Flumazenil Mimics whereas Midazolam Abolishes Ischemic Preconditioning in a Rabbit Heart Model of Ischemia–Reperfusion

Abstract

Flumazenil mimics preconditioning to decrease infarct size and hydroxyl radical production during reperfusion. Midazolam, however, abolishes these effects. Blockade of benzodiazepine receptors is upstream to the mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K channels in the preconditioning cascade.