bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L-Arginine, a precursor of EDRF in vitro, produces pulmonary vasodilation in lambs
Authors: Fineman J. R. , Chang R. , Soifer S. J.
Published: December 2017

There is increasing evidence that resting pulmonary vascular tone is mediated in part by the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRF). Because L-arginine may be a precursor for EDRF synthesis, we studied the pulmonary vasodilating effects of L-arginine at rest and during pulmonary hypertension in 16 intact newborn lambs. At rest, the intravenous infusions of L-arginine (150 mg/kg) had no hemodynamic effects. However, during pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia or the infusion of U-46619 (a thromboxane A2 mimic), L-arginine decreased pulmonary arterial pressure by 22 and 27%, respectively (P less than 0.05). The decrease in pulmonary arterial pressure produced by L-arginine was blocked by methylene blue, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, and augmented by Zapranast, a guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) phosphodiesterase inhibitor (-17.9 vs. -31.2%, P less than 0.05). In addition, L-arginine partially reversed the pulmonary hypertension induced by N omega-nitro-L-arginine, a competitive EDRF synthesis inhibitor, but D-arginine had no hemodynamic effects. This study suggests that L-arginine produces pulmonary vasodilation by increasing cGMP concentrations, supporting the in vitro hypothesis that L-arginine is a precursor for EDRF synthesis, whose availability may become rate limiting during pulmonary hypertension.
Progressive cardiac dysfunction with repeated pacing-induced ischemia: protection by AICA-riboside
Authors: Young M. A. , Mullane K. M.
Published: December 2017

The effects of repeated episodes of demand-induced ischemia on regional myocardial wall thickening, endocardial electrogram, and regional myocardial blood flow are not well delineated. We studied the cumulative effects of six periods of pacing-induced ischemia in 35 chloralose-anesthetized dogs with circumflex coronary stenosis. Repetitive ischemia of the posterior left ventricular free wall was induced with six 5-min pacing periods separated by 15-min recovery periods. The three groups of dogs studied were 1) saline control, 2) the purine precursor 5-aminoimidazole 4-carboxamide riboside (AICA-r), and 3) nitroglycerin (NTG). During the initial pacing period (before treatment), thickening of the posterior wall declined in the saline group (43 +/- 5% of control), the AICA-r group (47 +/- 8% of control), and the NTG group (55 +/- 3% of control), associated with endocardial S-T segment elevation and a decrease in subendocardial blood flow. Wall thickening continued to decrease in each group with each successive pacing episode. However, during the sixth pacing period wall thickening was significantly (P less than 0.05) less in the saline group (2 +/- 5% of control) than in the AICA-r (31 +/- 7% of control) or NTG (61 +/- 7% of control) group. The progressive decline in wall thickening was accompanied by a further decrease in subendocardial blood flow and a rise in S-T segment in the saline group but not in the AICA-r or NTG group (P less than 0.05). These results demonstrate that sequential periods of ischemia and reperfusion cause a progressive decline in regional wall motion, coincident with a progressive decrease in subendocardial blood flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Resistance and exchange microvessels are modulated by different PAF receptors
Authors: Tomeo A. C. , Duran W. N.
Published: December 2017

Using several platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonists, we investigated whether a differential receptor sensitivity to PAF exists between the arteriolar and venular segments of the microcirculation. The microvascular bed of the hamster cheek pouch was observed with intravital fluorescent television microscopy. Alterations in arteriolar diameter and in the clearance of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-Dx 150; mol wt 150,000) were measured in response to PAF. Topical application of 10(-7) M PAF elicits a 10-fold increase in FITC-Dx 150 clearance (mean +/- SE = 9,172 +/- 1,289 nl.2 h-1.g-1) compared with control and vasoconstricts arterioles (20-40 microns) to approximately 50% their control diameters. Pretreatment with WEB 2086 (2 mg/kg iv) or SDZ 63-675 (10 mg/kg iv) blocks PAF-induced vasoconstriction and significantly attenuates the clearance of FITC-Dx 150 evoked by PAF, producing mean clearance values of 2,164 +/- 604 and 3,648 +/- 262 nl.2 h-1.g-1 respectively. L-659,989 (2 or 10 mg/kg iv) and SDZ 63-675 (5 mg/kg iv) abolished the vasoconstrictor response but not the postcapillary venular permeability response to PAF. These data suggests the presence of heterogeneous PAF receptors between the pre- and postcapillary segments of the microcirculation.
Adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels in the cardiovascular system
Authors: Nichols C. G. , Lederer W. J.
Published: December 2017

ATP is normally available in cells at millimolar concentrations and is "buffered" by intracellular pools of other high-energy phosphates, such as creatine phosphate. Thus intracellular [ATP] [( ATP]i) may seem an unlikely candidate for a regulatory signal inside cells. Recent evidence suggests, however, that [ATP]i regulates the behavior of a class of potassium (KATP) channels that are found throughout the cardiovascular system. KATP channels are present in cardiac, skeletal, and vascular smooth muscle. The channels are inhibited by micromolar [ATP]i, and this inhibition is relieved by micromolar [ADP]i. We present evidence in support of the idea that variations of [ATP]i and [ADP]i, even within normal concentration ranges, may influence cellular function in the heart and vascular system via a direct action on the KATP channel. Furthermore, very specific modulators of KATP channel activity are available. We discuss the mechanism of action of these agents and their interaction with endogenous modulators and consider their potential roles in cardiovascular therapy.
Experimental instrumentation and left ventricular pressure-strain relationship
Authors: Scott-Douglas N. W. , Traboulsi M. , Smith E. R. , Tyberg J. V.
Published: December 2017

