bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ACE in three tunicae of rat aorta: expression in smooth muscle and effect of renovascular hypertension
Authors: Arnal J. F. , Battle T. , Rasetti C. , Challah M. , Costerousse O. , Vicaut E. , Michel J. B. , Alhenc-Gelas F.
Published: December 2017

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) is known to be present at the surface of endothelial cells and also in the adventitia in large vessels. The presence of ACE in the vascular smooth muscle remains controversial. We microdissected segments of adventitia and media with or without endothelium from a region devoid of collateral arteries. The membrane-bound ACE activity in the media averaged 41% (pmol [glycine-1–14C]hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine hydrolyzed.g tissue-1.min-1) of the values found in the whole aorta, whereas the adventitia contained only 6%. Immunoreactive ACE in media was characterized by Western blotting. ACE mRNAs were detected and characterized after polymerase chain amplification in isolated media. Angiotensin I and angiotensin II were equally able to contract medial rings, and the response to angiotensin I was blocked by enalaprilat. In aortas of two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats, there was an increase in ACE mRNA estimated by ribonuclease protection assay (P = 0.02) and in ACE activity at 15 days and 1 and 3 mo after clipping. This corresponded to a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in the ACE activity of both the media and the adventitia compared with sham-operated rats (P < or = 0.02). Thus ACE gene expression occurs in smooth muscle of rat aorta, which contains roughly the same amount of enzyme as the endothelium and readily converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. ACE in the medial layer and the adventitia is upregulated in renovascular hypertension.
Rate of glycolysis during ischemia determines extent of ischemic injury and functional recovery after reperfusion
Authors: Vanoverschelde J. L. , Janier M. F. , Bakke J. E. , Marshall D. R. , Bergmann S. R.
Published: December 2017

The efficacy of increasing glycolysis during ischemia for enhancing the salutary effects of reperfusion was evaluated in isolated perfused rabbit hearts subjected to low-flow ischemia followed by reperfusion. Control hearts were perfused with buffer containing 0.4 mM palmitate, 5 mM glucose, and 70 mU/l insulin. Additional groups of hearts were perfused with double glucose/insulin and 1 mM dichloroacetate or were subjected to substrate priming to increase preischemic glycogen content. Ischemic contracture was completely prevented in hearts perfused with high glucose/insulin and was delayed markedly by either dichloroacetate or enhanced preischemic glycogen [45 +/- 14 and 31 +/- 20 min, respectively; P < 0.01 each vs. control (11 +/- 10 min)] and inversely related to the rate of lactate production. With reperfusion, recovery of developed pressure was 56 +/- 23% of baseline in control hearts, 90 +/- 8% in hearts receiving high glucose/insulin, 92 +/- 5% in hearts receiving dichloroacetate, and 79 +/- 19% in hearts with increased glycogen (P < 0.05 each vs. control hearts). Creatine kinase release was reduced by > 55% in treated hearts. Thus enhancement of glycolysis by diverse mechanisms during ischemia decreased ischemic damage and improved the recovery of contractile function with reperfusion.
Effect of hypertrophy on mechanisms of relaxation in isolated cardiac myocytes from guinea pig
Authors: Naqvi R. U. , Macleod K. T.
Published: December 2017

Modifications to cell relaxation and handling of intracellular Ca have been demonstrated in animals with cardiac cell hypertrophy leading to decompensated heart failure. A previously described model of renal hypertension leading to cardiac cell hypertrophy in the guinea pig, produced using the Goldblatt 2-kidney, 1-clip technique, was used to investigate which of the main mechanisms causing cell relaxation (the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-adenosinetriphosphatase and Na/Ca exchanger) are altered in hypertrophy. Relaxation upon rewarming from a rapid cooling contracture was slowed in hypertrophied (H) compared with control (C) cells. Relaxation was further slowed in H compared with C cells when Na/Ca exchange was inhibited by rewarming in a Na-free, Ca-free solution and slowed most markedly in H cells in the presence of 10 mM caffeine. Hypertrophy led to greater modification of cell length relaxation in comparison with the decline in the indo-1 transient, but the force-pCa relationship in skinned muscles showed that myofilament sensitivity was unchanged. Such results indicate that cell relaxation and Ca handling are affected in hypertrophy, possibly involving modifications of Na/Ca exchange activity.
Epinephrine increases ATP production in hearts by preferentially increasing glucose metabolism
Authors: Collins-Nakai R. L. , Noseworthy D. , Lopaschuk G. D.
Published: December 2017

Although epinephrine is widely used clinically, its effect on myocardial energy substrate preference in the intact heart has yet to be clearly defined. We determined the effects of epinephrine on glucose and fatty acid metabolism in isolated working rat hearts perfused with 11 mM glucose, 0.4 mM palmitate, and 100 muU/ml insulin at an 11.5-mmHg left atrial preload and a 60-mmHg aortic afterload. Glycolysis and glucose oxidation were measured in hearts perfused with [5–3H]glucose and [U-14C]glucose, whereas fatty acid oxidation was measured in hearts perfused with [1–14C]palmitate. Addition of 1 microM epinephrine resulted in a 53% increase in the heart rate-developed pressure product. Glycolysis increased dramatically following addition of epinephrine (a 272% increase), as did glucose oxidation (a 410% increase). In contrast, fatty acid oxidation increased by only 10%. Epinephrine treatment did not increase the amount of oxygen required to produce an equivalent amount of ATP; however, epinephrine did increase the uncoupling between glycolysis and glucose oxidation in these fatty acid-perfused hearts, resulting in a significant increase in H+ production from glucose metabolism. Overall ATP production in epinephrine-treated hearts increased 59%. The contribution of glucose (glycolysis and glucose oxidation) to ATP production increased from 13 to 36%, which was accompanied by a reciprocal decrease in the contribution of fatty acid oxidation to ATP production from 83 to 63%. The increase in glucose oxidation was accompanied by a significant increase in pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity in the active form. We conclude that the increase in ATP required for contractile function following epinephrine treatment occurs through a preferential increase in glucose use.
Heat shock improves ischemic tolerance of hypertrophied rat hearts
Authors: Cornelussen R. , Spiering W. , Webers J. H. , De Bruin L. G. , Reneman R. S. , van der Vusse G. J. , Snoeckx L. H.
Published: December 2017

