bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adrenomedullin activity in chronically hypoxic rat lungs
Authors: Zhao L. , Brown L. A. , Owji A. A. , Nunez D. J. , Smith D. M. , Ghatei M. A. , Bloom S. R. , Wilkins M. R.
Published: December 2017

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a novel vasodilator with structural similarities to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). This study investigated AM activity in the rat lung during hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Both rat AM (0.2-10 nmol) and alpha-CGRP (0.2-2 nmol) produced dose-related reductions in pulmonary artery pressure in the isolated perfused lung ventilated with 2% O2. Pretreatment with alpha-CGRP, which demonstrated tachyphylaxis, or its antagonist, CGRP-(8–37), reduced the hypotensive response to AM, suggesting that part of the response to AM is mediated by CGRP receptors. 125I-labeled AM and 125I-labeled CGRP binding was significantly increased in lung membranes from 7-day hypoxic animals (AM from 1.94 +/- 0.3 to 3.36 +/- 0.4 and CGRP from 0.06 +/- 0.01 to 0.12 +/- 0.02 pmol/mg protein), with no change in dissociation constant. Moreover, the hypotensive response to both peptides was increased in the lungs of 7-day hypoxic rats. There was no significant change in lung immunoreactive AM concentrations (hypoxic 5.04 +/- 0.48 vs. control 6.28 +/- 0.76 pmol/g wet wt of tissue) or steady-state AM mRNA levels in 7-day hypoxic rats. Nonetheless, AM may be useful for the acute pharmacological manipulation of pulmonary artery pressure in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.
Beta-adrenergic modulation of Na-K pump activity in young and adult canine cardiac Purkinje fibers
Authors: Charpentier F. , Legato M. J. , Steinberg S. F. , Cohen I. S. , Rosen M. R.
Published: December 2017

We used standard microelectrode techniques to study the developmental changes and beta-adrenergic modulation of membrane potential and of Na-K pump activity in adult (> 1 yr of age) and neonatal (2-10 days) canine Purkinje fibers. Isoproterenol (10(-7) M) increased the rate of development and magnitude of pacing-induced hyperpolarization of adult fibers driven at a 1-s cycle length. This effect of isoproterenol was attenuated by treating dogs with pertussis toxin (PTX), (30 micrograms/kg). Other adult and neonatal fibers were superfused with a Tyrode solution containing Ba2+ 0.2 mM, Cs+ 2 mM, and 10(-6) M verapamil, thus leading to depolarization and cessation of spontaneous activity. The Na-K pump was studied by alternating solutions containing [K] at 0 mM (inhibiting the pump) and 4 mM (reactivating the pump). Although the kinetics of the Na-K pump appeared faster in neonatal fibers than in adult fibers, measurement of cell surface-to-volume ratio compensated for the difference. We therefore conclude that 1) the apparent age-related changes in Na-K pump activity in canine Purkinje fibers in fact reflect cell surface-to-volume ratio and, 2) the beta-adrenergic agonist-induced hyperpolarization in adults requires the presence of a PTX-sensitive G protein for its occurrence.
Basal and adenosine-mediated protein flux from isolated coronary arterioles
Authors: Huxley V. H. , Williams D. A.
Published: December 2017

We have developed a new method to quantify solute flux per unit surface area and concentration gradient (JS/S delta C) from arterioles isolated from pig hearts. The apparent permeability (Ps) was assessed from measurements of JS/S delta C for two proteins, alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-lactalb) and porcine serum albumin (PSA), labeled with the fluorescent dye tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate at a mean hydrostatic pressure of 16 +/- 1 cmH2O. Ps for alpha-lactalb (Ps alpha-lactalb) was 16.5 +/- 4.6 x 10(-7) cm/s (mean +/- SE, N = 8 pigs), a value significantly higher than Ps for PSA (PsPSA) (7.1 +/- 1.4 x 10(-7) cm/s, N = 11 pigs, P < 0.05). Suffusion of the arterioles (44 +/- 10 microns diam; n = 48 arterioles) with 10(-5) M adenosine resulted in a 35% decrease in Ps alpha-lactalb and 29% decrease in PsPSA. Data from the present study are consistent with adenosine altering arteriole Js independently from its ability to change arteriolar caliber. One implication of these results is that changes in coronary exchange capacity reflect not only changes in flow through, but also solute permeation from, the microvasculature.
Interaction between sympathetic and sensory nerves in rat small arteries: involvement of nitric oxide
Authors: Ahluwalia A. , Vallance P.
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of C-fiber activation on the reactivity of resistance arteries. Rat small mesenteric arteries were mounted in a tension myograph. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) of vessels produced brief contractions that were abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 microM, n = 4) or guanethidine (5 microM, n = 4). Capsaicin caused concentration-related attenuation of the EFS contraction [giving EFS responses of 61.7 +/- 4.3, 39.8 +/- 5.9, and 14.0 +/- 3.9% (n = 13-16) of control EFS contraction in the presence of 1, 3, and 10 microM capsaicin, respectively]. This effect was attenuated by the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist CGRP-(8-37) (1 microM, n = 4, P < 0.05), NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 100 microM, n = 4, P < 0.01), or endothelial denudation (n = 5, P < 0.001). CGRP concentration-dependent inhibited (n = 5) EFS contraction, but this was unaffected by (L-NMMA (100 microM, n = 4). Capsaicin also relaxed preconstricted vessels (U-46619). This response was attenuated by ruthenium red (30 microM, n = 5, concentration ratio of 3.5 +/- 1.0) and CGRP-(8-37) (1 microM, n = 5, P < 0.05), while L-NMMA (100 microM, n = 6) showed variable effects, and denudation had no effect. These results show directly for the first time responses to activation of capsaicin-sensitive C fibers which modulate reactivity and the responses to sympathetic stimulation of isolated rat small mesenteric arteries, with the latter being an endothelial nitric oxide-dependent effect.
Perfusion-induced changes in cardiac O2 consumption and contractility are based on different mechanisms
Authors: Dijkman M. A. , Heslinga J. W. , Sipkema P. , Westerhof N.
Published: December 2017

