[Reactive oxygen species are triggers and mediators of an increase in cardiac tolerance to impact of ischemia-reperfusion].

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are triggers of ischemic preconditioning (IP). On the role of intracellular messengers of such cardioprotective effect of preconditioning claim: O2*, H2O2, OH*. However, we cannot exclude the possibility that other reactive oxygen metabolites also involved in the IP. Presented data suggest that IP enhances the production of ROS. The source of ROS may be mitochondrial respiratory chain and NADPH oxidase. Exogenous reactive oxygen species (O2*, H2O2) mimic the cardioprotective effect of preconditioning. Preconditioning prevents free radical damage of the heart during ischemia-reperfusion. The protective effect of IP is the consequence of reducing the production of ROS or the result of increased formation of endogenous antioxidants. Antioxidant enzymes are not involved in the protective effect of IP. Cardioprotective effect of many compounds (bradykinin, opioids, acetylcholine, phenylephrine, tumor necrosis factor-α, volatile anesthetics, protonophores, diazoxide, angiotensin II) depends on the increased production of ROS.