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Derek M Yellon

Publications and source records attributed to Derek M Yellon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

p53 down-regulation: a new molecular mechanism involved in ischaemic preconditioning.

Ischaemic preconditioning is associated with the activation of prosurvival mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that following a preconditioning protocol, the proapoptotic p53 is inactivated possibly via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt)-murine double minute 2 (Mdm2) phosphorylation. Our data show that in preconditioned hearts Mdm2 was significantly phosphorylated, and wortmannin (a PI3K inhibitor) abrogated this effect (Western blotting). Also in preconditioned hearts p53 was shown to be bound to phospho-Mdm2 (co-immunoprecipitation). Furthermore, pifithrin alpha (a p53 inhibitor), administered to isolated perfused hearts prior to ischaemia, significantly attenuated the infarction. In conclusion our results suggest that p53 is implicated in ischaemia/reperfusion injury and that preconditioning counterbalances this effect via PI3K-Akt-Mdm2 phosphorylation.

Androstadienes↗

Inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening at reperfusion protects against ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

OBJECTIVE: The opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) in the first few minutes of post-ischaemic reperfusion is a critical determinant of reperfusion-induced cell death. We hypothesised that the novel immunosuppressant, sanglifehrin-A (SFA), given at the time of reperfusion, protects the myocardium from ischaemia-reperfusion injury, by suppressing mPTP opening. METHODS: Isolated perfused rat hearts were subjected to 35 min ischaemia/120 min reperfusion, and were treated with (1) SFA (1.0 microM) or (2) DMSO vehicle for the first 15 min of reperfusion or (3) SFA (1.0 microM) after the first 15 min of reperfusion. We examined the effect of SFA on mPTP opening directly, using a myocyte model of oxidative stress. Laser illumination of adult rat myocytes loaded with the fluorophore, TMRM, generates oxidative stress, which induces mPTP opening (represented by mitochondrial membrane depolarisation) followed by rigour contracture. RESULTS: In the isolated perfused heart model, SFA, given during the first 15 min of post-ischaemic reperfusion, reduced the infarct-risk volume ratio from 43.9+/-2.5% in the control group to 23.8+/-4.2% with SFA (p=0.001). However, when SFA was given after the first 15 min of reperfusion, there was no change in infarct size (43.8+/-5.7% with SFA vs. 43.9+/-2.5% in control; p=NS), suggesting that SFA has to be present during the first 15 min of reperfusion to induce protection. In the isolated adult myocyte model, SFA was shown to inhibit mPTP opening in the setting of oxidative stress, represented by an increase in the ROS threshold required to induce: mitochondrial membrane depolarisation (from 269+/-21 to 777+/-100 s; p<0.001) and rigour contracture (from 613+/-14 to 1329+/-129 s; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Inhibiting mPTP opening during the first few minutes of reperfusion, using sanglifehrin-A, limits infarct size and protects myocytes from oxidative stress.

Animals↗

Insulin therapy as an adjunct to reperfusion after acute coronary ischemia: a proposed direct myocardial cell survival effect independent of metabolic modulation.

Reperfusion therapy has become a practical and effective strategy in the salvage of ischemic myocardium. The direct enhancement of cardiac cellular tolerance against ischemic and reperfusion injury should further improve patient outcome in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This approach has been explored for many decades, and although we await mortality-weighted randomized clinical trials, the infusion of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) has shown promise in protecting post-infarct myocardium. The current dogma is that this cardioprotective effect of GIK acts via the modulation of cardiac and circulating metabolites to provide the heart with an optimal metabolic milieu to resist ischemia and reperfusion injury. This concept of metabolic modulation has gained favor in coronary heart disease, and its efficacy currently is being investigated in stable angina using the new class of partial fatty acid oxidation inhibitors, including trimetazidine and ranolazine. We contend that the mitogen insulin, itself, promotes tolerance against ischemic cell death via the activation of innate cell-survival pathways in the heart. To advance this viewpoint, we will present clinical data that support a dose-dependent effect of insulin's beneficial action in the management of acute myocardial infarction. Furthermore, we present experimental data that identify cell-survival programs that are directly activated by the administration of insulin. Finally, as intravenous insulin therapy is both labor intensive and associated with metabolic perturbations, we propose that the development of pharmaco-therapeutic agents that target downstream cell-survival insulin-activated signaling molecules may be an alternate approach to promote cardioprotection during ACS.