The postischemic recovery of hypertrophied hearts was studied 24 h after total body hyperthermia. To this end, anesthetized aortic-banded and sham-operated rats were subjected to heat shock (AoBHS and ShamHS, respectively). Cardiac hypertrophy was induced 8 wk earlier. In isolated ejecting hearts, functional recovery after 45 min of global ischemia was poor and moderate in nonheated (control) hypertrophied (AoBC) and nonheated (control) nonhypertrophied (ShamC) hearts, respectively. Heat shock significantly improved postischemic recovery in both AoBHS and ShamHS hearts. This improvement of functional recovery was associated with a significant reduction of the duration of arrhythmias. In addition, coronary flow was significantly higher in both types of heat-shocked hearts than in the corresponding control hearts during the preischemic as well as the postischemic period. Postischemic endocardial flow, assessed using radioactive microspheres, was significantly improved in AoBHS hearts. Compared with the corresponding control hearts, the native endogenous catalase activity was not changed in AoBHS hearts but was significantly increased in ShamHS hearts. The present findings suggest that the postischemic functional improvement after total body hyperthermia can be explained by increased and more homogeneous myocardial perfusion, which may also reduce the duration of postischemic arrhythmias. This effect is especially beneficial for the hypertrophied heart, which is known to be extremely vulnerable to the ischemic insult probably caused by subendocardial underperfusion.
Excitation-contraction coupling and relaxation in porcine carotid arteries are specifically dependent on glucose
Authors: Zhang C. , Paul R. J.
Published: December 2017

Vascular metabolism is compartmentalized, such that aerobic glycolysis is associated with membrane energy-dependent functions and oxidative metabolism correlates with vascular contractility. We investigated the importance of glucose, a primary substrate for glycolysis, in maintenance of resting tension and excitation-contraction (EC) coupling in porcine carotid artery. All arteries were precontracted with 80 mM KCl and exposed to hypoxia in the absence of glucose (6 min) to deplete stored glycogen, an alternative substrate for glycolysis. After depletion, sensitivity to agonists was substantially increased. The concentration of norepinephrine (NE) that induced half-maximal response (EC50) was significantly decreased under glucose-free conditions, and the maximal response was unchanged. The decrease in EC50, or increase in sensitivity, was reversed by glucose, but not by beta-hydroxybutyrate, a substrate for oxidative metabolism. Similar results were obtained in concentration-isometric force responses of histamine and KCl. Importantly, measurements of high-energy phosphagen content in freeze-clamped arteries indicate that these substrate perturbations were not associated with significant changes in global energy stores. Responses to a single dose of NE or histamine in Ca(2+)-free medium were significantly lower if intracellular Ca2+ stores were loaded in the presence of beta-hydroxybutyrate than in the presence of glucose, suggesting that normal maintenance of intracellular Ca2+ stores also depends specifically on glucose. Furthermore 14 of 26 rings exhibited an increase in resting tension and/or oscillation in the absence of glucose, despite near-normal force responses to KCI. This phenomenon was reversed by nifedipine or glucose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Diverse G protein and beta-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression in normal and failing porcine hearts
Authors: Ping P. , Hammond H. K.
Published: December 2017

Right atrial and left ventricular homogenates have similar protein composition and beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) numbers, but the right atrium has > 58% less adenylyl cyclase activity than the left ventricle. Associated with distinctive patterns of adenylyl cyclase activities are differences in G protein regulation between the two chambers. Compared with the left ventricle, the right atrium has 74% less Gs alpha mRNA (P < 0.0001) and 83% less G alpha i-2 mRNA (P < 0.002). When hearts are rapidly paced to produce heart failure, the left ventricle shows significant reductions in mRNA expression for both Gs alpha and G alpha i-2. However, the right atrium shows increased Gs alpha and G alpha i-2 mRNA expression. Despite divergent mRNA expression, Gs alpha and G alpha i-2 protein expression is down-regulated in both chambers in heart failure. In contrast, both chambers have similar beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptor mRNA contents, and there is a selective reduction of beta 1-adrenergic receptor protein and mRNA in response to heart failure. Thus G protein and beta-AR mRNA regulation is regionally diverse in the heart. Physiological and anatomic differences between the right atrium and the left ventricle may dictate distinct patterns of adrenergic signaling and adaptations to stress.
Proportional arteriolar growth accompanies cardiac hypertrophy induced by volume overload
Authors: Chen Y. , Torry R. J. , Baumbach G. L. , Tomanek R. J.
Published: December 2017