Pericardial pressure measurement with a balloon transducer requires opening and reapproximating the pericardium. If this instrumentation significantly compromises pericardial volume, the heart may be constrained, exaggerating the magnitude of pericardial pressure and thus altering the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship. In open-chest dogs, we studied the effects of opening the pericardium, inserting a pericardial balloon transducer and myocardial sonomicrometer crystals, and reapproximating the pericardium on the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure-strain relationship (LVEDPSR). After a thoracotomy, sonomicrometer crystals were inserted through small holes (less than 3 mm) in the pericardium to measure LV segment length. A micromanometer with a reference lumen was used to measure LV pressure. LVEDPSRs were recorded in the following situations: 1) before the pericardium was opened (but after the crystals were inserted); 2) after the pericardium was opened, the heart was instrumented (4 pairs of crystals and 1 balloon), and the pericardium was reapproximated with interrupted sutures; and 3) after the pericardium was removed. For each dog, a cubic regression equation was fitted to the data obtained before opening the pericardium, and the 95% confidence intervals for the individual data points were determined. In each case, the LVEDPSR obtained after instrumentation was similar to the LVEDPSR described before opening the pericardium. Furthermore, data obtained after instrumentation were uniformly located within the confidence intervals of the LVEDPSR obtained before opening the pericardium and instrumenting the heart.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Glycolysis is predominant source of myocardial ATP production immediately after birth
Authors: Lopaschuk G. D. , Spafford M. A. , Marsh D. R.
Published: December 2017

Glycolytic flux, as well as glucose, fatty acid, and lactate oxidation, was determined in isolated working hearts obtained from 1- and 7-day-old rabbits. One-day-old rabbit hearts were perfused via the inferior cava against a constant aortic and pulmonary arterial afterload, whereas hearts from 7-day-old rabbits were perfused via the left atria against a constant aortic afterload. Hearts were perfused with buffer containing 100 microU/ml insulin and either 1) 11 mM [U-14C/2-3H]glucose, 0.4 mM palmitate, 2 mM lactate; 2) 11 mM glucose, 0.4 mM [1-14C]palmitate, 2 mM lactate; or 3) 11 mM glucose, 0.4 mM palmitate, 2 mM [U-14C]lactate. Glycolytic rates (measured as 3H2O production) were high in 1-day-old hearts but decreased by 7 days (from 2,730 +/- 280 to 580 +/- 80 nmol.min-1.g dry wt-1). Rates of glucose oxidation (measured as 14CO2 production) were lower in both 1- and 7-day-old hearts (59 +/- 4.4 and 23 +/- 2 nmol.min-1.g dry wt-1). Palmitate oxidation rates were low in 1-day-old hearts but dramatically increased by 7 days (22.6 +/- 5.6 and 305 +/- 33 nmol oxidized.min-1.g dry wt-1, respectively). In contrast, lactate was readily oxidized by both 1- and 7-day-old hearts (169 +/- 14 and 456 +/- 52 nmol.min-1.g dry wt-1, respectively). In 1-day-old hearts, 44% of steady-state ATP production from exogenous sources were derived from glycolysis, whereas 18, 13, and 25% were derived from glucose, palmitate, and lactate oxidation, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Blood volume changes in liver and spleen during cardiogenic shock in dogs
Authors: Risoe C. , Hall C. , Smiseth O. A.
Published: December 2017

Changes in vascular capacitance of the liver and spleen were studied in seven anesthetized dogs during cardiogenic shock induced by coronary microembolization. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure increased from 2 +/- 2 to 28 +/- 4 mmHg (P less than 0.001), and mean aortic pressure decreased from 111 +/- 7 to 56 +/- 9 mmHg (P less than 0.001). Hepatic venous pressure increased from 1.8 +/- 0.6 to 5.0 +/- 1.0 mmHg (P less than 0.05). Portal venous pressure did not change. Blood volume changes were assessed from sonomicrometric measurements of organ diameters. Hepatic diameter increased after embolization, corresponding to an estimated 54 +/- 14 ml increase of hepatic blood volume (P less than 0.01). Splenic diameter gradually decreased during shock until an estimated 33 +/- 12 ml of blood had been released (P less than 0.05). Occlusion of hepatic venous outflow by a balloon catheter was used to cause ramp changes in hepatic volume and hepatic venous pressure so that a pressure-volume curve could be estimated. Analysis of the hepatic curves showed an increase in unstressed volume with no change in vascular compliance during shock. The blood volume increase could in part be attributed to increased outflow pressure, but active dilation of hepatic capacitance vessels probably contributed. Splenic curves were shifted downward, suggesting expulsion of blood by active contraction.
Dose-dependent effect of cyclosporin on renal arterial resistance in dogs
Authors: Carrier M. , Tronc F. , Stewart D. , Pelletier L. C.
Published: December 2017

