bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age-related changes in endothelium-dependent relaxation in aorta from genetically diabetic WBN/Kob rats
Authors: Miyata N. , Tsuchida K. , Okuyama S. , Otomo S. , Kamata K. , Kasuya Y.
Published: December 2017

Experiments were designed to investigate the effects of aging and hyperglycemia on relaxation of the aorta for both endothelium-dependent and -independent agents in Wistar (control) and WBN/Kob (genetically diabetic) rats. The concentration of glucose in serum was elevated significantly in aged (90-92 wk) but not young (13-15 wk) WBN/Kob rats. Endothelium-dependent relaxations of both control and WBN/Kob rats to acetylcholine were reduced by aging. The relaxations induced by acetylcholine in aortic strips were significantly attenuated in both young (nondiabetic) and aged (diabetic) WBN/Kob rats, compared with those from age-matched control vessels, respectively. The concentration-response curves for sodium nitroprusside in aortic strips from both aged control and aged WBN/Kob rats were shifted to the left when compared with those from young rats, respectively. However, the maximal relaxation responses to sodium nitroprusside showed no difference among all vessels studied. The relaxations induced by sodium nitroprusside in aortic strips from both young and aged WBN/Kob rats were similar to those from age-matched control rats, respectively. The relaxations induced by atrial natriuretic peptide showed no difference among all vessels studied. In genetically diabetic rats, functional changes in endothelium occurred before elevation of the levels of glucose in the serum. Thus impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation may play an important role in the high incidence of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus.
Calcium imaging of mechanically induced fluxes in tissue-cultured chick heart: role of stretch-activated ion channels
Authors: Sigurdson W. , Ruknudin A. , Sachs F.
Published: December 2017

Heart rate and contractility are sensitive to stretch. To better understand the origin of these effects, we have studied the effect of mechanical stimuli on a model system of tissue-cultured heart cells. Gently prodding cells with a pipette produced a Ca2+ influx that often led to waves of calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) spreading from the site of stimulation. Ca2+ release could also be produced by pulling on neighboring cells. The response was blocked by removing extracellular Ca2+ or by adding 20 microM Gd3+ to normal saline. The mechanical sensitivity probably arose from stretch-activated ion channels (SACs) based on several lines of evidence. Chick heart cells contain nonselective cation SACs that pass Ca2+ as well as Na+ and K+. Both the SACs and the fluorescence response are blocked by 20 microM Gd3+. Removal of Ca2+ from the extracellular medium blocked the fluorescent response. Cultures without SACs (grown in the absence of embryo extract) had no mechanically induced fluxes. These data contradict the recent claim that SAC activity is a patch-clamp artifact (C.E. Morris and R. Horn, Science Wash. DC 256: 1246-1249, 1991). The SACs had a density of approximately 1/micron 2 and were expected to pass less than 20 fA of Ca2+ current under physiological conditions. The change in intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) resulting from activation of SACs may be too small to induce CICR unless the channels pass current into a restricted space (N. LeBlanc and J.R. Hume, Science Wash. DC 248: 372, 1990).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A2-adenosine receptor stimulation increases macromolecule permeability of coronary endothelial cells
Authors: Watanabe H. , Kuhne W. , Schwartz P. , Piper H. M.
Published: December 2017

The effect of the A2-adenosine receptor agonist 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine (NECA) on macromolecule permeability (PM; indicator fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled albumin) of endothelial cells was investigated using confluent monolayers of rat coronary microvascular endothelial cells (CEC) and porcine aortic macrovascular endothelial cells (AEC). In CEC, NECA (10(-7) M) increased PM by 39%. Similar results were obtained by isoproterenol (10(-6) M) and forskolin (10(-5) M). The effect of NECA could be antagonized by 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT; 10(-5) M). In AEC, NECA (10(-7) M) caused an opposite effect in that it decreased PM by 26% as did isoproterenol (10(-6) M) and forskolin (10(-5) M). The response to NECA was abolished in the presence of 8-PT (10(-5) M). In AEC but not CEC, NECA could reduce the rise in PM caused by endothelial energy depletion (in the presence of 5 mM KCN and 5 mM 2-deoxy-D-glucose). It was common to AEC and CEC that NECA (10(-7) M), isoproterenol (10(-6) M), and forskolin (10(-5) M) stimulated production of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP). The stimulatory effect of NECA on production of cAMP could be antagonized by 8-PT (10(-5) M). In summary, the results indicate that in AEC and CEC PM is modulated by an A2-adenosine receptor-mediated stimulation of adenylate cyclase. The secondary effects of stimulation of adenylate cyclase are different in CEC and AEC, however, since it caused a reduction of PM in AEC, but an increase in CEC.
Endothelium-dependent dilation to L-arginine in isolated rat skeletal muscle arterioles
Authors: Sun D. , Messina E. J. , Koller A. , Wolin M. S. , Kaley G.
Published: December 2017

