bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel diazinone derivatives separate myofilament Ca2+ sensitization and phosphodiesterase III inhibitory effects in guinea pig myocardium.
Authors: Ventura C , Miller R , Wolf H P , Beier N , Jonas R , Klockow M , Lues I , Hano O , Spurgeon H A , Lakatta E G
Published: June 2012

The inotropic state of the myocardium can be enhanced via an increase in cell Ca2+ loading or in myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+. Although different pharmacological agents combine these properties, no presently available drug acts predominantly as a myofilament sensitizer in situ. We have investigated the effects and the mechanism of action of novel diazinone derivatives, EMD 54622, EMD 53998, and EMD 54650 (developed by E. Merck, Darmstadt), on guinea pig myocardial preparations. Force- and ATPase-pCa relations in skinned fibers show differing potencies of these agents on myofilament sensitization: EMD 54622 greater than EMD 53998 much greater than EMD 54650. This is in contrast to their relative potencies to inhibit isolated myocardial phosphodiesterase III: EMD 54650 greater than EMD 53998 greater than EMD 54622. In isolated hearts studied at constant coronary flow, each of the three diazinone derivatives had a positive inotropic effect. In enzymatically dissociated left ventricular myocytes loaded with the Ca2+ probe indo-1, the positive inotropic effect of EMD 54622 occurred with no change in the amplitude of the cytosolic [Ca2+] (Cai) transient. In contrast, both EMD 53998 and EMD 54650 enhanced Cai transient and twitch contraction amplitudes. Length-indo-1 fluorescence relations were analyzed to determine the effects of the three substances on myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+. EMD 54622 enhanced and EMD 54650 had no effect on myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+. Less uniform results were obtained with EMD 53998 (in two of five cells the myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+ was increased, whereas in three other cells it was unaltered). Our results indicate that structural changes in the diazinone molecule shift the mechanism of action for the positive inotropic effect of the diazinone derivatives in the intact cell from a predominant myofilament sensitization (EMD 54622) to an enhancement in cell Ca2+ loading and an augmentation in the Cai transient (EMD 54650).
Alpha 1-adrenoreceptor blockade reduces the angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell DNA synthesis in the rat thoracic aorta and carotid artery.
Authors: van Kleef E M , Smits J F , De Mey J G , Cleutjens J P , Lombardi D M , Schwartz S M , Daemen M J
Published: June 2012

We explored effects of alpha 1-adrenoreceptor blockade with prazosin on the increased vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) DNA synthesis induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in rats. Ang II was infused with or without prazosin or its solvent. Observations were compared with those in rats receiving saline or solvent. In group A, Ang II was infused for 2 weeks by subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps at a rate of 35 ng/100 g per minute. Group B received Ang II together with the alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist prazosin (0.35 micrograms/100 g per minute). Group C received Ang II and 50% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), the solvent of prazosin; group D received 50% DMSO; and group E received 0.9% NaCl (Ang II vehicle). All animals were infused with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine for 2 weeks via separate minipumps to measure DNA synthesis. Ang II significantly increased the fraction of DNA synthesizing SMCs in the media of the thoracic aorta from 0.4 +/- 0.1% (mean +/- SD) in group E (n = 6) to 10.8 +/- 7.0% in group A (n = 8). Addition of prazosin to Ang II reduced the labeling fraction of SMCs to 3.0 +/- 2.2% (group B, n = 9). The remaining SMC DNA synthesis in the prazosin-treated group was probably due to the effects of the solvent of prazosin, i.e., 50% DMSO, since infusion of 50% DMSO alone increased the labeling fraction to 4.1 +/- 2.0% (group D, n = 6).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Recruitment of an inotropic reserve in moderately ischemic myocardium at the expense of metabolic recovery. A model of short-term hibernation.
Authors: Schulz R , Guth B D , Pieper K , Martin C , Heusch G
Published: June 2012

The regional, functional as well as metabolic consequences of inotropic stimulation on myocardium subjected to prolonged moderate ischemia were investigated. In 35 enflurane-anesthetized swine the left anterior descending coronary artery was cannulated and perfused at constant flow. The vein paralleling the left anterior descending coronary artery was cannulated for measurement of lactate and oxygen content. Transmural biopsies from the anterior myocardium were taken for the measurement of ATP, creatine phosphate, and glycogen. After control measurements, flow was adjusted to reduce regional contractile function (expressed as a work index, determined by sonomicrometry) by approximately 50%. After either 5, 25, 40, or 85 minutes of moderate ischemia, dobutamine was infused for 5 minutes into the ischemic region. In a separate group of five swine also subjected to 85 minutes of ischemia followed by infusion of dobutamine and 2 hours of reperfusion, triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and light microscopy were used to identify infarcted tissue. Moderate ischemia (regional myocardial blood flow, 0.21 +/- 0.07 ml.min-1.g-1, determined by radiolabeled microspheres) was associated with a reduction of creatine phosphate after 5 minutes (from 9.35 +/- 2.54 to 6.43 +/- 1.06 mumol/g wet wt, p less than 0.05) and a further reduction after 25 minutes (3.18 +/- 0.69 mumol/g wet wt, p less than 0.05). Thereafter, creatine phosphate recovered despite continued ischemia (after 40 minutes, 4.95 +/- 1.37 mumol/g wet wt; after 85 minutes, 5.78 +/- 2.27 mumol/g wet wt). Lactate consumption during control conditions was reversed to production after 5 minutes of ischemia, which moderated during more prolonged ischemia. Without changing regional myocardial blood flow, infusion of dobutamine increased the work index significantly at any time point but also caused worsening of metabolic markers of ischemia. Nevertheless, even after 85 minutes of ischemia followed by the infusion of dobutamine and 2 hours of reperfusion, there was no evidence of necrosis. This experimental model provides a means of characterizing the mechanisms of short-term hibernation.
Nitric oxide modulates coronary autoregulation in the guinea pig.
Authors: Ueeda M , Silvia S K , Olsson R A
Published: June 2012