Volume overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy is characterized by normal coronary reserve and maximal flow. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that both arteriolar and capillary growth are proportional to the magnitude of hypertrophy in this model. Five months after performing an aortocaval fistula [arteriovenous (A-V) shunt] in young rats, right and left ventricles were 61 and 55%, respectively, heavier than their sham controls. Using morphometric methods and image analysis, we found that increases in cardiac myocyte cross-sectional area accounted for approximately 50% of the hypertrophy and that arteriolar length density (LV) (7.5 +/- 0.9 and 7.0 +/- 0.4 mm/mm3) and the frequency distribution of arteriolar diameters were similar in the hearts from A-V shunt and control rats. Capillary LV in the right ventricle was similar in the two groups; in the left ventricle a significantly lower LV for the A-V shunt rats was noted only in the endomyocardium. Capillary volume density was not attenuated in the A-V shunt rats, since slightly larger luminal diameters compensated for any decrements in LV in the left ventricle. These findings provide an anatomic basis for the observation that maximal myocardial perfusion is not necessarily compromised in ventricular enlargement due to aortocaval fistula. Because diastolic volume is increased in this model and thereby provides a stretch on the microvasculature, our findings are consistent with those from other models of cardiac hypertrophy in which enhancement of mechanical factors is associated with angiogenesis.
Isolation and characterization of macrovascular and microvascular endothelial cells from human hearts
Authors: Grafe M. , Auch-Schwelk W. , Graf K. , Terbeek D. , Hertel H. , Unkelbach M. , Hildebrandt A. , Fleck E.
Published: December 2017

In vivo models to investigate mechanisms of local hemostasis in the macro- and microvascular coronary circulation are not available. Therefore, we established a culture system of human macro- and microvascular endothelial cells with high cellular yield and high endothelial cell purity. Microvascular endothelial cells from human hearts were isolated by enzymatic treatment of cardiac muscle preparations obtained during heart transplantation. The isolated microvessels were used to start cultures that were subsequently separated and purified from contaminating nonendothelial cells by paramagnetic beads linked to the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin I. Macrovascular endothelial cells were isolated from epicardial coronary arteries and purified by paramagnetic beads as well. With this method high purity (< 2% nonendothelial cells) was achieved as judged from fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Immunochemistry demonstrated the expression of several typical endothelial markers. The two endothelial cell types displayed functional heterogeneity in respect to bradykinin degradation and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity. Thus the ability to selectively isolate and culture human macro- and microvascular cardiac endothelial cells provides a valuable tool to systematically investigate endothelial function in human hearts.
Attenuation of arteriolar alpha 2-adrenoceptor sensitivity during endotoxemia
Authors: Baker C. H. , Sutton E. T. , Price J. M. , Ortiz-Tweed M. , Nessellroth S.
Published: December 2017

It is well documented that adrenergic responses after endotoxin (ENDT) administration are greatly reduced. The hypothesis of this study is that either alpha 1- or alpha 2-receptor activity is attenuated and the other receptor type is minimally affected during ENDT shock. Reactivity of the arterioles of left cremaster muscles of male Wistar rats anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium was studied using videomicroscopy. Femoral mean arterial pressure and first-, second-, third-, and fourth-order arteriolar diameters were measured. In group I, the decreases in arteriolar diameter and half-maximal effective dose (ED50) values with increasing phenylephrine concentration (alpha 1-adrenergic receptor agonist) were similar in all four branching orders before and after ENDT. In group II, the decreases in arteriolar diameter with increasing clonidine concentrations (alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist) were effectively attenuated by ENDT, and ED50 values were increased above control in all four branching orders. In group III, idazoxan (alpha 2-receptor antagonist) effectively blocked the vasoconstrictor effects of clonidine but did not affect the responses to phenylephrine before or after ENDT in all four arteriolar orders. In group IV, prazosin (alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist) blocked the vasoconstrictor effects of phenylephrine before and after the administration of ENDT. However, vasoconstriction due to clonidine post-ENDT even at maximal dosage (10(-3) M), was greatly attenuated in all four branching orders as in group II. It is concluded that during endotoxemia the reduced adrenergic vasoconstrictor response of cremaster muscle arterioles is the result of attenuated activity of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors with minimal if any effects on alpha 1-adrenergic receptor activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adenosine A1-receptor mechanisms antagonize beta-adrenergic pulmonary vasodilation in hypoxia
Authors: McIntyre R. C. , Banerjee A. , Bensard D. D. , Brew E. C. , Hahn A. R. , Fullerton D. A.
Published: December 2017

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is refractory to beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR)-mediated pulmonary vasodilation. We hypothesized that hypoxic pulmonary arteries release adenosine (Ado) that antagonizes beta-AR-mediated pulmonary vasodilation. Using isolated rat pulmonary artery rings, we investigated 1) the effect of hypoxia and exogenous Ado on beta-AR-mediated pulmonary vasodilation, 2) the intracellular site of dysfunctional beta-AR-mediated pulmonary vasodilation in hypoxia, and 3) the Ado receptor subtype responsible for dysfunction of beta-AR-mediated pulmonary vasodilation. Hypoxia attenuated normal beta-AR-mediated pulmonary vasodilation to isoproterenol (97.5 +/- 0.8 vs. 71.5 +/- 2.3%, P < 0.01). In contrast, forskolin induced the same vasorelaxation in hypoxic pulmonary rings as controls (P = 0.09). Incubation of normoxic rings with Ado attenuated the vasorelaxation response induced by beta-AR stimulation (71.5 +/- 5.9%, P < 0.01), similar to the effect observed in hypoxia. Both nonspecific Ado receptor blockade (8-sulfophenyl-theophylline) and specific A1-receptor blockade (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethylxanthine) restored the vasorelaxation response of hypoxic rings induced by beta-AR stimulation (93.3 +/- 2.3 and 92.2 +/- 2.8%, P < 0.01). The effects of hypoxia and Ado were reproduced by a specific A1 agonist (2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine), demonstrating impaired vasorelaxation induced by beta-AR stimulation in normoxia (70.6 +/- 4.5%, P < 0.01). From these data, we conclude that hypoxia antagonizes beta-AR-mediated pulmonary vasodilation via an Ado A1-receptor mechanism.
Oxidant stress increases heat shock protein 70 mRNA in isolated perfused rat heart
Authors: Kukreja R. C. , Kontos M. C. , Loesser K. E. , Batra S. K. , Qian Y. Z. , Gbur C. J. , Naseem S. A. , Jesse R. L. , Hess M. L.
Published: December 2017

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and preconditioning of the heart by coronary artery occlusions increase expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70). Because free radicals are generated during I/R, we hypothesized that the oxidant stress might contribute to an increased expression of HSP 70. Isolated rat hearts were perfused with free radical-generating systems such as xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO), irradiated rose bengal (RB) generating singlet oxygen, and H2O2 for 15 min followed by 30 min of recovery period. Significant decrease in developed pressure and coronary flow occurred after perfusion with X/XO, H2O2, and RB. During I/R, the developed pressure and coronary flow were 60 +/- 8 and 80 +/- 5%, respectively, of control, which improved significantly with superoxide dismutase. The expression of HSP 70 mRNA increased over 13-fold in hearts perfused with X/XO, 6- to 7-fold with RB, and over 5-fold with H2O2. With I/R, an over 10-fold increase in HSP 70 mRNA was observed, which decreased significantly in the presence of superoxide dismutase. These results demonstrate that oxidant stress directly increases HSP 70 mRNA in the rat heart. It is concluded that one of the potential mechanisms of expression of HSP 70 by I/R may be oxygen radicals.
Calcium current in rat diabetic ventricular myocytes
Authors: Tsuchida K. , Watajima H. , Otomo S.
Published: December 2017

The magnitude and kinetics of the L-type calcium current were compared in single left ventricular myocytes isolated from 8-mo-old (8M) and 19-mo-old (19M) genetically diabetic rats (WBN/Kob rats) and age-matched control rats. A diabetic state occurred at 19M but not at 8M. The left ventricular contractility was reduced in 19M WBN/Kob rats compared with age-matched control rats. The duration of the action potential was longer in 19M WBN/Kob rats than in the age-matched control rats. Peak inward current density was similar between diabetic rats and age-matched control rats. In addition, aging did not affect the current density at 8M or 19M. The various kinetic parameters of the L-type calcium current were not different between 19M diabetic and control cell types. The percent increase in the amplitude of the calcium current induced by isoproterenol was less in diabetic cells at the age of 19M, but not at the age of 8M, compared with age-matched control cells. Forskolin (10(-5) M), intracellularly applied adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (5 x 10(-5) M), and guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (10(-4) M) were equally effective in increasing the current in 19M diabetic and age-matched control cell types. The present study demonstrates that the basal calcium current density and kinetic parameters of the current were not altered. However, a decrease in response to beta-stimulation occurred in genetically diabetic rats compared with control rats.
Regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene by interleukin-1 beta in rat vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Kanno K. , Hirata Y. , Imai T. , Iwashina M. , Marumo F.
Published: December 2017

To elucidate the regulation of endothelial inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), we studied the effects of interleukin (IL)-1 beta on production of nitric oxide (NO) and expression of iNOS mRNA and iNOS protein in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells (ECs) by measurement of NO2-/NO3- (NOx) and Northern blot and Western blot analyses. Among several cytokines and bacterial lipopolysaccharide tested, IL-1 beta most effectively stimulated NOx production. IL-1 beta dose and time dependently stimulated NOx production. Northern blot analysis using cDNA for mouse liver iNOS as a probe showed that IL-1 beta induced expression of iNOS mRNA and stimulated NOx production in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and dexamethasone blocked the IL-1 beta-induced NOx production as well as expression of iNOS mRNA and protein. TGF-beta dose dependently inhibited the IL-1 beta-induced NOx production and iNOS mRNA expression. Northern blot analysis for the decay of the IL-1 beta-induced iNOS mRNA revealed the approximate half-life of 4 h. These data indicate that IL-1 beta induces iNOS gene expression and de novo synthesis of iNOS and subsequent NO generation in vascular endothelium and that TGF-beta and glucocorticoid block iNOS gene expression at the transcriptional level.
Transmyocardial impedance during single and multiple internal ventricular defibrillation shocks
Authors: Peters W. , Solingen S. , Kobayashi Y. , Scharf R. , Mandel W. J. , Gang E. S.
Published: December 2017

Pages H664–H693: W. Peters, S. Solingen, Y. Kobayashi, R. Scharf, W. J. Mandel, and E. S. Gang. “Transmyocardial impedance during single and multiple internal ventricular defibrillation shocks.” The following corrections should be noted.

Page H684, methods section, first paragraph: The analysis presented here is based on measurements during infusion with saline or lactated Ringer solution in the same dogs later treated with propafenone or lactated Ringer solution as described elsewhere (24).

Page H685, methods section, fourth paragraph: In dog 4, the same defibrillator-electrode combination was used to deliver 20 shocks of a damped half sine waveform as clinically used in external defibrillation (here C = 32 μF, inductance = 40 mH).

Page H686, Figure 2 legend: Typical graph of delivered voltage [V(t)] and transmyocardial impedance [Z(t)] during defibrillation with truncated trapezoidal pulse waveform [stored energy (Esto) = 20 J]. Pol, polarization.