Acute Disease↗

Atorvastatin, administered at the onset of reperfusion, and independent of lipid lowering, protects the myocardium by up-regulating a pro-survival pathway.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether atorvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-co-enzyme A (CoA) reductase inhibitor, limits myocardial necrosis when administered as an adjunct to reperfusion. BACKGROUND: Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase to reduce the synthesis of cholesterol. However, it is proposed that statins have cardiovascular effects beyond their ability to lower cholesterol, possibly via recruitment of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the serine/threonine kinase, Akt. This signaling pathway has recently been linked to growth factor-mediated reperfusion salvage. METHODS: Isolated perfused mouse hearts were subjected to 35 min of global ischemia and reperfused for 30 min in the presence of incremental concentrations of atorvastatin. Infarct size was determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, and the activity of the PI3K signaling cascade was determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: We found that there was a profound dose-dependent reduction of infarct size with atorvastatin in the range of 25 to 100 micromol/l (optimal protection was seen at 50 micromol/l with infarct size of 16 +/- 2% vs. control, 33 +/- 2%, p < 0.01). Moreover, this protection was sensitive to inhibition with the PI3 kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, and was absent in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) knockout mice. Western blot analysis revealed that atorvastatin resulted in rapid activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling cascade (within 5 min) and that both Akt and eNOS phosphorylation were significantly increased by 4.1-fold and 2.9-fold, respectively (p < 0.01). Moreover, phosphorylation of the PI3K substrates was abrogated by the administration of wortmannin. CONCLUSIONS: Atorvastatin attenuates lethal reperfusion-induced injury in a manner that is reliant on PI3K and Akt activity and the presence and activity of eNOS.

Animals↗

B-type natriuretic peptide limits infarct size in rat isolated hearts via KATP channel opening.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been reported to be released from the myocardium during ischemia. We hypothesized that BNP mediates cardioprotection during ischemia-reperfusion and examined whether exogenous BNP limits myocardial infarction and the potential role of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel opening. Langendorff-perfused rat hearts underwent 35 min of left coronary artery occlusion and 120 min of reperfusion. The control infarct-to-risk ratio was 44.8 +/- 4.4% (means +/- SE). BNP perfused 10 min before ischemia limited infarct size in a concentration-dependent manner, with maximal protection observed at 10(-8) M (infarct-to-risk ratio: 20.1 +/- 5.2%, P < 0.01 vs. control), associated with a 2.5-fold elevation of myocardial cGMP above the control value. To examine the role of K(ATP) channel opening, glibenclamide (10(-6) M), 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD; 10(-4) M), or HMR-1098 (10(-5) M) was coperfused with BNP (10(-8) M). Protection afforded by BNP was abolished by glibenclamide or 5-HD but not by HMR-1098, suggesting the involvement of putative mitochondrial but not sarcolemmal K(ATP) channel opening. We conclude that natriuretic peptide/cGMP/K(ATP) channel signaling may constitute an important injury-limiting mechanism in myocardium.

Animals↗

The cardioprotective and mitochondrial depolarising properties of exogenous nitric oxide in mouse heart.

OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide (NO) is reported to be both protective and detrimental in models of myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury, which may be concentration dependent. Our objective was to characterise this dichotomy using the nitric oxide donor, S-nitroso N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) in isolated perfused mouse heart and isolated mouse cardiac mitochondria. METHODS: To determine the effect of nitric oxide concentration on myocardial viability, isolated mouse hearts were subjected to 35 min global ischaemia and 30 min reperfusion in the presence of SNAP (0.02-20 microM). To determine whether NO mediated protection was via opening of the putative mitochondrial K(ATP) channel and/or free radical synthesis, SNAP perfused hearts were also treated with the mitochondrial K(ATP) channel blocker, 5-hydroxy decanoate (5-HD) and the free-radical scavenger, N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (MPG). This data was correlated with mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)), measured with the potentiometric dye, tetra-methyl rhodium methyl ester (TMRM), in isolated mitochondria,by flow cytometry. RESULTS: SNAP dose-dependently attenuated infarct size, with maximal protection observed at 2 microM (17+/-4% versus controls 32+/-3%, P<0.01). At greater concentrations however, protection was lost with infarct sizes tending towards control at 20 microM (29+/-3%). These results were paralleled by changes in Delta Psi(m) in the isolated mitochondria: Delta Psi(m) depolarisation peaking with 1 microM SNAP (26+/-4% shift in TMRM fluorescence, P<0.01); at greater concentrations, this relationship was lost. The mitochondrial K(ATP) channel blocker, 5-HD, resulted in both abrogation of SNAP infarct size reduction and concomitant loss of Delta Psi(m) depolarisation in the mitochondria. MPG however did not influence the cardioprotective properties of SNAP. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that nitric oxide can mediate cardioprotection in a dose-dependent fashion by an effect that may be related to Delta Psi(m). Both cardioprotection and Delta Psi(m) changes are sensitive to 5-HD and the cardioprotection appears independent of free-radical synthesis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Bradykinin limits infarction when administered as an adjunct to reperfusion in mouse heart: the role of PI3K, Akt and eNOS.

