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Published on: July 7, 2016
Sustained cardioprotection: exploring unconventional modalities
Jason N Peart1, John P Headrick
1Heart Foundation Research Centre, Griffith University, Australia. j.peart@griffith.edu.au
Abstract:
Since Murry et al. [Murry, C.E., Jennings, R.B., Reimer, K.A., 1986. Preconditioning with ischemia: a delay of lethal cell injury in ischemic myocardium. Circulation. 74, 1124-36.] initially reported on the powerful protective effects of ischemic preconditioning (PC), a plethora of experimental investigations have identified varied preconditioning protocols or mimetics to achieve cardioprotection. These stimuli predominantly act via archetypal mediators identified in associated signalling studies (including PI3-K, Akt, PKC, mitochondrial K(ATP) channels). Despite an intense research effort over the last 20 years, there remains a paucity of evidence that this protective paradigm is clinically exploitable. This may arise due to a number of drawbacks to conventional protection, including effects of age, disease, and interactions with other pharmacological agents. This encourages investigation of alternate strategies that trigger protection via unconventional signalling (distinct from conventional PC) and/or mediate sustained shifts in ischemic tolerance in hearts of varying age and disease status. This review considers briefly drawbacks to conventional PC, and focuses on alternate strategies for generating prolonged states of cardiac protection.
Insights
Ischemic preconditioning (PC) shows promise for heart protection but faces clinical limitations. This review explores alternative strategies for sustained cardioprotection, bypassing conventional signaling pathways.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ischemic preconditioning (PC) has demonstrated cardioprotective effects since 1986.
- Conventional PC utilizes signaling pathways like PI3-K, Akt, PKC, and mitochondrial K(ATP) channels.
- Despite extensive research, clinical translation of PC remains limited due to factors like age and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the limitations of conventional preconditioning strategies.
- To explore alternative methods for inducing cardioprotection.
- To identify strategies for sustained ischemic tolerance in diverse cardiac conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of experimental investigations on preconditioning.
- Analysis of signaling pathways involved in conventional and alternative cardioprotection.
- Evaluation of factors affecting the clinical exploitability of preconditioning.
Main Results:
- Conventional preconditioning has significant drawbacks hindering clinical application.
- Alternative strategies may offer prolonged cardioprotection via distinct signaling.
- Novel approaches are needed to overcome limitations of age, disease, and drug interactions.
Conclusions:
- Conventional preconditioning strategies have limited clinical utility.
- Alternative signaling pathways offer promising avenues for sustained cardioprotection.
- Further research into unconventional strategies is crucial for advancing clinical cardiac protection.
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