The Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore – a Regulator of the Resistance of the Heart to Reperfusion

The most important event in the formation of reperfusion injury to the heart has been shown to be the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores (mPTP). mPTP opening is followed by activation of apoptosis, necroptosis, and cardiomyocyte death. Experimental studies have shown that inhibition of mPTP opening decreases infarct size and that conditioning actions on the myocardium are mediated via decreases in the sensitivity of mPTP to opening factors. The present article reviews existing data on the structure and regulation of mPTP in conditions of reperfusion injury to the heart.