Adenosine triphosphate postconditioning is associated with better preserved global and regional cardiac function during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion: a speckle tracking imaging-based echocardiologic study.
BACKGROUND
Effects of ischemic postconditioning (IPostC) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-mediated pharmacologic postconditioning (ATP-PPostC) on cardiac function were evaluated by speckle tracking imaging (STI)-based echocardiography.


OBJECTIVE
A myocardial I/R model was induced in rabbits by reversible ligation of the left ventricular branch of coronary artery. Rabbits were randomized into three groups: ischemia and reperfusion (IR) (no further intervention), IPostC, and ATP-PPostC groups. Cardiac function was evaluated by conventional and STI-based echocardiography. Myocardial necrosis, apoptosis, and myocardial mRNAs of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) were evaluated.


RESULTS
Speckle tracking imaging (STI)-based echocardiography revealed that IPostC and ATP-PPostC were associated with better preserved global and regional cardiac function, as indicated by significantly increased GLSrsys, GLSrd, GLSsys, SrLsys, SrLd, and SLsys in both groups (all P<.5). Subsequent pathologic studies indicate that the percentage of necrotic myocardium and permillage of apoptotic cells were significantly lower in the IPostC and ATP-PPostC groups than in the IR group (all P<.05). Moreover, both IPostC and ATP-PPostC were associated with increased Bcl-2 mRNA levels and reduced Bax mRNA levels.


CONCLUSIONS
IPostC and ATP-PPostC may exert cardioprotective functions by better preservation of cardiac function during the I/R process and at least partly via attenuation of myocardial apoptosis.
Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Min
M
Ren
Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Yujie
Y
Liu
Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai, China.
Huiya
H
Zhao
Department of Special Diagnosis, PLA 313 Hospital, Huludao, China.
Shixia
S
Dong
Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Zhonghui
Z
Jiang
Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Keting
K
Li
Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. jwtian2004@163.com.
Jiawei
J
Tian
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001706:Biopsy; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015428:Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate
Adenosine triphosphate; Cardiac function; Ischemia and reperfusion injury; Postconditioning; Speckle tracking imaging