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No loss of cardioprotection by postconditioning in connexin 43-deficient mice

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Abstract

In situ hearts and isolated cardiomyocytes from heterozygous connexin 43-deficient (Cx43+/−) mice cannot be protected by ischemic preconditioning or diazoxide. We have now addressed the role of connexin 43 in ischemic postconditioning (PC). Wild type (WT) and Cx43+/−mice were subjected to 30 min coronary occlusion and 120 min reperfusion, with and without a PC protocol of three cycles of 10 s coronary occlusion/10 s reperfusion. Infarct size (TTC staining) was reduced by PC from 54±5 to 37±3% of area at risk in WT. Likewise, infarct size was reduced by PC from 53±4 to 34±3% of area at risk in Cx43+/−. We conclude that connexin 43 is no prerequisite for PC’s protection. To this end, the signal transduction of ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning differs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Pathophysiologie, Zentrum für Innere Medizin Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Germany

    Gerd Heusch (Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c.), Astrid Büchert, Sandra Feldhaus & Rainer Schulz

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  1. Gerd Heusch
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  2. Astrid Büchert
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  3. Sandra Feldhaus
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  4. Rainer Schulz
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerd Heusch.

Additional information

Dr. G. Valen, Oslo, Norway, served as guest editor for the manuscript and was responsible for all editorial decisions, including the selection of reviewers. The policy applies to all manuscripts with authors from the editor’s institution.

Returned for 1st revision:17 February 2006

1st revision received: 20 February 2006

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Heusch, G., Büchert, A., Feldhaus, S. et al. No loss of cardioprotection by postconditioning in connexin 43-deficient mice. Basic Res Cardiol 101, 354–356 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00395-006-0589-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00395-006-0589-0

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