Role of mitochondrial permeability transition pore in attenuation of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by delayed preconditioning with sevoflurane in rats

Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) in attenuation of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by delayed preconditioning with sevoflurane in rats.Methods Eighty male SD rats, weighing 250-300 g, were randomly assigned into 5 groups ( n = 16 each): Ⅰsham operation group (group S), Ⅱ group I/R, Ⅲ sevoflurane delayed preconditioning group (group SP), Ⅳ the mPTP opener atractyloside + sevoflurane delayed preconditioning group (group A + SP), and Ⅴ atractyloside group (group A). Myocardial I/R was induced by ligation of anterior descending branch of left coronary artery for 30 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion in group I/R, SP, A + SP and A. In group SP and A + SP, 2.5%sevoflurane was inhaled for 1 h, while pure oxygen was inhaled for 1 h in the other groups, and then myocardial ischemia was performed 24 h later. In group A + SP and A, atractyloside 5 mg/kg was injected intravenously via caudal vein 15 min before ischemia. Blood samples were taken from carotid arteries for detection of serum cardiac troponin-Ⅰ (cTnI) concentrations at the end of reperfusion. Then the rats were sacrificed and hearts removed. The myocardial infarct size (IS) and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the myocardium were determined. Myocardial ultrastructure was examined with the electron microscope. Results Serum cTnI concentrations and Bax expression were significantly higher, the myocardial IS was significantly larger and Bcl-2 expression was significantly lower in the other groups than in group S ( P ＜ 0.05). Serum cTnI concentrations and Bax expression were significantly lower, the myocardial IS was significantly smaller and Bcl-2 expression was significantly higher in group SP than in group I/R ( P ＜ 0.05). Microscopic examination showed less damage in group SP than in group I/R. The protection provided by sevoflurane preconditioning was abolished by atractyloside. Conclusion Inhibition of mPTP opening can result in an up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and down-regulation of Bax expression, which plays a role in attenuation of myocardial I/R injury by delayed preconditioning with sevoflurane in rats. Key words: Mitochondrial membrane transport proteins; Mitochondria, heart; Ischemic preconditioning, myocardial; Myocardial reperfusion injury; Sevoflurane