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Aims: The response of the myocardium to an ischaemic insult is regulated by two highly homologous protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes, δ and εPKC. Here, we determined the spatial and temporal relationships between these two isozymes in the context of ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) and ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) to better understand their roles in cardioprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Long bouts of ischemia are associated with electron transport chain deficits and increases in free radical production. In contrast, little is known regarding the effect of brief ischemia on mitochondrial function and free radical production. This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between the duration of ischemia, effects upon electron transport chain activities, and the mitochondrial production of free radicals. Rat hearts were subjected to increasing ischemic durations, mitochondria were isolated, and superoxide production and electron transport chain activities were measured. Results indicate that even brief ischemic durations induced a significant increase in superoxide production. This rate was maintained with ischemic durations less than 15min, and then increased further with longer ischemic times. Mechanistically, brief ischemia was accompanied by an increase in NADH oxidase activity, reflected by a specific increase in complex IV activity. In contrast, longer ischemic durations were accompanied by a decrease in NADH oxidase activity, reflected by deficits in complexes I and IV activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Loss in mitochondrial function and induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis occur as a result of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion. Brief and repeated cycles of ischemia/reperfusion, termed ischemic preconditioning, prevent or minimize contractile dysfunction and apoptosis associated with prolonged episodes of cardiac ischemia and reperfusion. The effects of preconditioning on various indices of ischemia/reperfusion-induced alterations in mitochondrial function and structure were therefore explored. Utilizing an in vivo rat model data is provided indicating that preconditioning completely prevents cardiac ischemia/reperfusion-induced: (1) loss in the activity of the redox sensitive Krebs cycle enzyme α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase; (2) declines in NADH-linked ADP-dependent mitochondrial respiration; (3) insertion of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein Bax into the mitochondrial membrane; and (4) release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. The results of the current study indicate that preconditioning prevents specific alterations in mitochondrial structure and function that are known to impact cellular viability and provide insight into the collective benefits of preconditioning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Activation of the δ-isoform of protein kinase C (δPKC) by certain conditions of oxidative stress results in translocation of the kinase to the mitochondria leading to release of cytochrome c and the induction of apoptosis. In the current study, the effects of myocardial reperfusion-induced δPKC translocation on mitochondrial function were assessed. Mitochondria isolated from hearts that had undergone ischemia (30min) followed by reperfusion (15min) exhibited a significant increase in the rate of superoxide anion (O2 − ) generation. This was associated with the translocation of δPKC to the mitochondria within the first 5min of reperfusion. δPKC translocation occurred exclusively during reperfusion and could be mimicked by infusion of intact hearts with H2O2 suggesting redox-dependent activation during reperfusion. Infusion of a peptide inhibitor (δV1-1) specific to the δ-isoform of PKC significantly reduced reperfusion-induced increases in mitochondrial O2 − generation. Finally, the decline in mitochondrial respiratory activity evident upon prolonged reperfusion (120min) was completely prevented by inhibition of δPKC translocation. Thus, δPKC represents a cytosolic redox-sensitive molecule that plays an important role in amplification of O2 − production and subsequent declines in mitochondrial function during reperfusion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reperfusion of myocardial tissue can result in programmed cell death. Nevertheless, relatively little information exists concerning pathways initiated in vivo that ultimately commit cardiac cells to apoptosis during ischemia/reperfusion. The goal of the present study was to determine whether mitochondrial-mediated mechanisms of apoptosis are initiated during in vivo cardiac ischemia/reperfusion. We provide evidence that the content of cytochrome c in the cytosol increases exclusively during reperfusion. Over the same time interval Bax, a pro-apoptotic protein implicated in release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, was found to disappear from cytosolic extracts. This was associated with the appearance of tightly associated Bax in the mitochondrial fraction. Cytochrome c from reperfused cytosolic extracts is present as a high molecular weight oligomer consistent with formation of the apoptosome. In addition, pro-caspase-9 was found to disappear exclusively