Title:Anesthetic Cardioprotection in Relation to Mitochondria: Basic Science
VOLUME: 20 ISSUE: 36
Author(s):Yasushi Mio, Shoichi Uezono and Hiroshi Kitahata
Affiliation:Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan.
Keywords:Anesthetics, cardioprotection, mitochondria.
Abstract:Anesthetic pre- and postconditioning pharmacologically reduces ischemia/reperfusion injury. Mitochondria play a central role
in these myocardial protective salvage effects. In the preconditioning, low levels of reactive oxygen species, which are produced by anesthetics
in the mitochondria, act as a trigger to prevent cardiomyocytes death and modify intracellular signaling mechanisms. In the postconditioning,
decreased mitochondrial matrix pH, which was caused by anesthetics, triggers the onset of a rapid protective effect. The
mitochondrial membranes have several ion channels that act as major determining factors of cellular life and death under pathophysiological
conditions. In these channels, the mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channels, the mitochondrial Ca2+-activated
K+ channels and mitochondrial permeability transition pores play critical roles in cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Mitochondrial permeability transition pores are end effectors, which contribute to myocardial preconditioning and postconditioning. Activation
of intracellular signaling and acidification of mitochondrial matrix pH prevent the mitochondrial permeability transition pore
opening, and therefore, preserve the mitochondrial function to supply adenosine triphosphate, resulting in myocardial protection due to
the maintenance of intracellular homeostasis.