Page H689, Table 6 title: Calculated defibrillator C according to Eq. 5 and relative difference in Edel and energy converted into heat (Eres by resistive part of transmyocardial impedance.
Impaired cyclic nucleotide-dependent vasorelaxation in human umbilical artery smooth muscle
Authors: Bergh C. M. , Brophy C. M. , Dransfield D. T. , Lincoln T. , Goldenring J. R. , Rasmussen H.
Published: December 2017

Activation of either the adenylate cyclase pathway with forskolin or the guanylate cyclase pathway with sodium nitroprusside fails to induce active relaxation of serotonin-precontracted human umbilical artery smooth muscle (HUASM) but causes active relaxation of serotonin-precontracted bovine carotid artery smooth muscle (BCASM). This difference in response appears to be unique to HUASM in that all other vascular muscles exhibit relaxation in response to these substances. Forskolin and sodium nitroprusside stimulation leads to respective increases in intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) concentrations in HUASM and BCASM. cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases are both present in HUASM and can be activated in homogenates of HUASM by the addition of exogenous cAMP and cGMP, respectively. When either forskolin or nitroprusside acts in BCASM, two low-molecular-weight proteins display an increase in the extent of phosphorylation. Neither protein shows such an increase when HUASM is treated with either agent. Thus the inability of HUASM to display active relaxation appears to be secondary to impaired activation of cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases. The refractoriness to active relaxation may contribute to the vasospasm that occurs in the umbilical vasculature with parturition.
Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in endothelial cell energetics: 23Na nuclear magnetic resonance and calorimetry study
Authors: Gruwel M. L. , Alves C. , Schrader J.
Published: December 2017

Sodium flux rate and energy consumption of the Na(+)-K+ pump in vascular endothelial cells of porcine aorta grown on micro-carrier beads were studied using a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of intracellular 23Na and microcalorimetry. The Na+ flux into the cells was determined in the presence of the shift reagent Dy(P3O10)2(7-), while the Na(+)-K+ pump was inhibited with ouabain. Basal Na+ influx was 17 +/- 3 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1, and intracellular Na+ concentration was 23.5 +/- 3.8 mM, resulting in a complete exchange of intracellular Na+ within 5–6 min. Spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) measurements of intracellular Na+ showed a T1 of 19 +/- 1 ms under basal conditions and a T1 of 26.2 +/- 1.6 ms after pump inhibition with 50 microM ouabain. Such an increase is typical for a system in which the total amount of Na+ increases but where the amount of bound Na+ remains constant. The Na+ ionophore nystatin maximally increased the Na(+)-K+ pump rate about twofold, whereas the amount of intracellular Na+ only increased 14%. With microcalorimetry a cellular heat flux of 183 +/- 18 microW per mg endothelial protein was determined, which relates to 7.6 microW/mg endothelial protein generated by the Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase. Our data demonstrate that small intracellular changes of Na+ can stimulate the endothelial Na(+)-K+ pump activity. The contribution of the Na(+)-K+ pump to total endothelial energy expenditure is approximately 4-5%.
Platelet-activating factor stimulates protein tyrosine kinase in hamster cheek pouch microcirculation
Authors: Kim D. , Duran W. N.
Published: December 2017

We studied the interactions between platelet-activating factor (PAF) and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) in the modulation of microvascular responses in the hamster cheek pouch using intravital microscopy and computer-assisted image analysis. Changes in arteriolar diameter and in integrated optical intensity (IOI; an index of vascular permeability) were measured. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran 150 (FITC-Dx 150) served as a tracer for macromolecular transport. Genistein and tyrphostin 25, two PTK inhibitors, were applied topically in separate experiments. Pretreatment with 10(-4), 10(-6), and 10(-8) M genistein and with tyrphostin 25 at 10(-5) and 10(-7) M attenuated the maximal increment in mean IOI (+/- SE) induced by PAF at 10(-7) M (19.9 +/- 5.3, 21.5 +/- 4.5, 58.5 +/- 11.4, 28.7 +/- 7.6, and 35.0 +/- 10.9 vs. 70.7 +/- 8.9 units, respectively). Pretreatment with PTK inhibitors resulted in vasodilation but did not inhibit PAF-induced vasoconstriction. Our results suggest that PTK represents a biochemical pathway involved in the PAF modulation of microvascular permeability but not PAF modulation of arteriolar tone.
Effect of substrate on mitochondrial NADH, cytosolic redox state, and phosphorylated compounds in isolated hearts
Authors: Scholz T. D. , Laughlin M. R. , Balaban R. S. , Kupriyanov V. V. , Heineman F. W.
Published: December 2017

The effect of metabolic substrates on the relation among cytosolic redox state (NADHc/NAD+) mitochondrial NADH (NADHm), and [ATP]/([ADP] x [Pi]) was studied in isolated working rabbit hearts. Substrates were varied from 5.6 mM glucose alone to glucose in combination with 10 mM lactate and/or 10 mM pyruvate while afterload and preload were held constant. Changes in NADHm were determined from epicardial NADH fluorescence. The ratio of glycerol 3-phosphate (G-3-P) to dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), determined from tissue extracts, was used as an index of cytosolic redox. Myocardial 31P metabolites were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The addition of pyruvate to the perfusion medium caused increases in myocardial oxygen consumption (MVo2), NADHm fluorescence, phosphocreatine (PCr), and [ATP]/([ADP] x [Pi]) and a decrease in NADHc/NADc+ (decreased G-3-P/DHAP). Although the addition of lactate to the perfusion medium caused an increase in NADHm similar to pyruvate, MVo2 and PCr did not change significantly, [ATP]/([ADP] x [Pi]) increased less than with pyruvate, and there was an increase in NADHc/NADc+. The findings suggest that variations in the cytosolic redox state do not necessarily result in obligatory changes in either the mitochondrial redox state or in the [ATP]/([ADP] x [Pi]). This implies that under the conditions of this study an equilibrium is not maintained between [ATP]/([ADP] x [Pi]) and NADHc/NADc+. Furthermore, similar levels of NADHm can be associated with different values for [ATP]/([ADP] x [Pi]) and MVo2, depending on the substrates available to the heart.
Tone-dependent responses of histamine in feline pulmonary vascular bed
Authors: Neely C. F. , Matot I. , Haile D. , Nguyen J. , Batra V.
Published: December 2017