during reperfusion. Therefore, the results of the current study indicate that the mitochondrial-mediated pathway of apoptosis is initiated as a result of in vivo cardiac ischemia/reperfusion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Excessive production of free radicals by mitochondria is associated with, and likely contributes to, the progression of numerous pathological conditions. Nevertheless, the production of free radicals by the mitochondria may have important biological functions under normal or stressed conditions by activating or modulating redox-sensitive cellular signaling pathways. This raises the intriguing possibility that regulated mitochondrial free radical production occurs via mechanisms that are distinct from pathologies associated with oxidative damage. Indeed, the capacity of mitochondria to produce free radicals in a limited manner may play a role in ischemic preconditioning, the phenomenon whereby short bouts of ischemia protect from subsequent prolonged ischemia and reperfusion. Ischemic preconditioning can thus serve as an important model system for defining regulatory mechanisms that allow for transient, signal-inducing, production of free radicals by mitochondria. Defining how these mechanism(s) occur will provide insight into therapeutic approaches that minimize oxidative damage without altering normal cellular redox biology. The aim of this review is to present and discuss evidence for the regulated production of superoxide by the electron transport chain within the ischemic preconditioning paradigm of redox regulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The heart utilizes primarily fatty acids for energy production. During ischemia, however, diminished oxygen supply necessitates a switch from β-oxidation of fatty acids to glucose utilization and glycolysis. Molecular mechanisms responsible for these alterations in metabolism are not fully understood. Mitochondrial acyl-CoA dehydrogenase catalyzes the first committed step in the β-oxidation of fatty acids. In the current study, an in vivo rat model of myocardial ischemia was utilized to determine whether specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenases exhibit ischemia-induced alterations in activity, identify mechanisms responsible for changes in enzyme function, and assess the effects on mitochondrial respiration. Very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) activity declined 34% during 30min of ischemia. Loss in activity appeared specific to VLCAD as medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity remained constant. Loss in VLCAD activity during ischemia was not due to loss in protein content. In addition, activity was restored in the presence of the detergent Triton X-100, suggesting that changes in the interaction between the protein and inner mitochondrial membrane are responsible for ischemia-induced loss in activity. Palmitoyl-carnitine supported ADP-dependent state 3 respiration declined as a result of ischemia. When octanoyl-carnitine was utilized state 3 respiration remained unchanged. State 4 respiration increased during ischemia, an increase that appears specific to fatty acid utilization. Thus, VLCAD represents a likely site for the modulation of substrate utilization during myocardial ischemia. However, the dramatic increase in mitochondrial state 4 respiration would be predicted to accentuate the imbalance between energy production and utilization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Complex I, a key component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, exhibits diminished activity as a result of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion. Cardiac ischemia/reperfusion is associated with increases in the levels of mitochondrial Ca2+ and pro-oxidants. In the current in vitro study, we sought evidence for a mechanistic link between Ca2+ pro-oxidants, and inhibition of complex I utilizing mitochondria isolated from rat heart. Our results indicate that addition of Ca2+ to solubilized mitochondria results in loss in complex I activity. Ca2+ induced a maximum decrease in complex I activity of approximately 35% at low micromolar concentrations over a narrow physiologically relevant pH range. Loss in activity required reducing equivalents in the form of NADH and was not reversed upon addition of EGTA. The antioxidants N-acetylcysteine and superoxide dismutase, but not catalase, prevented inhibition, indicating the involvement of superoxide anion (O2.-) in the inactivation process. Importantly, the sulfhydryl reducing agent DTT was capable of fully restoring complex I activity implicating the formation of sulfenic acid and/or disulfide derivatives of cysteine in the inactivation process. Finally, complex I can reactivate endogenously upon Ca2+ removal if NADH is present and the enzyme is allowed to turnover catalytically. Thus, the present study provides a mechanistic link between three alterations known to occur during cardiac ischemial reperfusion, mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation, free radical production, and complex I inhibition. The reversibility of these processes suggests redox regulation of Ca2+ handling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria isolated from ischemic cardiac tissue exhibit diminished rates of respiration and ATP synthesis. The present study was undertaken to determine whether cytochrome c release was responsible