Abstract

The cardioprotective effects of nitric oxide (NO) have been described through S-nitrosylation of several important proteins in the mitochondria of the cardiomyocyte. S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of S-nitrosothiols by producing denitrosylation, thus limiting the cardioprotective effect of NO. The effect of GSNOR inhibition on the damage by cardiac ischemia-reperfusion is still unclear. We tested the hypothesis that pharmacological inhibition of GSNOR promotes cardioprotection by increasing the levels of protein S-nitrosylation. In a model of ischemia-reperfusion in isolated rat heart, the effect of a GSNOR inhibitor, 5-chloro-3-(2-[4-ethoxyphenyl) (ethyl) amino]-2-oxoethyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid (C2), was investigated. Ventricular function and hemodynamics were determined, in addition to tissue damage and S-nitrosylation of mitochondrial proteins. Hearts treated with C2 showed a lower release of myocardial damage marker creatine kinase and a reduction in the infarcted area. It also improved post-ischemia ventricular function compared to controls. These results were associated with increasing protein S-nitrosylation, specifically of the mitochondrial complexes III and V. The pharmacological inhibition of GSNOR showed a concentration-dependent cardioprotective effect, being observed in functional parameters and myocardial damage, which was maximal at 1 mu mol/L, associated with increased S-nitrosylation of mitochondrial proteins. These data suggest that GSNOR is an interesting pharmacological target for cardiac reperfusion injury.