A guinea pig heart Langendorff preparation was used in the present study to test the hypothesis that the coronary endothelium modulates coronary autoregulation through the production of nitric oxide (NO). Pacing at 250 beats per minute and venting the left ventricle to ensure that the hearts did no external work were performed in an attempt to reduce the metabolic stimulus to coronary vasomotion and keep it constant. We measured the responses of coronary flow and oxygen metabolism to stepwise changes of the perfusion pressure over the range between 18 and 85 mm Hg. The hearts exhibited autoregulation between 25 and 55 mm Hg and active vasodilation at perfusion pressures above that range. Perfusion with 100 microM NG-nitro-L-arginine (NNLA), an inhibitor of NO synthase, decreased coronary flow over the entire range of perfusion pressures and abolished active vasodilation over 65 mm Hg, thus widening the autoregulatory range. The administration of 200 microM L-arginine, but not D-arginine, reversed the action of NNLA. Inhibition of the cyclooxygenase pathway by 10 microM indomethacin did not affect autoregulation. Perfusion with 1 nM arginine vasopressin, a direct smooth muscle constrictor, lowered coronary flow rate to the same extent as NNLA at 55 mm Hg but did not prevent the pressure-dependent increase in flow above that pressure. These observations suggest that 1) the coronary endothelium actively modulates coronary autoregulation through the production of NO but not prostanoids, 2) mechanical stress (shear stress and/or stretching secondary to vasodilation) may be the stimulus to NO production, especially above the autoregulatory range, and 3) autoregulatory tone is likely to be myogenic in origin rather than mediated by extrinsic vasoconstrictors.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide mediates nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside-induced vasodilation in feline cerebral arterioles.
Authors: Wei E P , Moskowitz M A , Boccalini P , Kontos H A
Published: June 2012

The cerebral vasodilator response induced by topical nitroglycerin and nitroprusside was examined in cats equipped with cranial windows for the observation of the cerebral microcirculation. In cats subjected to chronic unilateral trigeminal ganglionectomy, the vasodilator responses to nitroprusside and nitroglycerin were markedly depressed on the denervated side. Application of a selective calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist [CGRP(8-37)] on the innervated side reduced the response to nitrodilators to the same extent as seen on the denervated side. The vasodilator response to acetylcholine was unaffected by trigeminal ganglionectomy. CGRP(8-37) almost abolished the vasodilator response to nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside and to CGRP, but did not affect the response to adenosine or to adenosine diphosphate. Pretreatment with LY83583, a drug that lowers cyclic GMP levels, diminished the vasodilation to CGRP and to nitroprusside but not to adenosine. We conclude that the nitrovasodilators activate sensory fibers to release CGRP, which in turn relaxes cerebral vascular smooth muscle by activating guanylate cyclase. Hence, nitrovasodilators possess a novel mechanism of action within the cephalic circulation which may explain both the occurrence of vasodilation and headache.
Subcellular distribution of beta 2-adrenergic receptors delineated with quantitative ultrastructural autoradiography of radioligand binding sites.
Authors: Saffitz J E , Liggett S B
Published: June 2012

beta-Adrenergic receptors play a critical role in signal transduction in the cardiovascular system. Regulation of beta-adrenergic receptor expression depends on multiple factors, including rates of synthesis and degradation of receptor protein and trafficking of receptors between the cell surface and putative intracellular compartments. To characterize the subcellular distribution of beta-adrenergic receptors and to delineate the ultrastructure of intracellular compartments in which adrenergic receptors reside in the steady state, we studied Chinese hamster fibroblast cells transfected with the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene. beta 2-Adrenergic receptors of these cells were covalently labeled with the lipophilic photoactivatable antagonist [125I]iodocyanopindolol diazarine, and specific radioligand binding sites were localized at the ultrastructural level of resolution with quantitative electron microscopic autoradiography. The density of beta 2-adrenergic receptors was approximately 100-fold greater in the plasmalemma than in any other compartment. Approximately 50% of total cellular receptors were identified on the cell surface in an apparently random, nonclustered distribution and without association with clathrin-coated pits or other cell surface structural specializations. The remaining receptors were distributed among intracellular membranous compartments, including smooth vesicles, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi apparatus, organelles presumably involved in stages of receptor synthesis, degradation, or trafficking. In the basal state, there was no association of beta 2-adrenergic receptors with coated intracellular vesicles typical of the endocytotic pathway of selected cell surface receptors that function to internalize their extracellular ligands. These results are the first to rigorously quantify the subcellular distribution of beta-adrenergic receptors and unequivocally establish the presence of a substantial pool of intracellular receptors.
Verapamil diminishes action potential changes during metabolic inhibition by blocking ATP-regulated potassium currents.
Authors: Kimura S , Bassett A L , Xi H , Myerburg R J
Published: June 2012

