Activation of ε protein kinase C correlates with a cardioprotective effect of regular ethanol consumption

Masami Miyamae, Manuel M. Rodriguez, S. Albert Camacho, Ivan Diamond, Daria Mochly-Rosen, Vincent M. Figueredo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

98 Scopus citations

Abstract

In addition to decreasing the incidence of myocardial infarction, recent epidemiological data suggest that regular alcohol consumption improves survival after myocardial infarction. We recently found that chronic ethanol exposure induces long-term protection against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, which improves myocardial recovery after infarction. Furthermore, this cardioprotection by ethanol is mediated through myocyte adenosine A1 receptors. We now determine the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in ethanol's protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Using perfused hearts of ethanol-fed guinea pigs, we find that improved contractile recovery and creatine kinase release after ischemia-reperfusion are abolished by PKC inhibition with chelerythrine. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence localization demonstrate that regular ethanol consumption causes sustained translocation (activation) of εPKC, but not δ or αPKC. This same isozyme is directly implicated in ischemic preconditioning's protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Our findings suggest (i) that regular ethanol consumption induces long-term cardioprotection through sustained translocation of ePKC and (ii) that PKC activity is necessary at the time of ischemia to mediate ethanol's protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Studying this selective effect of ethanol on εPKC activation may lead to new therapies to protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury in the heart and other organ systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8262-8267
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume95
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 7 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adenosine
  • Chelerythrine
  • Ischemia
  • Preconditioning
  • Reperfusion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Activation of ε protein kinase C correlates with a cardioprotective effect of regular ethanol consumption'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this