Increased cardiac perfusion results in increased oxygen consumption (VO2) and increased contractility (Gregg phenomenon) in the isolated heart. We investigated whether these two aspects of the Gregg phenomenon are related to coronary flow or arterial pressure. Coronary flow and, thus, arterial pressure were changed in the reference state and during vasoconstriction (3 nM vasopressin) in the Langendorff-perfused rat heart contracting isovolumically (ventricular balloon) at 27 degrees C (n = 5). All hearts showed an increase in developed isovolumic left ventricular pressure (measure of contractility) and in VO2 with increased perfusion. Developed left ventricular pressure depended primarily on arterial pressure, so its relationship with coronary flow was shifted by vasoconstriction. Conversely, VO2 primarily depended on coronary flow, so its relationship with arterial pressure was shifted with vasoconstriction. By use of vasoconstriction (decreased vascular radii), the effects of arterial pressure and wall shear stress (proportional to arterial pressure x radius) should be separable, but the results did not reach significance. Thus contractility is related to arterial pressure or shear stress, whereas VO2 is related to coronary flow. We conclude that the two aspects of the Gregg phenomenon are based on different mechanisms.
Temporal and spatial relationship between no-reflow phenomenon and postischemic necrosis in skeletal muscle
Authors: Hickey M. J. , Hurley J. V. , Morrison W. A.
Published: December 2017

The aim of these experiments was to describe clearly the spatial relationship between the no-reflow phenomenon and tissue injury in postischemic skeletal muscle. Using the rectus femoris muscle of anesthetized rabbits, we examined microvascular perfusion in untreated muscles and in muscles after 3.5 h of ischemia and 10 min, 1 h, and 24 h of reperfusion. Microvascular perfusion was assessed by infusion of biological ink and quantitation of 1) the area of capillary filling in histological sections, and 2) the ratio of perfused capillaries to muscle fibers in perfused areas (C/F). After 10 min of reperfusion, perfused cross-sectional area had decreased from 67.0 +/- 20.0 to 10.6 +/- 5.6 (SD)%, and C/F was also significantly reduced. These changes persisted for at least 24 h. After 10 min of reperfusion, flow was randomly distributed throughout the muscle. However, after 24 h, perfusion was confined to the peripheral tissue in areas that were also viable as demonstrated by nitro blue tetrazolium staining. These results show that in this model, in the early stages of reperfusion, flow is established in some areas, which are destined to become necrotic.
Vasodilation and muscle pump contribution to immediate exercise hyperemia
Authors: Tschakovsky M. E. , Shoemaker J. K. , Hughson R. L.
Published: December 2017

A rapid (within 0-5 s) increase in skeletal muscle blood flow has been demonstrated following muscle contraction, yet the mechanism remains unresolved. Recently, it was suggested that the entire rapid exercise hyperemia could be attributed to the mechanical muscle pump effect. Other evidence indicates that the muscle pump cannot increase arterial flow. We measured human forearm blood flow with the arm positioned above or below heart level during 1) simulation of rhythmic muscle pump function via repeated inflation/deflation of a forearm cuff to 100 mmHg to achieve mechanical emptying of forearm veins, and 2) 1-s single-cuff inflations, 1-s voluntary forearm contractions, and 1-s contractions performed within a cuff inflation. Rhythmic cuff inflation increased blood flow with the arm below heart level (P < 0.05) but not above. Flow following single contractions was higher than flow following cuff inflation within 2 s (P < 0.05). Peak flow increases due to a single mechanical venous emptying (7.7 +/- 0.7 ml.100 ml(-1) min(-1)) could account for 60% of the peak flow increase due to muscle contraction (12.8 +/- 1.0 ml.100 ml(-1).min(-1)) with the arm below heart level, whereas above heart level mechanical venous emptying accounted for 46% of the flow increase due to contraction (3.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 6.5 +/- 0.6 ml.100 ml(-1).min(-1)). We conclude that a functional muscle pump does exist in the human forearm in vivo, but that a rapid vasodilation detectable within 2 s also contributes to the early exercise hyperemia.
GH replacement fails to improve ventricular function in hypophysectomized rats with myocardial infarction
Authors: Shen Y. T. , Wiedmann R. T. , Lynch J. J. , Grossman W. , Johnson R. G.
Published: December 2017