Under conditions of controlled pulmonary blood flow and constant left atrial pressure, histamine produced tone-dependent responses in the pulmonary vascular (PV) bed of intact-chest, spontaneously breathing cats. At low, baseline PV tone, histamine produced dose-dependent increases in mean lobar arterial pressure that were antagonized by the selective histamine H1-receptor antagonist, diphenhydramine. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor, meclofenamate, and the thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptor antagonist, SQ-29548, had no effect on these vasoconstrictor responses of histamine. After an increase in PV tone with an intralobar arterial infusion of a TxA2 mimic, U-46619, histamine produced vasodilator responses at low doses, biphasic vasodilator/vasoconstrictor responses at midrange doses, and vasoconstrictor responses at high doses. Diphenhydramine antagonized vasoconstrictor responses and the vasodilator responses of low to midrange doses and enhanced vasodilator responses of high doses of histamine at elevated PV tone. Selective H2-receptor antagonists, ranitidine and meclofenamate, and selective H3-receptor antagonist, thioperamide, did not antagonize vasodilator responses of histamine. H1- and H2-receptor antagonism was more effective in reducing the vasodilator responses of histamine at elevated PV tone than H1-receptor antagonism alone. These data support that histamine produces vasoconstrictor responses at low baseline and elevated PV tone by acting on H1 receptors that do not induce the release of vasoconstrictor prostanoids. At elevated PV tone, histamine produces vasodilation by acting on H1 receptors that are not coupled to the release of vasodilator prostaglandins and also, in part, by acting on H2 receptors.
Connexin 43 and connexin 40 gap junctional proteins are present in arteriolar smooth muscle and endothelium in vivo
Authors: Little T. L. , Beyer E. C. , Duling B. R.
Published: December 2017

The distributions of connexin 43 (Cx43) and connexin 40 (Cx40) in smooth muscle and endothelium of resistance vessels were examined using indirect immunofluorescence techniques coupled with confocal microscopy. Cx43 and Cx40 were found in smooth muscle and endothelium. Similar staining patterns were found in microvessel samples from brain and cremaster of the rat and from arterioles of the hamster cheek pouch. Double-labeling studies showed a high degree of colocalization of Cx40 with Cx43, suggesting the presence of multiple connexins within a single junctional plaque. Quantitative comparisons were made of the fluorescent patterns in the endothelium and smooth muscle of rat brain arterioles. Cx43 and Cx40 plaque diameters were 0.9 +/- 0.1 and 0.8 +/- 0.1 (SE) microns, respectively, in the endothelial layer and 0.5 +/- 0.1 and 0.5 +/- 0.1 microns, respectively, in the smooth muscle. There was no difference between mean plaque diameters of Cx43 and Cx40 in endothelium or smooth muscle. However, plaques were significantly larger in endothelium than in smooth muscle (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate the potential for cell-cell communication in both cell types of the wall of arterioles from three different tissues. The data also suggest a greater level of coupling within the endothelium.
Loss of adenosine-induced negative inotropic effect in hyperexcited rabbit hearts: relationship to PKC
Authors: Cano C. , Slavik K. J. , Malik K. U.
Published: December 2017

Adenosine produced a negative inotropic effect in hearts isolated from calm rabbits but not from those exhibiting alarm behavior during handling. This study was conducted to determine whether protein kinase C (PKC) activation is responsible for the loss of adenosine-induced negative inotropism in the hearts of hyperexcited rabbits. Adenosine (10 microM) decreased myocardial contractility (dP/dtmax) in the hearts of calm, but not hyperexcited, rabbits but decreased heart rate (HR) and coronary perfusion pressure (PP) in the hearts of both calm and hyperexcited animals. During infusion of calphostin C (200 nM), a PKC inhibitor, adenosine also decreased dP/dtmax in the hearts of hyperexcited rabbits. Calphostin C did not alter the actions of adenosine in the hearts of calm rabbits. Agents that stimulate PKC directly [phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), 1 nM] or indirectly [norepinephrine (NE), 3 nM; angiotensin II (ANG II), 5 nM] abolished the adenosine-induced decrease in dP/dtmax but not HR or PP in the hearts of calm rabbits. During calphostin C, infusion of PDBu, NE, and ANG II failed to prevent the adenosine-induced decrease in dP/dtmax. These data suggest that the lack of a negative inotropic effect of adenosine in hyperexcited rabbits is due to an increase in PKC activity.
Modulation of adrenergic coronary vasoconstriction via ATP-sensitive potassium channel
Authors: Mori H. , Chujo M. , Tanaka E. , Yamakawa A. , Shinozaki Y. , Mohamed M. U. , Nakazawa H.
Published: December 2017

