Bimakalim, an ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Opener, Mimics the Effects of Ischemic Preconditioning to Reduce Infarct Size, Adenosine Release, and Neutrophil Function in Dogs

Abstract

These results indicate that myocardial preconditioning in the canine heart produced by a short period of ischemia or a KATP channel opener is not mediated by an increase in adenosine release, as measured by coronary venous adenosine concentrations, during 60 minutes of occlusion or the initial 30 minutes of reperfusion. A significant reduction in transmural MPO activity in the ischemic area also appears to result from KATP channel activation and may play a role, at least in part, in the reduction in infarct size observed, particularly when a KATP channel opener is administered just before reperfusion.