To determine whether growth hormone (GH) replacement improves cardiac function, GH-deficient hypophysectomized rats with moderate myocardial infarction (MI) were studied after 3 wk of treatment with either recombinant rat GH (3.2 mg.kg-1.day-1 sc) or vehicle. The serum insulin-like growth factor I level in rats after GH treatment was approximately 10-fold greater than in vehicle-treated rats. GH replacement prevented a decrease in body weight at 1 wk (+5 +/- 6 vs. -26 +/- 4 g in vehicle group, P < 0.01) and increased body weight at 3 wk (+40 +/- 5 vs. -30 +/- 4 g in vehicle group, P < 0.01) after MI. Infarct size, expressed as a percentage of left ventricular (LV) perimeter, was similar for GH-treated (21 +/- 3%) and vehicle-treated (23 +/- 3%) rats. Basal LV systolic pressure, LV end-diastolic pressure, LV dP/dt, mean arterial pressure and heart rate, and the changes in these parameters in response to isoproterenol and norepinephrine were similar for these two groups. Although GH replacement tended to prevent depression in myocardial contractility during the recovery period after maximal stimulation either by the largest dose of isoproterenol (0.8 microgram/kg iv) or by acute volume loading, differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. In addition, to determine the effects of excess GH treatment in a severe state of cardiac dysfunction, nonhypophysectomized rats with larger infarcts (i.e., > 45% of the LV) were studied after 4 wk of treatment. There were no differences either in hemodynamic indexes or in infarct size between the GH- and vehicle-treated groups, whereas body weight had increased (P < 0.01) in the GH-treated group. Thus, although GH treatment effectively prevents the loss of body weight after MI, neither GH replacement nor excess GH treatment plays an important role in preserving cardiac function in rats with moderate or large MI.
Effects of adenosine and protein kinase C stimulation on mechanical properties of rat cardiac myocytes
Authors: Lester J. W. , Gannaway K. F. , Reardon R. A. , Koon L. D. , Hofmann P. A.
Published: December 2017

Exposure of the heart to adenosine decreases heart rate and left ventricular developed pressure. However, little is known regarding the influence of adenosine on mechanical properties of isolated ventricular myocytes and the intracellular mechanism(s) by which adenosine acts. Therefore, in the present study we compared the effects of the adenosine receptor agonist R-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) and protein kinase C (PKC) activator dioctanoylglycerol (DOG) on Ca2+ sensitivity of tension, maximum isometric tension, and velocity of unloaded shortening (Vmax) in enzymatically isolated, drug-treated, and subsequently skinned ventricular myocytes. Neither R-PIA (100 microM) nor DOG (50 microM) affected Ca2+ sensitivity of tension or maximum isometric tension compared with controls. However, both R-PIA and DOG treatment caused approximately 25% decrease in Vmax during maximum activation compared with controls. This suggests adenosine and PKC decrease actin-myosin interaction through an alteration of myofilament proteins. The observed similarity of response after R-PIA and DOG treatment is consistent with the hypothesis that effects of adenosine are mediated by activation of the PKC pathway in isolated ventricular myocytes.
Action potentials in right and left ventricles from chronic hypoxic rats: effect of almitrine
Authors: Kreher P. , Keriel C. , Leverve X.
Published: December 2017

Rats were exposed to a 3-wk regimen of chronic normobaric hypoxia, with or without almitrine treatment. Chronic hypoxia led to a significant rise in the right ventricular mass and lengthened the action potential duration (APD) in right ventricle and in nonhypertrophied left ventricle. Hypertrophy and APD lengthening were significantly enhanced by almitrine. The classical acute hypoxia-induced shortening in APD was much larger in hypoxia-adapted hearts. In these hearts, almitrine treatment almost completely prevented such shortening, while the acute hypoxia-induced decrease in cardiac contraction was similar with or without almitrine. It is concluded that APD lengthening during chronic hypoxia can occur independently of ventricular hypertrophy. The similar directional effects of almitrine and chronic hypoxia on APD support the hypothesis of an energy-linked phenomenon. The dissociation of the almitrine effect on APD and contractility is in accordance with the view of a cellular energy compartmentation.
Mechanism of relaxations to C-type natriuretic peptide in veins
Authors: Banks M. , Wei C. M. , Kim C. H. , Burnett J. C. , Miller V. M.
Published: December 2017

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is an endothelium-derived peptide that shares structural homology with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). CNP causes greater endothelium-independent relaxations in veins compared with arteries. Relaxations to CNP in porcine coronary arteries are mediated by hyperpolarization of the smooth muscle membrane. Experiments were designed to investigate the mechanism(s) by which CNP causes relaxation in canine femoral veins. Rings of canine femoral veins without endothelium were suspended for measurement of isometric force in organ chambers. Concentration-response curves to CNP were obtained in veins contracted with either endothelin-1 (10(-8) M), KCl (40 mM), phenylephrine (10(-6) M) or prostaglandin F2 alpha (2 x 10(-6) M) in the absence and presence of BQ-123 (10(-6) M), NG-monomenthyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 10(-4) M), HS-142-1 (10(-5) M), methylene blue (10(-5) M), or potassium channel blockers, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA; 10(-3) M), charybdotoxin (10(-7) M), glibenclamide (10(-7) M), or apamin (10(-7) M). Relaxations to CNP were significantly attenuated when the tissue was contracted with KCl and endothelin-1. During contraction to either phenylephrine or prostaglandin F2 alpha, relaxations to CNP were inhibited by HS-142-1, methylene blue, TEA, and charybdotoxin, but not by L-NMMA, glibenclamide, or apamin. In separate experiments, guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate increased twofold within 10-60 s after the addition of CNP (10(-8) M). These data suggest that CNP mediates relaxation of canine femoral veins through activation of large-conduction, calcium-activated potassium channels and activation of particulate and soluble guanylate cyclase.
Role of nitric oxide in lung ischemia and reperfusion injury
Authors: Moore T. M. , Khimenko P. L. , Wilson P. S. , Taylor A. E.
Published: December 2017