Attenuation of reperfusion injury by growth factors has recently been linked to recruitment of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt), a pathway also linked to the phosphorylation of eNOS by bradykinin. We, therefore, hypothesised that bradykinin would limit infarct size when given as an adjunct to reperfusion. Using an isolated perfused mouse heart model of ischaemia/reperfusion injury, we show that 100 nmol/l bradykinin, administered upon reperfusion, attenuates infarct size (32 +/- 2% to 22 +/- 2%, P < 0.01). This protection was abrogated by concomitant administration of the PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin (100 nmol/l), whereas wortmannin alone had no impact upon infarct size (31 +/- 3% and 30 +/- 1%, respectively). In eNOS knockout hearts, bradykinin was not seen to be protective (31 +/- 2% versus 32 +/- 2%), yet knockout hearts could be rescued with the nitric oxide donor, S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) (1 micromol/l) (17 +/- 4%, P < 0.01). Using western blot analysis, we show that bradykinin administration results in rapid, robust phosphorylation of both Akt and eNOS, greater than that seen in control hearts upon reperfusion (Akt/eNOS phosphorylation: 68 +/- 7/122 +/- 29 AU versus 32 +/- 5/47 +/- 10 AU respectively, P < 0.01). This pattern of Akt phosphorylation was mimicked in the absence of eNOS, whereas Akt phosphorylation was inhibited by wortmannin. Exogenous nitric oxide administration had no impact upon Akt phosphorylation. Therefore, we demonstrate that exogenous bradykinin, administered at reperfusion, limits infarct size with concomitant rapid phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS, and that this protection is dependent upon the presence of eNOS. These results may open new avenues for research into clinical limitation of reperfusion injury following acute myocardial infarction.

Androstadienes↗

Second window of protection following myocardial preconditioning: an essential role for PI3 kinase and p70S6 kinase.

Ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) protects the heart against myocardial infarction acutely as well as several hours later (e.g. 24-48 h). The mechanism of the profound cardioprotection is not completely explored. We hypothesized that PI3K/PDK1/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K-mediated pro-survival pathway is involved in delayed cardioprotection induced by IPC. Under Hypnorm-Diazepam anaesthesia, male New Zealand White rabbits were either sham-operated (SC) or preconditioned by four cycles of 5-min ischaemia and 10-min reperfusion on day 1. Twenty-four hours after recovery, the animals were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone and subjected to 30-min ischaemia followed by 180-min reperfusion. Wortmannin (0.6 mg/kg, i.v.), an irreversible PI3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, rapamycin (0.25 mg/kg, i.v.), which prevents the phosphorylation of p70S6 kinase (p70S6K), or DMSO (control vehicle) was given 15 min prior to IPC. IPC significantly reduced infarct size compared to the control group (SC) (31.9 +/- 5.8% (n = 7) vs. 54.9 +/- 2.9% (n = 6), P < 0.05). Wortmannin and rapamycin alone had no effect on infarct size (56.3 +/- 1.6% (n = 6) and 54.7 +/- 3.8% (n = 6), respectively). However, when wortmannin or rapamycin were given prior to IPC the protection was completely abolished (49.9 +/- 2.8% (n = 6), 45.1 +/- 4.6% (n = 7), P < 0.05 vs. IPC). Western blot analysis showed that wortmannin, at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg, and rapamycin, at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg, were sufficient to prevent phosphorylation of Akt and p70S6K, respectively, when the inhibitors were given prior to IPC. We conclude that PI3K/PDK1/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K-signalling pathway plays an essential role in the development of the cardioprotection against infarction in rabbits.

Androstadienes↗

Role of nuclear factor-kappa B activation in acute ischaemia-reperfusion injury in myocardium.

