Isoflurane postconditioning prevents opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore through inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β

Background:Postischemic administration of volatile anesthetics activates reperfusion injury salvage kinases and decreases myocardial damage. However, the mechanisms underlying anesthetic postconditioning are unclear.Methods:Isolated perfused rat hearts were exposed to 40 min of ischemia followed by