Verapamil has beneficial effects on ischemic myocardium, including reduction in electrophysiological derangements, prevention of intracellular K+ loss, and preservation of high-energy phosphates, but the mechanisms underlying these actions are not clear. Recent studies have demonstrated a role of ATP-regulated K+ (KATP) current in action potential shortening and K+ loss during ischemia and metabolic inhibition. Therefore, we studied the effects of verapamil on KATP current in feline ventricular myocytes to test the hypothesis that the drug prevents ischemic electrophysiological disturbances by affecting the KATP channel. Membrane potentials and currents were recorded using standard patch-clamp techniques. During 15-minute superfusion with 1 mM CN-, action potential duration measured at 90% repolarization was reduced from 259 +/- 12 to 98 +/- 15 msec (62% reduction) in the absence of verapamil and from 266 +/- 11 to 183 +/- 16 msec (31% reduction) in the presence of 2 microM verapamil (p less than 0.01). In inside-out membrane patches, the KATP current, activated in the absence of ATP, was significantly suppressed by intracellular application of 2 microM verapamil, but the single-channel conductance was not changed. Verapamil did not change the mean open and closed times of the channel within bursts (e.g., the mean open time was 1.92 +/- 0.18 and 1.82 +/- 0.21 msec in the absence and presence of 2 microM verapamil, respectively), but it shortened the mean lifetime of bursts from 41.1 +/- 3.5 to 24.9 +/- 2.8 msec (p less than 0.01) and prolonged the closed time between bursts from 39.4 +/- 4.6 to 78.5 +/- 5.1 msec (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Quantification of hydroxyl radical and its lack of relevance to myocardial injury during early reperfusion after graded ischemia in rat hearts.
Authors: Takemura G , Onodera T , Ashraf M
Published: June 2012

To elucidate the pathophysiological role of the hydroxyl radical (.OH) during the postischemic reperfusion of the heart, we measured the .OH product in the coronary effluent from isolated perfused rat heart during a 30-minute reperfusion period after various ischemic intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 60 minutes. Salicylic acid was used as the probe for .OH, and its derivative, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHBA), was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. 2,5-DHBA was negligible in the effluent from nonischemic hearts, but a significant amount was detected from the hearts rendered ischemic for 10 minutes or longer. The peak of 2,5-DHBA was seen within 90 seconds after the onset of reperfusion in every group. The accumulated amount of 2,5-DHBA was maximal in the group with 15-minute ischemia (6.73 +/- 1.04 nmol/g wet heart wt after 30 minutes of reperfusion); it decreased as the ischemic time was prolonged and was 2.38 +/- 0.84 nmol/g wet wt after 30 minutes of reperfusion in the group with 60-minute ischemia. In the model of 15-minute ischemia/30-minute reperfusion, there was no correlation between the accumulated amount of 2,5-DHBA and functional recovery (+/- dP/dt, heart rate, and coronary flow), lactate dehydrogenase release, and morphological damage. Although treatment with 0.5 mM deferoxamine, an iron chelator, significantly decreased 2,5-DHBA (from 6.73 +/- 1.04 to 2.29 +/- 0.80 nmol/g wet wt after 30 minutes of reperfusion, p less than 0.01), it failed to reduce the postischemic myocardial injury in the group with 15-minute ischemia. The results suggest that .OH production is influenced by the preceding ischemic interval and that .OH does not exert an immediate direct effect on postischemic damage during early reperfusion in the isolated perfused rat heart, although a possibility remains that the small portion of .OH trapped by salicylic acid may not be intimately associated with myocardial injury.
Persisting zones of slow impulse conduction in developing chicken hearts.
Authors: de Jong F , Opthof T , Wilde A A , Janse M J , Charles R , Lamers W H , Moorman A F
Published: June 2012

We performed a correlative electrophysiological and immunohistochemical study of embryonic chicken hearts during the septational period (Hamburger and Hamilton stages 13-31 [2-7 days of incubation]). The analyses yield conclusive evidence for slow conduction, up to 7 days of development, in the outflow tract, in the atrioventricular canal, and in the sinoatrial junction. The conduction velocity remains approximately 1 cm/sec in the outflow tract and increases in the ventricle 20-fold to approximately 20 cm/sec between 2 and 7 days of development. Transmembrane potentials of myocytes in the outflow tract and atrioventricular canal slowly rise (less than 5 V/sec), whereas in the atrium and ventricle, the upstroke velocity is eightfold to 13-fold higher. In the outflow tract, repolarization is completed only after the start of the next cycle. Because of the persistence of slow conduction, the myocardium flanking the developing atria and ventricle is thought to represent segments of persisting "primary" myocardium, whereas the more rapidly conducting "working" myocardium of the ventricle and atria is thought to represent more advanced stages of myocardial differentiation. The persisting primary myocardium was characterized by a continued coexpression of both the atrial and ventricular isoforms of myosin heavy chain. The developing atria and ventricle could be demarcated morphologically from the primary myocardium because the free walls of these segments only express their respective isoforms of myosin heavy chain. The slowly conducting myocardial zones appear to be essential for the function of the embryonic heart because 1) they provide the septating heart with alternating segments of slow and relatively fast conduction necessary for consecutive contraction of the atrial and ventricular segments and 2) their sphincterlike prolonged peristaltic contraction pattern can substitute for the adult type of one-way valves that start to develop at the end of septation.
Mechanism of flecainide's antiarrhythmic action in experimental atrial fibrillation.
Authors: Wang Z , Pagé P , Nattel S
Published: June 2012

Class Ic antiarrhythmic drugs are effective in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, but their mechanism of action is unknown. In previous work, we have found that flecainide causes tachycardia-dependent increases in atrial action potential duration (APD) and effective refractory period (ERP) by reducing APD accommodation to heart rate. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and mechanisms of action of flecainide in an experimental model of sustained atrial fibrillation (AF). AF was produced by a brief burst of atrial pacing in the presence of vagal stimulation and persisted spontaneously until vagal stimulation was stopped. The actions of flecainide at two dose levels were compared with those of isotonic glucose placebo in each dog, with a randomized order of blinded drug administration. Flecainide terminated AF in all 16 dogs, while glucose was effective in none (p less than 0.0001). Flecainide increased atrial ERP and reduced conduction velocity in a tachycardia-dependent manner. Doses of flecainide that converted AF resulted in larger changes in ERP than in conduction velocity, increasing the minimum path-length capable of supporting reentry (wavelength). In addition, flecainide reduced regional heterogeneity in ERP and wavelength, an action opposite that of vagal stimulation. Atrial epicardial mapping with a 112-electrode atrial array was used to study the mechanism of flecainide action on AF. Under control conditions, multiple small zones of reentry coexisted. Flecainide progressively increased the size of reentry circuits, decreased their number, and slowed the frequency of atrial activation until the arrhythmia finally terminated; all changes were compatible with an increase in wavelength. We conclude that flecainide terminates atrial fibrillation in this experimental model by causing tachycardia-dependent increases in atrial ERP, which increase the wavelength at the rapid rates characteristic of AF to the point that the arrhythmia can no longer sustain itself.
Mechanism of ergonovine-induced hyperconstriction of the large epicardial coronary artery in conscious dogs a month after arterial injury.
Authors: Egashira K , Tomoike H , Hayashi Y , Yamada A , Nakamura M , Takeshita A
Published: June 2012

This study investigated the mechanism of ergonovine-induced hyperconstriction of coronary artery in conscious dogs that had undergone endothelial denudation one month earlier. The diameter of the large epicardial coronary artery was continuously measured by a sonomicrometer in 12 dogs in which two pairs of 10-MHz piezoelectric crystals had been surgically implanted at the denuded and nondenuded sites of coronary arteries. A month after the endothelial denudation, intravenous ergonovine (0.01, 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg) produced transient dilation followed by dose-dependent constriction. The degrees of dilation were comparable between the denuded and nondenuded sites. The magnitudes of constriction induced by ergonovine were significantly larger in the denuded site than in the nondenuded site: the percent reductions in diameter evoked with 0.3 mg ergonovine were 14.4 +/- 2.3% and 3.8 +/- 0.8% (p less than 0.01) at the denuded and nondenuded sites, respectively. The magnitudes of constriction induced by intravenous phenylephrine (0.02, 0.06, and 0.2 mg) were comparable in the denuded and nondenuded sites. Methysergide (a nonselective serotonergic blocker) in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg significantly inhibited vasoconstriction induced by ergonovine (0.3 mg) from 13.1 +/- 1.1% to 2.7 +/- 1.0% (p less than 0.01) at the denuded site and from 4.2 +/- 0.6% to 0.8 +/- 0.3% (p less than 0.05) at the nondenuded site. Diltiazem (1.0 mg/kg) selectively inhibited the ergonovine-induced hyperconstriction. Ketanserin (0.5 mg/kg), prazosin (1.0 mg/kg), or indomethacin (5.0 mg/kg) did not prevent the ergonovine-induced hyperconstriction. Histological study revealed intimal thickening and regenerated endothelium in the denuded site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Mechanical matching of the left ventricle with the arterial system in exercising dogs.
Authors: Hayashida K , Sunagawa K , Noma M , Sugimachi M , Ando H , Nakamura M
Published: June 2012

We investigated how changes in ventricular contractility and arterial properties associated with exercise influence the energy transmission from the left ventricle to the arterial system. On six chronically instrumented dogs preconditioned to run on a treadmill, we imposed exercise loads of various degrees by altering the speed and slope of the treadmill (up to 7 km/hr and 20% slope). We evaluated ventricular contractility by end-systolic elastance (Ees) and arterial properties in terms of the effective arterial elastance (Ea). Ea was estimated by the ratio of mean aortic pressure to stroke volume. With exercise, Ees significantly increased from 7.6 +/- 1.7 to 10.9 +/- 2.6 mm Hg/ml (p less than 0.005), and Ea tended to increase from 4.9 +/- 1.4 to 6.7 +/- 1.8 mm Hg/ml (p = 0.068), whereas the ratio of Ea to Ees remained fairly constant (from 0.69 +/- 0.26 to 0.63 +/- 0.21, NS). The mechanical optimality index, defined as the ratio of stroke work to its theoretically derived maximal value, was 0.93 +/- 0.07 at rest and 0.92 +/- 0.08 at peak exercise. Similarly, the metabolic optimality index, defined as the ratio of cardiac oxygen consumption to stroke work conversion efficiency and its theoretical maximal value, was 0.98 +/- 0.02 at rest and 0.99 +/- 0.01 at peak exercise (NS). We conclude that external work of the left ventricle of these dogs was at a near maximal level for a given preload during exercise as well as at rest without compromising the conversion efficiency of metabolic energy to stroke work.
Heparin adheres to the damaged arterial wall and inhibits its thrombogenicity.
Authors: Araki H , Muramoto J , Nishi K , Jougasaki M , Inoue M
Published: June 2012

