Combined preconditioning and postconditioning provides synergistic protection against liver ischemic reperfusion injury

Hepatic Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury (IRI) is a major cause of liver damage during liver surgery and transplantation. Ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning are strategies that can reduce IRI. In this study, different combined types of pre- and postconditioning procedures were tested in a murine warm hepatic IRI model to evaluate their protective effects. Proanthocyanidins derived from grape seed was used before ischemia process as pharmacological preconditioning to combine with technical preconditioning and postconditioning. Three pathways related to IRI, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, pro-inflammatory cytokines release and hypoxia responses were examined in hepatic IRI model. Individual and combined pre- and postconditioning protocols significantly reduce liver injury by decreasing the liver ROS and cytokine levels, as well as enhancing the hypoxia tolerance response. Our data also suggested that in addition to individual preconditioning or postconditioning, the combination of these two treatments could reduce liver ischemia/reperfusion injury more effectively by increasing the activity of ROS scavengers and antioxidants. The utilization of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) could improve the oxidation resistance in combined pre- and postconditioning groups. The combined protocol also further increased the liver HIF-1 alpha protein level, but had no effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines release compared to solo treatment.     

缺血后处理对大鼠再灌注损伤肺细胞凋亡的影响

目的：探讨缺血后处理对再灌注损伤肺细胞凋亡的影响。方法：健康雄性sD大鼠24只,随机分为对照组（C组）、缺血／再灌注组（I／n组）和缺血后处理组（IPostC组）（n=8）。对比观察各组血清中丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、髓过氧化物酶（MPO）活力及含量变化,原位缺口末端标记法（TUNEL）检测肺组织细胞凋亡情况,免疫组化及RT-PCR法检测肺组织中Bax、Bcl一2蛋白和基因的表达。结果：I／R组与c组相比,MDA含量、MPO活力明显升高,SOD活力明显下降（均P〈0．01）,肺组织原位细胞凋亡检测示I／R组凋亡指数（AI）（39．03±3．46）显著高于C组（2．88±0．34）,Bcl-2／Bax比值在蛋白和基因水平明显降低（均P〈0．01）;IPostC组与I／R组相比MDA含量显著降低（P〈0．05）,MPO活力显著降低（P〈0．01）,SOD活性升高（P〈0．01）,AI为8．03±0．88显著低于L／R组,并能明显升高Bcl-2／Bax比值（均P〈0．01）。结论：缺血后处理通过减轻脂质过氧化反应及中性粒细胞聚集,降低Bax／Bel．2比值,使肺组织细胞凋亡减少,从而有效地减轻肺缺血／再灌注损伤。     

HO-1在缺血后处理抗肺缺血再灌注损伤中的作用及其对STAT-3表达的影响

目的研究血红素加氧酶-1(hemeoxygenase-1,HO-1)在缺血后处理(ischemic postconditioning,IPO)抗肺缺血再灌注损伤中的作用机制及其对STAT-3蛋白表达的影响。方法 40只SD雄性大鼠(250-280 g)随机分为假手术组(S)、缺血再灌注组(IR)、缺血后处理组(IPO)及缺血后处理+HO-1抑制剂组(IPO+ZnPP)。称重法计算缺血肺组织干/湿比(W/D),试剂盒检测缺血肺组织MDA水平及MPO与HO-1活性,Western Blot检测HO-1,p-STAT-3蛋白表达水平。结果与S组比较,IR组大鼠W/D、MDA、MPO、HO-1活性及蛋白表达水平均显著增加,而p-STAT-3蛋白表达水平显著降低,IPO可以逆转上述变化,而HO-1特异性抑制剂可以消除IPO对上述指标的影响。结论 IPO可以通过促进HO-1活性及蛋白表达的增加从而激活STAT-3信号通路而发挥抗肺缺血再灌注损伤作用。     

Inhibition of endogenous thioredoxin-1 in the heart of transgenic mice does not confer cardioprotection in ischemic postconditioning

