Role of activation of protein kinase C in the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning through activation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase

Background We have reported previously that ischemic preconditioning limits infarct size by increasing ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity. Since we have also reported that protein kinase C activation increases ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity in rat cardiomyocytes, we tested whether activation of protein kinase C during ischemic preconditioning contributes to the infarct size-limiting effect through augmentation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity in the canine heart. Methods and Results The coronary artery was occluded four times for 5 minutes with alternating 5-minute periods of reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning). Then the coronary artery was occluded for 90 minutes followed by 6 hours of reperfusion Infarct size, normalized by the risk area, in the ischemic preconditioning group was smaller than in the control group (42.6 +/- 3.6% in the control group versus 7.9 +/- 1.8% in the ischemic preconditioning group, P<.001). Myocardial ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity was increased after the ischemic preconditioning procedure but the increase in ecto-5'-nucleotidase was attenuated by inhibitors of protein kinase C (polymyxin B and GF109203X). Both polymyxin B and GF109203X blunted the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning (infarct size 33.1 +/- 6.9% and 35.1 +/- 6.4%, respectively). The infarct size-limiting effect was also blunted by an inhibitor of ecto-5'-nucleotidase. Transient administration of methoxamine mimicked the increase in ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity and the infarct size-limiting effect, both of which were abolished by inhibitors of protein kinase C. Conclusions We conclude that activation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase and protein kinase C contributes to the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning.