Ischaemic preconditioning and a mitochondrial KATP channel opener both produce cardioprotection accompanied by F1F0-ATPase inhibition in early ischaemia.

Ischaemic preconditioning gives powerful protection against prolonged ischaemia affecting several intracellular regulatory and messenger pathways, although their mutual importance is far from established. Protective, preconditioning-like effects have been reported for K(ATP) channel openers, and most of the evidence points to the mitochondrial K(ATP) channels. We show here that the K(ATP) channel opener diazoxide, which acts selectively on the mitochondrial channel, causes potentiation of ischaemic inhibition of mitochondrial ATP synthase (F(1)F(0)-ATPase) along with cardioprotection.

Ischemic preconditioning does not improve myocardial preservation during off-pump multivessel coronary operation.

Background: The value of ischemic preconditioning during coronary operations has remained controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ischemic preconditioning on myocardial energy metabolism and tissue injury during off-pump multivessel coronary surgery.

Methods: Eleven patients with preceding preconditioning were compared with 11 patients without it.

Further insight into mechanism of action of clodronate: inhibition of mitochondrial ADP/ATP translocase by a nonhydrolyzable, adenine-containing metabolite.

Bisphosphonates are currently the most important class of antiresorptive drugs used for the treatment of diseases with excess bone resorption. Recent studies have shown that bisphosphonates can be divided into two groups with distinct molecular mechanisms of action depending on the nature of the R(2) side chain. Alendronate, like other nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, inhibits bone resorption and causes apoptosis of osteoclasts and other cells in vitro by preventing post-translational modification of GTP-binding proteins with isoprenoid lipids.