p38 MAPK inhibition decreases TNF-alpha production and enhances postischemic human myocardial function.
BACKGROUND
TNF-alpha is a proinflammatory cytokine implicated in myocardial dysfunction following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). I/R results in myocardial production of TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha suppresses myocardial contractility. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a redox-sensitive protein kinase involved in intracellular signaling leading to TNF-alpha production. It remains unknown if the human heart produces TNF-alpha after I/R and, if so, whether p38 MAPK is involved.


OBJECTIVE
p38 MAPK inhibition enhances human myocardial post-I/R contractile function by inhibition of myocardial TNF-alpha production.


METHODS
Human atrial trabeculae were suspended in organ baths, field simulated at 1 Hz, and force development was recorded. Following a 90-min equilibration, trabeculae were exposed to a p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB 203580, 1 microM) or vehicle (each n = 6) prior to simulated ischemia (45 min hypoxia, substrate-free, rapid pacing at 3 Hz) followed by 120 min reoxygenation. Myocardial TNF-alpha levels were measured by ELISA at end reoxygenation.


RESULTS
I/R increased human myocardial TNF-alpha levels from 26.9 +/- 9.3 to 83.9 +/- 19.2 pg/g wet tissue (P < 0.05 perfusion vs I/R; ANOVA Bonferroni/Dunn), while p38 MAPK inhibition decreased post-I/R myocardial TNF-alpha levels to 32.3 +/- 8.0 pg/g wet tissue (P > 0.05 p38 MAPK inhibition vs I/R). p38 MAPK inhibition improved postischemic force development from 18.5 +/- 2.1 to 37.0 +/- 2.0% baseline developed force (%BDF; P < 0.05 I/R vs p38 MAPK inhibition).


CONCLUSIONS
(1) The human heart produces TNF-alpha after I/R, (2) p38 MAPK mediates myocardial I/R-induced TNF-alpha production, (3) p38 MAPK inhibition limits functional impairment after I/R, and (4) inhibition of ischemia-induced TNF-alpha production may represent a potent therapeutic strategy for improving myocardial function after angioplasty, coronary bypass, or heart transplantation.
Cain
B S
BS
Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA.
Meldrum
D R
DR
Meng
X
X
Dinarello
C A
CA
Shames
B D
BD
Banerjee
A
A
Harken
A H
AH
D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007093:Imidazoles; D011725:Pyridines; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C093642:SB 203580