Thioredoxin-1 maintains the cellular redox status and decreases the infarct size in ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, whether the increase of thioredoxin-1 expression or its lack of activity modifies the protection conferred by ischemic postconditioning has not been yet elucidated. The aim was to evaluate if the thioredoxin-1 overexpression enhances the posctconditioning protective effect, and whether the lack of the activity abolishes the reduction of the infarct size. Wild type mice hearts, transgenic mice hearts overexpressing thioredoxin-1, and a dominant negative mutant (C32S/C35S) of thioredoxin-1 were used. The hearts were subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion (Langendorff) (I/R group) or to postconditioning protocol (PostC group). The infarct size in the Wt-PostC group decreased in comparison to the Wt-I/R group (54.6 ± 2.4 vs. 39.2 ± 2.1%, p < 0.05), but this protection was abolished in DN-Trx1-PostC group (49.7 ± 1.1%). The ischemia/reperfusion and postconditioning in mice overexpressing thioredoxin-1 reduced infarct size at the same magnitude (35.9 ± 2.1 and 38.4 ± 1.3%, p < 0.05 vs. Wt-I/R). In Wt-PostC, Trx1-I/R and Trx1- PostC, Akt and GSK3β phosphorylation increased compared to Wt-I/R, without changes in DN-Trx1 groups. In conclusion, given that the cardioprotection conferred by thioredoxin-1 overexpression and postconditioning, is accomplished through the activation of the Akt/GSK3β survival pathway, no synergic effect was evidenced. Thioredoxin-1 plays a key role in the postconditioning, given that when this protein is inactive the cardioprotective mechanism was abolished. Thus, diverse comorbidities or situations modifying the thioredoxin activity, could explain the absence of this strong mechanism of protection in different clinical situations.     

Proteomic analysis of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury and ischemic preconditioning in mice revealed the protective role of ATP5β

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is an inevitable consequence during liver surgery. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been shown to protect the livers from I/R injury, partially mediated by preservation of hepatic ATP contents. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of these events remain poorly elucidated. In this study, liver proteomes of the mice subjected to I/R injury pretreated with or without IPC were analyzed using 2‐DE combined with MALDI‐TOF/TOF mass analysis. Twenty proteins showing more than 1.5‐fold difference were identified in the livers upon I/R injury. Among these proteins, four proteins were further regulated by IPC when compared with nonpretreated controls. One of these proteins, ATP synthase β subunit (ATP5β) catalyzes the rate‐limiting step of ATP formation. The expression level of ATP5β, which was further validated by Western blot analysis, was significantly decreased upon I/R injury while turned over by IPC pretreatment. Change pattern of hepatic ATP corresponded with that of ATP5β expression, indicating that increasing hepatic ATP5β expression might be a reason for ATP‐preserving effect of IPC. In summary, this study provided new clues for understanding the mechanisms of IPC against I/R injury. The protective role of ATP5β might give evidences for developing new therapeutic approaches against hepatic I/R injury.     

Inhibition of myocardial injury by ischemic postconditioning during reperfusion: comparison with ischemic preconditioning

Ischemic preconditioning (Pre-con) is an adaptive response triggered by a brief ischemia applied before a prolonged coronary occlusion. We tested the hypothesis that repetitive ischemia applied during early reperfusion, i.e., postconditioning (Post-con), is cardio-protective by attenuating reperfusion injury. In anesthetized open-chest dogs, the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded for 60 min and reperfused for 3 h. In controls (n = 10), there was no intervention. In Pre-con (n = 9), the LAD was occluded for 5 min and reperfused for 10 min before the prolonged occlusion. In Post-con (n = 10), at the start of reperfusion, three cycles of 30-s reperfusion and 30-s LAD reocclusion preceded the 3 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was significantly less in the Pre-con (15 +/- 2%, P < 0.05) and Post-con (14 +/- 2%, P < 0.05) groups compared with controls (25 +/- 3%). Tissue edema (% water content) in the area at risk was comparably reduced in Pre-con (78.3 +/- 1.2, P < 0.05) and Post-con (79.7 +/- 0.6, P < 0.05) versus controls (81.5 +/- 0.4). Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) accumulation (myeloperoxidase activity, Deltaabsorbance.min-1.g tissue-1) in the area at risk myocardium was comparably reduced in Post-con (10.8 +/- 5.5, P < 0.05) and Pre-con (13.4 +/- 3.4, P < 0.05) versus controls (47.4 +/- 15.3). Basal endothelial function measured by PMN adherence to postischemic LAD endothelium (PMNs/mm2) was comparably attenuated by Post-con and Pre-con (15 +/- 0.6 and 12 +/- 0.6, P < 0.05) versus controls (37 +/- 1.5), consistent with reduced expression of P-selectin on coronary vascular endothelium in Post-con and Pre-con. Endothelial function assessed by the maximal vasodilator response of postischemic LAD to acetylcholine was significantly greater in Post-con (104 +/- 6%, P < 0.05) and Pre-con (109 +/- 5%, P < 0.05) versus controls (71 +/- 8%). Plasma malondialdehyde (microM/ml), a product of lipid peroxidation, was significantly less at 1 h of reperfusion in Post-con (2.2 +/- 0.2, P < 0.05) versus controls (3.2 +/- 0.3) associated with a decrease in superoxide levels revealed by dihydroethidium staining in the myocardial area at risk. These data suggest that Post-con is as effective as Pre-con in reducing infarct size and preserving endothelial function. Post-con may be clinically applicable in coronary interventions, coronary artery bypass surgery, organ transplantation, and peripheral revascularization where reperfusion injury is expressed.     