We studied the effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors and nitric oxide (NO.) donors on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced microvascular permeability increase in isolated buffer-perfused rat lungs. Microvascular permeability (Kf,c) was significantly increased in lungs subjected to 45 min of ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Lungs that were pretreated with 300 and 600 microM N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 1, 300, and 600 microM NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), or 600 microM L-N6-(1-iminoethyl) ornithine (L-NIO) still showed significant increases in Kf,c after I/R. Lungs that were pretreated with 5 mM L-NAME or 5 mM N omega-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester showed no increase in Kf,c after I/R. However, both compounds at these concentrations produced significant decreases in perfusate pH. The decreased pH was responsible for the protective effects, since lungs pretreated with 5 mM L-NAME and supplemented with NaHCO3 to prevent the perfusate pH decrease still showed a significant elevation in Kf,c after I/R. In additional experiments, NO.donors were administered to isolated lungs at the onset of reperfusion. Spermine-NO (100 microM) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenacillamine (300 microM) both prevented the increase in Kf,c associated with I/R. We conclude from these studies that peroxynitrite does not mediate microvascular permeability increase after lung I/R injury in this model, and exogenous NO. does not exacerbate injury; rather, it prevents microvascular damage.
Role of microtubules in myocyte contractile dysfunction during cardiac hypertrophy in the rat
Authors: Ishibashi Y. , Tsutsui H. , Yamamoto S. , Takahashi M. , Imanaka-Yoshida K. , Yoshida T. , Urabe Y. , Sugimachi M. , Takeshita A.
Published: December 2017

We have shown that increased microtubules cause myocyte contractile dysfunction in feline right ventricular pressure-overload hypertrophy. To investigate the association between the progression of cardiac hypertrophy and microtubules and to delineate the role of microtubules in contractile defects in hypertrophied myocytes, we assessed the amounts of free and polymerized tubulin proteins, using Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence micrograph, and evaluated the sarcomere mechanics of myocytes isolated from rats with pressure-overload left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Total and polymerized tubulins were progressively and persistently increased in LV after the imposition of pressure overload. The increase in microtubules was associated with the development and progression of hypertrophy and not the immediate response to the stress loading to the myocardium. The contractile function of hypertrophied myocytes was depressed in parallel with the increase in microtubules. Depolymerization of microtubules normalized the initially depressed LV myocyte contractile function. Thus the progressive increase of microtubule density during LV hypertrophy due to persistent pressure overloading to the myocardium may cause the consequent myocyte contractile dysfunction.
Inactivation of the calcium current is involved in overdrive suppression of rabbit sinoatrial node cells
Authors: Watanabe E. I. , Honjo H. , Boyett M. R. , Kodama I. , Toyama J.
Published: December 2017

The contribution of inactivation of the L-type Ca2+ current (iCa) to overdrive suppression was investigated in rabbit sinoatrial (SA) node cells by use of the whole cell patch-clamp technique. In the current-clamp mode, rapid stimulation (6.7 Hz) for 30 s was followed by a transient increase in the cycle length of spontaneous action potentials of 135 +/- 52% (n = 3), i.e., "overdrive suppression." The iCa was measured in the voltage-clamp mode in the presence of 30 microM tetrodotoxin. An increase in the rate of depolarizing pulses (to 0 mV for 100 ms) from 1 to 6.7 Hz from a holding potential (HP) of -40 mV resulted in an abrupt, followed by a progressive, decrease in iCa; after 30 s of stimulation at 6.7 Hz, iCa was reduced to 15.5 +/- 1.8% (n = 4) of the control at 1 Hz. With an HP of -80 mV, a similar increase in the pulse rate caused much less reduction in iCa. When spontaneous action potentials were interrupted by a 30-s train of high-frequency voltage-clamp pulses (to 0 mV for 100 ms; 6.7 Hz) from an HP of -40 mV, there was again a marked decrease in iCa during the train, and after the train there was a transient suppression of spontaneous activity. In contrast, a similar interruption by high-frequency voltage-clamp pulses from an HP of -80 mV caused no decrease in iCa, and there was no suppression of spontaneous activity after the train. Neither delayed rectifier K+ current nor hyperpolarization-activated current was affected after a train of high-frequency voltage-clamp pulses. These findings suggest that overdrive suppression in the SA node is, in part at least, the result of a rate- and voltage-dependent inactivation of iCa.
Ventilation-induced pulmonary vasodilation at birth is modulated by potassium channel activity
Authors: Tristani-Firouzi M. , Martin E. B. , Tolarova S. , Weir E. K. , Archer S. L. , Cornfield D. N.
Published: December 2017

At birth, pulmonary blood flow rapidly increases 8- to 10-fold, and pulmonary arterial pressure falls by 50% within 24 h. The postnatal adaptation of the pulmonary circulation is mediated, in part, by endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO). Recent studies suggest that EDNO may reduce vascular resistance, in part, by activating K+ channels. We hypothesized that K+ channels modulate the changes in pulmonary hemodynamics associated with birth. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of K+ channel inhibition on two separate, but interdependent stimuli: 1) mechanical ventilation with low inspired O2 concentrations (designed to maintain normal fetal blood gas tensions) and 2) mechanical ventilation with high inspired O2 concentrations. Tetraethyl-ammonium (TEA, 1 mg/min for 100 min; n = 5), a nonspecific K+ channel blocker, glibenclamide (Gli, 1 mg/min for 30 min; n = 6), an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker, or saline (n = 7) was infused into the left pulmonary artery (LPA) of acutely instrumented fetal lambs. The umbilical-placental circulation remained intact, and lambs were ventilated with 0.10 inspired O2 concentration (FIO2) for 60 min, followed by 1.0 FIO2 for 20 min. Neither TEA nor Gli had an effect on basal pulmonary tone. TEA attenuated the increase in LPA flow and decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance in response to mechanical ventilation with 0.10 and 1.0 FIO2; Gli had no effect. These results support the hypothesis that non-ATP-sensitive K+ channels modulate the transition from fetal to neonatal pulmonary circulation.
Combined inhibition of P-selectin and ICAM-1 reduces myocardial injury following ischemia and reperfusion
Authors: Lefer D. J. , Flynn D. M. , Anderson D. C. , Buda A. J.
Published: December 2017

