Activation of cardiac muscarinic M₃ receptors induces delayed cardioprotection by preserving phosphorylated connexin43 and up‐regulating cyclooxygenase‐2 expression

Abstract

Our results suggest that stimulation of M(3)-mAChRs with choline elicits delayed preconditioning, which we propose is the result of up-regulation of the expression of COX-2 and inhibition of the ischaemia-induced dephosphorylation of Cx43. Therefore, M(3)-mAChRs represent a promising target for rendering cardiomyocytes tolerant to ischaemic injury.