Orchiectomy reduces susceptibility to renal ischemic injury: a role for heat shock proteins

In previous studies we demonstrated that the presence of testosterone, rather than the absence of estrogen, plays a critical role in gender differences in kidney ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Although molecular chaperones such as heat shock proteins (HSPs) have been implicated as protective agents in the pathophysiology of I/R injury, their roles in gender differences in susceptibility to renal I/R injury remain to be defined. Here we demonstrate that orchiectomy increases the basal and post-ischemic expression of HSP-27 in kidney tubular epithelial cells, but not HSP-72, glucose-regulated protein (GRP)-78 or GRP-94 expression. Orchiectomy prevents the disruption of the actin cytoskeleton and renal functional disorders induced by I/R, when compared with intact male mice or orchiectomized mice treated with dihydrotestosterone, a non-aromatizable isoform of testosterone. Thus, the protection afforded by orchiectomy is associated with increased expression of HSP-27, a heat shock protein important for maintenance of actin cytoskeletal integrity. These findings indicate that testosterone inhibits the heat shock response and may provide a new paradigm for design of therapies for I/R injury.     

Hyperlipidemia does not prevent the cardioprotection by postconditioning against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and the involvement of hypoxia inducible factor-1α upregulation

Hyperlipidemia is regarded as an independent risk factor in the development of ischemic heart disease, and it can increase the myocardial susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion （I/R） injury, lschemic postconditioning （Postcon） has been demonstrated to attenuate the myocardial injury induced by I/R in normal conditions. But the effect of ischemic Postcon on hyperlipidemic animals is unknown. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 （HIF-1） has been demonstrated to play a central role in the cardioprotection by preconditioning, which is one of the protective strategies except for Postcon. The aim of this study was to determine whether Postcon could reduce myocardial injury in hyperlipidemic animals and to assess whether HIF-1 was involved in Postcon mechanisms. Male Wistar rats underwent the left anterior descending coronary occlusion for 30 min followed by 180min of reperfusion with or without Postcon after fed with high fat diet or normal diet for 8 weeks. The detrimental indices induced by the I/R insult included infarct size, plasma creatine kinase activity and caspase-3 activity. Results showed that hyperlipidemia remarkably enhanced the myocardial injury induced by I/R, while Postcon significantly decreased the myocardial injury in both normolipidemie and hyperlipidemic rats. Moreover, both hyperlipidemia and I/R promoted the HIF-αL expression. Most importantly, we have for the first time demonstrated that Postcon further induced a significant increase in HIF-αL protein level not only in normolipidemie but also in hyperlipidemic conditions. Thus, Postcon reduces the myocardial injury induced by I/R in normal and hyperlipidemic animals, and HIF-αL upregulation may involve in the Postcon-mediated cardioprotective mechanisms.     

