bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different endothelial mechanisms involved in coronary responses to known vasodilators
Authors: Leipert B. , Becker B. F. , Gerlach E.
Published: December 2017

The role of the endothelium in mediating flow responses to acetylcholine (ACh), bradykinin (BK), adenosine (Ado), and the poorly hydrolyzable ATP-derivative beta,gamma-methylene-ATP (MeATP) was evaluated in the intact coronary system of the isolated perfused guinea pig heart. In the presence of superoxide anions, known to inactivate the endothelium-derived relaxing factor nitric oxide (NO), only steady-state dilatation induced by ACh (1 microM) was fully inhibited and that of BK (0.1 nM) attenuated. Similar effects were obtained with methylene blue and N omega-nitro-L-arginine; however, the latter also reduced the actions of Ado (0.1 microM) and MeATP (0.5 microM). Conversely, perfusion with the NO precursor L-arginine (10 microM) resulted in a potentiated relaxation by ACh, whereas steady-state responses to BK and Ado remained unchanged. Pretreatment of hearts with hydroxyl radicals (.OH) elevated vascular permeability. Under this condition, flow increases induced by ACh, BK, and Ado were enhanced by 130, 89, and 47%, respectively, whereas the effect of MeATP (0.5 microM) was reduced by 45%. Preexposure of hearts to the oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl) prevented dilatations by ACh, BK, MeATP and Ado (0.1 microM), and the response to Ado (5 microM) was reduced by 68%; postischemic hyperemia was attenuated. Glyburide, an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, halved the flow response to infused Ado (0.1 and 5 microM), inhibited MeATP, and abolished reactive hyperemia. We conclude that in the guinea pig coronary system ACh, BK, MeATP, and Ado (0.1 microM) induce endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, some step(s) of the signal transmission being vulnerable to oxidative attack by HOCl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Intravenous infusion of trieicosapentaenoyl-glycerol and LTB4 and LTB5 production by leukocytes of rabbits
Authors: Sawazaki S. , Nakamura N. , Hamazaki T. , Yamazaki K. , Urakaze M. , Yano S.
Published: December 2017

During myocardial infarction leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is probably a major determining factor of tissue damage because it can amplify the inflammatory reaction by recruiting leukocytes and degranulating them. Oral administration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is known to reduce LTB4 production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). However, it takes several weeks for EPA to take effect. In this study, we formulated a trieicosapentaenoyl-glycerol emulsion and infused it into rabbits (0.8 g EPA/kg). In the ex vivo study, the inhibition of LTB4 production by PMNL from EPA-infused rabbits was maximal (32-60% of preinfusion values, P less than 0.01) 6 h after the infusion. There was also a tendency toward reduced LTB4 production 1, 24, and 168 h after the infusion. A lower dose (0.2 g EPA/kg) also reduced LTB4 production (45% of preinfusion values, P less than 0.02) 6 h after the infusion. There was no significant change in LTB4 production in control groups in which soybean oil emulsion was infused instead of EPA. EPA infusion might be useful for reduction of tissue damage in the acute phase of LTB4-related diseases such as acute myocardial infarction.
Effect of exogenous fatty acids on reperfusion arrhythmias in isolated working perfused hearts
Authors: Davies N. J. , Lovlin R. E. , Lopaschuk G. D.
Published: December 2017

Exogenous fatty acids may promote arrhythmias during ischemia and reperfusion, perhaps by increasing myocardial concentrations of long-chain acylcarnitines. We therefore studied the effects of high concentrations of fatty acids on reperfusion arrhythmias and acylcarnitine accumulation in isolated working rat hearts subjected to regional ischemia and reperfusion. Hearts were perfused with buffer containing 3% albumin, 5.9 mM K+, and either 11 mM glucose or 11 mM glucose plus 1.2 mM palmitate. After 15 min of aerobic work, the left anterior descending artery was reversibly ligated for 10 min and released, and the hearts were subsequently reperfused for 3 min. Although ischemic zone acylcarnitine accumulation after reperfusion was significantly greater in glucose plus palmitate-perfused hearts (247 +/- 149 vs. 717 +/- 176 nmol/g dry wt in glucose- vs. palmitate-perfused hearts, respectively), no significant differences in the incidence (67 vs. 44%) or duration (95 +/- 17 vs. 56 +/- 17 s) of ventricular fibrillation (VF) were seen in glucose or glucose plus palmitate hearts, respectively. Because low K+ concentration ([K+]) has been reported to increase reperfusion arrhythmias in similar models, we reduced perfusate [K+] to 4.0 mM. This significantly increased the incidence and duration of VF in hearts perfused with glucose alone but had no effect in palmitate-perfused hearts. We conclude that acylcarnitine accumulation is not arrhythmogenic in this model and that fatty acids may actually have antiarrhythmic effects if exogenous [K+] is low.
Mechanism of impaired energy metabolism during acidosis: role of oxidative metabolism
Authors: Suleymanlar G. , Zhou H. Z. , McCormack M. , Elkins N. , Kucera R. , Reiss O. K. , Shapiro J. I.
Published: December 2017

