesthetic postconditioning are unclear. METHODS: Isolated perfused rat hearts were exposed to 40 min of ischemia followed by 1 h of reperfusion. Anesthetic postconditioning was induced by 15 min of 2.1 vol% isoflurane (1.5 minimum alveolar concentration) administered at the onset of reperfusion. In some experiments, atractyloside (10 microm), a mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opener, and LY294002 (15 microm), a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, were coadministered with isoflurane. Western blot analysis was used to determine phosphorylation of protein kinase B/Akt and its downstream target glycogen synthase kinase 3beta after 15 min of reperfusion. Myocardial tissue content of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide served as a marker for mPTP opening. Accumulation of MitoTracker Red 580 (Molecular Probes, Invitrogen, Basel, Switzerland) was used to visualize mitochondrial function. RESULTS: Anesthetic postconditioning significantly improved functional recovery and decreased infarct size (36 +/- 1% in unprotected hearts vs. 3 +/- 2% in anesthetic postconditioning; P < 0.05). Isoflurane-mediated protection was abolished by atractyloside and LY294002. LY294002 inhibited isoflurane-induced phosphorylation of protein kinase B/Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta and opened mPTP as determined by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide measurements. Atractyloside, a direct opener of the mPTP, did not inhibit phosphorylation of protein kinase B/Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta by isoflurane but reversed isoflurane-mediated cytoprotection. Microscopy showed accumulation of the mitochondrial tracker in isoflurane-protected functional mitochondria but no staining in mitochondria of unprotected hearts. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthetic postconditioning by isoflurane effectively protects against reperfusion damage by preventing opening of the mPTP through inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta.     

Postconditioning Prevents Reperfusion Injury by Activating [delta]-Opioid Receptors

Background: While postconditioning has been proposed to protect the heart by targeting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), the detailed mechanism underlying this action is unknown. The authors hypothesized that postconditioning stimulates opioid receptors, which in turn protect the heart from reperfusion injury by targeting the mPTP.

Methods: Rat hearts (both in vivo and in vitro) were subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion. Postconditioning was elicited by six cycles of 10-s reperfusion and 10-s ischemia. To measure nitric oxide concentration, cardiomyocytes loaded with 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein were imaged using confocal microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane potential was determined by loading cardiomyocytes with tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester.

Results: In open chest rats, postconditioning reduced infarct size, an effect that was reversed by both naloxone and naltrindole. The antiinfarct effect of postconditioning was also blocked by the mPTP opener atractyloside. In isolated hearts, postconditioning reduced infarct size. Morphine mimicked postconditioning to reduce infarct size, which was abolished by both naltrindole and atractyloside. N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester and guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one blocked the action of morphine. Further experiments showed that morphine produces nitric oxide in cardiomyocytes by activating [delta]-opioid receptors. Moreover, morphine could prevent hydrogen peroxide-induced collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential in cardiomyocytes, which was reversed by naltrindole, N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, and the protein kinase G inhibitor KT5823.     

性别因素对七氟醚后处理减轻大鼠离体心肌缺血再灌注损伤的影响

目的 探讨性别因素对七氟醚后处理减轻大鼠离体心肌缺血再灌注损伤的影响.方法 SD大鼠60只,雄雌各半,2月龄,雄性大鼠随机分为对照组(MC组)和七氟醚后处理组(MS组),雌性大鼠随机分为对照组(FC组)和七氟醚后处理组(FS组),每组15只.建立大鼠离体心脏灌注模型,采用全心缺血40 min,再灌注2 h的方法制备缺血再灌注模型.对照组心脏再灌注时给予含氧K-H缓冲液,七氟醚后处理组在复灌的前10min灌注经3%七氟醚饱和的含氧K-H缓冲液,余110 min灌注含氧K-H缓冲液.于缺血前、再灌注期间记录HR、左心室舒张末压(LVEDP)和左心室发展压(LVDP),再灌注5 min时测定冠状动脉流出液LDH活性和心肌梗死面积,再灌注10 min时测定心肌总蛋白激酶B(t-Akt)、磷酸化蛋白激酶B(p-Akt)的表达,计算p-Akt与t-Akt比值(p-Akt/t-Akt).结果 与MC组比较,MS组和FC组LVDP升高,LVEDP降低,冠状动脉流出液LDH活性降低,心肌梗死面积减小,心肌p-Akt表达上调,p-Akt/t-Akt升高(P＜0.05);与MS组比较,FS组LVDP降低,LVEDP和冠状动脉流出液LDH活性升高,心肌梗死面积增大(P＜0.05);FC组和FS组LVDP和LVEDP比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 七氟醚后处理减轻大鼠离体心肌缺血再灌注损伤存在性别差异,对雄性大鼠的心肌保护作用强于雌性大鼠,该差异可能与心肌Akt的活化水平有关.