Heparin binds to thrombogenic extracellular matrices as well as to smooth muscle cells of the vascular wall in vitro. The inhibitory effects of heparin on thrombogenicity of the damaged arterial wall were examined in vivo using small mesenteric arteries of rats and a video recording system attached to a microscope. To induce thrombosis, we damaged the vessel wall over a short segment by compression and exposed the media to the blood stream. A platelet-rich thrombus enlarged gradually at the damaged site, occluded the vascular lumen for a short period, and then flowed away. Compression damage induced such thrombus formation several times. Heparin (500 units/ml) was given in three different ways: intravenous and intra-arterial administration (both 300 units/kg) and intraluminal application under stopped-flow conditions (less than 0.01 ml) for 1-2 minutes with subsequent draining out. Intravenous heparin significantly decreased both the total duration and the number of thrombotic occlusions, whereas intra-arterial heparin abolished thrombotic occlusion. Both routes of heparin administration similarly prolonged the blood coagulation time. Intraluminal application of heparin significantly inhibited subsequent thrombus formation after restoring the flow without changes in the blood coagulation time. After an intra-arterial administration or intraluminal application of fluorescein isothiocyanate-bound heparin, strong fluorescence was observed only at the damaged vascular segment. A heparin fraction with low affinity to antithrombin III or chondroitin sulfate A did not inhibit thrombosis. To clarify anticoagulant activity of vascular wall-bound heparin, damaged carotid arterial segments of rats were incubated (inside out) in platelet-poor plasma with thrombin, and fibrin clot formation around the segments with or without heparin binding was measured.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
In vitro effects of a recombinant toxin targeted to the fibroblast growth factor receptor on rat vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells.
Authors: Biro S , Siegall C B , Fu Y M , Speir E , Pastan I , Epstein S E
Published: June 2012

The dominant mechanism responsible for restenosis after angioplasty is believed to be the activation of medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs), leading to their proliferation, migration to the subintima, and further proliferation. To develop novel strategies that might inhibit or prevent restenosis, we previously used a chimeric toxin composed of transforming growth factor-alpha (which targets the epidermal growth factor receptor) and mutated Pseudomonas exotoxin to preferentially recognize and kill rapidly proliferating, versus quiescent, vascular SMCs. We have recently cloned and expressed a recombinant gene encoding Pseudomonas exotoxin with a mutated (nonfunctional) cell recognition domain fused with the ligand acidic fibroblast growth factor, termed aFGF-PE66(4Glu)KDEL; thus, this recombinant toxin targets the fibroblast growth factor receptor. In the present study, we evaluated the relative effects of this chimeric toxin on quiescent versus rapidly proliferating vascular SMCs and also determined whether aFGF-PE66(4Glu)KDEL exerted different effects on SMCs versus endothelial cells. Rapidly proliferating SMCs (grown in 10% fetal bovine serum) were very sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of aFGF-PE66(4Glu)KDEL, whereas cytotoxicity was significantly less when the SMCs were in a quiescent state (grown in medium supplemented with 0.5% fetal bovine serum). The chimeric toxin was also significantly less cytotoxic against endothelial cells. Competition studies using excess acidic fibroblast growth factor indicated that the cytotoxic effects are specifically mediated by the fibroblast growth factor receptor. Thus, the present studies suggest a potentially expanded role of recombinant toxin therapy in restenosis: multiple receptors can be targeted, and cytotoxic effects, at least in vitro, can be preferentially directed to rapidly proliferating vascular SMCs, with relative sparing of vascular endothelial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Differential effects of elevating [K]o on three transient outward potassium channels. Dependence on channel inactivation mechanisms.
Authors: Tseng G N , Tseng-Crank J
Published: June 2012

We carried out a systematic study on the effects of elevating [K]o on the properties of a transient outward potassium channel encoded by a cardiac cDNA (RHK1) and compared them with those on two Shaker potassium channels (H-4 and H-37). The amino acid sequences of all three channels are known, and their structure-function relations have been partially characterized. All three channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and studied under double-microelectrode voltage-clamp conditions. For all three channels, elevating [K]o caused an increase in the channels' chord conductances and a negative shift in the calculated activation curves. However, in other aspects of channel properties that are related to the channels' inactivation processes, there were differences in the changes induced by increasing [K]o: 1) Elevating [K]o caused a positive shift in the steady-state inactivation curves of RHK1 and H-4 but did not cause any shift in H-37. 2) Elevating [K]o slowed the time course of inactivation of H-37 but did not cause any significant changes in the time course of RHK1 or H-4. 3) Elevating [K]o accelerated the rate of recovery from inactivation of RHK1 and H-4 but slowed the recovery time course of H-37. Our experiments show that elevating [K]o can cause a wide range of effects on the transient outward potassium channels. Furthermore, raising [K]o induced similar changes in RHK1 and H-4 (inactivation mediated by an "N-type" mechanism) that were different from the changes in H-37 (inactivation mediated by a "C-type" mechanism). Therefore, our data suggest that part of the effects of elevating [K]o on channel properties may depend on the channel's inactivation mechanism. This hypothesis is supported by results from experiments studying the effects of elevating [K]o on a mutant RHK1 channel (RHK1 delta 3-25), which apparently lacks the N-type and C-type inactivation mechanisms.
Effects of hypoxia on heparan sulfate in bovine aortic and pulmonary artery endothelial cells.
Authors: Karlinsky J B , Rounds S , Farber H W
Published: June 2012

