Myocardial protection by 2-mercaptopropionylglycine during global ischemia in dogs.

The hypothesis was tested, if the addition of 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG, Thiola) to a crystalloid cardioplegic solution provides superior myocardial protection as assessed by biochemical and morphological parameters. Five mongrel dogs underwent a 60-min hypothermic cardioplegic arrest (untreated group). In six dogs, MPG (1.5 mmol/l) was added to the crystalloid cardioplegic solution (treated group). Thereafter a reperfusion phase of 60 min was established. At the end of the reperfusion phase samples for mitochondrial respiration parameters and for mitochondrial energization were collected. Samples for ultrastructure and negative staining were taken at the end of ischemia, and after 15, 30 and 60 min of reperfusion. Hearts which were treated with the MPG-enriched cardioplegic solution showed a better ultrastructure (1 (1/1) vs 2 (2/2), p less than 0.001) and superior preservation of the mitochondrial ATPases (2.4 +/- 2.0 versus 8.4 +/- 2.7, p less than 0.05) as compared to the untreated group at the end of ischemia. At the end of reperfusion, mitochondrial respiration, and energization of the mitochondria was improved significantly with the addition of MPG as compared to the untreated group.