Important side effects of cyclosporin (CSA) are renal insufficiency and hypertension. They might be related to a renal vasoconstrictive effect of CSA, and this vascular response might be due to a local mechanism. CSA was injected in isolated renal artery perfused at constant flow in dogs. Changes in renal perfusion pressure reflected variations in vascular resistance. Pure CSA was dissolved in autologous blood and injected at doses of 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 mg. The infusion of 0.5 and 1 mg caused averaged renal perfusion pressure increases of 8 +/- 4 mmHg and 15 +/- 8 mmHg. Renal venous CSA levels averaged 32 +/- 3 and 49 +/- 9 nmol/l, respectively, at the end of injections. Infusion of 5 and 10 mg of CSA caused averaged renal perfusion pressure increases of 32 +/- 12 mmHg and 81 +/- 21 mmHg. Renal venous CSA levels at the end of injections averaged 142 +/- 30 and 382 +/- 82 nmol/l, respectively. A positive correlation was found between the changes in renal perfusion pressure and renal venous CSA levels. Blockade of alpha-adrenergic receptors, surgical renal sympathectomy, administration of thromboxane receptor antagonist, and endothelial-dependent vasodilation by acetylcholine infusion did not affect the renal vasoconstriction effect of CSA; renal response to CSA was prevented by blockade of the Ca channels with diltiazem, and the plasma endothelin concentration in renal venous blood increased significantly after injection of CSA. A dose-dependent increase in renal arterial resistance occurs with therapeutic blood levels of CSA. Renal vasoconstriction is induced by a local effect at the arterial wall, which is independent of neurogenic, adrenergic, and prostaglandin mechanisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of glibenclamide and nicorandil on cardiac function during ischemia and reperfusion in isolated perfused rat hearts
Authors: Mitani A. , Kinoshita K. , Fukamachi K. , Sakamoto M. , Kurisu K. , Tsuruhara Y. , Fukumura F. , Nakashima A. , Tokunaga K.
Published: December 2017

We examined influences of a blocker (glibenclamide) and an opener (nicorandil) of the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel on extracellular K concentration [( K+]e), as well as the myocardial function and metabolites during global ischemia and reperfusion in Langendorff-perfused rat heart preparation. In control hearts, [K+]e began to rise 20 s after the onset of ischemia up to an initial peak (8.3 +/- 0.3 mM) at 2.5 +/- 0.7 min, then fell to 6.0 +/- 0.8 mM after 8.2 +/- 0.7 min, and then rose progressively to 14.6 +/- 0.8 mM at the end of 30 min of ischemia. Glibenclamide (50 microM) reduced the initial peak of [K+]e to 7.2 +/- 0.3 mM (P less than 0.01), and nicorandil (200 microM) increased it to 9.4 +/- 0.6 mM (P less than 0.01). There were no significant differences in [K+]e values among all groups at the end of ischemia. During ischemia, nicorandil decreased the time to mechanical arrest from 1.9 +/- 0.1 min to 1.5 +/- 0.1 min, whereas it was increased by glibenclamide to 2.7 +/- 0.4 min. In control hearts, the time to onset of ischemic contracture was 14.7 +/- 1.8 min. Nicorandil delayed onset of contracture and glibenclamide accelerated it. Thus we have confirmed that some part of the early increase in [K+]e during ischemia is attributable to K+ efflux through the KATP channel in our model, and opening of the KATP channel may contribute to a rapid reduction of the contractility of the ischemic myocardium that subsequently protects the myocardium against further ischemic injury.
Immunoglobulin and renal abnormalities in Dahl genetically hypertensive rat
Authors: Cowen L. A. , Harold M. R. , Chen C. M. , Abbott R. E. , Schachter D.
Published: December 2017

The Dahl salt-sensitive rat (DS) is a model of genetically determined arterial hypertension exacerbated by dietary salt. We report two additional abnormalities of DS rats, which are both genetically determined and enhanced by salt: 1) immunoglobulin disorders and 2) renal dysfunctions. These abnormalities precede and are not the result of the arterial hypertension. In young, prehypertensive DS rats the plasma and tissue concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, but not of IgM or IgA, are decreased compared with those of the salt-resistant strain (DR). A high-salt diet (8.0% NaCl) decreases the plasma and tissue IgG levels of DS but not of DR rats. Reduction of IgG in the DS strain results from both decreased synthesis and increased urinary excretion. Renal dysfunction in young, prehypertensive DS animals is manifested by increased excretion of high molecular weight proteins, including albumin, IgG, IgA, and IgM. The high-salt diet increases the urinary excretion of these proteins within 1-2 days, and the effect is much greater in DS compared with DR rats. The urinary excretion of IgG is selectively increased relative to immunoglobulin light chains, IgA and IgM in DS compared with DR animals. The present studies provide new markers characteristic of the DS phenotype and pose the issue of possible genetic or functional interrelationships among the salt-sensitive hypertension, immunoglobulin disorders, and renal dysfunctions.
Regional blood flow effects of ANP in conscious dogs: preferential gastrointestinal vasoconstriction
Authors: Woods R. L. , Smolich J. J.
Published: December 2017

We studied total and regional blood flow responses to human atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha-hANP) using radioactive microspheres in six conscious dogs. Hemodynamic responses to infusions of alpha-hANP at 75 ng.kg-1.min-1 were determined in each dog in the presence and absence of autonomic reflexes using the ganglion blocking agent pentolinium. When autonomic reflexes were blocked, alpha-hANP caused a substantial reduction in gastrointestinal (GI) vascular conductance (35%) but had no significant effects in brain, kidneys, liver, skeletal muscle, or skin. This alpha-hANP-induced fall in GI conductance contributed more than 40% to the fall in total peripheral conductance (TPC) of 24% occurring after autonomic blockade. A fall in myocardial vascular conductance, most prominent in the left ventricle, contributed a further 40% to the fall in TPC. When autonomic reflexes were intact, alpha-hANP caused vasoconstriction in the GI region (29% fall in vascular conductance), had no significant effects on myocardial vascular conductance but significantly increased splenic vascular conductance. In addition to these systemic responses, alpha-hANP infusion also significantly reduced pulmonary vascular conductance, independent of autonomic reflex activity or changes in pulmonary artery pressure. Thus our results in conscious dogs demonstrate that alpha-hANP causes a systemic vasoconstriction, most pronounced in the GI region.
Effects of ryanodine and BAY K 8644 on membrane properties and conduction during simulated ischemia
Authors: Maruyama T. , Cascio W. E. , Knisley S. B. , Buchanan J. , Gettes L. S.
Published: December 2017