Isolated perfused rat hearts were used to study the effects of metabolic acidosis on energy metabolism. Hearts perfused with different substrates (glucose, pyruvate, and succinate) were subjected to metabolic acidosis. With all substrates, there were comparable decrements in oxygen consumption (approximately 35%), cardiac function (decrease in first derivative of pressure of 65%), and similar changes in high-energy phosphates (approximately 150% increases in inorganic phosphate and 25% decreases in phosphocreatine concentrations) with metabolic acidosis. To further investigate the metabolic effects of acidosis, isolated cardiac mitochondria were exposed to different incubation media pH conditions and given simple metabolites (glutamate/malate, succinate, or pyruvate) or fatty acids (octanoate). Reduction of incubation media pH to 6.0 did not significantly affect either coupled respiration rate or the respiratory control ratio (RCR) with any substrate. These data suggest that metabolic acidosis induces decreases in energy production in the isolated perfused heart by inhibiting mitochondrial substrate utilization and not by impairing glycolysis. However, this impairment of mitochondrial function is not a direct effect of acidosis itself but appears to occur secondarily to some other effects of acidosis which are, as yet, incompletely understood.
Training effects on the regional blood flow response to exercise in myocardial infarcted rats
Authors: Musch T. I. , Nguyen C. T. , Pham H. V. , Moore R. L.
Published: December 2017

The regional blood flow (BF) response to submaximal exercise was determined for sedentary and trained myocardial infarcted (MI) rats. Training consisted of treadmill running (10% grade, 30 m/min) for 1 h/day, 5 days/wk for 12-14 wk and produced decreases in resting heart rate and increases in maximal O2 uptake and endurance capacity. BF determined at 2 and 6 min of exercise (via radiolabeled microspheres) demonstrated that trained rats maintained greater BF to organs found in the abdominal region when compared with their sedentary counterparts. BF to the total hindlimb musculature at 2 min of exercise was greater in sedentary rats when compared with their trained counterparts and was the consequence of greater BF to 10 of the 27 muscle or muscle parts investigated. At 6 min of exercise, BF to the total hindlimb musculature was similar between trained and sedentary rats, as BF in 9 of 27 muscles or muscle parts investigated decreased from 2 to 6 min of exercise for the sedentary group. In general, the BF patterns within and among the individual muscles of the hindlimb were different between the two groups. Trained rats tended to maintain greater BF to the predominantly red muscles, whereas the sedentary rats maintained greater BF to the predominantly white muscles at 6 min of exercise. In conclusion, the training-induced changes in BF found in this study are similar to those found previously for normal rats, and they demonstrate that endurance training produces changes in the regional distribution of BF during exercise in MI rats.
Hypercapnic blood flow reactivity not increased by alpha-blockade or cordotomy in piglets
Authors: Moore L. E. , Kirsch J. R. , Helfaer M. A. , Greenberg R. S. , Traystman R. J.
Published: December 2017

We tested the hypothesis that differential sympathetic innervation explains the attenuated cerebral blood flow (CBF) response to hypercapnia (hyper) in fore-brain (fb) compared with brain stem in 1- to 2-wk-old piglets. In pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized piglets, CBF (microspheres) was measured during hypocapnia, normocapnia (normo), and hypercapnia [arterial CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) of 25, 40, and 65 mmHg, respectively] in random sequence. After pretreatment values were obtained, piglets were randomized to undergo sham treatment (n = 5), high cervical spinal cord transection (n = 6), or pharmacological alpha-adrenergic blockade (prazosin 1 mg/kg + yohimbine 1 mg/kg, n = 6). After each experimental treatment, CO2 reactivity was again measured. Before experimental manipulation, hypercapnic reactivity [(CBFhyper - CBFnormo)/(PaCO2hyper - PaCO2normo)] in brain stem was approximately three times greater than in forebrain (e.g., sham; 3.6 +/- 0.8 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.3 ml.min-1.100 g-1.mmHg-1). Hypercapnic reactivity in forebrain was not increased by cord transection (1.4 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.2 ml.min-1.100 g-1.mmHg-1) or alpha-blockade (1.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.4 ml.min-1.100 g-1.mmHg-1). Likewise, hypercapnic cerebral vascular resistance (CVR) was unchanged by experimental treatment (e.g., CVRfb; cord transection 1.1 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.1; alpha-blockade 1.1 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.1 mmHg.ml-1.min-1.100 g-1). Hypocapnic vasoconstriction, however, was attenuated by both cord transection and alpha-blockade in forebrain and brain stem. We conclude that physiological stimulation of the noradrenergic component of the sympathetic nervous system does not explain regional differences in CBF reactivity during hypercapnia in 1- to 2-wk-old piglets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
In vivo 31P-NMR spectroscopy of right ventricle in pigs
Authors: Schwartz G. G. , Steinman S. K. , Weiner M. W. , Matson G. B.
Published: December 2017

The energy metabolism of the right ventricle (RV) in vivo has been largely unexplored. The goal of this study was to develop and implement techniques for in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the RV free wall. A two-turn, crossover-design elliptical surface coil was constructed to provide high sensitivity across the thin RV wall but minimal sensitivity in the blood-filled RV cavity. In 36 open-chest, anesthetized pigs, 31P spectroscopy of the RV free wall was performed with this coil at a field strength of 2 Tesla. Spectra were obtained from 800 acquisitions in 24 min with an average signal-to-noise ratio of 13.2 for phosphocreatine (PCr). The PCr-to-ATP (PCr/ATP) ratio of porcine RV was 1.42 +/- 0.05 (mean +/- SE), uncorrected for saturation at a repetition time of 1.8 s. With the use of literature values of the time constant of longitudinal relaxation (T1) to correct for partial saturation, the RV PCr/ATP was estimated to lie between 1.7 and 2.3. Decreased RV PCr/ATP was observed during RV ischemia and pressure overload. Thus in vivo 31P spectroscopy of the RV is readily accomplished with an appropriate surface coil and can provide new information about RV energy metabolism.
Regional contractile performance during acute ischemia in porcine right ventricle
Authors: Chow E. , Foppiano L. , Farrar D. J.
Published: December 2017