缺血后处理对缺血／再灌注大鼠心肌间质保护效应机制的探讨

目的：观察缺血后处理（IPIC）对缺血／再灌注（I／R）大鼠心肌基质金属蛋白酶-2（MMP-2）和基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-2（TIMP-2）变化的影响,探讨IPTC保护I／R心脏间质的机制。方法：24只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为3组（n：8）：假手术组（SC组）、I／R组和IPTC组。记录各组左室血流动力学变化,观察心肌胶原含量,测定血浆中肌酸激酶（CK）和乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）浓度。以Westernblot法测定心肌组织中MMP-2和TIMP-2蛋白表达水平,以实时定量PCR（RT-PCR）法检测MMP-2和TIMP-2的表达水平。结果：与sC组相比,I／R组心肌胶原含量和左室舒缩功能明显降低,血浆cK、LDH活力和心肌MMP-2蛋白表达及mRNA水平明显升高,TIMP-2蛋白及mRNA水平明显降低;而IPTC组,大鼠心肌胶原含量和左室舒缩功能明显升高,血浆cK、LDH活力和心肌MMP-2蛋白表达及mRNA水平降低,TIMP-2蛋白及mRNA水平升高。结论：IPTC对再灌注损伤心肌间质有保护作用,其机制可能与抑制心肌中MMP-2表达,促进TIMP-2表达有关。     

缺血后处理对缺血／再灌注大鼠心肌基质金属蛋白酶-2表达的影响

目的：探讨缺血后处理对缺血／再灌注大鼠心肌基质金属蛋白酶-2（MMP-2）表达的影响及其与心肌间质和心功能变化的关系。方法：2,4只sD大鼠随机分为3组（n=8）：假手术组（SC组）、缺血／再灌注组（I／R组）和缺血后处理组（n,rc组）。记录各组左室血流动力学变化,观察心肌胶原含量,测定血浆中丙二醛（MJ）A）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）浓度改变。以№ternblot测定MMP-2蛋白的活性,以RT-PCR法测定MMP-2rrffLNA表达的变化。结果：IFIE组心肌MMP-2蛋白活性及MMP-2mRNA表达明显降低,而心肌胶原含量、左室舒缩功能明显高于L／R组。同时,血浆SOD活力增强而MDA含量降低。结论：IFIE对I／R心肌的保护作用之一可能是通过减少自由基产生,抑制MMP-2的活性和表达,减轻了心肌间质的损伤而实现的。     

The protective effect of oxytocin on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

AIM: Oxytocin was previously shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in different inflammation models. The major objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective role of oxytocin (OT) in protecting the kidney against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar albino rats (250-300 g) were unilaterally nephrectomized, and subjected to 45 min of renal pedicle occlusion followed by 6 h of reperfusion. OT (1 mg/kg, ip) or vehicle was administered 15 min prior to ischemia and was repeated immediately before the reperfusion period. At the end of the reperfusion period, rats were decapitated and kidney samples were taken for histological examination or determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation; glutathione (GSH), a key antioxidant; and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, an index of tissue neutrophil infiltration. Creatinine and urea concentrations in blood were measured for the evaluation of renal function, while TNF-alpha and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were determined to evaluate generalized tissue damage. Formation of reactive oxygen species in renal tissue samples was monitored by chemiluminescence technique using luminol and lucigenin probes. RESULTS: The results revealed that I/R injury increased (p<0.01-0.001) serum urea, creatinine, TNF-alpha and LDH levels, as well as MDA, MPO and reactive oxygen radical levels in the renal tissue, while decreasing renal GSH content. However, alterations in these biochemical and histopathological indices due to I/R injury were attenuated by OT treatment (p<0.05-0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Since OT administration improved renal function and microscopic damage, along with the alleviation of oxidant tissue responses, it appears that oxytocin protects renal tissue against I/R-induced oxidative damage.     

缺血后适应对局灶性脑缺血/再灌注大鼠p38表达的影响

目的：探讨缺血后适应对大鼠局灶性脑缺血/再灌注损伤后p38表达的影响。方法：将30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为3组（n=10）：假手术组（sham组）、缺血/再灌注（I/R）组和缺血后适应（IP）组。利用TUNEL法观察神经细胞凋亡的变化,应用Westernblot检测大鼠局灶性脑I/R损伤后p38蛋白表达水平的变化。结果：大鼠脑缺血/再灌注后凋亡细胞数量和p38蛋白表达水平均显著升高,而IP组凋亡细胞数量和p38蛋白表达水平均显著低于IR组（P〈0.01）。结论：缺血后适应可抑制大鼠脑缺血/再灌注后细胞凋亡的发生,此作用可能与下调p38蛋白表达有关。     