The vascular actions of L-arginine (L-Arg) were studied in isolated, pressurized first-order rat cremaster muscle arterioles (93 +/- 2.9 microns) bathed in a Krebs bicarbonate-buffered solution, pH 7.4, equilibrated with 21% O2-5% CO2. Arterioles were studied before and after either the administration of NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10(-3) M), an inhibitor of the synthesis of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), or the removal of the endothelium. Acetylcholine (ACh, 10(-8) and 10(-6) M), sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10(-8) M) and phenylephrine (PE, 10(-7) M) evoked dilation and constriction, respectively. L-Arg, (10(-5)-10(-3) M) the precursor of EDRF, evoked dose-dependent arteriolar dilation; whereas D-arginine (D-Arg, 10(-5)-10(-3) M) was without any significant effect. Administration of L-NNA significantly reduced basal diameters and significantly inhibited the arteriolar dilations to both ACh and L-Arg but had no effect on the dilation to SNP. Removal of the arteriolar endothelium with air inhibited dilations to both ACh and L-Arg, had no effect on responses to SNP, and potentiated vasoconstrictor responses to PE. These findings suggest that in skeletal muscle arterioles the dilations to ACh and L-Arg are endothelium dependent and that microvascular endothelium modulates constrictor responses to PE. Thus EDRF may play an important role in the local regulation of arteriolar resistance and blood flow.
5-Hydroxytryptamine potentiates vasoconstrictor effect of endothelin-1
Authors: Yang B. C. , Nichols W. W. , Lawson D. L. , Mehta J. L.
Published: December 2017

Interactions between 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) relative to contraction of rat aortic rings were examined in this study. Pretreatment of rings with threshold concentration of 5-HT potentiated the subsequent contractile response to ET-1. However, pretreatment with threshold concentration of ET-1 did not potentiate the contractile response to 5-HT. The 5-HT receptor antagonist LY 53857 blocked the synergistic contractile effects of 5-HT and ET-1 on rat aortic rings. Indomethacin and the thromboxane A2/endoperoxide receptor antagonist SQ 29548 also attenuated (P less than 0.05) the synergistic contractile effects of 5-HT and ET-1, suggesting release of thromboxane A2 or expression of thromboxane A2 receptors during this interaction. The calcium channel blocker verapamil also decreased the synergistic contractile effects of 5-HT and ET-1. Contraction of aortic rings by 5-HT alone was abolished by LY 53857 and attenuated by verapamil, diltiazem, and SQ 29548. Decrease in the force of contraction by verapamil as well as diltiazem indicates activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels during 5-HT-mediated contraction and perhaps during amplification of the vasoconstrictor activity of ET-1 by 5-HT.
N omega-nitro-L-arginine and pulmonary vascular pressure-flow relationship in conscious dogs
Authors: Nishiwaki K. , Nyhan D. P. , Rock P. , Desai P. M. , Peterson W. P. , Pribble C. G. , Murray P. A.
Published: December 2017

We investigated the effects of an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), on the pulmonary vascular pressure-flow relationship in chronically instrumented conscious dogs. The L-arginine analogue L-NNA (20 mg/min for 60 min iv) had no effect on the baseline pressure-flow relationship. This result indicates that tonic release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), which is thought to be NO or a labile NO-generating molecule, is not responsible for low resting pulmonary vasomotor tone in conscious dogs. In contrast, L-NNA caused a leftward shift in the dose-response relationship to the thromboxane mimetic U-46619, indicating that the endogenous release of EDRF modulates the pulmonary vascular response to this vasoconstrictor. Finally, after preconstriction with U-46619, L-NNA abolished the pulmonary vasodilator response to bradykinin (1-10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) but had no effect on the pulmonary vasodilator response to sodium nitroprusside (1-10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1). Thus EDRF does not appear to tonically regulate the baseline pulmonary vascular pressure-flow relationship in conscious dogs. However, EDRF does act to attenuate the magnitude of U-46619-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction. Moreover, the pulmonary vasodilator response to bradykinin is entirely mediated by EDRF in conscious dogs.
Age-related changes in thoracic aorta of obese Zucker rats
Authors: Cox R. H. , Kikta D. C.
Published: December 2017

Studies were performed on the ontogeny of arterial blood pressure and functional properties of the thoracic aorta in lean (L) and obese (O) male Zucker rats at ages of 6-36 wk. Body weight was larger in the O than the L at all ages, with differences reaching values of 200-250 g at ages over 24 wk (at 33-36 wk: L = 510 +/- 9 and O = 730 +/- 15 g). Systolic blood pressure was lower in young O compared with L (6-15 wk) but increased with age at a rate seven times greater in O than in L. For ages of 33-36 wk, systolic pressure was significantly higher in O compared with L (O = 132 +/- 2 vs. L = 122 +/- 2 mmHg). Total serum cholesterol (at 36 wk: L = 278 +/- 31 and O = 354 +/- 12 mg/dl) and triglycerides (at 36 wk: L = 493 +/- 71 and O = 1,618 +/- 220 mg/dl), as well as glucose levels, increased with age in both groups and were significantly higher in O at all ages. Serum levels of thyroxine but not triiodothyronine were significantly lower in O at all ages. No differences were found in passive mechanics at any age. Values of maximum active stress with smooth muscle activation by 75 mM K+ plus 10 microM norepinephrine were significantly higher at 24 and 36 wk in O (at 36 wk: L = 573 +/- 42 and O = 821 +/- 89 x 10(3) dyn/m2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Endothelial L-arginine pathway and regional cerebral arterial reactivity to vasopressin
Authors: Katusic Z. S.
Published: December 2017