Studies of regional ischemia in the canine left ventricle (LV) have shown augmented systolic segmental shortening in nonischemic regions. To characterize these responses in the right ventricle (RV), acute occlusions of the right coronary artery (RCAO) were produced in anesthetized pigs. Orthogonal pairs of ultrasonic segment-length crystals were implanted in the mid-RV free wall (ischemic region) and in the outflow tract (nonischemic region). RV pressure-area work loops were generated during inferior vena caval occlusions, and both slope (M) of the preload recruitable stroke work relationship and elastance (Ees) of the end-systolic pressure-area relationship were determined by linear regression. Under control conditions, there was no significant difference in M or Ees of the two regions. After RCAO, fractional area shortening decreased by 84% in the ischemic region but increased by 21% in the nonischemic region. Although RV end-diastolic pressure and areas in both regions increased, M was significantly reduced by 78% only in the ischemic region. There was no change in contractile function in the nonischemic region as described by M and Ees despite the increase in systolic fractional area shortening. Therefore the nonischemic region of the porcine RV exhibits an apparent compensatory hyperkinesis in response to regional ischemia similar to that shown for the canine LV, consistent with the Frank-Starling mechanism.
Regional distribution of ECS in contractile and conductive elements of rat and rabbit heart
Authors: Lurie K. G. , Dutton J. , Wiegn P.
Published: December 2017

By adaptation of recently developed quantitative microanalytic techniques, the size of the extracellular space (ECS) was measured regionally in the rat and rabbit cardiac conductive and contractile tissues. When inulin and sucrose were measured as extracellular markers in rabbit heart, the ECS in the atrioventricular (AV) node was found to be, respectively, 2.4 and 2.2 times larger than that of adjacent ventricular muscle. By use of inulin, the ECS in the rabbit His bundle was found to be 1.8 times larger than the adjacent ventricular tissue. Similarly, when inulin was used in rat, the ECS of the AV node, His bundle, right bundle branch, and right atrium was found to be, respectively, 2.5, 1.9, 1.8, and 1.2 times larger than that of left and right ventricular muscle. Similarly, significant regional differences in ECS were also observed in rat heart with sucrose. By use of glucose as an ECS marker, these results also revealed a 2.5-2.9 times larger ECS in rat and rabbit AV node compared with contractile elements. In contrast, ATP content, measured as an intracellular marker, was the same in both AV nodal and ventricular muscle tissue from both rat and rabbit. These data demonstrate that there are significant regional variations in ECS within the cardiac conduction system. Collectively, the data obtained with all extracellular markers indicate that the size of the ECS of the conduction system is markedly larger than the adjacent contractile muscle.
Laser-Doppler flowmetry in monitoring regulation of rapid microcirculatory changes in spinal cord
Authors: Lindsberg P. J. , Jacobs T. P. , Frerichs K. U. , Hallenbeck J. M. , Feuerstein G. Z.
Published: December 2017

We established a rabbit model for continuous on-line monitoring of spinal cord microcirculation using laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF). We tested the suitability of this model for studying rapid, nonequilibrium microcirculatory blood flow (BF) states induced by pharmacological treatments, hemorrhage, and asphyxia. Effective BF regulation was observed at systemic arterial pressure levels of 50 mmHg. Autoregulatory vasodilation began 1 min after the onset of severe hypotension, whereas more immediate vasodilation took place after asphyxia (hypercarbia). Pathological situations were studied in a simple model of spinal cord (SC) ischemia-reperfusion after 10 (n = 7) and 25 min (n = 7) of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion. After 25 min of ischemia, delayed hypoperfusion (BF -35 +/- 7%, P less than 0.01) took place in association with tissue edema. LDF offered sensitive, stable, and reproducible estimates of microcirculation with high temporal resolution, thus permitting on-line evaluation of rapid, nonequilibrium BF responses and delayed states of spinal cord BF dysregulation.
Catecholamines in cerebrospinal fluid are increased by behavioral arousal and myocardial ischemia
Authors: Johnson D. A. , Pinto J. M. , Kirby D. A. , Lown B.
Published: December 2017

To study the central neural mechanisms involved in malignant ventricular arrhythmia, concentrations of norepinephrine in the cerebrospinal fluid were measured during behavioral stimulation and during coronary artery occlusion. Pigs were instrumented via thoracotomy with catheters to measure mean arterial pressure and plasma catecholamines and with silk snares around the left anterior descending coronary artery for occlusion after recovery from surgery. Cannulas were placed in the lateral ventricle of the brain to sample cerebrospinal fluid. Behavioral arousal was induced by lifting the pig in a canvas sling for 5 min. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine concentrations increased significantly after lifting stimulation. In a separate experiment, 5 min after coronary artery occlusion, both plasma catecholamines and norepinephrine in cerebrospinal fluid were significantly elevated. Furthermore, pigs in which ventricular fibrillation occurred after occlusion had significantly higher concentrations of norepinephrine in cerebrospinal fluid before coronary artery occlusion.
Three ways of abolishing automaticity in sinoatrial node: ionic modeling and nonlinear dynamics
Authors: Guevara M. R. , Jongsma H. J.
Published: December 2017

