Effects of azimilide on cardiovascular tissues from normo- and hypertensive rats

Compensatory and decompensatory alterations in cardiomyocyte Ca2+ dynamics in hearts with diastolic dysfunction following aortic banding

Key points

At the cellular level cardiac hypertrophy causes remodelling, leading to changes in ionic channel, pump and exchanger densities and kinetics.

Previous studies have focused on quantifying changes in channels, pumps and exchangers without quantitatively linking these changes with emergent cellular scale functionality.

Two biophysical cardiac cell models were created, parameterized and validated and are able to simulate electrophysiology and calcium dynamics in myocytes from control sham operated rats and aortic‐banded rats exhibiting diastolic dysfunction.

The contribution of each ionic pathway to the calcium kinetics was calculated, identifying the L‐type Ca²⁺ channel and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ATPase as the principal regulators of systolic and diastolic Ca²⁺, respectively.

Results show that the ability to dynamically change systolic Ca²⁺, through changes in expression of key Ca²⁺ modelling protein densities, is drastically reduced following the aortic banding procedure; however the cells are able to compensate Ca²⁺ homeostasis in an efficient way to minimize systolic dysfunction.

Abstract

Elevated left ventricular afterload leads to myocardial hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, cellular remodelling and compromised calcium dynamics. At the cellular scale this remodelling of the ionic channels, pumps and exchangers gives rise to changes in the Ca²⁺ transient. However, the relative roles of the underlying subcellular processes and the positive or negative impact of each remodelling mechanism are not fully understood. Biophysical cardiac cell models were created to simulate electrophysiology and calcium dynamics in myocytes from control rats (SHAM) and aortic‐banded rats exhibiting diastolic dysfunction. The model parameters and framework were validated and the fitted parameters demonstrated to be unique for explaining our experimental data. The contribution of each ionic pathway to the calcium kinetics was calculated, identifying the L‐type Ca²⁺ channel (LCC) and the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺‐ATPase (SERCA) as the principal regulators of systolic and diastolic Ca²⁺, respectively. In the aortic banding model, the sensitivity of systolic Ca²⁺ to LCC density and diastolic Ca²⁺ to SERCA density decreased by 16‐fold and increased by 23%, respectively, relative to the SHAM model. The energy cost of ionic homeostasis is maintained across the two models. The models predict that changes in ionic pathway densities in compensated aortic banding rats maintain Ca²⁺ function and efficiency. The ability to dynamically alter systolic function is significantly diminished, while the capacity to maintain diastolic Ca²⁺ is moderately increased.

At the cellular level cardiac hypertrophy causes remodelling, leading to changes in ionic channel, pump and exchanger densities and kinetics.

Previous studies have focused on quantifying changes in channels, pumps and exchangers without quantitatively linking these changes with emergent cellular scale functionality.

Two biophysical cardiac cell models were created, parameterized and validated and are able to simulate electrophysiology and calcium dynamics in myocytes from control sham operated rats and aortic‐banded rats exhibiting diastolic dysfunction.

The contribution of each ionic pathway to the calcium kinetics was calculated, identifying the L‐type Ca²⁺ channel and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ATPase as the principal regulators of systolic and diastolic Ca²⁺, respectively.

Results show that the ability to dynamically change systolic Ca²⁺, through changes in expression of key Ca²⁺ modelling protein densities, is drastically reduced following the aortic banding procedure; however the cells are able to compensate Ca²⁺ homeostasis in an efficient way to minimize systolic dysfunction.

Effects of BDF 9198 on left ventricular contractility in advanced spontaneously hypertensive rats with heart failure

In the first part of this study, we characterized 24-month-old Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), their heart weights, and the responses of the isolated left ventricles to electrical stimulation. In the main part of the study, we tested whether the positive inotropic effects of BDF 9198, which prevents the closure of the cardiac sodium channel, were present in senescence and heart failure. Thus, we studied the effects of BDF 9198 on the left ventricle strips of 24-month-old WKy rats (senescence) and SHRs using contractility methods. In comparison with WKY rats, the left ventricles of 24-month-old SHRs were hypertrophied and had prolonged times to peak contraction. BDF 9198 (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) was a positive inotrope on the left ventricles of WKY rats, with a maximum augmenting effect of 122% with BDF 9198 at 10(-7) M. The magnitude of the augmenting effects of BDF 9198 were reduced in SHR heart failure, with a maximum augmenting effect of 26% at 10(-7) M. BDF 9198 at 10(-6) M attenuated the responses of the SHR left ventricle to electrical stimulation. In conclusion, the potential of drugs that prevent closure of the sodium channel as positive inotropes in the treatment of heart failure should be further considered.