Neutrophil-endothelial cell interactions are mediated by a number of cell adhesion proteins. We investigated the effects of inhibition of P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), individually or in combination, in the ischemic-reperfused canine myocardium. Monoclonal antibodies PB1.3 (anti-P-selectin) and CL 18/6 (anti-ICAM-1) were administered to dogs subjected to coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. After reperfusion, untreated dogs experienced a 61% decline (P < 0.01 vs. baseline) in myocardial blood flow and a ninefold increase in ischemic zone neutrophil accumulation (4.7 +/- 0.9 U/100 mg tissue myeloperoxidase activity). In contrast, PB1.3 and CL 18/6 administered individually preserved myocardial blood flow (11 and 24% decrease from baseline, respectively, both P < 0.01 vs. saline), and significantly attenuated myeloperoxidase activity (1.4 +/- 0.3 and 1.5 +/- 0.26 U/100 mg tissue, respectively, both P < 0.01 vs. saline). PB1.3 and CL 18/6 in combination resulted in significant coronary vascular and myocardial protection that was not superior to treatment with either antibody alone. Thus the coadministration of anti-P-selectin and anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibodies does not enhance the degree of myocardial protection in this model of reperfusion injury.
Superoxide and nitroglycerin stimulate release of PGF2 alpha and TxA2 in isolated rat heart
Authors: Gupte S. A. , Okada T. , Ochi R.
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nitroglycerin (NTG), a nitric oxide (NO) donor used as a vasodilating agent, on prostanoid [e.g., prostaglandin (PG)] release in the O2(-)-pretreated rat heart. Perfusion of O2-, generated by a xanthine oxidase-purine coupling, caused elevation (P < 0.05) of the coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) after 20 min (from 57.1 +/- 3.9 during the control period to 72.2 +/- 3.9 mmHg, P < 0.05). O2- caused increased release of PGF2 alpha from 3.6 +/- 0.7 to 20.6 +/- 4.4 pmol.min-1.g-1 and of thromboxane A2 (TxA2) from 2.4 +/- 0.4 to 9.6 +/- 1.6 pmol.min-1.g-1 (P < 0.001) with no significant changes in PGE2 and PGI2 release. During the 20-min washout of O2- from the heart with normal Krebs solution, release of PGF2 alpha and TxA2 decreased to 8.7 +/- 1.4 and 6.3 +/- 1.7 pmol.min-1.g-1, respectively, and the release of PGE2 and PGI2 markedly increased from 11.1 +/- 2.9 to 25.4 +/- 3.6 and 157.2 +/- 16.4 to 413.2 +/- 41.4 pmol.min-1.g-1, respectively (P < 0.05), without lowering the elevated CPP. Administration of 4 microM NTG during the washout period paradoxically augmented the elevated CPP to 133.3 +/- 0.6% and was associated with a doubling (P < 0.05) of PGF2 alpha and TxA2 release with no significant changes in PGE2 and PGI2 release. The NTG-induced CPP elevation was inhibited (P < 0.05) by indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, or ONO-3708, a TxA2 receptor blocker, whereas arachidonic acid, a substrate for PG synthesis, augmented the CPP elevation. These results indicate that NTG stimulates the synthesis of vasoconstrictive PG in the O2(-)-pretreated rat heart, inducing a paradoxical elevation in CPP.
Mechanisms contributing to pulsus alternans in pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Kotsanas G. , Holroyd S. M. , Young R. , Gibbs C. L.
Published: December 2017

The mechanisms underlying pulsus alternans in pressure-over-load (POL) cardiac hypertrophy were investigated. Simultaneous measurements of force and intracellular Ca2+ (using fura 2) in right ventricular papillary muscles under conditions that produced mechanical alternans, revealed alternation of the amplitude of the Ca2+ transient together with alternation of force in some POL muscles. Instances when alternation of force occurred without any apparent alternation of the Ca2+ transient were also observed. Exposure of muscles to 5 microM ryanodine significantly attenuated mechanical alternans, thereby implicating a role for the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in this process. The time course of restitution of force and the intracellular Ca2+ transient were, however, unchanged in POL hearts, indicating that SR Ca2+ cycling was not appreciably slowed. The fraction of Ca2+ recirculated intracellularly was derived from studies of postextrasystolic potentiation and was significantly reduced in the POL hearts, suggesting additional differences in cellular Ca2+ regulation. We conclude that changes in Ca2+ handling play an important role in the onset of mechanical alternans in POL hypertrophy, but that additional factors, most likely a slowing of crossbridge cycling rate, are also likely to be important.
Transmembrane potential changes caused by shocks in guinea pig papillary muscle
Authors: Zhou X. , Smith W. M. , Rollins D. L. , Ideker R. E.
Published: December 2017

