Reactive Oxygen Species Precede Protein Kinase C-δ Activation Independent of Adenosine Triphosphate–sensitive Mitochondrial Channel Opening in Sevoflurane-induced Cardioprotection

Background In the current study, the authors investigated the distinct role and relative order of protein kinase C (PKC)-delta, adenosine triphosphate-sensitive mitochondrial K+ (mito K+(ATP)) channels, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the signal transduction of sevoflurane-induced cardioprotection and specifically addressed their mechanistic link. Methods Isolated rat trabeculae were preconditioned with 3.8% sevoflurane and subsequently subjected to an ischemic protocol by superfusion of trabeculae with hypoxic, glucose-free buffer (40 min) followed by 60 min of reperfusion. In addition, the acute affect of sevoflurane on PKC-delta and PKC-epsilon translocation and nitrotyrosine formation was established with use of immunofluorescent analysis. The inhibitors chelerythrine (6 microM), rottlerin (1 microM), 5-hydroxydecanoic acid sodium (100 microM), and n-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (300 microM) were used to study the particular role of PKC, PKC-delta, mito K+(ATP), and ROS in sevoflurane-related intracellular signaling. Results Preconditioning of trabeculae with sevoflurane preserved contractile function after ischemia. This contractile preservation was dependent on PKC-delta activation, mito K+(ATP) channel opening, and ROS production. In addition, on acute stimulation by sevoflurane, PKC-delta but not PKC-epsilon translocated to the sarcolemmal membrane. This translocation was inhibited by PKC inhibitors and ROS scavenging but not by inhibition of mito K+(ATP) channels. Furthermore, sevoflurane directly induced nitrosylation of sarcolemmal proteins, suggesting the formation of peroxynitrite. Conclusions In sevoflurane-induced cardioprotection, ROS release but not mito K+(ATP) channel opening precedes PKC-delta activation. Sevoflurane induces sarcolemmal nitrotyrosine formation, which might be involved in the recruitment of PKC-delta to the cell membrane.