Pages H1268–H1286: M. R. Guevara and H. J. Jongsma. “Three ways of abolishing automaticity in sinoatrial node: ionic modeling and nonlinear dynamics.” Page H1284: In the note added in proof, the word depolarizing should be replaced by hyperpolarizing.
Venous myogenic tone: studies in human and canine vessels
Authors: Berczi V. , Greene A. S. , Dornyei G. , Csengody J. , Hodi G. , Kadar A. , Monos E.
Published: December 2017

Active and passive mechanical properties of human saphenous and canine femoral and saphenous vein segments were measured in vitro to assess the degree of pressure-dependent venous myogenic tone (% change in diameter, physiological saline solution vs. Ca(2+)-free solution) in these vessels. Stepwise elevation of intraluminal pressure from 2 to 20 mmHg caused an active myogenic response, which was calcium dependent. Side branches of human saphenous veins (OD at 20 mmHg: 1.92 +/- 0.15 mm control; 2.41 +/- 0.18 mm relaxed) displayed a larger degree of myogenic tone (approximately 25%) compared with dog saphenous (OD: 2.84 +/- 0.16 mm control; 2.89 +/- 0.16 mm relaxed) and femoral (OD: 3.56 +/- 0.32 control; 3.66 +/- 0.31 mm relaxed) veins (2-3%). This alteration in myogenic tone results in over 120% change in lumen capacity for the human saphenous vein, whereas for the dog saphenous and femoral veins, the change in lumen capacity is less than 10%. The vessels showed a constriction to norepinephrine as well as a reversible dilation to Ca(2+)-free perfusion. These results support the hypothesis that an active myogenic response may play an important role in the regulation of vascular capacity in the human saphenous vein, which is subject to substantial pressure variations due to changing orthostatic loads.
Initiation and development of calcium waves in rat myocytes
Authors: Ishide N. , Miura M. , Sakurai M. , Takishima T.
Published: December 2017

To understand the characteristics of asynchrony in spontaneously occurring increases in cytoplasmic calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in the cardiac myocyte, we observed newly developed changes in regional [Ca2+]i after a physical injury to the sarcolemma. Myocytes were isolated from rat left ventricle and loaded with acetoxymethyl ester of fura-2. We analyzed dynamic changes in fluorescence images by video densitometry. After the injury was imposed, three types of responses were observed: 1) rapid contracture with steady increase in [Ca2+]i; 2) periodic development of a calcium wave; and 3) quiescence after the injury. In some myocytes with the second type of response, a sustained burst of calcium waves was observed. In myocytes in which multiple calcium waves are present simultaneously, a propagated wave can reset a cycle of wave generation at the wave focus. Waves disappear after their collision, which indicates the existence of a refractory period after the calcium transient. The wave originating from the focus with the fastest frequency dominates the whole cell. Thus dynamic changes in regional [Ca2+]i are asynchronous but are organized by the following principles: 1) a regional increase in [Ca2+]i can propagate; 2) a propagated calcium wave can reset a cycle of wave initiation at the focus; and 3) a regional calcium transient leaves a refractory period.
Effect of superoxide dismutase and catalase on regional dysfunction after exercise-induced ischemia
Authors: Homans D. C. , Asinger R. , Pavek T. , Crampton M. , Lindstrom P. , Peterson D. , Bache R. J.
Published: December 2017

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the oxygen free radical scavengers superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase may reduce myocardial “stunning” after exercise-induced ischemia. To test this hypothesis, 8 mongrel dogs performed treadmill exercise for 10 min in the presence of a flow-limiting coronary artery stenosis. Regional left ventricular function was measured with ultrasonic microcrystals implanted to measure regional wall thickening. Regional myocardial perfusion was measured with radioactive microspheres. The combination of SOD (5 mg/kg iv) and catalase (5 mg/kg iv) did not affect heart rate, blood pressure, coronary artery flow, or regional myocardial blood flow at rest, during exercise, or in the postexercise period. SOD and catalase had no effect on regional wall thickening at rest before exercise. During exercise in the absence of a coronary artery stenosis, thickening was slightly lower during SOD and catalase infusion (27 +/- 11.0 vs. 30.8 +/- 11.5%, SOD vs. control P = 0.05). During exercise in the presence of a coronary artery stenosis, there was no difference in thickening. Infusion of SOD and catalase affected neither the transient rebound function occurring early after exercise nor the prolonged period of stunning. These results indicate that the myocardial stunning that follows exercise-induced ischemia is unlikely to be mediated by oxygen free radicals.
Production of angiotensins I and II at tissue sites in intact pigs
Authors: Danser A. H. , Koning M. M. , Admiraal P. J. , Sassen L. M. , Derkx F. H. , Verdouw P. D. , Schalekamp M. A.
Published: December 2017

To estimate the contribution of angiotensin (ANG) I and II production at tissue sites to the circulating levels, ANG I and II and their radiolabeled counterparts were measured in arterial and venous plasma across various vascular beds during constant infusion of 125I-ANG I into the left cardiac ventricle of anesthetized pigs. In the combined systemic vascular beds, ANG I production was closely correlated with plasma renin activity (PRA) and ANG II production was greater than in the lungs. In the lungs virtually no ANG I but 31% of ANG II in venous plasma was derived from de novo production, which could be fully accounted for by conversion of circulating ANG I. In myocardium, head, skin, skeletal muscle, and kidney, respectively, 40, 58, 55, 67, and 94% of venous ANG I, and 32, 49, 40, 59, and 85% of venous ANG II were derived from de novo production. In these extrapulmonary beds part of de novo produced ANG I and II appeared not to be generated, respectively, by PRA and by conversion of circulating ANG I. These results indicate that production of ANG I at tissue sites contributes to its circulating level and that some circulating ANG II may not be derived from circulating ANG I.
Vasopressin modulates K(+)-channel activities of cultured smooth muscle cells from porcine coronary artery
Authors: Wakatsuki T. , Nakaya Y. , Inoue I.
Published: December 2017

The ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP channel) and the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel (KCa channel) were active in cell-attached and excised inside-out patch configurations in cultured smooth muscle cells of the porcine coronary artery. Vasopressin activated the KCa channel (240 pS) when it was applied in the bath in the cell-attached patch mode presumably because of an increase in intracellular Ca2+, but it had no direct effect on the KCa channel. However, vasopressin directly blocked the KATP channel from outside the cell membranes in a concentration-dependent manner in both outside-out and cell-attached patch configurations; the K(+)-channel opener, nicorandil, reversed this effect. The KATP channel (30 pS) was highly active in the intact cell-attached patch configuration when the pipette contained a physiological concentration of Ca2+, suggesting that this channel may control the resting membrane potential. (The block might produce depolarization of the cells and might result in the contraction of smooth muscle cells.) These observations suggest that the KATP channel may play a role, at least in part, in controlling the contraction of smooth muscle cells of the coronary artery and that the control of vascular tone by vasopressin may be related to its ability to block the KATP channel.
Magnesium affects excitation, conduction, and contraction of isolated mammalian cardiac muscle
Authors: Hall S. K. , Fry C. H.
Published: December 2017

An increase of extracellular Mg concentration, [Mg]o, reduced myocardial excitability and conduction without affecting the resting membrane potential or action potential configuration in ventricular myocytes and papillary muscles from a number of mammalian species. Although there was a small increase of specific membrane resistance and no change to intracellular resistivity, the threshold voltage was shifted to depolarized potentials. Thus loss of excitability can be explained by a shift of the activation of inward currents to depolarized potentials, and reduced conduction velocity is due solely to a diminution of local circuit currents. Mgo also was negatively inotropic, the magnitude of this effect being species dependent. Raised [Mg]o caused a small increase of intracellular [Mg] with a small decrease of intracellular [Na+], did not affect intracellular pH, and attenuated the intracellular Ca2+ transient associated with cell shortening in rat (but not rabbit) myocytes. An increase of [Mg]o reduced the magnitude of the voltage-dependent inward Ca2+ current, ICa, in rat and rabbit myocytes, and the activation curve of ICa was shifted to more depolarized potentials. A scheme to account for the negative inotropic effect of Mg is presented.
Increased oxyhemoglobin affinity by carbamylation: coronary autoregulation and O2 transport
Authors: Baer R. W.
Published: December 2017

Hemoglobin carbamylation with sodium cyanate was used to study myocardial O2 delivery during increased oxyhemoglobin affinity. A group of control dogs was compared with a group of dogs, in which their hemoglobin had been carbamylated by daily ingestion of sodium cyanate over a period of 6–8 wk. The O2 tension at 50% saturation of hemoglobin (P50) averaged 23 mmHg in the carbamylated group compared with an average P50 of 31 mmHg in the control group. The left main coronary artery was cannulated and perfused via an extracorporeal, pressure-controlled reservoir. Coronary pressure, coronary flow, and blood gas measurements were made at coronary perfusion pressures spanning the autoregulatory range. The increased oxyhemoglobin affinity produced no significant difference in convective O2 transport to the coronary capillaries, although the carbamylated group had a significantly higher arterial O2 content and significantly lower coronary flow. The autoregulatory process was not significantly altered by carbamylation-induced shifts in the O2 dissociation curve. Despite a significantly lower coronary sinus PO2 in the carbamylated group, the increase in oxyhemoglobin affinity was associated with significantly lower O2 extractions in the carbamylated group. Significant extraction reserve was present in both the control and carbamylated groups as demonstrated by the fact that O2 extraction could still increase well above control levels when perfusion pressure was lowered. We conclude that there is no significant vasodilatory compensation for moderate increases in oxyhemoglobin affinity, despite the continued presence of autoregulatory vasodilatory reserve.
Chronic captopril and losartan (DuP 753) administration in rats with high-output heart failure
Authors: Qing G. , Garcia R.
Published: December 2017

We investigated the role of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and the renin-angiotensin system as well as the effects of losartan in rats with aortocaval (AC) shunts. Right atrial and left ventricular end-diastolic pressures (LVEDP) were higher and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was lower in AC shunt animals than in their controls. AC shunt rats presented marked cardiac hypertrophy, decreased right atrial ANF concentration, and increased ventricular ANF content and concentration. Plasma ANF levels were elevated, and hematocrit was lower in AC shunt animals than in controls. Captopril or losartan treatment decreased MAP and returned LVEDP to sham-operated control values. A clear regression of cardiac hypertrophy was evident in both treated AC shunt groups, with plasma ANF levels tending to follow those in sham-operated rats. Plasma COOH-terminal ANF levels were decreased and urinary volume and hematocrit were increased in losartan-treated AC shunt animals. We conclude that chronic angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition and angiotension II receptor antagonism improved hemodynamic conditions, diminished water retention, reversed cardiac hypertrophy, and restored plasma and tissue ANF to more “normal” levels in rats with moderate high-output heart failure.
Intracavitary ultrasound impairs left ventricular performance: presumed role of endocardial endothelium
Authors: Gillebert Thierry C. , De Hert Stefan G. , Andries Luc J. , Jageneau Anton H. , Brutsaert Dirk L.
Published: December 2017