Naringin protects viscera from ischemia/reperfusion injury by regulating the nitric oxide level in a rat model

We investigated the effects of naringin on small intestine, liver, kidney and lung recovery after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the gut. Rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight. Group A was the sham control; group B was ischemic for 2 h; group C was ischemic for 2 h and re-perfused for 2 h (I/R); group D was treated with 50 mg/kg naringin after ischemia, then re-perfused for 2 h. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressions were detected by immunolabeling. We also measured arginase activity, amounts of nitric oxide (NO) and total protein. iNOS was increased significantly in the small intestine, liver and kidney in group C. iNOS was decreased significantly only in small intestine and lung in group D. eNOS was increased significantly in the small intestine, liver and lung in group C. eNOS was decreased in small intestine, liver and lung in group D; however, eNOS was decreased in the kidney in group C and increased in the kidney in group D. The amount of NO was decreased significantly in all tissues in group D, but arginase activity was decreased in the small intestine and lung, increased in the kidney and remained unchanged in the liver in group D. The total protein increased in the small intestine and liver in group D, but decreased significantly in the kidney and lung in group D. Naringin had significant, salutary effects on the biochemical parameters of I/R by decreasing the NO level, equilibrating iNOS and eNOS expressions, and decreasing arginase activity.     

脂联素后处理对大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的影响及ADP/PI3K/Akt信号通路的作用

目的：探讨脂联素（ADP）后处理对大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤（MIRI）的影响以及脂联素/磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶/蛋白激酶B （ADP/PI3K/Akt）通路的作用。方法：SD大鼠麻醉后气管插管连接呼吸机,开胸暴露心肌,在左心耳和肺动脉圆锥之间用带线圆针对冠脉左前降支（LAD）穿线,LAD结扎断流30 min后松线再灌注120 min,建立大鼠MIRI模型。大鼠随机分为以下5组（n=12）：①假手术组（Sham组）：LAD仅穿线不结扎;② MIRI组;③ADP后处理组（ADP组）：LAD断流10 min时静注ADP继续断流20 min,然后再灌注120 min;④ADP+LY294002组：LAD断流10 min时静注ADP和LY294002,其余同ADP组;⑤LY294002组：LAD断流10 min时静注LY294002,其余同ADP组。各组取血检测LDH和cTnI含量,取左心室心肌测定PI3k、Akt、p-Akt、ADPmRNA、ADPR1mRNA和PI3KmRNA表达。结果：与Sham组比较,MIRI组血浆LDH和cTnI均明显升高（P<0.05）;和MIRI组相比,ADP组心肌损伤指标明显下降（P<0.05）,而应用LY294002的两组心肌损伤比ADP组加重（P<0.05）。ADP组心肌PI3K、p-Akt、ADPmRNA、ADPR1mRNA和PI3kmRNA表达比MIRI组升高（P<0.05）,应用LY294002两组上述5个指标比MIRI组降低（P<0.05）。结论：ADP后处理对大鼠MIRI有保护作用,ADP/PI3K/Akt通路参与了以上作用。     

Manganese porphyrin reduces renal injury and mitochondrial damage during ischemia/reperfusion

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury often occurs as a result of vascular surgery, organ procurement, or transplantation. We previously showed that renal I/R results in ATP depletion, oxidant production, and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) inactivation. There have been several reports that overexpression of MnSOD protects tissues/organs from I/R-related damage, thus a loss of MnSOD activity during I/R likely contributes to tissue injury. The present study examined the therapeutic benefit of a catalytic antioxidant, Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(N-n-hexylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin (MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+)), using the rat renal I/R model. This was the first study to examine the effects of MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+) in an animal model of oxidative stress injury. Our results showed that porphyrin pretreatment of rats for 24 h protected against ATP depletion, MnSOD inactivation, nitrotyrosine formation, and renal dysfunction. The dose (50 microg/kg) used in this study is lower than doses of various types of antioxidants commonly used in animal models of oxidative stress injuries. In addition, using novel proteomic techniques, we identified the ATP synthase-beta subunit as a key protein induced by MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+) treatment alone and complex V (ATP synthase) as a target of injury during renal I/R. These results showed that MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+) protected against renal I/R injury via induction of key mitochondrial proteins that may be capable of blunting oxidative injury.     

