Rho-kinase inhibition is involved in the activation of PI3-kinase/Akt during ischemic-preconditioning-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis

We and others have reported that Rho-kinase plays an important role in the pathogenesis of heart ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Studies also have demonstrated that the activation of Rho-kinase was reversed in ischemic preconditioning (IPC). This study aimed to explain the mechanism of Rho-kinase-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis increased in I/R and reversed in IPC. Materials and methods: Studies were performed with female Wistar rats. The I/R rats were created by ligating the left anterior descending branch (LAD) for 30 min and releasing the ligature for 180 min. The IPC rats underwent IPC (two cycles of 5 min ligation of the LAD and 5 min reflow) before I/R. Results: Ischemia followed by reperfusion caused a significant increase in Rho-kinase and a decrease in Akt phosphorylation. Administration of fasudil, an inhibitor of Rho-kinase, decreased myocardial infarction size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis and increased Akt activation. IPC also caused the reduced Rho-kinase activity and cardiomyocyte apoptosis and a significant increase in Akt activity (P<0.05 vs I/R). Conclusion: Rho-kinase inhibition by IPC leads to reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis may be mediated by activation of PI3-kinase/Akt.