We examined humoral and/or locally produced vasoactive factors involved in modulating sympathetic coronary vasoconstriction via the ATP-sensitive K (KATP) channel in 42 anesthetized dogs. Glibenclamide (30 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 ic or 0.6 mg.kg-1.min-1 left atrial injection) augmented coronary vascular resistance (CVR) at baseline and during cardiac sympathetic nerve stimulation (2-20 Hz), with a greater increase seen in the subepicardial region than in the subendocardial region both during beta-adrenergic receptor blockade and alpha- and beta-receptor blockade [P < 0.05 and P < 0.05 (n = 6 and 18 dogs), analysis of variance]. In contrast, pinacidil (10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1; n = 8 dogs) suppressed CVR. Glibenclamide enhanced CVR response to locally administered norepinephrine of 0.001–0.1 microgram.kg-1.min-1 (P < 0.05, analysis of covariance; n = 5 dogs) but did not enhance norepinephrine or neuropeptide Y overflow (n = 18 dogs). CVR was not modified by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist [CGRP-(8–37)], 8-phenyltheophylline, or N omega-nitro-L-arginine (n = 11 dogs). Thus sympathetic coronary vasoconstriction is modified by coronary vascular KATP channels with a transmural difference. However, CGRP, adenosine, and endothelial nitric oxide production are not involved in the modulation.
Cholinergic and α-adrenergic coronary constriction with increasing ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Ehring T. , Krajcar M. , Baumgart D. , Kompa S. , Hümmelgen M. , Heusch G.
Published: December 2017

Pages H886–H894: T. Ehring, M. Krajcar, D. Baumgart, S. Kompa, M. Hümmelgen, and G. Heusch. “Cholinergic and agr-adrenergic coronary constriction with increasing ischemia-reperfusion injury.” The title of this paper was incorrectly printed and should appear as the following.

Cholinergic and agr-adrenergic coronary vasomotion with increasing ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Role of nitric oxide and cAMP in prostaglandin-induced pial arterial vasodilation
Authors: Armstead W. M.
Published: December 2017

The present study was designed to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO), guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) in the vasodilator response to prostaglandin (PG)I2 and PGE2 in newborn pigs equipped with a closed cranial window. PGI2 (1–100 ng/ml) produced pial arterial dilation that was blunted by nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10(-6) M), an NO synthase inhibitor (9 +/- 1 vs. 2 +/- 1%, 21 +/- 1 vs. 5 +/- 3% for 1 and 100 ng/ml PGI2 respectively, n = 6; means +/- SE). PGI2-induced vasodilation was associated with increased cortical periarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cGMP, and these changes in cGMP were blocked by L-NNA (386 +/- 8 and 1,054 +/- 30 fmol/ml vs. 266 +/- 6 and 274 +/- 4 fmol/ml for control and PGI2 100 ng/ml before and after L-NNA respectively, n = 6). In contrast, PGI2-associated changes in CSF cAMP were unchanged by L-NNA (1,021 +/- 25 and 2,703 +/- 129 fmol/ml vs. 980 +/- 23 and 2,636 +/- 193 fmol/ml for control, PGI2 100 ng/ml before and after L-NNA, respectively, n = 6). PGE2 elicited similar changes in pial artery diameter and cyclic nucleotides; vasodilation and changes in CSF cGMP also being similarly inhibited by L-NNA. After L-NNA, topical administration of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10(-9) M) increased pial artery diameter up to the resting level before L-NNA and partially restored the vasodilation elicited by PGI2 and PGE2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Determinants of maximal exercise VO2 during single leg knee-extensor exercise in humans
Authors: Richardson R. S. , Knight D. R. , Poole D. C. , Kurdak S. S. , Hogan M. C. , Grassi B. , Wagner P. D.
Published: December 2017

Previously, a reduction in fractional inspired O2 (FIO2) during dynamic exercise of the human quadriceps muscles of one leg resulted in increased muscle blood flow (Q) and a fall in femoral venous O2 tension (PO2) but no change in peak O2 uptake (VO2). These data can be interpreted as reflecting an increase in muscle O2 diffusive capacity (DO2) in hypoxia or, alternatively, that maximum O2 uptake (VO2max) was not reached for these muscles when air was breathed, in which case the theory of diffusion limitation to VO2max is not applicable to these data. Therefore, the primary goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that VO2max would be reduced in hypoxia as a result of the decreased O2 supply and a constant diffusional conductance from blood to exercising muscle. To resolve this, five trained men were studied performing single leg incremental knee-extensor exercise to VO2max while breathing air (N) and again while breathing 12% O2 (H). The maximum work rate (WRmax) was 30–50 W greater and produced even greater associated maximum leg Q (N = 9.1 +/- 0.61 and H = 8.2 +/- 0.65 l/min, P < 0.05) and leg O2 than in previous studies. Hypoxia reduced quadriceps muscle VO2max (N = 1.4 +/- 0.1 and H = 1.1 +/- 0.1 l/min, P < 0.05). In the two conditions the relationships between 1) measured femoral venous PO2 (N = 18 +/- 0.5 and H = 13 +/- 0.5 Torr) and VO2max and 2) calculated mean capillary PO2 (N = 37 +/- 0.4 and H = 28 +/- 0.8 Torr) and VO2max were each one of proportionality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Initiation of hyperpermeability in energy-depleted coronary endothelial monolayers
Authors: Noll T. , Muhs A. , Besselmann M. , Watanabe H. , Piper H. M.
Published: December 2017