Experiments were designed to characterize the mechanism of vasopressin action in small arteries of brain stem and cerebrum and to determine the role of L-arginine pathway in reactivity of these vessels to vasopressin. Secondary branches of canine basilar arteries (425 +/- 63 microns ID, n = 6) and middle cerebral arteries (466 +/- 30 microns ID, n = 6) were dissected and mounted on glass microcannulas in organ chambers. Changes in intraluminal diameter of the pressurized arteries were measured using a video dimension analyzer. Vasopressin caused endothelium-dependent relaxation in the brain stem arteries [-log half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) = 9.2 +/- 0.4, n = 5] but not in the branches of middle cerebral arteries. In contrast, bradykinin caused identical endothelium-dependent relaxations in arteries of both regions (-log EC50 = 8.0 +/- 0.2, n = 5, and 7.7 +/- 0.1, n = 4 for brain stem and cerebrum, respectively). Relaxations to vasopressin (but not to bradykinin) were reduced in the presence of V1-vasopressinergic antagonist [1-(beta-mercapto-beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid),2-(O-methyl)tyrosine]arginine vasopressin [d(CH2)5-Tyr(Me)AVP;10(-7) M], pertussin toxin (100 ng/ml), and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 10(-4) M). The inhibitory effect of L-NMMA was prevented by L-arginine (3 x 10(-4) M) but not D-arginine (3 x 10(-4) M). These studies suggest that vasopressin causes endothelium-dependent relaxation in canine brain stem arteries. The effect of the neuropeptide appears to be mediated by activation of endothelial V1-vasopressinergic receptors coupled to nitric oxide synthase. This signal transduction pathway is not functional in endothelial cells of branches of middle cerebral arteries.
Burn-induced alterations in cardiac beta-adrenergic receptors
Authors: Kaufman T. M. , Horton J. W.
Published: December 2017

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that burn injury (45% total body surface area, 3rd-degree scald burn) diminishes contractile and relaxation function in the isolated perfused guinea pig heart. The mechanisms responsible for the burn-mediated dysfunction are not well understood. Therefore the purpose of this study was to examine the inotropic response to isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, and burn-induced alterations in beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-AR) in adult guinea pig hearts. Isoproterenol dose-response curves were generated in isolated perfused hearts from sham-burned and burned guinea pigs. In addition, binding studies were performed using [125I]iodocyanopindolol on hearts from sham-burned and burned guinea pigs. Both the functional response and sensitivity to isoproterenol were significantly diminished 24 h after burn injury. beta-AR density (binding capacity, Bmax) and affinity were determined by Scatchard analysis. Agonist competition curves were performed in the presence or absence of 0.1 mM 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate. There was no difference in Bmax in membranes from sham-burned and burned hearts; however, the affinity of beta-AR was significantly decreased after burn injury compared with sham burn [dissociation constant = 32.5 +/- 1.9 (mean +/- SE), n = 10, vs. 26.7 +/- 1.7 pM, n = 10, P = 0.039]. Furthermore, the fraction of receptors in a high-affinity state (those functionally coupled to Gs protein) was significantly decreased after burn injury compared with sham burn (41.2 +/- 4.7%, n = 9, vs. 54 +/- 2%, n = 9, P = 0.023).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
EDTA influences reactivity of isolated aorta from hypercholesterolemic rabbits
Authors: Simon B. C. , Cohen R. A.
Published: December 2017

The effects of the trace metal chelator, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), on endothelium-dependent reactivity of isolated aorta from normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits were studied. Rings of abdominal aorta were mounted in organ chambers for measurement of isometric force and incubated in physiological salt solution with or without EDTA (26 microM). Aortic rings were obtained from rabbits fed a standard diet or a diet enriched with 0.5% cholesterol and 4% peanut oil for 10 wk. In rabbits fed the standard diet, endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine and A23187 were not significantly different in rings incubated in physiological salt solution with or without EDTA. In aortic rings from cholesterol-fed rabbits incubated in physiological salt solution with EDTA, the relaxations caused by either acetylcholine or A23187 were not significantly impaired compared with rings from rabbits fed a standard diet. Only in rings incubated in the absence of EDTA did hypercholesterolemia significantly inhibit endothelium-dependent relaxation compared with control rabbits. Relaxations to sodium nitroprusside were not different in rings incubated with or without EDTA in either group. Thus the effect of hypercholesterolemia on endothelium-dependent reactivity of rabbit aorta depends on the in vitro experimental conditions. This study emphasizes the importance of including a metal chelator in physiological solutions used in the in vitro study of blood vessels from hypercholesterolemic animals.
Elevation of organ resistance due to leukocyte perfusion
Authors: Sutton D. W. , Schmid-Schonbein G. W.
Published: December 2017

Leukocytes are larger and considerably less deformable than erythrocytes, thereby causing a disproportionate effect on local blood flow, which despite their low concentration, may be significant at the organ level. To investigate the degree to which circulating leukocytes affect whole organ resistance, a hemodynamically isolated rat gracilis muscle was perfused in situ under well-controlled conditions. Comparison of organ pressure-flow data from vasodilated vasculature using normal physiological cell concentrations and perfusion pressures indicates that leukocytes (60–75% neutrophils) provide approximately 22% of the whole blood resistance despite their relatively small cell volume fraction of approximately 0.1%. On a single cell basis, each leukocyte imposes a resistance elevation equivalent to that of approximately 750 erythrocytes. Furthermore, when leukocytes are activated via pretreatment using N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or endotoxin, they show a higher resistance, accounting for 50-60% of the total resistance. These findings indicate that leukocytes play a significant role in normal skeletal muscle organ perfusion and may be a major determinant of organ perfusion during disease states.
Comparable efficiencies of chemomechanical energy transduction between beating and fibrillating dog hearts
Authors: Yaku H. , Goto Y. , Futaki S. , Ohgoshi Y. , Kawaguchi O. , Hata K. , Takasago T. , Suga H.
Published: December 2017