To study transmembrane potential (Vm) changes (delta Vm) caused by extracellular field stimulation, Vm was recorded in 10 guinea pig papillary muscles by a double-barrel microelectrode. A 10-ms shock was delivered during the action potential plateau or during diastole. Six shock strengths (1.8 +/- 0.4, 3.8 +/- 0.7, 5.6 +/- 0.9, 7.2 +/- 1.1, 11.1 +/- 1.9, and 17.8 +/- 1.5 V/cm) were given with both polarities. The tissue was then treated with either 30 microM tetrodotoxin (TTX; n = 5) or 30 microM TTX plus Ca(2+)-free (n = 5) perfusion. For shocks during the action potential plateau, delta Vm caused by the six potential gradients was 22.4 +/- 9.6, 43.6 +/- 17.4, 54.7 +/- 17.9, 60.4 +/- 18.1, 65.4 +/- 13.7, and 66.4 +/- 12.2 mV for shocks causing depolarization and 41.1 +/- 16.5, 68.3 +/- 22, 80.5 +/- 20.4, 84.0 +/- 19.5, 93.6 +/- 16.3, and 98.9 +/- 15.4 mV for shocks causing hyperpolarization. The relationship between delta Vm and shock potential gradient was not linear. During diastole, hyperpolarizing shocks induced initial hyperpolarization, then depolarization followed again by hyperpolarization. A new depolarization upstroke occurred immediately after the shock. After TTX or TTX plus Ca(2+)-free perfusion, point stimuli 10 times diastolic threshold could not induce an action potential, but a shock field of 1.8 +/- 0.2 V/cm still induced action potentials. The peak value of depolarization measured with respect to resting potential (-87 +/- 5 mV) during the hyperpolarizing shock decreased from +14 +/- 22 before to -66 +/- 30 mV with TTX perfusion (P < 0.01). The fast upstroke rate of depolarization both during and immediately after the end of hyperpolarizing shocks was inhibited by TTX perfusion. Thus 1) the relationship between delta Vm and shock potential gradient is not linear; 2) field but not point stimulation can induce an action potential when Na+ channels are inactivated; and 3) during diastole Na+ channels are activated twice by a 10-ms hyperpolarizing shock, once during shock-induced hyperpolarization and again immediately after the end of the shock.
Right ventricular midwall surface motion and deformation using magnetic resonance tagging
Authors: Young A. A. , Fayad Z. A. , Axel L.
Published: December 2017

We describe a method for reconstructing the three-dimensional motion and deformation of the midwall surface of the right ventricular free wall (RVFW) using magnetic resonance tissue tagging. Tag points were defined where the tag stripes intersected the midwall contour and were tracked through systole in both short- and long-axis images. A finite-element model of the midwall surface of the RVFW was constructed to fit the midwall shape at end diastole. The model was then deformed to each subsequent frame by fitting the tag displacements and midwall contour locations. The method was applied to two human studies, a normal subject and a patient with right ventricular hypertrophy. The root mean squared error between model tag planes and tracked tag points was 0.70 mm for the normal heart (180 points) and 0.67 mm for the hypertrophic heart (52 points), both less than the image pixel size of approximately 1.0 mm. The differences in contraction patterns were visualized between the two studies. We conclude that this method allows accurate, noninvasive measurement of in vivo RVFW deformation.
Polymorphonuclear leukocytes L-selectin expression decreases as they age in circulation
Authors: Van Eeden S. F. , Bicknell S. , Walker B. A. , Hogg J. C.
Published: December 2017

We recently reported that L-selectin expression increases on circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) during active bone marrow release, which suggests that older cells in the circulation have lower levels of L-selectin than those recently released from the bone marrow. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that L-selectin expression reduces on PMN as they age in the circulation. In vitro studies using flow cytometry showed that PMN L-selectin decreased to 14.6 +/- 2.3% of baseline during a 24-h incubation at 37 degrees C. To test this hypothesis in vivo, rabbit PMN, labeled in vivo with 5'-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (PMN-brdU) in donor animals, were infused into recipient rabbits as whole blood (n = 5) and followed over 24 h in the circulation with a double immunolabeling technique. These results showed that the fraction of the L-selectin-negative PMN-BrdU in the circulation increased with time (P < 0.001), and nearly all of the PMNBrdU in the circulation were L-selectin negative after 24 h. Removal of L-selectin from the surface of PMN-BrdU with chymotrypsin before infusion did not change their rate of removal from the circulation (half-life or t 1/2 262 vs. 296 min, P = NS). We conclude that there is a continuous loss of L-selectin from PMN during their life span in the circulation, which supports the hypothesis that L-selectin expression decreases on PMN as they age.
Membrane lipid order of human red blood cells is altered by physiological levels of hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Barshtein G. , Bergelson L. , Dagan A. , Gratton E. , Yedgar S.
Published: December 2017

The effect of hydrostatic pressure at levels applied in diving or hyperbaric treatment (thus considered “physiological”) on the order of lipid domains in human red blood cell (RBC) membrane was studied. Membrane order was determined by measuring 1) the fluorescence anisotropy (FAn) of lipid probes, 2) the resonance energy transfer from tryptophan to lipid probes, and 3) spectral shifts in Laurdan fluorescence emission. It was found that the application of mild pressure (< 15 atm) 1) increased, selectively, the FAn of lipid probes that monitor the membrane lipid core, 2) increased the tryptophan FAn, 3) increased the resonance energy transfer from tryptophan to lipid probes residing in the lipid core, and 4) induced changes in the Laurdan fluorescence spectrum, which corresponded to reduced membrane hydration. It is proposed that the application of pressure of several atmospheres increases the phase order of membrane lipid domains, particularly in the proximity of proteins. Because the membrane lipid order (“fluidity”) of RBCs plays an important role in their cellular and rheological functions, the pressure-induced alterations of the RBC membrane might be pertinent to microcirculatory disorders observed in humans subjected to elevated pressure.
Vascular smooth muscle cells on Matrigel as a model for LPS-induced hypocontractility and NO formation
Authors: Li S. , Fan S. X. , McKenna T. M.
Published: December 2017

