Myoung-Gwi Ryou
Tarleton State University, USA
Title: Old chemicals now potential life savers against ischemic and reperfusion injuries
Biography
Biography: Myoung-Gwi Ryou
Abstract
Ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injuries are critical life-threatening diseases and may end up with serious adult disability, but FDA-approved treatment is limited. Classical chemicals such as methylene blue (MB) and pyruvate have been revisited to evaluate protective roles in I/R injuries including ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. Oxidative stress and inefficient energy metabolism are the pivotal contributors to I/R diseases. Results from bench studies support that both pyruvate and MB increases ATP production and have potent antioxidant effect. However, detailed mechanisms of beneficial effects are different between pyruvate and MB. MB rather prevents electron leakage through electron transport chain in the mitochondria and by which energy metabolism enhanced. On the other hand, pyruvate enhanced endogenous redox state, such as the ratio of GSH to GSSG, and improves ATP production by providing metabolic resources required for the glucose metabolism. Furthermore, the effects of MB and pyruvate on the gene regulation have been investigated. Both MB and pyruvate enhances cellular ability to resist against ischemic stress by activating hypoxia inducible factor-1. In conclusion, pyruvate and MB, old chemicals, have two-phase effects on I/R injury. Short-term effect, MB and pyruvate can protect the victims of various I/R diseases by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing energy metabolisms. The long-term effects of MB and pyruvate allow the conversion of gene profiles to help protect and restore from I / R damage.