We studied the effect of 1.0 microM ryanodine and 0.1 microM BAY K 8644 (putative modulators of intracellular calcium) on the changes in action potential characteristics, cellular coupling, and longitudinal conduction induced by simulated ischemia (9.0 mM K, 6.5 pH, 0 glucose, 20 mmHg PO2) in superfused guinea pig papillary muscles. Simulated ischemia (SI) depolarized the resting membrane by 5 mV and caused a 28% decrease in action potential upstroke (Vmax), a 65% decrease in action potential duration at 90% (APD90), a 40% increase in internal longitudinal resistance (ri), and a 17% decrease in conduction velocity as compared with the 9-K Tyrode control solution. These changes were reversible and reproducible. The decrease in Vmax induced by SI was greater than that associated with a K(+)-induced change in resting membrane potential (RMP). Ryanodine lessened the SI-induced APD90 shortening by 26%, the decrease in Vmax by 42%, the increase in ri by 33%, and the decrease in conduction velocity by 21%. BAY K 8644 did not alter SI-induced APD90 shortening but augmented the decrease in Vmax by 23%, the increase in ri by 67%, and the decrease in conduction velocity by 59%. Neither ryanodine nor BAY K 8644 altered the SI-induced changes in RMP. Our results suggest that changes in intracellular calcium during SI not only influence cellular coupling but also contribute to the apparent non-RMP-dependent component of the change in Vmax and to the change in APD90 induced by SI.
Role of xanthine dehydrogenase and oxidase in focal cerebral ischemic injury to rat
Authors: Lindsay S. , Liu T. H. , Xu J. A. , Marshall P. A. , Thompson J. K. , Parks D. A. , Freeman B. A. , Hsu C. Y. , Beckman J. S.
Published: December 2017

The role of xanthine dehydrogenase and oxidase as a source of free radicals contributing to focal cerebral ischemic injury was evaluated in Long-Evans rats after the middle cerebral artery was permanently occluded and both carotid arteries were clamped for 90 min. The fraction of xanthine dehydrogenase present as the free radical producing oxidase increased slightly from 22% in control cortex to 30% in the ischemic right cortex during the first 3 h of reperfusion and then remained relatively unchanged over the next 24 h. This increase may in part be due to entrapped plasma, which contained 4.5 +/- 0.8 nmol.min-1.ml-1 xanthine oxidase entirely in the free radical-producing form. Infarct volume was unaffected by pretreatment with 50 mg allopurinol/kg per day over 3 days before surgery but was decreased by 8% with 100 mg/kg and 24% with 150 mg/kg of allopurinol (P less than 0.05). However, inhibition of xanthine oxidase by dietary depletion of the essential molybdenum cofactor increased infarct volume by 19%, suggesting that protection by allopurinol at higher dosages was independent of xanthine oxidase inhibition. Neither xanthine oxidase present in rat brain nor circulating in plasma appears to be the primary source of oxygen radicals that contributes to infarction in focal cerebral ischemia.
Independent dual perfusion of left and right coronary arteries in isolated rat hearts
Authors: Avkiran M. , Curtis M. J.
Published: December 2017

A novel dual lumen aortic cannula was designed and constructed to permit independent perfusion of left and right coronary beds in isolated rat hearts without necessitating the cannulation of individual arteries. Stability of the dual-perfusion preparation was shown to be similar to that of the conventional Langendorff preparation, in terms of coronary flow, heart rate, and high-energy phosphate content. The independence of left and right perfusion beds was confirmed by unilateral infusion of disulfine blue dye and spectrophotometric detection of the dye in ventricular homogenates. Transient cessation of flow to the left coronary bed resulted in severe ventricular arrhythmias upon reperfusion, as in conventional models of regional ischemia and reperfusion. The dual-perfusion model is technically undemanding, reproducible, inexpensive, and can be used in several species. It enables studies with 1) regional low flow ischemia, 2) regional zero-flow ischemia without coronary ligation (with attendant damage to vasculature), 3) selective application of drugs or interventions to the ischemic-reperfused zone, and 4) selective application of components of ischemia and reperfusion to a site anatomically relevant to ischemic heart disease.
Contribution of nitric oxide to dilation of resistance coronary vessels in conscious dogs
Authors: Parent R. , Pare R. , Lavallee M.
Published: December 2017