Newly synthesized heparan sulfates purified from the cell layer of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) and main pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs) cultured under either normoxic (21% oxygen) or hypoxic (3% oxygen) conditions were characterized by size, charge, and capacity to bind to antithrombin III. Incorporation of radiolabeled sulfate into cell layer-associated heparan sulfate was reduced by 70% in BAECs and by 45% in BPAECs during exposure to 3% oxygen; degradation of radiolabeled heparan sulfate was not affected by hypoxia. However, the percentage of total radiolabeled heparan sulfate that bound to antithrombin III was increased by 33% for BAECs and by 120% for BPAECs when compared with radiolabeled heparan sulfate synthesized during the 21% oxygen exposure. Both the high- and low-antithrombin III affinity radiolabeled heparan sulfate consisted of two components of different sizes; the low-affinity components (mean sizes, 60 and 40 kd) generated under normoxic conditions were smaller than their respective high-affinity components (mean sizes, 70 and 55 kd) by molecular sieve chromatography. The components of low-antithrombin III affinity heparan sulfate generated during exposure to 3% oxygen were increased in size compared with the corresponding low-affinity components generated during the 21% oxygen exposure for both BPAECs and BAECs. In addition, the amount of the larger high-antithrombin III affinity component was reduced in both cell types exposed to hypoxia. There was no difference in functional heparin-like activity per dish between cells cultured at 3% and 21% oxygen; BAECs had twofold to threefold greater activity per dish than did BPAECs at both levels of oxygen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Role of endothelium-derived prostaglandins in hypoxia-elicited arteriolar dilation in rat skeletal muscle.
Authors: Messina E J , Sun D , Koller A , Wolin M S , Kaley G
Published: June 2012

The aims of the present study were to determine the response of rat cremaster muscle first-order arterioles to hypoxia and the role of endothelium-derived prostaglandins in the response. Isolated arterioles were cannulated, pressurized to 65 mm Hg, and studied in a no-flow condition in a bath containing Krebs' bicarbonate solution, pH 7.4, equilibrated with 21% O2-5% CO2-74% N2 (PO2, 150 mm Hg) or 95% N2-5% CO2 (PO2, 15 mm Hg [hypoxia]). Responses to hypoxia and vasoactive substances were studied before and after removal of the endothelium or blockade of prostaglandin synthesis by the administration of indomethacin (10(-5) M). Addition to the suffusion solution of arachidonic acid (10(-7) and 10(-6) M), prostaglandin E2 (10(-9) and 10(-8) M), acetylcholine (10(-8) and 10(-6) M), or sodium nitroprusside (10(-8) M) evoked significant arteriolar dilation. When the bath PO2 was reduced from 150 to 15 mm Hg, arteriolar diameters increased by 58.8 +/- 9.3 microns (61%). Removal of the endothelium completely inhibited responses to hypoxia, acetylcholine, and arachidonic acid, whereas responses to sodium nitroprusside and prostaglandin E2 remained unaltered. In arterioles with an intact endothelium, indomethacin completely inhibited the responses to hypoxia and arachidonic acid, whereas responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were unaltered. These findings support the conclusion that endothelium-derived prostaglandins mediate the arteriolar dilation to hypoxia in rat skeletal muscle arterioles.
Effects of fibrous cap thickness on peak circumferential stress in model atherosclerotic vessels.
Authors: Loree H M , Kamm R D , Stringfellow R G , Lee R T
Published: June 2012

It is likely that factors other than stenosis severity predispose some atherosclerotic plaques to rupture. Because focal increases in circumferential stress may be an important mechanism of plaque rupture, we examined peak circumferential stress of atherosclerotic lesions by using finite element analysis based on idealized two-dimensional cross sections of diseased vessels similar to intravascular ultrasound images. The study was designed to test the hypothesis that subintimal plaque structural features such as thickness of the fibrous cap are more important factors in the distribution of stress in the plaque than stenosis severity. The analysis incorporated equilibrium biomechanical parameters from normal and diseased vessels and determined the stress distribution within the plaque at a mean luminal internal pressure of 110 mm Hg. With a constant luminal area reduction of 70%, maximum circumferential stress (sigma max) normalized to luminal pressure (sigma max/P) increased from 6.0 to 24.8 as the thickness of the lipid pool was increased from 38% to 54% of the plaque thickness because of the thinner fibrous cap over the lipid pool. When the lipid pool thickness was constant, increasing the stenosis severity from 70% to 91% by increasing the fibrous cap thickness decreased sigma max/P from 24.8 to 4.7. When no lipid pool was present and the stenosis severity was increased from 70% to 99%, sigma max/P decreased from 5.3 to 4.7. Thus, reducing the fibrous cap thickness dramatically increases peak circumferential stress in the plaque, whereas increasing the stenosis severity actually decreases peak stress in the plaque.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Microvascular sites and mechanisms responsible for reactive hyperemia in the coronary circulation of the beating canine heart.
Authors: Kanatsuka H , Sekiguchi N , Sato K , Akai K , Wang Y , Komaru T , Ashikawa K , Takishima T
Published: June 2012