Treatment of vascular tissue with low levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and diminishes vascular contractility. However, in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), very high doses of LPS or the combination of LPS with cytokines are required for the induction of nitric oxide (NO) formation. The aims of this study were to establish a cell model to investigate LPS-induced hypocontractility and NO production and to test the hypothesis that responses of VSMC to LPS are differentiation regulated. We used Matrigel basement membrane matrix to maintain VSMC differentiation and found that VSMC cultured on Matrigel retained significant contractility in response to KCl stimulation. Incubation of VSMC with low levels of LPS(1–100 ng/ml) induced NOS mRNA and protein, induced NO production, and decreased cell contractility in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. The NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) partially restored LPS-treated VSMC contractility, whereas L-arginine reversed the contractility-restoring effect of L-NAME. These results suggest that VSMC grown on Matrigel are a useful experimental model for investigations into signal transduction mechanisms responsible for LPS-induced vascular hypocontractility.
Hypothyroid-induced changes in autonomic control have a central serotonergic component
Authors: Henley W. N. , Vladic F.
Published: December 2017

Three experiments were conducted in unanesthetized rats made hypothyroid (Hypo) or maintained as euthyroid controls (Eu) to examine general cardiovascular responsiveness [experiment I (Exp I)]; responsiveness to a serotonin (5-HT2) agonist, dl-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine [DOI intracerebroventricularly; experiment II (Exp II)]; or responsiveness to a 5-HT(1A) agonist dl-8-hydroxydipropyl-aminotetralin hydrobromide [8-OH-DPAT intracerebroventricularly; experiment III (Exp III)]. In Exp I, intravenous infusions of phenylephrine and nitroprusside provided little evidence that findings in Exp II and III were caused by generalized impairment in cardiovascular responsiveness in Hypo. In Exp II and III, Eu and Hypo were given either intra-arterial atropine or vehicle. Atropine significantly elevated heart rate (Exp II and III) and mean arterial pressure (Exp II) in Eu only. When compared with Eu, Hypo had a reduced pressor response (5.2 vs. 20.1%), an attenuated pulse pressure response (19.3 vs. 35.4%), and a more robust bradycardia (-17.7 vs. -7.0%) in response to DOI. These differences were atropine sensitive. In Exp III, Hypo had larger decrements in mean arterial pressure (-9.0 vs. -5.1%), heart rate ( -13.9 vs. - 7.7%), and body temperature (-4.5 vs. -2.7%) in response to 8-OH-DPAT in comparison to Eu. Parasympathetic involvement in the differential responses to 8-OH-DPAT was less clear than with DOI. Deranged autonomic control in hypothyroidism may be caused, in part, by changes in central serotonergic activity.
Effects of dipyridamole and adenosine infusions on ovine pulmonary and systemic circulations
Authors: Skimming J. W. , DeMarco V. G. , Cassin S.
Published: December 2017

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that A2 adenosine receptors mediate the hemodynamic responses to intravenous infusions of dipyridamole. We tested the hypothesis using theophylline, which has been reported to block A2 adenosine receptors and thereby attenuate the vasodilation caused by adenosine. Twenty-four anesthetized lambs that were between 7 and 17 days of age were used. Basal vascular tone of each animal was increased with the thromboxane mimetic U-46619. A theophylline dose commonly used in humans (5.0 mg/kg infused over 30 min followed by 1.0 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) resulted in negligible changes in the vasodilation caused by either dipyridamole or adenosine. However, a 10-fold greater theophylline dose significantly attenuated the vasodilation caused by adenosine, yet the attenuation in vasodilation caused by dipyridamole remained negligible. In addition, dipyridamole caused a weakly preferential pulmonary vasodilation, whereas adenosine caused a strongly preferential systemic vasodilation. These findings suggest that dipyridamole dilates effectively both the pulmonary vasculature and the systemic vasculature via predominantly adenosine-independent mechanisms.
Iloprost dilates rat small arteries: role of K(ATP)- and K(Ca)-channel activation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase
Authors: Schubert R. , Serebryakov V. N. , Mewes H. , Hopp H. H.
Published: December 2017