Endothelium-dependent relaxation of conductance coronary vessels involves nitric oxide formation from L-arginine. The present study examines whether a similar mechanism intervenes in the vasomotor control of resistance coronary vessels. In conscious dogs, the excess of coronary blood flow (CBF) created by intracoronary acetylcholine (3.0 ng/kg) averaged 7.2 +/- 1.1 ml. Intracoronary adenosine (100 ng/kg) increased CBF by 12.4 +/- 1.4 ml. Intracoronary nitroglycerin (175 ng/kg) increased CBF by 7.4 +/- 1.2 ml. CBF repayment-to-debt ratio after a 15-s coronary arterial occlusion averaged 2.8 +/- 0.2. After an intracoronary N omega-nitro-L-arginine dose (10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 x 12 min) was given to inhibit nitric oxide formation, baseline CBF was not altered. CBF increases with acetylcholine averaged 2.4 +/- 0.5 and 6.4 +/- 0.7 ml with adenosine, both less (P less than 0.01) than responses before the arginine analogue. CBF increases with nitroglycerin averaged 7.2 +/- 1.1 ml, similar to control responses. CBF repayment-to-debt ratio during reactive hyperemic responses fell (P less than 0.01) to 1.7 +/- 0.1. L-Arginine (1.0 mg.kg-1.min-1 x 12 min) partially reversed the inhibitory effect of the arginine analogue on CBF responses to acetylcholine. Thus nitric oxide formed in resistance coronary vessels is a major mediator of coronary vasodilation to acetylcholine, adenosine and transient ischemia.
Temperature and hydrostatic pressure-dependent pathways of low-density lipoprotein transport across microvascular barrier
Authors: Rutledge J. C.
Published: December 2017

To further investigate the chemical and physical nature of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transport pathways across intact microvessels, the effect of changes in temperature and microvessel hydrostatic pressure were measured in individually perfused postcapillary vessels within frog mesenteric vascular beds. LDL microvessel transport was measured at two microvessel temperature ranges (18-21 degrees C and 4-6 degrees C) and compared with transport of fluorescein, a small solute. Also, LDL transport was measured at a series of hydrostatic pressures (3-20 cmH2O) at microvessel temperatures of 18-21 degrees C and 4-6 degrees C to determine whether LDL transport was coupled to water flow, which would be evidence for hydraulic pathways of solute transport across the microvascular barrier. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy was employed to determine apparent solute permeability coefficients (Ps) under the various temperature and hydrostatic pressure conditions studied. The ratio of Ps fluorescein 18-21 degrees C/4-6 degrees C [1.6 +/- 0.3 (SD)] indicated that fluorescein was freely diffusible across the microvascular barrier through water-filled pathways as transport was inversely proportional to temperature-dependent changes in viscosity. The larger ratio for LDL (Ps LDL 18-21/4-6 degrees C = 9.5 +/- 8.1) than for fluorescein cannot be explained by LDL transport through fixed hydraulic pathways alone and suggests additional or alternate LDL transport mechanisms. In addition, Ps LDL increased as microvessel hydrostatic pressure increased at microvessel temperatures of 18-21 degrees C but not at 4-6 degrees C. Coupling of LDL transport to water flow at the high microvessel temperature range, but not at the low range, indicated the presence of a hydraulic transport pathway that was effectively absent when the microvessel was cooled. These results demonstrated a highly temperature and hydrostatic pressure-dependent LDL pathway that is consistent with a dynamic porous extracellular or transcellular mechanism of LDL transport.
Acute myocardial ischemia causes a transmural gradient in glucose extraction but not glucose uptake
Authors: Stanley W. C. , Hall J. L. , Stone C. K. , Hacker T. A.
Published: December 2017

We assessed the relationship between myocardial glucose metabolism and blood flow during ischemia in eight open-chest swine. Coronary flow was controlled by an extracorporeal perfusion circuit. Left anterior descending coronary arterial (LAD) flow was reduced by 60%, while left circumflex flow was normally perfused. The rate of glucose uptake (Rg) was measured with a coronary infusion of 2-deoxy-D-[14C]glucose and myocardial blood flow with radiolabeled microspheres. Myocardial biopsies were taken after 50 min of ischemia. Regional arterial-venous glucose difference was calculated as Rg per myocardial blood flow. Subendocardial blood flow decreased from 1.27 +/- 0.19 to 0.25 +/- 0.11 ml.g-1.min-1 (P less than 0.0001). The subendocardial arterial-venous glucose difference was greater in the LAD bed (1.38 +/- 0.35 mumol/ml) than the left circumflex coronary arterial perfusion bed (0.10 +/- 03; P less than 0.01); however, there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of glucose uptake between the two beds. Subendocardial glycogen concentration in the LAD perfusion bed was reduced to 26% of circumflex bed values. In conclusion, acute ischemia stimulated a dramatic increase in glucose extraction; however, this did not compensate for the decrease in blood flow, and thus the rate of glucose uptake did not increase significantly. The high rate of glycolysis is primarily supported by accelerated net glycogen breakdown rather than increased glucose uptake.
Oxygen modulates endothelium-derived relaxing factor production in fetal pulmonary arteries
Authors: Shaul P. W. , Farrar M. A. , Zellers T. M.
Published: December 2017