Our aim was to elucidate the site and mechanism responsible for reactive hyperemia in coronary circulation. In in vivo beating canine hearts, microvessels of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were observed through a microscope equipped with a floating objective. Flow velocity of the LAD was measured with a suction-type Doppler probe. The LAD was occluded for 20 or 30 seconds and then released, and reactive hyperemia was observed before and after 8-phenyltheophylline (7.5 mg/kg i.v.) or glibenclamide (200 micrograms/kg into the LAD) infusion. During the occlusion, only arterial microvessels smaller than 100 microns in diameter dilated. Dilation of those vessels was partially attenuated by 8-phenyltheophylline and completely abolished with glibenclamide. In the early phase of reactive hyperemia, all arterial microvessels dilated, and the magnitude of peak dilation was greater in vessels smaller than 100 microns compared with those larger than 100 microns. Vasodilation during reactive hyperemia ceased within 60 seconds in vessels smaller than 100 microns but was sustained for more than 120 seconds in those larger than 100 microns. 8-Phenyltheophylline did not change peak dilation of arterial microvessels but reduced dilation after the peak. Glibenclamide remarkably attenuated dilation of all arterial microvessels in the whole phase of reactive hyperemia. These results indicate that all arterial microvessels are responsible for reactive hyperemia after coronary artery occlusions of 20-30 seconds, but there is greater participation of vessels smaller than 100 microns in the early phase of reactive hyperemia. Dilation of vessels larger than 100 microns assumes an important role in the later phase. ATP-sensitive K+ channels mediate dilation of arterial microvessels both in brief ischemia and reactive hyperemia.
Cellular mechanisms for synthesis and secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide in cultured rat atrial cells.
Authors: Suzuki E , Hirata Y , Kohmoto O , Sugimoto T , Hayakawa H , Matsuoka H , Sugimoto T , Kojima M , Kangawa K , Minamino N
Published: June 2012

To investigate the cellular mechanism for the synthesis and secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), we examined the effects of vasoactive agents on the secretion rates and gene expression of ANP and BNP in cultured rat atrial cells. Endothelin (10(-7) M, +61%), 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA, 10(-6) M, +62%), the calcium ionophore A23187 (10(-6) M, +95%), and Bay K 8644 (10(-6) M, +34%) (p < 0.05 each) all increased the secretion of ANP into the culture media in a dose-dependent fashion. On the other hand, endothelin (10(-7) M, +57%) and TPA (10(-6) M, +55%) (p < 0.01 each) increased the secretion of BNP in a dose-dependent manner, whereas A23187 (10(-6) M, -45%, p < 0.001) suppressed the secretion of BNP in a dose-dependent manner, and Bay K 8644 caused no significant effects on BNP secretion. The molecular forms of intracellular ANP were exclusively gamma-ANP, whereas those of BNP were gamma-BNP and its carboxy terminal 45-amino-acid peptide, BNP-45. The ratio of media to cell contents was much higher in BNP than in ANP. Northern blot analysis revealed that both ANP mRNA and BNP mRNA levels were significantly increased by 10(-7) M endothelin (ANP mRNA, +52%; BNP mRNA, +36%; p < 0.05 each) and 5 x 10(-5) M 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (ANP mRNA, +296%; BNP mRNA, +133%; p < 0.01 each) but not by 10(-6) M A23187. Thus, the secretion of ANP is stimulated by both the elevation of [Ca2+]i and the activation of protein kinase C, whereas its synthesis is increased mainly by the activation of protein kinase C. The synthesis and secretion of BNP are augmented by the activation of protein kinase C rather than the elevation of [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, the processing and secretion of ANP and BNP may be regulated in different manners.
Product inhibition of the actomyosin subfragment-1 ATPase in skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.
Authors: Drew J S , Harwalkar V A , Stein L A
Published: June 2012

We studied product inhibition of the actin-activated ATPase of myosin subfragment-1 (S-1) from the three types of muscle tissue: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth. Increasing levels of [MgADP] in the 0-1-mM range caused significant inhibition of the actin-activated MgATPase activity of cardiac and gizzard but not skeletal muscle S-1. When total nucleotide concentration ([ATP] + [ADP]) was kept constant at 1 mM, ATPase activity was inhibited by 50% at an ADP/ATP ratio of 6:1 for cardiac S-1 and 3:1 for gizzard S-1. For skeletal S-1, however, even a 19:1 ratio did not cause 50% inhibition of ATPase activity. The observed effect was not due to changes in pH or inorganic phosphate concentration, nor could it be explained by substrate (ATP) depletion. In the absence of actin, ADP had little or no inhibitory effect on the ATPase activity of S-1, and these observations imply that ADP is competing directly for the ATP binding site of the actin-S1 complexes of cardiac and smooth muscle S-1. ADP has previously been shown to be a weak competitive inhibitor of the ATPase activity in skeletal muscle. The current data imply that ADP is a very effective competitive inhibitor for the actin-activated ATPase activity of cardiac and gizzard S-1 and, therefore, that ADP may be a physiologically important modulator of contractile activity in cardiac and smooth muscle.
Partial coronary stenosis is sufficient and complete reperfusion is mandatory for preconditioning the canine heart.
Authors: Ovize M , Przyklenk K , Kloner R A
Published: June 2012

