The aim of this study was to investigate whether the caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO functionally improves stunned myocardium.

Degradation of troponin I contributes to the pathogenesis of myocardial stunning, whereas the role of apoptosis is unknown. Caspase-3 is an essential apoptotic protease that is specifically inhibited by Ac-DEVD-CHO.

Isolated working hearts of rats were exposed to 30 min of low-flow ischemia, followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Ac-DEVD-CHO (0.1 to 1 μmol/l) was added 15 min before ischemia/reperfusion or 5 min before reperfusion. Cardiac output, external heart power, left ventricular (LV) developing pressure and contractility (dp/dt_max) were measured. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining and internucleosomal deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation. Caspase-3 processing and troponin I cleavage were determined by immunoblotting. Caspase-3 activity was measured using a fluorogenic substrate.

The addition of Ac-DEVD-CHO before ischemia/reperfusion or before reperfusion dose-dependently and significantly (p < 0.05) improved post-ischemic recovery of cardiac output, external heart power, LV developing pressure and dp/dt_max, compared with the vehicle (0.01% dimethyl sulfoxide). Ac-DEVD-CHO was similarly effective when given before reperfusion. Ac-DEVD-CHO blocked ischemia/reperfusion-induced caspase-3 activation, but cardiomyocyte apoptosis was unaffected. Troponin I cleavage was not inhibited by Ac-DEVD-CHO.

Caspase-3 is activated in stunned myocardium. Inhibition of caspase-3 by Ac-DEVD-CHO significantly improves post-ischemic contractile recovery of stunned myocardium, even when given after the onset of ischemia. The mechanism(s) of protection by Ac-DEVD-CHO appear to be independent of apoptosis. Inhibition of caspase-3 is a novel therapeutic strategy to improve functional recovery of stunned myocardium.