We have recently proposed a mechanical index, equivalent pressure-volume (PV) area (ePVA), as a measure of the total mechanical energy during ventricular fibrillation (VF). ePVA, an analogue of the PV area (PVA) of a beating heart, is the area surrounded by the isobaric line drawn at the VF pressure, the end-systolic and end-diastolic PV relations of the beating state. In the present study, using a closed-air chamber system, we actually produced isobaric contractions, PVAs of which were identical with ePVAs during VF. Myocardial O2 consumption (VO2) during VF was measured and compared with the estimated value from VO2 of isobaric contraction with identical PVA and equivalent heart rate (eHR). eHR, an estimate of the contraction frequency of each myocyte during VF, was determined from unloaded VO2 in beating and fibrillating states. The efficiency of the energy conversion from VO2 for mechanical purposes to the total mechanical energy (contractile efficiency) during VF was calculated as the reciprocal of the slope of the VO2-ePVA relation. The estimated VO2 during VF agreed with measured VO2 (r = 0.96, regression coefficient = 1.13). The slope of the VO2-ePVA relation during VF was not different from that in the beating state in all hearts by analysis of covariance, and mean contractile efficiency during VF (51 +/- 23%) was not significantly different from that in the beating state (40 +/- 12%). We conclude that 1) ePVA is considered to represent the total mechanical energy during VF, and 2) contractile efficiency during VF is comparable to that in the beating state.
Cellular mechanisms of ventricular failure: myocyte kinetics and geometry with age
Authors: Capasso J. M. , Fitzpatrick D. , Anversa P.
Published: December 2017

To determine whether heart failure is a consequence of alterations in cardiac cellular performance, myocytes were isolated from Fischer 344 rats at 4, 12, 20, and 29 mo of age and studied mechanically and morphometrically. Left ventricular myocyte length increased by 14.5, 14.4, and 24.0% at 12, 20, and 29 mo when compared with 4-mo-old animals. An 11.4 and 14.2% increase in length was seen for right ventricular myocytes from 4 to 12 mo and from 20 to 29 mo, respectively. Although no change in cell width was seen in either ventricle as a function of age, myocardial cells were more irregular in shape and consistently longer in the left ventricle at 20 and 29 mo. Left myocytes at 29 mo revealed diminished velocities of shortening (31.7%) and relengthening (59.5%). Contraction duration increased due to a 28.9% prolongation of time to peak shortening and a 26.5% increase in time to relengthening, resulting in a 25.8% decrease in myocyte shortening at 29 mo. Similar changes were observed in right ventricular myocytes, but they occurred later in life. Thus the alterations in myocyte geometry and depression in contractile performance seen here are major contributors to the eccentric dilated ventricular chamber and diminished pump function previously documented in the age-related transition from normal cardiac dynamics to left ventricular dysfunction and failure.
Hemodynamic studies in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats after opening of an arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Huang M. , Hester R. L. , Guyton A. C. , Norman R. A.
Published: December 2017

We determined the cardiovascular responses in normal and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats with reduced total peripheral resistance due to an arteriovenous (a-v) fistula. Animals were divided into four groups: control, fistula, DOCA-salt, and DOCA-salt fistula. The fistula was made by anastomosing the aorta and vena cava below the renal arteries. Four weeks after the creation of the fistula both DOCA-salt and DOCA-salt fistula animals received DOCA and salt for 6–8 wk. At the end of 10–12 wk we measured mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, tissue flows, and right atrial pressure. Flow measurements using radioactive microspheres were made in anesthetized animals. Cardiac index (CI) was 202% higher in the fistula group than in the control animals and 165% higher in the DOCA-salt fistula than in the DOCA-salt animals. There was no difference in cardiac output between the control and DOCA-salt animals. The increase in cardiac output was due to the fistula flow as evidenced by a significant increase in the number of microspheres in the lung. Mean arterial pressure was 115 +/- 4 mmHg (control) and 108 +/- 5 mmHg (fistula) in non-DOCA rats but increased in both DOCA groups, 159 +/- 3 mmHg (DOCA-salt) and 145 +/- 5 mmHg (DOCA-salt fistula). Right atrial pressure was increased above control in both fistula animals but was normal in DOCA-salt animals. Total peripheral resistance (TPR) was higher than control in DOCA-salt animals, but TPR in both the fistula and DOCA-salt fistula animals was lower than control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Intracellular recording and dye transfer in arterioles during blood flow control
Authors: Segal S. S. , Beny J. L.
Published: December 2017

We tested for dye coupling between arteriolar smooth muscle cells (SMC) and endothelial cells (EC) and investigated the correspondence of vasomotor activity with changes in the membrane potential (Vm) of EC and SMC during blood flow control. Female golden hamsters (n = 8, 90-170 g) were anesthetized (pentobarbital sodium, 60 mg/kg ip). A cheek pouch was spread over an optical pedestal, transilluminated, and irrigated with physiological saline solution (37 degrees C, pH 7.4). Glass microelectrodes were filled with 3 M KCl or with Lucifer yellow dye (LY, mol wt 470; 106 mM). SMC or EC of arterioles (ID, 20-50 microns) containing blood flow were impaled under a stereomicroscope. Vm was similar [-48 +/- 3 and -52 +/- 4 mV (means +/- SE)] with KCl (n = 6) or LY (n = 13) microelectrodes, respectively. Acetylcholine (5 x 10(-6) M) increased Vm from -47 +/- 3 to -67 +/- 4 mV (n = 5; P less than 0.01) concomitant with vasodilation. Spontaneous slow waves in Vm (2/min, 15-30 mV) were observed in arterioles with vasomotion. In cells identified with LY microinjection, resting Vm was -52 +/- 8 and -44 +/- 2 mV for EC (n = 3) and SMC (n = 3), respectively. SMC injected with LY did not show evidence of dye transfer to other SMC or to EC. When an EC was injected, the dye spread to many contiguous EC but not to SMC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Regulation of spontaneous EDRF release in diabetic rat aorta by oxygen free radicals
Authors: Langenstroer P. , Pieper G. M.
Published: December 2017