Repeated brief episodes of total coronary artery occlusion (i.e., severe ischemia), each separated by brief periods of reperfusion, reduce infarct size after a subsequent sustained ischemia. The importance of the intensity of ischemia during these coronary artery occlusions and the role of the following transient reflow are poorly understood. Therefore, our objective was to determine whether moderate preconditioning ischemia induced by partial coronary artery stenosis (reducing coronary flow to approximately 50% of its baseline values), with or without a brief period of total reperfusion, could precondition the canine myocardium. Dogs were randomized to receive one of three preconditioning "treatments": the R(-) group underwent 15 minutes of partial coronary stenosis without subsequent brief reperfusion (n = 8); the R(+) group underwent 15 minutes of partial coronary stenosis followed by 10 minutes of full reflow (n = 8); and the control group underwent no intervention (n = 8). All dogs then underwent 1 hour of total coronary artery occlusion and 4.5 hours of reperfusion. Both treated groups were equally and moderately ischemic during partial stenosis: myocardial blood flow in the inner two thirds of the left ventricular wall averaged 0.25 +/- 0.05 and 0.31 +/- 0.07 ml/min per gram in the R(-) and R(+) groups, respectively (p = NS). Furthermore, all three groups were equally and severely ischemic during sustained total occlusion: myocardial blood flow in the inner two thirds of the left ventricular wall averaged 0.06 +/- 0.05, 0.05 +/- 0.03, and 0.07 +/- 0.03 ml/min/g in control, R(-), and R(+) groups, respectively (p = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Brain death-induced impairment of cardiac contractile performance can be reversed by explantation and may not preclude the use of hearts for transplantation.
Authors: Galiñanes M , Hearse D J
Published: June 2012

The shortage of suitable donor hearts for cardiac transplantation is exacerbated by the exclusion of those that exhibit contractile malfunction during the period after brain death but before excision. We have replicated the phenomenon of brain death-induced hemodynamic deterioration in the rat in vivo. After 60 minutes of brain death (defined as the absence of electrical activity in the brain), a variety of indicators of cardiac contractile function fell by approximately 50% (thus cardiac index fell from 21 +/- 2 to 11 +/- 1 ml/min per 100 g body weight). However, once excised and perfused ex vivo, the hearts recovered a level of cardiac function that was identical to that from control animals that had not been subjected to brain death. Similarly, when hearts were excised, stored (6 hours at 4 degrees C), and reperfused ex vivo with blood, they also recovered a functional capability identical to that of normal hearts from animals that had not been subjected to brain death. Our results question whether hemodynamic instability in brain-dead individuals is necessarily an irreversible detrimental cardiac phenomenon and whether these hearts should be excluded from transplantation.
Inward sodium current at resting potentials in single cardiac myocytes induced by the ischemic metabolite lysophosphatidylcholine.
Authors: Undrovinas A I , Fleidervish I A , Makielski J C
Published: June 2012

To investigate possible ionic current mechanisms underlying ischemic arrhythmias, we studied single Na+ channel currents in rat and rabbit cardiac myocytes treated with the ischemic metabolite lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) using the cell-attached and excised inside-out patch-clamp technique at 22 degrees C. LPC has been reported previously to reduce open probability and to induce sustained open channel activity at depolarized potentials. We now report two new observations for Na+ currents in LPC-treated patches: 1) The activation-voltage relation of the peak of the ensemble currents is shifted in the negative (hyperpolarizing) direction by approximately 20 mV compared with control currents. This effect was observed in all patches for depolarizations from a holding potential of -150 mV to different test potentials. 2) In some LPC-treated patches, Na+ channels exhibited sustained bursting activity at potentials as negative as -150 mV, giving a nondecaying inward current. This bursting activity was accompanied by double and triple simultaneous openings and closings, suggesting tight cooperativity in channel gating. These LPC-modified channels were identified as Na+ channels, because their unitary conductance was the same as Na+ channels in control solutions, because the single channel current-voltage relation was extrapolated to reverse at the Na+ Nernst potential, and because the current was blocked by the local anesthetic QX-222. This novel depolarizing current may play a role in the electrophysiological abnormalities in ischemia, including abnormal automaticity and reentrant arrhythmias, and could be a target for antiarrhythmic drugs.
Age-related appearance of outward currents may contribute to developmental differences in ventricular repolarization.
Authors: Jeck C D , Boyden P A
Published: June 2012

Ventricular repolarization significantly influences contractility, refractoriness, and ion channel state. Factors affecting repolarization will thus affect these secondary phenomena. To understand the influence of age on ventricular repolarization, we studied neonatal, young, and adult dogs using electrocardiogram, action potential, and whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from single epicardial myocytes. Hearts of neonatal and 57-58-day-old dogs require a significantly longer time for repolarization than those of adult dogs, as determined by analysis of rate-corrected QT and JT (QT minus QRS) intervals. Epicardial action potentials of neonates are significantly longer than those of adults, as determined by measurements of duration at 50% and 90% repolarization. The adult action potential is characterized by a large phase 1 notch that is absent from neonatal recordings. This notch develops between 58 and 64 days of age, and by 64-68 days of age, it is equal to that in adults. In addition, action potentials recorded from adult and young epicardial muscle are more greatly affected by rapid pacing and superfusion of 2 mM 4-aminopyridine than are potentials recorded from neonatal tissue. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings reveal a 4-aminopyridine-sensitive transient outward current in adult myocytes that is absent from neonatal myocytes. The correlation between developmental changes in the 4-aminopyridine-sensitive current, the action potential, and the QT interval suggests that the transient outward current may be an important determinant in the relation between age and repolarization.