PKA-mediated eNOS phosphorylation in the protection of ischemic preconditioning against no-reflow

► Ischemic preconditioning (IP) reduced the size of myocardial no-reflow after ischemia and reperfusion. ► The eNOS inhibitor L-NNA completely neutralized the effects of IP without any influence on PKA activity. ► The PKA inhibitor H-89 partially reversed the IP-induced cardioprotection and eNOS activation. ► eNOS is essential for IP against myocardial no-reflow after ischemia and reperfusion. ► The cardioprotection of IP relates to PKA-mediated eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1179 and Ser635.