Activation of ATP-dependent potassium channels is a trigger but not a mediator of ischaemic preconditioning in pigs.

1. Activation of ATP-dependent potassium channels (K(ATP)) is involved in ischaemic preconditioning (IP). In isolated buffer-perfused rabbit hearts, activation of mitochondrial K(ATP)--through a generation of free radicals--acted as a trigger rather than a mediator of IP; the isolated buffer-perfused heart preparation, however, favours free radical generation. In contrast, in vivo studies in rats and dogs suggested that activation of K(ATP) acts as a mediator of IP's protection. A detailed analysis on the role of K(ATP) in IP's protection in vivo by varying the time and dose of K(ATP) blocker administration is, however, lacking. 2. In 54 enflurane-anaesthetized pigs, the left anterior descending coronary artery was perfused by an extracorporeal circuit. Infarct size (IS, %, TTC) following 90 min sustained low-flow ischaemia and 120 min reperfusion was 26.6+/-3.5 (s.e.m.) (n=8). IP with one cycle of 10 min ischaemia and 15 min reperfusion reduced IS to 6.5+/-2.1 (n=7, P<0.05). Blockade of K(ATP) with glibenclamide (0.5 mg kg(-1) i.v., 50 microg min(-1) continuous infusion) starting 10 min before or immediately following the preconditioning ischaemia abolished IS reduction by IP (20.7+/-2.7, n=7 and 21.9+/-6.6, n=6, respectively) while having no effect on IS per se (22.2+/-5.2, n=7), supporting a trigger role of K(ATP) in IP. In contrast, starting glibenclamide following the preconditioning ischaemia 10 min prior to the sustained ischaemia did not prevent IS reduction by IP (3.7+/-2.3, n=6), even when its bolus dose was increased to 1.5 mg kg(-1) (26.6+/-3.8 with IP vs 37.5+/-2.9 without IP; n=7 and 6 respectively, P<0.05), thereby refuting a mediator role of K(ATP) in IP. 3. In conclusion, activation of K(ATP) in the immediate reperfusion following the preconditioning ischaemia is pivotal for triggering IP.