for ischemia-induced loss in mitochondrial function. Rat hearts were perfused in Langendorff fashion for 60 min (control) or for 30 min followed by 30 min of no flow ischemia. Mitochondria isolated from ischemic hearts in a buffer containing KCl exhibited depressed rates of maximum respiration and a lower cytochrome c content relative to control mitochondria. The addition of cytochrome c restored maximum rates of respiration, indicating that the release of cytochrome c is responsible for observed declines in function. However, mitochondria isolated in a mannitol/sucrose buffer exhibited no ischemia-induced loss in cytochrome c content, indicating that ischemia does not on its own cause the release of cytochrome c. Nevertheless, state 3 respiratory rates remained depressed, and cytochrome c release was enhanced when mitochondria from ischemic relative to perfused tissue were subsequently placed in a high ionic strength buffer, hypotonic solution, or detergent. Thus, events that occur during ischemia favor detachment of cytochrome c from the inner membrane increasing the pool of cytochrome c available for release. These results provide insight into the sequence of events that leads to release of cytochrome c and loss of mitochondrial respiratory activity during cardiac ischemia/reperfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: During cardiac ischemia/reperfusion, proteins are targets of reactive oxygen species produced by the mitochondrial respiratory chain resulting in the accumulation of oxidatively modified protein. Sulfur-containing amino acids are among the most sensitive to oxidation. Certain cysteine and methionine oxidation products can be reversed back to their reduced form within proteins by specific repair enzymes. Oxidation of methionine in protein produces methionine-S-sulfoxide and methionine-R-sulfoxide that can be catalytically reduced by two stereospecific enzymes, methionine sulfoxide reductases A and B, respectively. Due to the importance of the methionine sulfoxide reductase system in the maintenance of protein structure and function during conditions of oxidative stress, the fate of this system during ischemia/reperfusion was investigated. Mitochondrial and cytosolic methionine sulfoxide reductase activities are decreased during ischemia and at early times of reperfusion, respectively. Partial recovery of enzyme activity was observed upon extended periods of reperfusion. Evidence indicates that loss in activity is not due to a decrease in the level of MsrA but may involve structural modification of the enzyme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Heart attacks caused by occlusion of coronary arteries are often treated by mechanical or enzymatic remoral of the occlusion and reperfusion of the ischemic heart. It is now recognized that reperfusion per se contributes to myocardial damage, and there is a great interest in identifying the molecular basis of this damage. We recently showed that inhibiting protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) protects the heart from ischemia and reperfusion-induced damage. Here, we demonstrate that PKCδ activity and mitochondrial translocation at the onset of reperfusion mediates apoptosis by facilitating the accumulation and dephosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic BAD (Bcl-2-associated death promoter), dephosphorylation of Akt, cytochrome c release, PARP (poly(ADPribose) polymerase) cleavage, and DNA laddering. Our data suggest that PKCδ activation has a critical proapoptotic role in cardiac responses following ischemia and reperfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reperfusion of ischemic myocardial tissue results in an increase in mitochondrial free radical production and declines in respiratory activity. The effects of ischemia and reperfusion on the activities of Krebs cycle enzymes, as well as enzymes involved in electron transport, were evaluated to provide insight into whether free radical events are likely to affect enzymatic and mitochondrial function(s). An in vivo rat model was utilized in which ischemia is induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Reperfusion, initiated by release of the ligature, resulted in a significant decline in NADH-linked ADP-dependent mitochondrial respiration as assessed in isolated cardiac mitochondria. Assays of respiratory chain complexes revealed reduction in the activities of complex I and, to a lesser extent, complex IV exclusively during reperfusion, with no alterations in the activities of complexes II and III. Moreover, Krebs cycle enzymes α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and aconitase were susceptible to reperfusion-induced inactivation with no decline in the activities of other Krebs cycle enzymes. The decline in α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity during reperfusion was associated with a loss in native lipoic acid on the E2 subunit, suggesting oxidative inactivation. Inhibition of complex I in vitro promotes free radical generation. α-Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and aconitase are uniquely susceptible to in vitro oxidative inactivation. Thus, our results suggest a scenario in which inhibition of complex I promotes free radical production leading to oxidative inactivation of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and aconitase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]