Ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) is a phenomenon whereby tissues develop an increased tolerance to ischaemia and subsequent reperfusion if first subjected to sublethal periods of ischaemia. Despite extensive investigation of IPC, the molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. Our aim was to show genetic changes that occur in skeletal muscle cells in response to IPC. Firstly, we established an in-vitro model of IPC using a human skeletal muscle cell line. Gene expression of both control and preconditioned cells at various time points was determined. The genes examined were HIF-1 alpha, EGR1, JUN, FOS, and DUSP1. HIF-1 alpha is a marker of hypoxia. EGR1, JUN, FOS and DUSP1 are early response genes and may play a role in the protective responses induced by IPC. Secondly, the expression of HSPB8 was examined in a cohort of preconditioned total knee arthroplasty patients.OBJECTIVES
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