Effects of caffeine on ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts.

Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) plays an important role in regulation of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. It is well known that intracellular Ca2+ overload is one cause of reperfusion injury. Thus, it is predicted that reperfusion injury of myocardium can be prevented by eliminating the Ca2+ overload. This study examined the effects of caffeine, a SR blocker, on reperfusion injury in isolated perfused rat hearts. Working hearts were reperfused for 25 min after 30 or 50 min of ischemia. Caffeine (10(-4) M) was administered during the period of ischemia or the initial 5 min of reperfusion. The left ventricular pressure and the electrocardiogram were recorded. Rate-pressure products were calculated as an index of cardiac function. Adenine nucleotides were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography to assess energy charge. The administration of caffeine for a short period during the initial reperfusion significantly improved cardiac function in the hearts. Caffeine pretreatment during 50 min of ischemia, though, resulted in deterioration of both energy charge and cardiac function. Caffeine did not affect the incidence of either ventricular fibrillation or reversion to sinus rhythm. The energy charges were lower in the preparations with sustained ventricular fibrillation.