Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning and Mitochondrial KATP Channel Openers on Chronic Left Ventricular Remodeling in the Ischemic-Reperfused Rat Heart

The influence of ischemic preconditioning (IP) and mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mito-KATP) channel openers on chronic left ventricular (LV) remodeling remains unknown, so the effect of IP and mito-KATP channel openers on the LV pressure - volume curve was assessed in rats subjected to 30 min ischemia followed by a 3-week reperfusion. Infarct size was histologically determined at 3 weeks after reperfusion. The LV pressure - volume curve was significantly shifted left by IP, diazoxide and nicorandil compared with the controls. These effects were blocked by the selective mito-KATP channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate. The LV remodeling and the infarct size at 3 weeks after reperfusion correlated well, indicating that the reduction of LV remodeling in the ischemic - reperfused model was strongly influenced by attenuation of the ischemic injury. LV remodeling in the chronic phase is attenuated by IP and mito-KATP channel openers with concomitant reduction of infarct size. (Circ J 2002; 66: 411 - 415)