(1) Our aims were to characterize activation of the transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-kappaB), during myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion and to assess its functional role in the evolution of acute ischaemia-reperfusion injury in intact myocardium in vivo. (2) Under pentobarbitone anaesthesia, rabbits underwent sham operation, 30 min left coronary artery occlusion followed by 0, 10 or 180 min reperfusion. Saline or NF-kappaB inhibitor diethyldithiocarbamic acid (DDTC, 50, 100 or 200 mg kg(-1)) was given intravenously 5 min prior to reperfusion. (3) Electromobility shift assay revealed that 30 min ischaemia alone did not activate NF-kappaB compared to time-matched sham-operated controls (85+/-13% vs 100+/-28%, respectively). However, ischaemia plus 10 min reperfusion markedly increased activation of NF-kappaB (295+/-77%). DDTC 50 mg kg(-1) did not inhibit NF-kappaB activation (278+/-67%) but at the higher doses complete inhibition was observed (54+/-20%, 31+/-16%, respectively). (4) Infarct to risk ratio was determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining after 30 min ischaemia and 180 min reperfusion. DDTC 50 or 100 mg kg(-1) significantly reduced infarct size compared to the saline-treated control group (34.9+/-5.2%, 37.1+/-5.9%, vs 51.3+/-3.6%, P<0.05, respectively), whereas there was no protection with 200 mg kg(-1) (45.6+/-5.3%). (5) We conclude that ischaemia alone does not activate NF-kappaB, but post-ischaemic reperfusion robustly activates NF-kappaB in the myocardium. DDTC limited irreversible injury at low doses, but this effect appears to be dissociated from inhibition of NF-kappaB. Thus, activation of NF-kappaB during reperfusion does not appear to play a role in the evolution of myocardial infarction during the early phase of reperfusion.

Animals↗

Preconditioning the myocardium: from cellular physiology to clinical cardiology.

The phenomenon of ischemic preconditioning, in which a period of sublethal ischemia can profoundly protect the cell from infarction during a subsequent ischemic insult, has been responsible for an enormous amount of research over the last 15 years. Ischemic preconditioning is associated with two forms of protection: a classical form lasting approximately 2 h after the preconditioning ischemia followed a day later by a second window of protection lasting approximately 3 days. Both types of preconditioning share similarities in that the preconditioning ischemia provokes the release of several autacoids that trigger protection by occupying cell surface receptors. Receptor occupancy activates complex signaling cascades which during the lethal ischemia converge on one or more end-effectors to mediate the protection. The end-effectors so far have eluded identification, although a number have been proposed. A range of different pharmacological agents that activate the signaling cascades at the various levels can mimic ischemic preconditioning leading to the hope that specific therapeutic agents can be designed to exploit the profound protection seen with ischemic preconditioning. This review examines, in detail, the complex mechanisms associated with both forms of preconditioning as well as discusses the possibility to exploit this phenomenon in the clinical setting. As our understanding of the mechanisms associated with preconditioning are unravelled, we believe we can look forward to the development of new therapeutic agents with novel mechanisms of action that can supplement current treatment options for patients threatened with acute myocardial infarction.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial K(ATP) channels: role in cardioprotection.

The role of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mK(ATP)) in ischemic preconditioning and cardioprotection is reviewed. A great deal of accumulated evidence implicatese opening of this channel as an important step in the anti-infarct effect of ischemic preconditioning. Recent studies, however, reveal that channel opening can actually serve as a signal transduction element. Data indicate that mK(ATP) opening causes mitochondria to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) which then activate downstream kinases. Opening of mK(ATP) prior to ischemia can serve as a trigger since the critical time for its opening is prior to the onset of the lethal ischemic insult. Most G(i)-coupled receptors trigger protection through the mK(ATP)/ROS pathway except for the adenosine receptor which uses some other, as yet unidentified, pathway. Possible coupling schemes between the receptors and the mK(ATP) are discussed. Protection from preconditioning can also be aborted when a mK(ATP) blocker is present only during the lethal ischemic insult (mediator phase), but a much higher concentration of the blocker is required. Thus the mK(ATP) probably serves a dual role as both a trigger and a mediator. Possible end-effectors of preconditioning's protection are discussed including the mK(ATP) itself.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening: a new paradigm for myocardial preconditioning?

