Opening of mitochondrial K+ channels increases ischemic ATP levels by preventing hydrolysis

Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels (mitoK_ATP) have been proposed to mediate protection against ischemic injury by increasing high-energy intermediate levels. This study was designed to verify if mitochondria are an important factor in the loss of cardiac ATP associated to ischemia, and determine the possible role of mitoK_ATP in the control of ischemic ATP loss. Langendorff-perfused rat hearts subjected to ischemia were found to have significantly higher ATP contents when pretreated with oligomycin or atractyloside, indicating that mitochondrial ATP hydrolysis contributes toward ischemic ATP depletion. MitoK_ATP opening induced by diazoxide promoted a similar protection against ATP loss. Diazoxide also inhibited ATP hydrolysis in isolated, nonrespiring mitochondria, an effect accompanied by a drop in the membrane potential and Ca²⁺ uptake. In hearts subjected to ischemia followed by reperfusion, myocardial injury was prevented by diazoxide, but not atractyloside or oligomycin, which, unlike diazoxide, decreased reperfusion ATP levels. Our results suggest that mitoK_ATP-mediated protection occurs due to selective inhibition of mitochondrial ATP hydrolysis during ischemia, without affecting ATP synthesis after reperfusion.