Poly(ADP-Ribose) polymerase inhibition reduces reperfusion injury after heart transplantation.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the novel poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor PJ34 (N-(6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-phenanthridin-2-yl)-N,N-dimethylacetamide) on myocardial and endothelial function after hypothermic ischemia and reperfusion in a heterotopic rat heart transplantation model. After a 1-hour ischemic preservation, reperfusion was started either after application of placebo or PJ34 (3 mg/kg). The assessment of left ventricular pressure-volume relations, total coronary blood flow, endothelial function, myocardial high energy phosphates, and histological analysis were performed at 1 and 24 hours of reperfusion.

Detection of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation in oxidatively stressed cells and tissues using biotinylated NAD substrate.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a nuclear enzyme activated by DNA damage. Activated PARP cleaves NAD(+) into nicotinamide and (ADP-ribose) and polymerizes the latter on nuclear acceptor proteins. Over-activation of PARP by reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates represents a pathogenetic factor in various forms of inflammation, shock, and reperfusion injury.