Irradiation of isolated cardiac muscle by high-power, high-frequency, continuous wave ultrasound selectively damages endocardial endothelium (EE). We evaluated this ultrasound effect in vivo on the performance of the intact ejecting canine left ventricle (LV). A cylindrical ultrasound probe (0.9 MHz, 25 W), mounted on a catheter, was inserted in the LV cavity through an apical stab wound and was activated for 60, 120, and 240 s, followed each time by a recovery period of 10–15 min. Ultrasound transiently and repeatedly abbreviated the time interval from end diastole to peak (-)dP/dt (from 241 ± 30 to 229 ± 32 ms after 240 s; P < 0.001), accelerated LV pressure fall, did not alter peak (+)-dP/dt or peak systolic pressure, increased diastolic and systolic segment lengths, and decreased fractional shortening. Microscopic analysis revealed dispersed granulocytes attached to the EE. EE cells were visibly damaged only in a limited area surrounding the probe. Accordingly, high-power, high-frequency, continuous wave ultrasound reversibly modulated LV performance, presumably by transient alteration of EE function.

cardiac function; contractility; diastole; relaxation

Submitted on May 7, 1991

Accepted on April 28, 1992
Comparison of protein lymph flux and extravascular uptake in skin during increased venous pressure
Authors: Wallace J. R. , Bell D. R.
Published: December 2017

The hypothesis that the albumin reflection coefficient is underestimated from measurements of lymph protein flux because of a prolonged interstitial washout was tested in the hindleg of anesthetized rabbits. In heel skin, the initial extravascular uptake for labeled albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) was compared with prenodal lymph flux for native albumin and IgG. Venous pressure was increased in one leg for 4 h, while the contralateral leg was the control. The extravascular uptake for labeled albumin was 67% greater than control during the fourth hour of increased venous pressure. Lymph albumin flux was 2.3 times control, indicating a small but significant washout of interstitial albumin. The magnitude of the interstitial washout for IgG was less than that for albumin. Using the relationship between the change in extravascular uptake and the change in lymph flow, the reflection coefficients for albumin and IgG were both 0.91. The reflection coefficient for albumin using lymph protein flux was lower because of a continued interstitial washout.
31P-NMR of high-energy phosphates in perfused rat heart during metabolic acidosis
Authors: Jelicks L. A. , Gupta R.
Published: December 2017

Intracellular pH (pHi), intracellular free magnesium concentration ([Mg2+]i), and high-energy phosphates in Langendorff perfused rat hearts were evaluated by 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) during metabolic acidosis. During acidosis, cardiac pHi approached that of the perfusing solution (pH approximately 6.7) and [Mg2+]i increased. In hearts perfused with glucose as the sole carbon source, the ratio of [phosphocreatine] to [ATP] decreased during acidosis. In contrast, in hearts supplemented with pyruvate (either 2.8 or 10 mM) this ratio increased during acidosis. Oxygen consumption decreased in hearts perfused with glucose only and with pyruvate-glucose. Using the creatine kinase equilibrium constant, we find that [MgADP] is significantly decreased in pyruvate-perfused hearts but is not significantly altered in glucose-perfused hearts during metabolic acidosis. These data indicate that [MgADP] may be the regulator of cardiac oxidative phosphorylation in the presence of excess pyruvate; however, during metabolic acidosis in hearts perfused with glucose only, ATP synthesis appears limited by the availability of pyruvate via glycolysis.
Calculation of oxygen diffusion across the surface of isolated perfused hearts
Authors: Van Beek J. H. , Loiselle D. S. , Westerhof N.
Published: December 2017

Although exact mathematical descriptions of oxygen diffusion into unperfused isolated organs are known, no analytic solution is available for perfused organs. Here, we derive an equation for oxygen diffusion across the epicardial surface of perfused hearts. Our oxygen transport model incorporates oxygen delivery from the capillary perfusate, oxygen consumption, diffusion among adjacent capillary exchange regions, and diffusion across the epicardial surface. The wall of the heart is modeled by a slab of tissue. The derived equation fits experimental data on the diffusive oxygen flux across the surface of isolated saline-perfused guinea pig hearts, obtained by measuring oxygen uptake from the perfusate at various oxygen tensions in the surroundings of the isolated heart. The model predicts that in isolated arrested guinea pig hearts suspended in air, 25% of the oxygen taken up from the saline perfusate (PO2 approximately 680 mmHg) diffuses out of the heart across the surface. In beating isolated guinea pig hearts, 5% of the oxygen taken up from the perfusate diffuses across the surface.
Neuropeptide Y and coronary vasoconstriction: role of thromboxane A2
Authors: Martin S. E. , Kuvin J. T. , Offenbacher S. , Odle B. M. , Patterson R. E.
Published: December 2017

