Involvement of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the loss of cardioprotection by ischemic postconditioning in hypothyroid rats

• Cardioprotection by ischemic postconditioning is negated in hypothyroidism.
• Ischemic postconditioning failed to changes iNOS and eNOS expression in hypothyroidism.
• Ischemic postconditioning failed to reduce apoptosis in hypothyroidism.

Cardioprotection by ischemic postconditioning (IPost) is negated in hypothyroidism; the underlying mechanisms however are unknown. This study aimed at determining whether changes in Bax, Bcl-2, eNOS, and iNOS gene expressions are involved in the negating effects of IPost against ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury in hypothyroidism. The hearts from control and hypothyroid rats were perfused in Langendorff apparatus and exposed to 30 min ischemia, followed by 120 min reperfusion and IPost. In a subgroup of hypothyroid rats, ischemia duration was extended to 40 min. Hemodynamic parameters, infarct size, and gene expressions were measured. Compared to controls, hypothyroid rats with 30 min ischemia had higher recovery of post-ischemic LVDP and ± dp/dt, confirmed by decreased CK and LDH levels (187 ± 16 vs. 485 ± 41 and 191 ± 9 vs. 702 ± 48 U/L, respectively; p < 0.05), decreased infarct size (6.7 ± 1.1 vs. 46.1 ± 1.7%; p < 0.05), and a reduced DNA laddering pattern. Recovery of post-ischemic LVDP and ± dp/dt decreased and infarct size increased following extension of ischemia period in hypothyroid rats. IPost increased eNOS and Bcl-2 expression by 3.2-fold and 3.7-fold and decreased Bax and iNOS expression by 79% and 38%, respectively; it also reduced IR-induced DNA laddering pattern in controls, whereas no change was observed in hypothyroid rats, regardless of the ischemia period. In conclusion, hearts from hypothyroid rats were resistant to IR injury, partly due to the lower expression of iNOS and subsequent reduction in apoptosis after IR. In hypothyroid rats, IPost was not associated with further reduction in iNOS expression and failed to provide additional cardioprotection against ischemia.