The interaction of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and oxygen-derived free radicals may potentially play an important role in the pathophysiology of complications associated with diabetes. In the present study, we investigated spontaneous EDRF release in diabetic rat aorta that is unmasked by the addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD). SOD produced a significantly greater relaxation in diabetic aorta compared with control aorta using both aortic ring and bioassay preparations. This relaxation was unaltered by pretreatment with catalase or indomethacin. Removal of the endothelium or pretreatment with either NG-monomethyl-L-arginine or methylene blue eliminated SOD-induced relaxation in both control and diabetic rings. Measurement of antioxidant enzymes revealed an elevation in catalase in diabetic aorta, with no difference in the SOD or glutathione peroxidase activity. The increase in catalase activity suggests increased exposure of diabetic aorta to hydrogen peroxide. Pretreatment of rings with the catalase inhibitor, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, attenuated the SOD-induced relaxation in diabetic aortic rings but had no effect in control aortic rings. In summary, our observations suggest that the diabetic rat aorta releases more spontaneous EDRF than control aorta; however, the activity of EDRF on vascular smooth muscle tone is masked by increased destruction by oxygen-derived free radicals.
A method to reconstruct myocardial sarcomere lengths and orientations at transmural sites in beating canine hearts
Authors: Rodriguez E. K. , Hunter W. C. , Royce M. J. , Leppo M. K. , Douglas A. S. , Weisman H. F.
Published: December 2017

The ability to measure cyclic changes in myocardial sarcomere lengths and orientations during cardiac ejection and filling would improve our understanding of how the cellular processes of contraction relate to the pumping of the whole heart. Previously, only postmortem sarcomere measurements were possible after arresting the heart in one state and fixing it for histology. By combining such histological measurements with direct observations of the deformation experienced by the same myocardial region while the heart was beating, we have developed a method to reconstruct sarcomere lengths and orientations throughout the cardiac cycle and at several transmural layers. A set of small (1 mm) radiopaque beads was implanted in approximately 1 cm3 of the left ventricular free wall. Using biplane cineradiography, we tracked the motion of these markers through various cardiac cycles. To quantify local myocardial deformation (as revealed by the relative motion of the markers), we calculated the local deformation gradient tensors. As the heart deforms, these describe how any short vectorial line segment alters its length and orientation relative to a reference state. Specifically, by choosing the reference state to be the arrested and fixed heart and by measuring the sarcomere vector in that state, we could then use the deformation gradient tensors to reconstruct the sarcomere vector that would exist in the beating heart. As ventricular chamber volume varied over its normal range of operation, the range of reconstructed sarcomere lengths (approximately 1.7-2.4 microns) was comparable to other histological studies and to measurements of sarcomere length in excised papillary muscles or trabeculae. The pattern of sarcomere length changes was markedly different, however, during ejection vs. filling.
Isometric biaxial tension of smooth muscle in isolated cylindrical segments of rabbit arteries
Authors: Takamizawa K. , Hayashi K. , Matsuda T.
Published: December 2017

Biaxial tension developed in the common carotid and femoral arteries of rabbits by the activation of smooth muscle was determined in vitro using cylindrical segments. While the smooth muscle was stimulated with 10(-5) M norepinephrine, the intraluminal pressure and axial force were measured under isometric conditions, i.e., keeping the diameter and length constant. The development of the active tension in the axial direction was roughly proportional to that in the circumferential direction. The ratio of the axial stress response to the circumferential one was positively correlated to the ratio of the axial stretch to the circumferential one. The axial response was larger than expected from the histological observation that the smooth muscle cells align almost circumferentially. This means that although smooth muscle cells are oriented almost circumferentially, the extracellular matrix transmitted the smooth muscle constriction force not only in the circumferential direction, but also in the longitudinal direction under isometric conditions.
Effects of allopurinol on reperfusion arrhythmias in isolated ventricles
Authors: Li G. R. , Ferrier G. R.
Published: December 2017