Effects of dofetilide on cardiovascular tissues from normo- and hypertensive rats

The aim was to test whether dofetilide has some potential for use in the treatment of heart failure. Dofetilide at < or = 3 x 10(-5) M had no effect on the quiescent Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat aorta, mesenteric and intralobar arteries, or the spontaneous contractions of the WKY rat portal vein. Dofetilide at 10(-6) to 3 x 10(-5) M relaxed the KCl-contracted aorta. Dofetilide at 10(-9)-10(-7) M augmented the force of contraction of leftventricle strips from 12- and 18-month-old WKY rats at 2 Hz. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) at 12 and 17-21 months of age are models of cardiac hypertrophy and failure, respectively. The augmentation of force at 2 Hz with dofetilide was similar on 12- and 18-month-old WKY rats and 12-month-old SHRs but reduced on the 18-month-old SHR left ventricle. At a higher more physiological frequency, 4 Hz, the threshold concentration of dofetilide required to augment the force responses of 21-month-old SHR left ventricles was markedly increased and the maximum augmenting effect was decreased. Dofetilide at 10(-7)-10(-5) M reduced the rate of the 17-month-old WKY rat right atrium, and had a similar effect on age-matched SHR right atrium. In summary, dofetilide is a positive inotrope and negative chronotrope in the rat. However, as the positive inotropic effect is not observed with clinically relevant concentrations at a physiological rate in heart failure, dofetilide is unlikely to be useful as a positive inotrope in the treatment of heart failure.

Responsiveness, affinity constants and receptor reserves for serotonin on aortae of aged normotensive and hypertensive rats

We have previously shown that the potency and affinity constants (K(A) values) for serotonin (5-HT) are greater, and the 5-HT2A-receptor reserve is lesser, on the aorta of 6-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) compared with age-matched Wistar Kyoto normotensive (WKY) rats. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether these parameters are altered on the aorta with ageing and as hypertension progresses to heart failure. The effects of phenoxybenzamine on the serotonergic responses of the aortae of 24-month-old WKY rats and SHRs were determined. On WKY rat aorta, ageing from 6 to 24 months was associated with an increase in sensitivity and affinity for serotonin, and a loss of 5-HT2A-receptor reserve. On SHR aorta, ageing from 6 to 24 months was also associated with an increase in sensitivity and affinity for serotonin, but a loss of 5-HT2A-receptor reserve. The sensitivity to serotonin was greater on the 24-month-old SHR aorta (pD2 6.53) than age-matched WKY rat aorta (pD2 5.89). On the aorta of the 24-month-old WKY rats, the K(A) value for serotonin was 4.5 x 10(-6) M, and the receptor occupancies required for 20 and 50 % maximum responses were 12 and 29%, respectively. There was a similar affinity, but greater receptor reserves, for serotonin on the aorta of age-matched SHRs. In summary, we have shown changes in sensitivity, affinity and 5-HT2A-receptor reserves for serotonin on the aorta with ageing and in hypertension/heart failure.

Effects of tedisamil on cardiovascular tissues isolated from normo- and hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND

This study was undertaken to characterize the effects of tedisamil on isolated rat cardiovascular tissues, and identify actions that could be beneficial or detrimental in the treatment of cardiac disease.

RESULTS

Tedisamil prolonged the Wistar Kyoto normotensive rat (WKY) left ventricular action potential and augmented the force of contraction of left ventricle strips. On the 12-month-old SHR model of cardiac hypertrophy, the augmenting effects of tedisamil at 10(-6) and 3 x 10(-6) M were reduced. On the 21-month-old SHR model of heart failure, the augmenting effects of tedisamil at 10(-6) and 3 x 10(-6) M were further reduced. The augmenting effect of tedisamil at 10(-5) M was reduced to 47%. The rate of the right atrium of 16- to 17-month-old WKY was reduced by tedisamil at 10(-5) and 10(-4) M, and tedisamil had a similar effect on the SHR right atrium. Tedisamil at 10(-6)--3 x 10(-5) M contracted the portal veins of WKY and aortae of 12-month-old WKY and SHR.

CONCLUSIONS

The positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects of tedisamil in the rat, which are partially or fully maintained in hypertrophied or failing myocardium would be beneficial in the treatment of heart failure. In contrast, the vasoconstrictor action of tedisamil will be detrimental in heart failure.