H 2 Mediates Cardioprotection Via Involvements of K ATP Channels and Permeability Transition Pores of Mitochondria in Dogs

Purpose Inhalation of hydrogen (H2) gas has been shown to limit infarct size following ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat hearts. However, H2 gas-induced cardioprotection has not been tested in large animals and the precise cellular mechanism of protection has not been elucidated. We investigated whether opening of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channels (mKATP) and subsequent inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pores (mPTP) mediates the infarct size-limiting effect of H2 gas in canine hearts.