Electrophysiological effects of allopurinol on arrhythmias were studied in isolated segments of guinea pig right ventricular free walls paced from endocardium. A high-gain electrocardiogram as well as transmembrane electrical activity from endo- and epicardium were recorded. Tissues were exposed to simulated ischemia for 15 min and then were reperfused with normal Tyrode solution. Sustained or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, bigeminy, and trigeminy with characteristics of transmural reentry occurred in early reperfusion in 75% of 20 control preparations. Arrhythmias were associated with prolongation of transmural conduction time and abbreviation of endocardial effective refractory period (ERP). Allopurinol strongly reduced the incidence of reperfusion arrhythmias (20-33%) between 10 and 100 microM, whereas either lower or higher concentrations (5 or 500 microM) were less effective (43 and 50%). Antiarrhythmic efficacy correlated with significant attenuation of reperfusion-induced transmural conduction delay (P less than 0.05 or 0.01). Allopurinol did not affect endocardial conduction times nor did it significantly alter endocardial action potential duration or ERP. Our results indicate that allopurinol exerts antiarrhythmic efficacy during reperfusion by selectively attenuating defects related to anisotropic tissue properties.
Effects of exercise training on vasomotor reactivity of porcine coronary arteries
Authors: Oltman C. L. , Parker J. L. , Adams H. R. , Laughlin M. H.
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise training induces changes in the contractile behavior of proximal coronary arteries. Female Yucatan miniature swine were either exercise trained (ET) on a motor-driven treadmill or allowed to remain sedentary (SED) for 16-22 wk. Responses to vasoactive compounds were evaluated in vitro using coronary arterial rings (approximately 2 mm diam) isolated from ET and SED pigs. Each ring was stretched to the apex of the length-active tension relationship. Concentration-response relationships for isometric contractions evoked with KCl (5-100 mM), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha; 10(-8)-3 x 10(-5) M), acetylcholine (ACh; 10(-9)-10(-4) M), and endothelin (10(-10)-10(-7) M) were similar in arteries from SED and ET pigs. In contrast, arteries from the ET group developed 50-60% less maximal tension in response to norepinephrine (NE; 10(-6)-10(-4) M) than did controls. Vasodilator responses of rings precontracted with either KCl or PGF2 alpha were evaluated with adenosine (ADO; 10(-9)-10(-4) M), isoproterenol (10(-9)-10(-4) M), forskolin (10(-9)-10(-4) M), and sodium nitroprusside (NP; 10(-10)-10(-4) M). Vasodilator responses were similar in SED and ET groups for all agents except ADO and NP; arteries from ET pigs were more sensitive to ADO and less sensitive to NP. The ET-induced alterations in vasomotor responses to NE and ADO appear to be due to changes in vascular smooth muscle because they were still present after removal of endothelium. We conclude that chronic exercise training in pigs induces selective alterations in NE and ADO receptor-second messenger coupling and/or postreceptor-related events in epicardial coronary vascular smooth muscle.
Sliding velocity of isolated rabbit cardiac myosin correlates with isozyme distribution
Authors: Yamashita H. , Sugiura S. , Serizawa T. , Sugimoto T. , Iizuka M. , Katayama E. , Shimmen T.
Published: December 2017

To investigate the relationship between the mechanical and biochemical properties of cardiac myosin, the sliding velocity of isolated cardiac myosin obtained from both euthyroid and hyperthyroid rabbits on actin cables was measured with an in vitro motility assay system. Ten rabbits (T) were treated with L-thyroxine to induce hyperthyroidism, and eight nontreated animals (N) were used as controls. Myosin was purified from the left ventricles of anesthetized animals. Myosin isozyme content was analyzed by the pyrophosphate gel electrophoresis method, and myosin adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity was determined on the same sample. Long well-organized actin cables of green algae, Nitellopsis, were used in the in vitro motility assay. Small latex beads were coated with purified cardiac myosin and introduced onto the Nitellopsis actin cables. Active unidirectional movement of the beads on the actin cables was observed under a photomicroscope, and the velocity was measured. The velocity was dependent on ATP concentrations, and the optimal pH for bead movement was approximately 7.0-7.5. The mean velocity was higher in T than in N (0.66 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.32 +/- 0.09 micron/s, P less than 0.01). Both Ca(2+)-activated ATPase activity and the percentage of alpha-myosin heavy chain were also higher in T than in N (0.691 +/- 0.072 vs. 0.335 +/- 0.072 microM Pi.mg-1.min-1, P less than 0.01, and 79 +/- 12 vs. 26 +/- 7%, P less than 0.01, respectively). The velocity of myosin closely correlated with both Ca(+2)-activated myosin ATPase activity (r = 0.87, P less than 0.01) and the percentage of alpha-myosin heavy chain (r = 0.87, P less than 0.01).
Catecholamine-mediated lymphatic constriction: involvement of both alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoreceptors
Authors: Dobbins D. E.
Published: December 2017

It has been proposed that catecholamines may regulate lymphatic function by altering lymphatic resistance. In this study we perfused lymphatics in the paw of the anesthetized dog, administering catecholamines intralymphatically before and during intra-arterial administration of adrenoreceptor antagonists. Epinephrine and norepinephrine both increased lymphatic perfusion pressure. When the infusions were repeated during intra-arterial phentolamine, neither catecholamine significantly altered lymphatic perfusion pressure, thus implicating lymphatic adrenoreceptors. Intralymphatic infusion of these catecholamines during the intra-arterial infusion of prazosin significantly increased lymphatic perfusion pressure, but the increase was markedly less than that seen prior to prazosin. In these same animals, the lymphatic constriction produced by intralymphatic phenylephrine was completely blocked, indicating an effective blockade of the alpha 1-receptors. The intralymphatic infusion of phenylephrine or alpha-methylnorepinephrine both significantly increased lymphatic perfusion pressure, confirming the presence of both alpha 1- and alpha 2-receptors. These data demonstrate that the prenodal lymph vessels of the canine forelimb contain both alpha 1- and alpha 2-receptors and that epinephrine and norepinephrine interact with both classes of receptors to produce lymphatic constriction.
Agonist-induced [Ca2+]i waves and Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release in mammalian vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Blatter L. A. , Wier W. G.
Published: December 2017

