The role of mitochondria in ischemic heart disease

Mitochondria in the heart play two roles essential for cell survival: ATP synthesis and maintenance of Ca2+ homeostasis. These two processes are driven by the same energy source, the H+ electrochemical gradient (delta microH). Under aerobic physiologic conditions, mitochondria do not contribute to the beat-to-beat regulation of cytosolic Ca2+, although a Ca2+ transient in mitochondrial matrix has been described. Micromolar increases in mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration stimulate the Krebs cycle and the NADH redox potential and, therefore, ATP synthesis. Trimetazidine has been shown to improve the calcium transient and, in so doing, the overall myocardial energy production. Under pathologic conditions, mitochondrial Ca2+ overload causes a series of vicious cycles that lead to irreversible cell damage. During ischemia, an alteration in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis occurs and mitochondria are able to buffer cytosolic Ca2+, suggesting that they retain the Ca(2+)-transporting capacity. Accordingly, once isolated, even after prolonged ischemia the majority of the mitochondria are able to use oxygen for ATP phosphorylation. When isolated after reperfusion, mitochondria are structurally altered, contain large quantities of Ca2+, and produce an excess of oxygen free radicals. Their membrane pores are stimulated and the capacity for oxidative phosphorylation is irreversibly disrupted. The role of mitochondrial DNA damage in progressive human diseases such as coronary atherosclerosis is receiving growing interest. The sequence of ischemia and reperfusion, through increased production of oxygen free radicals, causes mitochondrial deletions in several areas of the mitochondrial genome. This cumulative mitochondrial DNA damage is associated with induction of nuclear oxidative phosphorylation gene mRNA. These observations support the hypothesis that mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA damage play important roles in ischemic heart disease.