The effect of the stable prostacyclin analog iloprost and its mechanism of action were investigated with the use of pressurized rat tail small arteries with a spontaneous myogenic tone. Iloprost concentration dependently dilated these vessels with a half-maximal effective dose of 5.0 +/- 0.5 x 10(-8) M. Application of 10(-7)-10(-6) M glibenclamide, a blocker of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels, inhibited the iloprost-induced dilation. Glibenclamide did not affect the basal vessel diameter. The application of 5 x 10(-5)-10(-3) M tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 5 x 10(-9)-10(-7) M iberiotoxin, blockers of calcium-activated potassium (K(Ca)) channels, decreased vessel diameter in the presence of iloprost. Both TEA and iberiotoxin reduced the basal vessel diameter. Glibenclamide at 10(-6) M inhibited the dilation produced by 5 x 10(-5) M Sp-5,6-DCl-cBIMPS, an activator of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase. Iberiotoxin at 10(-7) M decreased vessel diameter in the presence of Sp-5,6-DCl-cBIMPS. H-89 and Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS, blockers of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), inhibited the iloprost-induced dilation of these vessels. With use of the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique, it was observed that 5 x 10(-7) M iloprost enhanced an outward current, determined largely by K(Ca) channels, 1.79 +/- 0.17-fold in freshly isolated smooth muscle cells from rat tail small artery. These data show that iloprost dilates rat tail small arteries with a spontaneous myogenic tone and suggest that K(ATP) as well as K(Ca) channels are involved in this effect, which is mediated, at least partly, by PKA.
Treatment with 5-HT potentiates development of pulmonary hypertension in chronically hypoxic rats
Authors: Eddahibi S. , Raffestin B. , Pham I. , Launay J. M. , Aegerter P. , Sitbon M. , Adnot S.
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on development of pulmonary hypertension during chronic exposure to mild (15% O2) and severe (10% O2) hypoxia. In isolated lungs from normoxic rats preconstricted with U-46619, 5-HT (10(-12)-10(-8) M) induced dose-dependent vasodilation (n = 6), which was suppressed by the NO synthesis inhibitor nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-4) M, n = 5) and reduced by the 5-HT3-receptor antagonist MDL-7222 (10(-5) M, n = 6). The vasoconstriction that was observed with higher concentrations of 5-HT (10(-7)-10(-4) M) was inhibited by ketanserin (10(-5) M) and methiothepin (10(-5) M, n = 6 each). The vasodilator response to 5-HT was suppressed in lungs from rats exposed to 10% O2 but not 15% O2 (n = 6 each). In conscious rats, intravenous administration of 5-HT potentiated the pulmonary pressor response to acute hypoxia (10% O2, n = 5), an effect that remained unchanged after pretreatment with a 5-HT1 and a 5-HT2 antagonist (n = 4) but was attenuated after treatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor meclofenamate (n = 4). Treatment with 5-HT (5 nmol/h i.v. by osmotic pumps) for 2 wk in rats simultaneously exposed to 10% O2 increased pulmonary arterial pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, and muscularization of pulmonary vessels in comparison with their hypoxic controls (n = 12 each). No changes occurred in 15% O2 hypoxic rats (n = 12 each). The present findings show that 5-HT potentiates development of pulmonary hypertension in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia.
Localization of adenosine-receptor subtype mRNA in rat outer medullary descending vasa recta by RT-PCR
Authors: Kreisberg M. S. , Silldorff E. P. , Pallone T. L.
Published: December 2017

Adenosine has a multitude of functions in the kidney, including vasoregulation of the renal vasculature. The actions of adenosine are mediated by its binding to specific receptors. Four adenosine-receptor subtypes have been cloned and sequenced, the A1, A2a, A2b, and the A3. In this study, the expression of individual adenosine-receptor subtype RNAs in outer medullary descending vasa recta (OMDVR) was investigated. Total RNA isolated from the outer medulla and microdissected, permeabilized OMDVR were subjected to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers specific for each of the adenosine-receptor subtypes. Subtype-specific probes were used to verify the PCR products by Southern hybridization. Our studies, performed in triplicate on five different rats, indicate the presence of A1, A2a, and A2b adenosine-receptor subtype mRNAs. These products were not attributable to extraneous RNA contamination from other tissue sources, nor did they result from genomic DNA amplification. These data are consistent with pharmacological evaluations, favor A1, A2a, and A2b adenosine-receptor subtype expression in OMDVR, and support a role for adenosine in the regulation of medullary blood flow.
Role of PACAP in the relationship between cAMP and opioids in hypoxia-induced pial artery vasodilation
Authors: Wilderman M. J. , Armstead W. M.
Published: December 2017

The opioids methionine enkephalin and leucine enkephalin contribute to hypoxic pial artery dilation in the newborn pig, and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) analogs have been shown to elevate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opioid concentration. The present study was designed to investigate the contribution of cAMP to hypoxic dilation and to determine whether an endogenous activator of adenylate cyclase, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), could modulate the cAMP-induced release of opioids to contribute to hypoxic pial dilation in piglets equipped with closed cranial windows. An alpha level of P < 0.05 was considered significant in all statistical tests. Moderate and severe hypoxia (PO2 approximately 35 and 25 mmHg, respectively) induced pial artery dilation that was attenuated by the Rp diastereomer of 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate (Rp-8-BrcAMPS), a cAMP antagonist (24 +/- 1 and 36 +/- 2% vs. 21 +/- 1 and 30 +/- 1% for moderate hypoxia and 34 +/- 1 and 46 +/- 2% vs. 24 +/- 1 and 32 +/- 1% for severe hypoxia before and after Rp-8-BrcAMPS, respectively). These responses were associated with an increased CSF cAMP (1,046 +/- 25, 1,366 +/- 28, and 1,735 +/- 47 fmol/ml for control, moderate, and severe hypoxia, respectively). Hypoxic pial dilation was also accompanied by an increase in CSF methionine enkephalin (1,101 +/- 62, 3,283 +/- 119, and 3,835 +/- 129 pg/ml for control, moderate, and severe hypoxia, respectively). Hypoxic dilation additionally increased CSF PACAP (1,727 +/- 86, 2,268 +/- 157, and 7,980 +/- 238 pg/ml for control, moderate, and severe hypoxia, respectively). PACAP (10(-8) and 10(-6) M) elicited pial dilation that was associated with increased CSF cAMP and blunted by Rp-8-BrcAMPS. PACAP-induced dilation was also accompanied by increases in the opioid methionine enkephalin (1,059 +/- 23, 1,483 +/- 34, and 2,108 +/- 77 pg/ml for control and 10(-8) and 10(-6) M PACAP, respectively). These data show that cAMP contributes to hypoxic pial artery dilation. Hypoxia increases CSF PACAP, whereas PACAP elevates CSF opioid concentration. These data, therefore, suggest that PACAP modulates cAMP-induced opioid release, thereby contributing to hypoxic pial dilation.