Focal application of vasopressin to cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (A7r5 cells) elicits first a localized increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and then a wave of elevated [Ca2+]i that propagates at constant velocity throughout the cell. The cellular mechanisms of such complex spatiotemporal patterns of [Ca2+]i are of interest because they are involved fundamentally in cellular signal transduction in many types of cells. Vasopressin evoked a [Ca2+]i transient even in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, and intracellular perfusion with heparin completely blocked the response to vasopressin stimulation. Therefore the initial response to vasopressin reflects release of Ca2+ from an intracellular myo-inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive Ca2+ store. We tested four hypotheses on how a localized increase in [Ca2+]i propagates as a [Ca2+]i wave throughout the entire cell: the hypotheses distinguished 1) whether IP3 or Ca2+ is the primary intracellular messenger that diffuses, and 2) whether positive feedback on the release of intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i) is involved (further release of Ca2+ through activation of phospholipase C by Ca2+ and increased production of IP3 or by Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release). The results of various experimental interventions, which included probing Ca2+i stores (heparin, caffeine, and ryanodine), were compared with predictions from mathematical models for intracellular diffusion, release, and uptake of Ca2+. We conclude that in A7r5 smooth muscle cells, which have been stimulated focally with vasopressin, Ca2+ is released initially by IP3. The localized increase in [Ca2+]i then propagates throughout the cell as a [Ca2+]i wave. Ca2+ activates its own release, through Ca(2+)-induced release of Ca2+, by diffusing to distant Ca(2+)-release sites.
Effects of a novel prostaglandin, 8-epi-PGF2 alpha, in rabbit lung in situ
Authors: Banerjee M. , Kang K. H. , Morrow J. D. , Roberts L. J. , Newman J. H.
Published: December 2017

We determined the effects of 8-epiprostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha, a noncyclooxygenase free radical-catalyzed product of arachidonic acid, on pulmonary vascular tone, its potency, and its mechanism of action. 8-Epi-PGF2 alpha (0.5-20 micrograms) was injected into the pulmonary artery (PA) catheter of 10 rabbits whose lungs were perfused in situ with Krebs-Henseleit buffer solution with 3% bovine serum albumin. PA pressure increased from a baseline of 13.5 +/- 0.6 to 25.6 +/- 2.0 cmH2O with 20 micrograms 8-epi-PGF2 alpha. 8-Epi-PGF2 alpha caused a rapid rise in PA pressure followed by a gradual decline over 40-60 min to baseline levels. Double vascular occlusion revealed a twofold increase in arterial resistance at peak rise in PA pressure. The rise in PA pressure with 20 micrograms 8-epi-PGF2 alpha was fivefold greater than with 20 micrograms of the cyclooxygenase-derived prostaglandin PGF2 alpha. The PA pressure response to 8-epi-PGF2 alpha was not altered by either cyclooxygenase block-ade with 150 microM meclofenamate or alpha-receptor blockade with 70 microM phentolamine, but was fully prevented by 40 microM SQ 29548, a thromboxane receptor antagonist. We conclude that in rabbits 8-epi-PGF2 alpha is a potent vasoconstrictor of the pulmonary vasculature, which appears to be due to the activation of SQ 29548-responsive thromboxane receptors.
Norepinephrine increases the economy of pressure development in isolated canine hearts
Authors: Allyn J. W. , Teplick R. , Steinberg J. B. , Munfakh N. A. , Geffin G. A. , Titus J. , Daggett W. M.
Published: December 2017

To test for oxygen wasting by norepinephrine (NE) without relying on normalization by measures of performance such as the pressure-volume area, myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) was determined for isovolumic beats at five different left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volumes (EDV) in nine isolated cross-perfused canine hearts in each of three states: a basal anesthetic state (B); after depression with halothane (H); and after adding NE to increase contractility back to the B state (H+NE). The end-diastolic and peak systolic pressure-volume lines were identical for B and H+NE. The R2 for a linear regression of MVO2 per beat for B vs. H+NE for beats originating at the same EDV and developing similar (within 10%) peak isovolumic pressures for all hearts was 0.85. The slope and intercept were 0.83 and 0.01, which are significantly less than one (P less than 0.001) and greater than zero (P less than 0.001), respectively. These data suggest that NE increases both the economy of pressure development as well as activation energy of an isovolumically contracting LV.
Beneficial effects of SPM-5185, a cysteine-containing NO donor in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion
Authors: Siegfried M. R. , Carey C. , Ma X. L. , Lefer A. M.
Published: December 2017

Intravenous administration of SPM-5185 [N-nitratopivaloyl-S-(N–-acetylalanyl)-cysteine ethyl ester], a cysteine-containing nitric oxide (NO) donor, or SPM-5267 [pivaloyl-S-(N–-acetylalanyl)-cysteine ethyl ester], an analogue of SPM-5185 that lacks the NO moiety, was studied in a feline myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model. Administration of SPM-5185 (1 mg/kg), followed by a 2-mg.kg-1.h-1 infusion starting 10 min before reperfusion, resulted in significant protection 4.5 h postreperfusion. In the myocardial ischemia (MI)+SPM-5267 group, 38 +/- 4% of the area at risk was necrotic, whereas the necrotic area/area at risk was only 7 +/- 2% in the MI+SPM-5185 group (P less than 0.01). Moreover, SPM-5185 treatment markedly attenuated the endothelial dysfunction observed in the left anterior descending coronary artery after reperfusion by 50%. These beneficial effects occurred despite the absence of a significant change in myocardial oxygen demand, as measured by the pressure-rate index. In vitro experiments demonstrated that SMP-5185, but not SPM-5267, decreased adherence of neutrophils to the coronary vascular endothelium and decreased production of superoxide radicals. Therefore, a likely mechanism of the observed cardioprotection by SPM-5185 involves attenuation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte-induced endothelial dysfunction.
Aging- and training-induced alterations in collagen characteristics of rat left ventricle and papillary muscle
Authors: Thomas D. P. , McCormick R. J. , Zimmerman S. D. , Vadlamudi R. K. , Gosselin L. E.
Published: December 2017

