Cardiovascular research
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Cardiovascular research · Nov 2006
Mitochondrial uncoupling, with low concentration FCCP, induces ROS-dependent cardioprotection independent of KATP channel activation.
Both K(ATP) channel opening drugs and ischaemic preconditioning have been suggested to protect the ischaemic heart by acting on K(ATP) channels in the inner mitochondrial membrane, uncoupling the proton gradient and partially dissipating the mitochondrial membrane potential. The aim of these studies was to use low concentrations of FCCP, a mitochondrial protonophore, to bypass the mitochondrial K(ATP) channel and partially uncouple the mitochondria and establish whether this activates protective pathways within the rat heart analogous to K(ATP) channel openers or preconditioning. ⋯ In the isolated rat heart, partial mitochondrial uncoupling with low-dose FCCP significantly improves post-ischaemic functional recovery via a ROS-dependent pathway. This cardioprotection is not mediated via the depletion of cellular ATP or mitochondrial K(ATP) channel activation.