A Novel Biological Strategy for Myocardial Protection by Intracoronary Delivery of Mitochondria: Safety and Efficacy

Mitochondrial dysfunction is the determinant insult of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Autologous mitochondrial transplantation involves supplying one’s healthy mitochondria to the ischemic region harboring damaged mitochondria. The authors used in vivo swine to show that mitochondrial transplantation in the heart by intracoronary delivery is safe, with specific distribution to the heart, and results in significant increase in coronary blood flow, which requires intact mitochondrial viability, adenosine triphosphate production, and, in part, the activation of vascular K(IR) channels. Intracoronary mitochondrial delivery after temporary regional ischemia significantly improved myocardial function, perfusion, and infarct size. The authors concluded that intracoronary delivery of mitochondria is safe and efficacious therapy for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.