We evaluated the single and interactive effects of aging and exercise training on selected parameters of myocardial interstitium in both the left ventricle (LV) and LV papillary muscle of female Fischer 344 specific pathogen-free rats. Ten weeks of treadmill running resulted in significant LV hypertrophy as well as elevated plantaris muscle citrate synthase activity in both young adult (5-mo-old) and senescent (23-mo-old) trained animals (YT, young trained; OT, old trained) compared with age-matched sedentary controls (YC, young control; OC, old control). Proline and hydroxyproline pools were significantly higher (both P less than 0.05) in 23-mo-old vs. 5-mo-old papillary muscles. Degree of maturation (nonreducible cross-linking) of LV collagen was evaluated by measurement of hydroxylysylpyridinoline concentration ([HP]). In a comparison of YC with OC rats, ventricular [HP] increased approximately fivefold from 0.059 +/- 0.007 to 0.285 +/- 0.018 (SE) mol HP/mol collagen (P less than 0.001). Whereas training had no effect on ventricular [HP] in young adult rats, it significantly reduced LV collagen cross-linking in OT rats (0.131 +/- 0.027) so that HP values in this group were less than one-half of those observed in OC rats. Because both collagen concentration and degree of cross-linking are thought to affect muscle stiffness characteristics, we conclude that the observed changes should be considered in any explanation for aging- and training-induced alterations in LV and papillary muscle contractile indexes.
Saline diuresis and natriuresis in unanesthetized dogs: a missing atrial factor?
Authors: Cowley A. W. , Brice A. G. , Skelton M. M.
Published: December 2017

Recent studies in our laboratory indicated that a blunted (40–50%) renal excretory response to isotonic intravenous saline loads occurred in conscious, renal-denervated dogs after 70% of the atrial mass was removed. The blunted responses could not be explained by differences in the responses of arterial pressure, renal nerve activity, or by measured changes of plasma immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide (iANP), arginine vasopressin (AVP), plasma renin activity (PRA), or aldosterone (Aldo). The present study was designed to determine whether the central nervous system (CNS) was the source of an unidentified substance, which could account for the blunting of the urine excretory response seen in the atrial-resected dogs. Renal denervation was performed in all dogs to eliminate alterations in efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity derived from reflexes activated during volume expansion. Cardiac denervation (CDX) was used to eliminate sensory cardiac afferent nerve activity to the CNS. A group of five renal-denervated dogs was given an isotonic volume load (400 ml/30 min) before and after complete CDX. Plasma AVP was fixed at normal plasma levels of 3 pg/ml by continuous intravenous infusion. Na and H2O excretion were not different in renal-denervated dogs compared with combined renal and cardiac denervation during the 5 h after the saline load. Plasma AVP and Aldo were unchanged with the volume loads, although PRA rose gradually over the 5 h after the saline loads. Plasma iANP increased transiently in the combined renal and cardiac-denervated state rising from a control of 65–120 pg/ml at the end of the load period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Hemodynamic effects of exogenous nitric oxide in ovine transitional pulmonary circulation
Authors: Kinsella J. P. , McQueston J. A. , Rosenberg A. A. , Abman S. H.
Published: December 2017

To determine the hemodynamic effects of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) on the immature pulmonary circulation, we studied the response to NO inhalation in 19 mechanically ventilated late-gestation ovine fetuses in three separate protocols. In protocol 1, we examined the relative effects of 1) mechanical ventilation while maintaining fetal arterial O2 tension (PaO2) constant [fractional inspired O2 concentration (FIO2) less than 0.10)], 2) NO inhalation [5–20 parts per million (ppm)] at fetal PaO2, and 3) high FIO2 (1.00) (n = 7). NO increased left pulmonary artery blood flow (Qlpa) in a dose-dependent fashion, from 254 +/- 62 (baseline) to 398 +/- 49 ml/min with 20 ppm NO (P less than 0.001). The response of Qlpa to a FIO2 equal to 1.00 was not different from NO alone. Systemic arterial pressure was not affected by NO. In protocol 2 we studied the effects of prolonged NO inhalation (2 h, 20 ppm) during mechanical ventilation with low FIO2 (n = 4). NO increased Qlpa from 267 +/- 92 to 468 +/- 75 ml/min at 10 min of NO inhalation (P less than 0.001). The increase in Qlpa was sustained during the entire 2-h study period. In protocol 3 we measured left ventricular output (LVO), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and ductus arteriosus shunting using radiolabeled microspheres (n = 8) during baseline mechanical ventilation and 20 ppm NO inhalation. LVO and SVR were not significantly different in the two study periods; however, the percentage of LVO that reached the lungs (predominantly left-to-right shunting across the ductus arteriosus) increased from 18 +/- 5 to 43 +/- 4% during NO inhalation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)