Effect of nicorandil pretreatment on myocardial mitochondria in a rabbit model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of nicorandil pretreatment on myocardial mitochondria in a rabbit model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Methods Tirty-two healthy male New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2.0-2.5 kg aged 4 months were randomly allocated into 4 groups ( n = 8 each): Ⅰ group sham operation (group S); Ⅱ group I/R; Ⅲ group nicorandil pretreatment (group N) and Ⅳ group nicorandil + 5 hydroxydecanoic acid (group N + 5-HD). Myocardial I/R was induced by 30 min occlusion of left circumflex coronary artery followed by 120 min reperfusion. In group N and N + 5-HD a bolus of nicorandil 100 μg/kg was given iv at 10 min before myocardial ischemia followed by continuous infusion at 10 μg· kg-1 · min-1 until the beginning of myocardial ischemia. In group Ⅳ a bolus of 5-HD 5 mg/kg was injected iv at 20 min before myocardial ischemia.The animals were sacrificed at the end of 120 min reperfusion. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by flow cytometry using JC-1 fluorescence probe as indicator. Bcl-2, Bax and cytochrome c protein expression was determined by immuno-histochemistry. Myocardial ultrastructure was examined with transmission electron microscope. Results Red fluovescence intensity indicating normal live cells was significantly higher, the green fluorescence intensity indicating apoptotic cells was lower and red/green fluorescence intensity ratio was higher; the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was significantly higher and cytochrome c protein expression lower in group N than in group I/R.5-HD administration negated the protective effect of nicorandil pretreatment against myocardial I/R injury. Conclusion Nicorandil stabilizes mitochondrial membrane potential, decreases cytochrome c protein releasing, and suppresses mitochondrial apoptotic signal transduction by opening the mito-KATP channels. Key words: Nicorandil; Myocardial reperfusion injury; Mitochondria,heart