Long-term cardiac protective effect of nitric oxide

We have examined the effect of the dinitrosyl iron complexes, the NO donors, on the resistance of isolated heart to ischemia and reperfusion, as well. as the effect of quercetin, an inhibitor of HSP70 transcription, on NO-induced enhancement of cardiac resistance to ischemia and reperfusion. The iron complexes were found to produce dose- and time-dependent protective effect and enhance the resistance of isolated heart to rhythm and contraction disorders during reperfusion. The maximum protective effect was observed 12-24 h postinjection of the 200 mg/kg dose. Quercetin completely prevented protective effect of the NO donor. The property of NO donors to stimulate HSP70 synthesis and the present data indicate that NO-dependent activation of HSP70 synthesis is a natural mechanism of cardiac protection against disturbances provoked by ischemia and reperfusion.