Attenuation of myocardial injury by postconditioning: role of hypoxia inducible factor-1α

Postconditioning (PostC) has regenerated interest as a mechanical intervention against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, but its molecular mechanisms remain elusive. This study tested the hypothesis that hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) plays a role in PostC-induced cardioprotection. Male Wistar rats were subjected to 30 min ischemia followed by 3 h of reperfusion (Control). PostC with 3 cycles of 10 s reperfusion and 10 s re-occlusion was applied at the onset of reperfusion. Relative to the Sham group, HIF-1α protein level was increased by 2.9-fold in the Control group, but its level was enhanced by 5.8-fold with PostC ( P