OBJECTIVE: We propose that ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and mitochondrial K(ATP) channel activation protect the myocardium by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening at reperfusion. METHODS: Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 35 min ischemia/120 min reperfusion and assigned to the following groups: (1) control; (2) IPC of 2x5 min each of preceding global ischemia; (3,4,5) 0.2 micromol/l cyclosporin A (CsA, which inhibits MPTP opening), 5 micromol/l FK506 (which inhibits the phosphatase calcineurin without inhibiting MPTP opening), or 20 micromol/l atractyloside (Atr, a MPTP opener) given at reperfusion; (6,7) pre-treatment with 30 micromol/l diazoxide (Diaz, a mitochondrial K(ATP) channel opener) or 200 nmol/l 2 chloro-N(6)-cyclopentyl-adenosine (CCPA, an adenosine A1 receptor agonist); (8) IPC+Atr; (9) Diaz+Atr; (10) CCPA+Atr. The effect of mitochondrial K(ATP) channel activation on calcium-induced MPTP opening in isolated calcein-loaded mitochondria was also assessed. RESULTS: IPC, CsA when given at reperfusion, and pre-treatment with diazoxide or CCPA all limited infarct size (19.9+/-2.6% in IPC; 24.6+/-1.9% in CsA, 18.0+/-1.7% in Diaz, 20.4+/-3.3% in CCPA vs. 44.7+/-2.0% in control, P<0.0001). Opening the MPTP with atractyloside at reperfusion abolished this cardio-protective effect (47.7+/-1.8% in IPC+Atr, 42.3+/-3.2% in Diaz+Atr, 51.2+/-1.6% in CCPA+Atr). Atractyloside and FK506, given at reperfusion, did not influence infarct size (45.7+/-2.1% in Atr and 43.1+/-3.6% in FK506 vs. 44.7+/-2.0% in control, P=NS). Diazoxide (30 micromol/l) was shown to reduce calcium-induced MPTP opening by 52.5+/-8.0% in calcein-loaded mitochondria. 5-Hydroxydecanoic acid (100 micromol/l) was able to abolish the cardio-protective effects of both diazoxide and IPC. CONCLUSION: One interpretation of these data is that IPC and mitochondrial K(ATP) channel activation may protect the myocardium by inhibiting MPTP opening at reperfusion.

Adenosine↗

Urocortin protects the heart from reperfusion injury via upregulation of p42/p44 MAPK signaling pathway.

Reperfusion of ischemic myocardium is essential for tissue salvage but paradoxically contributes to cell death. We hypothesized that activation of potential survival pathways such as p42/p44 MAPK may prevent lethal reperfusion injury. Urocortin is a peptide factor that affects the p42/p44 MAPK signaling pathway. Both isolated and in vivo rat heart models were used to examine the potential for urocortin to prevent reperfusion injury. Isolated rat hearts underwent 35-min regional ischemia and 2-h reperfusion, with urocortin perfused for 20 min from the onset of reperfusion. In the in vivo study, urocortin was administered as an intravenous bolus 3 min before reperfusion with a protocol of 25-min regional ischemia and 2-h reperfusion. Blockade of the p42/p44 MAPK pathway with the inhibitor PD-98059 was used in both models. Urocortin attenuated lethal reperfusion-induced injury both in vitro and in vivo via a p42/p44 MAPK-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, Western blot analysis demonstrated the ability of urocortin to directly upregulate this signaling pathway. In conclusion, we believe that the p42/p44 MAPK-dependent signaling pathway represents an important survival mechanism against reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

Nitric oxide as a mediator of delayed pharmacological (A(1) receptor triggered) preconditioning; is eNOS masquerading as iNOS?

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO), synthesised from the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), is implicated in mediating second window of protection (SWOP)/delayed ischemic preconditioning. However the role of NO and iNOS in delayed pharmacological protection remains unclear and is the subject of this investigation. METHODS: To test the hypothesis that iNOS is necessary for delayed pharmacological preconditioning, the adenosine A(1) receptor agonist, 2-chloro N(6) cyclopentyl adenosine (CCPA) (25 microg/kg i.v.) or saline was administered to wild type (WT) or iNOS gene knockout mice (KO). Twenty-four hours later, the hearts were isolated, Langendorff perfused and subjected to 35 min ischemia/30 min reperfusion prior to infarct size determination. RESULTS: WT and KO control hearts had identical infarct sizes of 37 +/- 3% and 37 +/- 2%, respectively. CCPA significantly reduced infarct size in WT hearts to 22 +/- 2% and also, unexpectedly, in KO hearts (27 +/- 2%). This protection was abrogated with the non-specific NOS inhibitor, N(omega) nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM), and could be mimicked in naïve hearts with the NO donor, donor S-nitroso N-acetyl DL penicillamine (SNAP, 1 microM). Delayed protection appeared to be mediated by NO synthesis in both WT and KO hearts. Additional studies using Western blot analysis demonstrated endothelial NOS (eNOS) upregulation and increased NO(x) release in both WT and KO hearts. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate a role for eNOS in delayed A(1) receptor triggered (pharmacological) preconditioning, potentially representing a new pharmacological target for protecting the ischemic heart.

Analysis of Variance↗