Alterations in endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) production or mechanism of action may be involved in the responses of the developing pulmonary vasculature to changes in oxygenation. In this study the effects of acute changes in in vitro oxygen tension on EDRF production were determined in isolated segments of ovine fetal intrapulmonary arteries (4th generation) obtained at 125-135 days of gestation (term 144 +/- 4 days). EDRF production was assessed by measuring segment guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) accumulation in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Basal (nonstimulated) cGMP production and cGMP production with acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation were dependent on the presence of the endothelium, on the availability of L-arginine, and on soluble guanylate cyclase activity, confirming that they were indicative of EDRF production. cGMP production with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was used to discriminate changes in the sensitivity of soluble guanylate cyclase with varying conditions. With decreasing oxygen tension, basal and ACh-stimulated cGMP production were attenuated, whereas cGMP production with SNP was not, indicating oxygen modulation of EDRF production. Studies of endothelium-dependent relaxation yielded comparable findings in that the response to ACh was attenuated, but that to SNP was not altered by decreased oxygenation. In addition, the decline in endothelium-dependent relaxation with decreased oxygen tension was rapidly reversed when oxygenation was increased. Parallel experiments examining cGMP production in similarly sized mesenteric arteries revealed that the effect of oxygen on pulmonary artery EDRF production may be specific to that vascular bed. These findings indicate that oxygen selectively modulates EDRF production and endothelium-dependent relaxation in ovine fetal pulmonary arteries. Direct effects of oxygen on EDRF production may at least partially underlie the responses of the developing pulmonary circulation to changes in oxygenation.
Age-related response of rabbit heart to normothermic ischemia: a 31P-MRS study
Authors: Carr L. J. , VanderWerf Q. M. , Anderson S. E. , Kost G. J.
Published: December 2017

The age-related response of the myocardium to 30 min of 37 degrees C global ischemia and 120 min of 37 degrees C reperfusion, measured by phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the recovery of isovolumic function, was evaluated by using perfused neonatal (3-8 days old, n = 10), immature (24-30 days old, n = 10), and adult (2-4 mo old, n = 5) rabbit hearts. Basal intracellular pH (pHi) was highest in neonatal hearts and decreased with age. The basal phosphocreatine (PCr)-to-ATP ratio differed in each group, increasing with age. Rapid depletion of PCr occurred in all groups during ischemia; ATP retention was greater in adults than in neonates. Reperfusion resulted in no measurable recovery of ATP in any group. Postischemic pHi stabilized above preischemic values in neonatal and immature hearts and below preischemic values in adult hearts. Recovery of PCr and cytosolic Pi (Pcyi) content, heart rate, and coronary flow during reperfusion was greater in neonatal and immature than in adult hearts. During the final 20 min of ischemia, pHi was lower in immature than in neonatal or adult hearts. Postischemic recovery of left ventricular maximum rate of pressure rise (+dP/dtmax) was depressed in immature compared with neonatal and adult hearts. These results demonstrate increased tolerance of the neonatal heart and increased susceptibility of the immature heart to unprotected normothermic ischemic injury relative to the adult heart and suggest that maturational changes in myocardial pHi regulation may be responsible for the observed age-related response.
Late onset renal hypertension in old rats alters left ventricular structure and function
Authors: Tomanek R. J. , Aydelotte M. R.
Published: December 2017

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the left ventricle of the senescent rat has a limited compensatory response to late onset hypertension. Data were obtained from middle-aged (15 mo) and senescent (24 mo) Sprague-Dawley rats either 1 or 3 mo after the initiation of one-kidney figure-8 renal wrap (Grollman) hypertension. Peak left ventricular (LV) function assessed during acute volume expansion was not markedly affected 1 mo after induction of hypertension with the exception of a decrement in the acceleration of aortic flow (dF/dt) in the senescent hypertensive group. Three months after the surgery was performed, peak LV function (stroke index, stroke volume/g LV, and dF/dt) was depressed in the senescent hypertensive rats, compared with the controls. In contrast, these indexes in the 15-mo-old rats were similar in the experimental and control groups after either 1 or 3 mo of hypertension. Developed pressure, however, was not compromised by hypertension at either age. Cardiocyte hypertrophy due to pressure overload occurred in both age groups but to a greater extent in the senescent group. This cellular response did not cause an absolute increase in LV mass and was associated with endomyocardial foci of cellular degeneration and fibrosis suggestive of cell loss. Mitochondria-to-myofibril volume ratios were not significantly altered in the experimental groups at either age, thus the cellular hypertrophy in these rats was characterized by uniform organelle growth. These data support two important conclusions regarding late onset hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase in the heart
Authors: Bruns W. , Gros G.
Published: December 2017

Microsomal membranes from bovine heart homogenates were subfractionated by density gradient centrifugation. Fractions with high levels of a sarcolemmal (SL) marker are enriched in specific carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity up to ninefold compared with the microsomes. Fractions with high levels of a sarcoplasmic reticulum marker and a mitochondrial marker, respectively, exhibit specific CA activities that are similar to the one found in the microsomes. Determination of cytosolic markers reveals that the CA activity in the SL fraction is not due to contamination by cytosolic CA, and it is shown by Triton X-114 phase separation that the CA activity is due to an integral membrane protein. In cryosections from rabbit heart the SL region of cardiomyocytes is stained by the fluorescent CA inhibitor dansylsulfonamide. Intracellular staining occurs also, with a pattern suggesting the presence of CA associated with intracellular membranes. Although it cannot be excluded that there is a contribution by endothelial membranes, it appears likely that most CA of the heart is bound to the SL. The possible involvement of the enzyme in extracellular proton buffering is discussed.
Cascade of cell swelling: thermodynamic potential discharge of brain cells after membrane injury
Authors: Tomita M. , Gotoh F.
Published: December 2017

