Role of priming stresses and Hsp70 in protection from ischemia reperfusioninjury in cardiac and skeletal muscle

Ischemia-reperfusion injury limits the survival of muscle involved in tissu e trauma or transfers during microsurgical reconstruction. Priming stresses such as ischemic preconditioning or mild hyperthermia have frequently been associated with improved survival of ischemic-reperfused cardiac muscle, s uch protection coinciding with induction of the stress-related heat shock p rotein 70 (Hsp70). Little is known about the response of skeletal muscle to priming stresses. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the use of priming stresses as protective strategies against the consequences of is chemia-reperfusion in cardiac and skeletal muscle and the potential role of Hsp70.