We previously reported that coronary constriction following neuropeptide Y (NPY) was alleviated by cyclooxygenase blockade. To determine the role of thromboxane A2 (TxA2), anesthetized dogs received two paired doses of NPY given 2 h apart. Nine control dogs received NPY alone. Nine test dogs received one of three TxA2 receptor antagonists given between the doses of NPY. Also, five dogs received NPY during which prostaglandins were measured. In controls, NPY decreased coronary blood flow and increased aortic pressure; coronary resistance was increased significantly. Heart rate fell, and myocardial oxygen consumption was unchanged. Thromboxane receptor blockers significantly relieved the coronary constrictor effect of NPY. The reduction in coronary blood flow was blunted, while heart rate, first derivative of left ventricular pressure, and myocardial oxygen consumption were unchanged. Alleviation by TxA2 receptor blockade paralleled that reported for cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Also, significant increases in coronary venous TxA2 were seen at the time of maximal increases in coronary resistance, while prostacyclin was unchanged. In summary, TxA2 appears to mediate part of the coronary constrictor effect of NPY.
Left ventricular hypertrophy due to volume overload versus pressure overload
Authors: Carabello B. A. , Zile M. R. , Tanaka R. , Cooper G.
Published: December 2017

Left ventricular hemodynamic overload produces an increase in stroke work (SW), which is compensated by the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. However, recent reports question the adequacy of this compensation in mitral regurgitation (MR). Accordingly, we examined the adequacy of compensatory hypertrophy in chronic experimental MR. Six dogs with chronic severe MR were matched according to SW with six dogs that had severe chronic aortic stenosis (ASSW). SW in the two groups was increased identically (40%) compared with normals. However, the hypertrophic response was much greater in the AS group [left ventricular wt (g) to body wt (kg) ratio (LVBW) 4.0 +/- 0.2 normals, 5.0 +/- 0.2 MR, and 7.5 +/- 0.2 ASSW; P < 0.05 MR vs. ASSW]. This differing hypertrophic response increased normalized SW, the area within the stress-volume loop, in MR (90 +/- 5 g) vs. 63 +/- 5 g in ASSW (P < 0.05). Thus in MR, each unit of myocardium had to perform more work than in AS. In a separate comparison, four different dogs with AS (ASHy), which had a similar amount of hypertrophy to the MR dogs (LVBW) (5.0 +/- 0.2 MR, 5.2 +/- 0.2 ASHy) were studied. SW was greater in the MR group, suggesting more SW overload was required to produce similar amounts of hypertrophy in MR vs. AS. Contractile function was depressed in the MR group but not in the AS. These findings indicate that the hypertrophic response to a similar SW demand is less in MR than AS, a response associated with contractile dysfunction in the MR group.
Distribution of coronary collateral blood flow at different levels of collateral growth in conscious ponies
Authors: Boatwright R. B. , Williams D. O. , Rugh K. S. , Sarazan R. D. , Ross C. R. , Garner H. E. , Griggs D. M.
Published: December 2017

Coronary collateral growth was stimulated in chronically instrumented conscious ponies by a previously validated intermittent coronary occlusion method. Changes in regional myocardial function (sonomicrometry) and reactive hyperemia (Doppler method) were used to monitor collateral growth and to program measurements of regional myocardial blood flow (microsphere method). A serial analysis of the transmural and lateral distributions of collateral blood flow was performed at the native and three superimposed levels of collateral growth. Results in nine animals undergoing an average of 553 +/- 188 brief coronary occlusions over 68 +/- 18 days demonstrated that as collateral conductance increased, the perfusion field within the ischemic region increased from the epicardium to the endocardium but not from the lateral edges to the center of the ischemic region. The findings are consistent with an analog model consisting of interarterial collaterals whose collective resistance is in series with arteriolar resistance of the recipient artery. No special protection of deeper myocardial layers by a subendocardial plexus or intramural collaterals was noted. Instead, the findings suggest that coronary extravascular compressive forces play a more important role than the transmural location of collaterals in determining the volume and spatial distribution of collateral blood flow during collateral growth in the pony.
Sodium-calcium exchange-mediated contractions in feline ventricular myocytes
Authors: Nuss H. B. , Houser S. R.
Published: December 2017

The hypothesis that Ca entry by the sarcolemmal Na-Ca exchange mechanism induces sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca release, loads the SR with Ca, and/or directly induces contractions by elevating cytosolic free Ca was tested in voltage-clamped feline ventricular myocytes. Intracellular Na concentration was increased by cellular dialysis to enhance Ca influx via "reverse-mode" Na-Ca exchange at positive membrane potentials, at which the "L-type" Ca current (ICa) should be small. Contractions were induced in the presence of Ca channel antagonists by depolarization to these potentials, suggesting that Ca influx via reverse-mode Na-Ca exchange was involved. These contractions had both phasic (SR related) and tonic components of shortening. They were smaller and began with more delay after depolarization than contractions which involved ICa. The magnitude of shortening was graded by the amount and duration of depolarization, suggesting that Ca influx via reverse-mode Na-Ca exchange has the capacity to induce and grade SR Ca release. Small slow contractions could be evoked in the presence of ryanodine (to impair SR function) and verapamil (to block ICa), supporting the idea that Ca influx via Na-Ca exchange is sufficient to directly activate the contractile proteins. Contractions induced by voltage steps to +10 mV, which were usually small when ICa was blocked, were potentiated if preceded by a voltage step to strongly positive potentials. This potentiation was inhibited by ryanodine, suggesting that Ca entry that occurs by Na-Ca exchange may be important for normal SR Ca loading.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Tissue uptake of insulin and inulin in red and white skeletal muscle in vivo
Authors: Holmang A. , Bjorntorp P. , Rippe B.
Published: December 2017