This paper illustrates the principles of volume regulation in brain cells. Animal experiments were first performed ex vivo. Brains of gerbils were removed and incubated in 3 ml of physiological saline for 1 h. Control (0.86 g, n = 8) and swollen hemispheres (1.11 g, n = 8) were analyzed for tissue hydration, electrolytes and osmolality. The incubation media were also analyzed for gains or losses of electrolytes and water. Na+ and Cl- moved into and K+ moved out of the tissue. The ratio of Na+ influx to K+ efflux was calculated to be approximately 2:1. Water shifted into the tissue accompanying the net movements of small ions. In a simulated "cell" model constructed on the basis of the above observations with an outside saline and an inside colloid solution separated by a dialysis membrane, fluid shifts were demonstrated in the absence of (or even against) an osmotic gradient across the membrane under isobaric and isothermal conditions. Such paradoxical fluid shifts, presumably occurring in a similar manner to those in living cells, were shown to be due to the discharge of a huge thermodynamic potential accumulated by the cell as a condensation of ions outside and of proteins inside the cell membrane. We conclude that a loss in barrier function of the cell membrane ignites such a thermodynamic potential discharge causing an environmental fluid shift into the cells even under conditions of no (or even a contrary) osmotic gradient. Under such circumstances, countercotransporters and ion exchangers such as Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- may work as modulators of the fluid shift, limiting its rate. The thermodynamic potential can explain the cascade of cell swelling (cytotoxic edema) as well as the spontaneous increase in osmolality in the ischemic cell when the cell volume increase is somehow restricted.
Cerebral energy metabolism during hypoxia-ischemia and early recovery in immature rats
Authors: Yager J. Y. , Brucklacher R. M. , Vannucci R. C.
Published: December 2017

Persistent alterations in cellular energy homeostasis may contribute to the brain damage that evolves from perinatal cerebral hypoxia-ischemia. Accordingly, the presence and extent of perturbations in high-energy phosphate reserves were analyzed during hypoxia-ischemia and the early recovery period in the immature rat. Seven-day postnatal rats were subjected to unilateral common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia with 8% oxygen at 37 degrees C for 3 h, an insult that produces damage (selective neuronal necrosis or infarction) of the cerebral hemisphere ipsilateral to the common carotid artery ligation in 92% of animals. Rat pups were quick frozen in liquid nitrogen during hypoxia-ischemia and at 10, 30, and 60 min and 4 and 24 h of recovery for enzymatic, fluorometric analysis of phosphocreatine (PCr), creatine, ATP, ADP, and AMP. During hypoxia-ischemia, PCr, ATP, and total adenine nucleotides were decreased by 87, 72, and 50% of control, respectively. During recovery, PCr, ATP, and total adenine nucleotides exhibited a rapid (within 10 min) although incomplete and heterogeneous recovery that persisted for at least 24 h. Mean values for PCr remained between 55 and 85% of control, whereas ATP values remained between 57 and 67% of control. Individual ATP values were inversely related to tissue water content at 10 min of recovery, indicating a close correlation between failure of energy restoration and the extent of cerebral edema as a reflection of brain damage. Thus high-energy phosphate reserves display lingering alterations during recovery from hypoxia-ischemia. The interanimal variability in energy restoration presumably reflects the spectrum of brain damage seen in this model of perinatal cerebral hypoxia-ischemia.
EDRF and nitric oxide production in cultured endothelial cells: direct inhibition by E. coli endotoxin
Authors: Myers P. R. , Wright T. F. , Tanner M. A. , Adams H. R.
Published: December 2017

Recent studies have yielded contradictory interpretations about the influence of gram-negative endotoxin on endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). We tested the hypothesis that Escherichia coli endotoxin exerts primary facilitatory or, alternatively, inhibitory actions on EDRF release and the synthesis of either nitric oxide or a nitroso compound in cultured endothelial cells. Bovine aortic endothelial cells were grown on microcarrier beads and either exposed acutely (30 min) to E. coli endotoxin or incubated with endotoxin for 1 h followed by a 1-h wash (prolonged exposure). EDRF bioactivity was measured under basal, bradykinin-stimulated, and A23187-stimulated conditions using standard isometric tension recordings. EDRF-derived nitric oxide was quantitated using a specific chemiluminescence technique. Endotoxin (0.005-5 micrograms/ml) decreased EDRF bioactivity and nitric oxide production under both basal and bradykinin-stimulated conditions after prolonged, but not acute, exposure. A23187-stimulated EDRF bioactivity and nitric oxide production were minimally, albeit significantly, reduced after endotoxin. The present results demonstrate that EDRF activity and nitric oxide production are decreased in vascular endothelial cells exposed to endotoxin. Endotoxin itself failed to directly stimulate EDRF release from endothelium. Alternative sources of nitrovasodilators, endothelium-independent effects, or release of other vasoactive mediators by endotoxin may be responsible for systemic hypotension during in vivo endotoxemia.
Amelioration of effects of hypertension and diabetes on myocardium by cardiac glycoside
Authors: Capasso J. M. , Puntillo E. , Halpryn B. , Olivetti G. , Li P. , Anversa P.
Published: December 2017

To determine whether digoxin protects the myocardium during the initial phases of hypertension and diabetes combined, adult male Wistar rats with two-kidney, one-clip renal hypertension and streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus were treated with digoxin (500 micrograms.kg-1.day-1) by gavage for 10 wk immediately after the onset of hypertension and diabetes. Systemic arterial blood pressures, ventricular pressures, the first time derivative of left ventricular pressure, diastolic wall stress, and the quantitative analysis of the number and distribution of myocardial lesions and capillary density of the myocardium were measured. In comparison to untreated hypertensive-diabetic animals, digoxin-treated rats showed a lesser elevation in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and diastolic and systolic wall stress despite comparable degrees of hypertension and blood glucose levels. In addition, chamber diameter was smaller and the diffusion distance for oxygen was within normal values in animals treated with this glycoside. However, the numerical density of the foci of replacement fibrosis was similar to that found in untreated hypertensive-diabetic animals. In conclusion, digoxin reduces the magnitude of ventricular remodeling and diastolic wall stress in this model of hypertension and diabetes.
Role of nitric oxide in vasopressinergic pulmonary vasodilatation
Authors: Russ R. D. , Walker B. R.
Published: December 2017