How the initiation of energy depletion affects macromolecule permeability of a barrier of coronary endothelial cells was investigated. Cultured monolayers of adult rat coronary endothelial cells were exposed to 5 mM KCN and 5 mM 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG). Transendothelial flux of albumin, cellular ATP content, and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration were monitored. Within the first minute, a merely partial loss (28%) of ATP reserves provoked a distinct increase (41%) in albumin flux. Rise of permeability was dependent on Ca2+ release from a thapsigargin- and ATP-sensitive endogenous store, and hyperpermeability was greatly attenuated when energy depletion was extremely rapid, as under sequential addition of 20 mM 2-DG and 5 mM KCN. Attenuation of hyperpermeability could also be achieved by use of 5-20 mM 2,3-butanedione monoxime, an inhibitor of actin-myosin interaction. This finding, together with dependence on Ca2+ and availability of residual energy, indicates that the rapid initiation of hyperpermeability is caused by a contractile mechanism.
Conductance catheter measurement of left ventricular volume: evidence for nonlinearity within cardiac cycle
Authors: Szwarc R. S. , Laurent D. , Allegrini P. R. , Ball H. A.
Published: December 2017

The conductance catheter gain factor, alpha, is usually determined by an independent measure of stroke volume and, as such, is assumed to be constant. However, nonlinearity of the conductance-volume relation has been proposed on theoretical grounds. The present study was designed to establish the extent of nonlinearity, or variability of alpha, within the cardiac cycle using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the reference method. Pentobarbital-anesthetized minipigs (n = 10, 10–13 kg) were instrumented with left ventricular (LV) conductance and Millar catheters. Conductance catheter signals were recorded, and volumes were corrected for parallel conductance using a saline-dilution technique. Animals were then placed in a 4.7-T magnet, and first time derivative of LV pressure-gated transverse MRI images (5-mm slices) acquired during isovolumic contraction (end diastole) and relaxation (end systole). LV cavity volumes were then determined using a third-order polynomial model. The gain alpha was computed three ways: by dividing conductance stroke volume by MRI stroke volume (alpha SV), by dividing conductance end-diastolic volume by MRI end-diastolic volume (alpha ED), and by dividing conductance end-systolic volume by MRI end-systolic volume (alpha ES). alpha SV was 0.62 +/- 0.15, with alpha ED (0.71 +/- 0.17) significantly lower than alpha ES (0.81 +/- 0.21; P < 0.001). Using alpha SV to adjust conductance gain (i.e., assuming constant gain) resulted in a significantly larger end-diastolic volume (25.8 +/- 4.6 ml) and smaller ejection fraction (46.8 +/- 7.2%) than those obtained with MRI (23.0 +/- 4.1 ml and 53.1 +/- 7.3%, respectively; P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Plasma endothelin and renal endothelin are two distinct systems involved in volume homeostasis
Authors: Serneri G. G. , Modesti P. A. , Cecioni I. , Biagini D. , Migliorini A. , Costoli A. , Colella A. , Naldoni A. , Paoletti P.
Published: December 2017

This study of seven healthy young subjects was designed both to establish whether endothelin-1 (ET-1) is involved in the homeostasis of blood volume and to clarify the relationship between plasma and urinary ET-1. Acute volume expansion (+17%) caused increases in venous blood pressure (+4.4 mmHg) and the plasma concentration of ET-1 (+129%) and a decrease (-99%) in the urinary excretion of ET-1. Volume depletion (-8.5%) provoked an increase in the plasma concentration of ET-1 without altering the urinary excretion of ET-1. Passive elevation of an arm resulting in a local decrease of venous blood pressure (-17 mmHg) elicited an increase of the local formation of ET-1, with a 10-fold increase in the venous-arterial gradient compared with the opposite arm, which lay at the level of the heart. The increased local formation of ET-1 was blunted by volume expansion. The results indicate that 1) plasma ET-1 and urinary ET-1 represent two different endothelin-generating systems, both of which are involved in the regulation of blood volume, and 2) plasma ET-1 appears to be an important mechanism for the long-lasting adaptations of venous wall tension to changes in blood volume.
Capillary hydraulic conductivity is decreased by nitric oxide synthase inhibition
Authors: Rumbaut R. E. , McKay M. K. , Huxley V. H.
Published: December 2017

Nitric oxide (NO) has been reported to modulate microvascular permeability to solutes in whole organs, venules, and cultured endothelial cell monolayers. NO derived from L-arginine via NO synthase activates soluble guanylate cyclase in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. While the effects of NO on capillary water permeability have not been characterized, other activators of guanylate cyclase, such as sodium nitroprusside and atrial natriuretic peptide, increase capillary hydraulic conductivity (Lp). We hypothesized that inhibition of NO synthase with the arginine analogue, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), would decrease Lp from control levels. Lp was assessed in situ in single perfused frog mesenteric capillaries, first during control conditions (Lcontrolp) and then during superfusion (Ltestp) with either L-NMMA, NG-monomethyl-D-arginine (D-NMMA), a biologically inert enantiomer, or L-NMMA and L-arginine. Superfusion with 1 microM L-NMMA caused a decrease in Lp (Ltestp/Lcontrolp = 0.6 +/- 0.1, P < 0.001), whereas 1 microM D-NMMA was without effect on Lp (Ltestp/Lcontrolp = 1.0 +/- 0.2). The decrease in Lp by 1 microM L-NMMA was not only prevented by the presence of excess L-arginine (100 microM), but Lp increased from control (Ltestp/Lcontrolp = 1.4 +/- 0.2, P < 0.05). Furthermore, superfusion of L-arginine (100 microM) caused an increase in capillary Lp (Ltestp/Lcontrolp = 2.4 +/- 0.9, P < 0.05), whereas D-arginine had no effect on Lp (Ltestp/Lcontrolp = 1.2 +/- 0.3). The results of this study support our hypothesis that inhibition of NO synthase decreases capillary Lp in the intact circulation. In addition, L-arginine increases capillary Lp in our model.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)