By employing a tissue uptake technique, the kinetics of the plasma-interstitial equilibration of radiolabeled insulin, inulin, and albumin were followed in four muscles of differing capillarity in anesthetized rats. The soleus muscle (SOL), and the red portion of the gastrocnemius muscle (RG), as well as the extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) and the white portion of the gastrocnemius muscle (WG) were investigated. After constant intravenous tracer infusions and repeated plasma sampling under euglycemic clamp conditions, animals were killed at varying time intervals and the muscles mentioned above were dissected out. The radioactivity of tracer per gram of tissue in each muscle divided by the plasma activity of tracer per milliliter of plasma, i.e., "the plasma equivalent space" of tracer, thus could be followed as a function of time. From this function the permeability-surface area (PS) of inulin as well as the distribution volumes at time 0 (V0) of inulin and insulin and their equilibrium distribution volumes (VE) were assessed. The PS for inulin (in ml.min-1.100 g muscle-1) was 0.52 +/- 0.10 (mean +/- SE) in WG, increasing with more red fibers to 1.37 +/- 0.18 in SOL. Also the inulin interstitial distribution volume (at blood-tissue tracer equilibrium; VE) increased in this order (in ml/100 g) from 7.30 +/- 0.91 in WG to 12.93 +/- 0.89 in SOL. The V0 for insulin was found to be approximately fivefold larger than the plasma volume in each muscle sample, indicating a high degree of binding of insulin to structures within the vascular compartment, conceivably to the vascular endothelium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Capillary length, tortuosity, and spacing in rat myocardium during cardiac cycle
Authors: Batra S. , Rakusan K.
Published: December 2017

Microvascular geometry was evaluated in rat left ventricular midmyocardium (male Sprague-Dawley, n = 14), arrested in systole (S) or diastole (D), by bolus injections of CaCl2 or KCl, respectively. The histological method employed in this study allowed for the visualization of capillary pathways from arteriole to venule. Capillary length, as directly measured from terminal arteriole to collecting venule, was not significantly different between S and D groups, averaging 606 +/- 15 microns (pooled mean +/- SE). The capillary length tortuosity, defined as the ratio of the capillary length to the direct arteriovenous distance, was significantly increased in systolic-arrested hearts (S = 1.31 +/- 0.03; D = 1.18 +/- 0.02, P < 0.01). At the level of individual capillary segments, however, there was no increase in tortuosity in systolic-arrested hearts (S = 1.17 +/- 0.03; D = 1.16 +/- 0.02). Intercapillary spacing was significantly more uniform in systolic-arrested hearts. These data suggest that in systole, capillary length and tortuosity are generally preserved, and capillary spacing is more uniform, serving to maintain geometric conditions for oxygen supply during the cardiac cycle.
Prostacyclin rather than endogenous nitric oxide is a tissue protective factor in myocardial ischemia
Authors: Woditsch I. , Schror K.
Published: December 2017

Nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2) were determined in effluents of Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts subjected to 2 h of global low-flow ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. PGI2 release [6-oxo-prostaglandin (PG) F1 alpha] was significantly enhanced during early reperfusion and remained elevated. NO formation was reduced during ischemia but did increase substantially during reperfusion. Indomethacin (3 microM) significantly suppressed ischemia-related 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha and NO release. This was accompanied by severely diminished myocardial recovery. NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) (100 microM) suppressed NO generation without major effects on 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha generation and cardiac dysfunction but with a remarkable increase in coronary perfusion pressure. These effects of L-NNA were antagonized by L-arginine, whereas the effects of indomethacin were not. There was a substantial loss of creatine kinase specific activity from reperfused ischemic hearts, which was further aggravated by indomethacin but not by L-NNA. These data demonstrate a cardioprotective and endothelium-protective role of PGI2 in myocardial ischemia, which also involves preservation of NO generation. Endogenous NO appears to be important for local regulation of coronary flow.
Reversal by increased CSF [H+] and [K+] of phorbol ester-induced arteriolar constriction in piglets
Authors: Busija D. W. , Chen J.
Published: December 2017

We determined whether several dilator stimuli could counteract phorbol ester-induced constriction of pial arterioles. A closed cranial window was implanted, and the diameter of one pial arteriole was determined by intravital microscopy in newborn pigs. Diameter of one pial arteriole was determined during baseline conditions and topical application of 10(-5) M phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDB) and during subsequent application of one of the following: arterial hypercapnia (inhalation of 10% CO2), topical application of cerebrospinal fluid with 12 mM K+, or topical application of 10(-5) M isoproterenol in cerebrospinal fluid. PDB constricted the arterioles from 101 +/- 5 to 70 +/- 5 microns (27 +/- 4%; n = 28). During this period of constriction which lasted longer than subsequent interventions (> 90 min), arterial hypercapnia dilated the arterioles by 85 +/- 19% (n = 12), and topical 12 mM K+ dilated the arterioles by 59 +/- 12% and caused vasomotion (n = 7). Despite blockade of direct dilator effects of arterial hypercapnia by indomethacin, arterial hypercapnia still reversed phorbol ester-induced constriction, suggesting that acidosis by itself is sufficient to cause this effect. In contrast, topical isoproterenol did not dilate PDB-constricted arterioles (n = 9); however, topical forskolin (2.4 x 10(-7) M) did reverse constriction, implying that protein kinase C activation may interfere with proper functioning of the beta-adrenoceptor. Therefore, increased extracellular fluid levels of K+ and H+, but not isoproterenol, are able to interfere with cerebrovascular consequences of protein kinase C activation.