Experiments were performed to determine the mechanism of vasopressinergic pulmonary vasodilation in isolated, salt-perfused rat lungs. Administration of a 50-ng bolus of arginine vasopressin (AVP) to lungs preconstricted with the synthetic thromboxane analogue U-46619 resulted in a 66% reversal of pulmonary vasoconstriction. Administration of the known endothelium-dependent vasodilator ATP resulted in a parallel decrease in pressure. The vasodilatory responses to both agents were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). In addition to attenuating the vasodilatory response to these agents, L-NNA pretreatment caused a significant augmentation of the pressor response to U-46619 without affecting baseline pulmonary arterial pressure. The attenuation of vasopressinergic pulmonary vasodilation by L-NNA was completely reversed by addition of excess substrate for NO production (50 mM L-arginine) but was unaffected by addition of equimolar amounts of D-arginine. Finally, L-NNA pretreatment failed to attenuate the vasodilatory actions of sodium nitroprusside and isoproterenol. We conclude that AVP dilates the preconstricted pulmonary vasculature via the release of nitric oxide.
Capillary perfusion in skeletal muscle
Authors: Snyder G. K. , Farrelly C. , Coelho J. R.
Published: December 2017

Timed perfusions of capillaries in soleus, vastus lateralis, and diaphragm of rats were determined by injecting a fluorescent dye into the aorta or right atrium. At preselected time intervals after dye injection, the circulation was interrupted, skeletal muscles were excised and frozen, and numerical counts of capillaries were made from transverse sections of the muscles. When fluorescent dye was injected into the right atrium or injected relatively slowly into the aorta, 100% of the capillaries contained dye by 3 s in vastus lateralis, 5 s in diaphragm, and 7 s in soleus. Rapid injection into the aorta delayed capillary filling. The rapid appearance of dye in skeletal muscle microvasculature suggests that either all capillaries are open to plasma flow all of the time or that the time constant for reopening of closed capillaries is very short. Furthermore, the patterns of capillary filling in skeletal muscle appear to be independent of muscle fiber type.
Myocardial function in immature and mature sheep with pressure-overload hypertrophy
Authors: Aoyagi T. , Mirsky I. , Flanagan M. F. , Currier J. J. , Colan S. D. , Fujii A. M.
Published: December 2017

The effect of pressure-overload left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on myocardial function is controversial. A major factor in the controversy may be the age at which the pressure overload was induced. The goal of this study was to determine whether the age at which the LVH was induced affected systolic myocardial function. We studied lambs (n = 8) and sheep (n = 7) with LVH induced by constricting the ascending aorta and their sham-operated controls (n = 7 and n = 7). This new, unsedated, ovine model of LVH was large enough to accommodate chronic surgical implantation of instrumentation and the induction of pressure-overload hypertrophy in both young and adult age groups. Solid-state intraventricular pressure transducers and sonomicrometer crystal were used to assess instantaneous left ventricular pressure and dimensions. Myocardial contractility was assessed with midwall shortening at common preload and afterload. Load alterations were induced by graded infusion of methoxamine. There was depressed myocardial function in adult sheep with LVH compared with adult controls. Lambs with and without LVH had normal left ventricular myocardial function, similar to adult controls. Similar results were obtained in studies after beta-adrenergic receptor blockade. We conclude that maturation decreases the ability of the myocardium to maintain normal contractility in the presence of pressure-overload hypertrophy.
Influence of extracellular potassium on energetics of resting heart muscle
Authors: Ponce-Hornos J. E. , Marquez M. T. , Bonazzola P.
Published: December 2017

The effects of various extracellular K concentrations ([K]e) on energy expenditure and their relationship to ionic exchange mechanisms under quiescent conditions were investigated in the arterially perfused rat heart. The increase in [K]e (from 6 to 12, 24, or 50 mM K) leads to a rapid increase (results are given per gram dry weight) in resting energy expenditure (+5.9 +/- 0.9, +13.6 +/- 1.1, and +30.0 +/- 2.0 mW/g, respectively) followed by a slow decrease toward a new steady rate of heat production but higher (+2.8 +/- 0.7, +6.3 +/- 0.6, and +10.5 +/- 1.1 mW/g) than that observed under control conditions (21.1 +/- 0.7 mW/g). The increase in [K]e from 6 to 50 mM also induced an increase in K influx (calculated from 86Rb uptake and efflux experiments) of approximately 0.25 mumol.g-1.s-1. If this increased K influx is driven by the Na-K pump, an increase in steady resting heat production of approximately 10 mW/g would be expected. This represents 95% of the increase in steady heat production measured for 50 mM K intervention. The simultaneous increase in the cellular Ca flux (+0.1 mumol.g-1.min-1) can only explain (if driven by the sarcolemmal Ca pump) less than 1% of the steady increase in heat production. The work also shows that the initial, transitory increase in resting heat production induced by increasing [K]e is caffeine sensitive and may be at least partially attributable to a transitory enhanced activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum.