INDUCTION OF HEAT-SHOCK PROTEINS ENHANCES MYOCARDIAL AND ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY AFTER PROLONGED CARDIOPLEGIC ARREST

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of heat-shock protei ns after heat-shock stress on the postischemic recovery of cardiac mec hanical and endothelial function following a prolonged cardiac arrest. Isolated working rat hearts were subjected to a cardioplegic arrest f or 4 hours at 4 degrees C. Three groups (n = 8 in each) were studied: (1) control, (2) sham-treated, and (3) heat-shocked rats. Postischemic recovery of cardiac output and endothelial function (as percent of pr eischemic control values) was 57.8% +/- 2.8% and 20.8% +/- 3.9% in gro up 1, 50.9% +/- 4.0% and 26.3% +/- 5.9% in group 2, and 74.0% +/- 2.4% and 51.2% +/- 8.0% in group 3, respectively. Both postischemic myocar dial and endothelial function were improved by heat stress.