Copyright
©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Cardiol. Jul 26, 2014; 6(7): 638-652
Published online Jul 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i7.638
Published online Jul 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i7.638
Calpain system and its involvement in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury
Christiane Neuhof, Heinz Neuhof, Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to this review.
Correspondence to: Christiane Neuhof, MD, Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany. christiane.neuhof@innere.med.uni-giessen.de
Telephone: +49-641-98556690 Fax: +49-641-9919876
Received: December 26, 2013
Revised: January 26, 2014
Accepted: May 29, 2014
Published online: July 26, 2014
Processing time: 237 Days and 1.4 Hours
Revised: January 26, 2014
Accepted: May 29, 2014
Published online: July 26, 2014
Processing time: 237 Days and 1.4 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Calpains, calcium-dependant cytosolic cysteine proteases, are essentially involved in the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction. Their inhibition has shown in animal experiments an enhanced tolerance towards ischemia, a reduction of myocardial infarction and reperfusion injury, and an improvement of the process of remodelling. The availability of specific calpain inhibitors offers new prophylactic and therapeutic possibilities for patients with myocardial infarction, revascularisation and coronary surgery.