The effect of taurine on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury

Summary. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the most common causes of renal dysfunction. Taurine is an endogenous antioxidant and a membrane-stabilizing, intracellular, free beta-amino acid. It has been demonstrated to have protective effects against I/R injuries to tissues other than kidney. The aim of this study was to determine whether taurine has a beneficial role in renal I/R injury. Forty Wistar-Albino rats were allocated into four groups as follows: sham, taurine, I/R, and I/R + taurine. Taurine 7.5 mg/kg was given intra-peritoneally to rats in the groups taurine and I/R + taurine. Renal I/R was achieved by occluding the renal arteries bilaterally for 40 min, followed by 6 h of reperfusion. Immediately thereafter, blood was drawn and tissue samples were harvested to measure 1) serum levels of BUN and creatinine; 2) serum and/or tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) and glutathione reductase (GSH-red); 3) renal morphology; and 4) immunohistochemical staining for P-selectin. Taurine administration reduced I/R-induced increases in serum BUN and creatinine, and serum and tissue MDA levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, taurine lessened the reductions in serum and tissue glutathione levels secondary to I/R (p < 0.05). Taurine also attenuated histopathologic evidence of renal injury, and reduced I/R-induced P-selectin immunoreactivity (p < 0.05). Overall, then, taurine administration appears to reduce the injurious effects of I/R on kidney.     

Comparative effects of ischemic pre and postconditioning on ischemia-reperfusion injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

Brief episodes of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion applied early in reperfusion may attenuate the reperfusion injury, strategy called ischemic postconditioning (IPO). Our objective was to examine the effects of IPO compared with ischemic preconditioning (IP) on postischemic myocardial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Isolated hearts from SHR and normotensive WKY rats were subjected to the following protocols: (1) Ischemic control (IC): global ischemia 20 min (GI20) and reperfusion 30 min (R). (2) IPO: three cycles of R30sec–IG30sec at the onset of R; (3) IP: a cycle of IG5–R10 previous to GI20, (4) IPO in the presence of chelerythrine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC). Systolic and diastolic function were assessed through developed pressure (LVDP) and end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), respectively. Lipid peroxidation was estimated by thiobarbituric reactive substance (TBARS) concentration. IPO significantly improved postischemic dysfunction. At the end of R, LVDP recovered to 87 ± 7% in WKY and 94 ± 7% in SHR vs. 55 ± 11% and 58 ± 12% in IC hearts. LVEDP reached values of 24 ± 6 mmHg for WKY and 24 ± 3 mmHg for SHR vs. 40 ± 8 and 42 ± 5 mmHg in IC hearts. Similar protection was achieved by IP. TBARS contents of SHR hearts were significantly diminished by IP and IPO. PKC inhibition aborted the protection of myocardial function and attenuated the diminution of lipid peroxidation conferred by IPO. These data show that IPO was as effective as IP in improving the postischemic dysfunction of hearts from SHR hearts, and that this cardioprotection appears to be associated with a diminution of ROS-induced damage involving the PKC activation.     

Pyruvate provides cardioprotection in the experimental model of myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury

The present study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of pyruvate and to characterize the mechanism underlying the protection. Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups. Two groups were administered saline orally (sham, ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) control group) and animals of third group received pyruvate (500 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. On the 29th day, animals of the I-R control and pyruvate treated groups underwent 45 min of occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and were thereafter reperfused for 60 min. In the I-R control group, a significant cardiac necrosis, depressed mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), decline in myocardial antioxidant status and elevation in lipid peroxidation were observed as compared to sham control. Pyruvate treatment restored the myocardial antioxidant status and favorably modulated the altered MAP as compared to I-R control. Furthermore, I/R-induced lipid peroxidation was significantly inhibited by pyruvate treatment. These beneficial cardioprotective effects translated into significant improvement in MAP. Histopathological examination and restored specific myocardial injury marker CK-MB isoenzyme activity further confirmed protective effects of pyruvate. In conclusion, our study has demonstrated that the beneficial effect of pyruvate likely results from improved MAP and suppression of oxidative stress.