31P-NMR spectroscopic investigations and mitochondrial studies on the cardioprotective efficiency of 2-mercaptopropionylglycine.

Contents of high energy phosphates in the isolated perfused rat heart were followed during ischemia and reperfusion using 31P NMR spectroscopy. Application of 2-mercaptopropionylglycine resulted in significantly higher content of ATP in the reperfusion phase whereas during ischemia no differences between control and therapy hearts were found. Analysis of postischemic mitochondrial function reveals that improved ATP level is paralleled by an increased respiratory control index and a reduced ATPase activity. It is suggested that 2-mercaptopropionylglycine may cause increase of high energy phosphates during reperfusion by improving mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.