BPA disrupts the cardioprotection by 17β-oestradiol against ischemia/reperfusion injury in isolated guinea pig hearts

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental oestrogen or xenoestrogen (XEs). XEs represent a health risk due to their potential for endocrine disruption and ability to mimic estrogenic activity. The effects of BPA on isolated hearts under normal and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) conditions were investigated for the first time, with a focus on the effects of BPA and 17β-oestradiol (E₂) co-administration on I/R injury. Our results indicated that BPA at 10^-7 M and 10^-5 M did not significantly affect heart rate (HR), coronary flow (CF), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or creatine kinase (CK) release in normal or I/R isolated hearts within the 90 min. However, E₂ exerted a protective effect against I/R injury, whereas, BPA inhibited the cardio-protective effects of E₂ on HR, CF, and LDH and CK release. Furthermore, BPA in combination with E₂ aggravated I/R injury by increasing infarct size and causing a more severe ultrastructural disruption as compared to treatment with E₂ alone. Based on our results, we conclude that BPA inhibits the cardio-protective effects of E₂ on I/R-injured hearts, despite not significantly affecting normal or I/R isolated hearts.

Involvement of brain natriuretic peptide signaling pathway in the cardioprotective action of sitagliptin

BACKGROUND

The current study is focusing on the role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a substrate of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) enzyme, and its signaling survival pathway in the cardioprotective mechanism of sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were randomized into 7 groups, sham, I/R, KT-5823 (selective protein kinase (PK) G inhibitor), 5-HD (selective mito-KATP channel blocker), sitagliptin (300mg/kg, po), sitagliptin+KT-5823, and sitagliptin+5-HD. Sitagliptin was administered for 3 days prior to induction of coronary I/R, while either KT-5823 or 5-HD was administered intravenously 5min before coronary ligation.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with sitagliptin provided significant protection against I/R injury as manifested by decreasing, percentage of infarct size, suppressing the elevated ST segment, reducing the increased cardiac enzymes, as well as DPP-4 activity and elevating both heart rate (HR) and left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP). However, the addition of either blocker to sitagliptin regimen reversed partly its cardioprotective effects. Although I/R increased BNP content, it unexpectedly decreased that of cGMP; nevertheless, sitagliptin elevated both parameters, an effect that was not affected by the use of the two blockers. On the molecular level, sitagliptin decreased caspase-3 activity and downregulated the mRNA levels of BNP, Bax, and Cyp D, while upregulated that of Bcl2. The use of either KT-5823 or 5-HD with sitagliptin hindered its effect on the molecular markers tested.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study suggest that the cardioprotective effect of sitagliptin is mediated partly, but not solely, through the BNP/cGMP/PKG survival signaling pathway.

Cucurbitacin I Attenuates Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy via Inhibition of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CCN2) and TGF- β/Smads Signalings

Cucurbitacin I is a naturally occurring triterpenoid derived from Cucurbitaceae family plants that exhibits a number of potentially useful pharmacological and biological activities. However, the therapeutic impact of cucurbitacin I on the heart has not heretofore been reported. To evaluate the functional role of cucurbitacin I in an in vitro model of cardiac hypertrophy, phenylephrine (PE)-stimulated cardiomyocytes were treated with a sub-cytotoxic concentration of the compound, and the effects on cell size and mRNA expression levels of ANF and β-MHC were investigated. Consequently, PE-induced cell enlargement and upregulation of ANF and β-MHC were significantly suppressed by pretreatment of the cardiomyocytes with cucurbitacin I. Notably, cucurbitacin I also impaired connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and MAPK signaling, pro-hypertrophic factors, as well as TGF-β/Smad signaling, the important contributing factors to fibrosis. The protective impact of cucurbitacin I was significantly blunted in CTGF-silenced or TGF-β1-silenced hypertrophic cardiomyocytes, indicating that the compound exerts its beneficial actions through CTGF. Taken together, these findings signify that cucurbitacin I protects the heart against cardiac hypertrophy via inhibition of CTGF/MAPK, and TGF- β/Smad-facilitated events. Accordingly, the present study provides new insights into the defensive capacity of cucurbitacin I against cardiac hypertrophy, and further suggesting cucurbitacin I's utility as a novel therapeutic agent for the management of heart diseases.

Triptolide alleviates isoprenaline-induced cardiac remodeling in rats via TGF-β1/Smad3 and p38 MAPK signaling pathway

Triptolide (TPL) is a diterpene triepoxide with potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. It is the main effective component of the traditional Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F and has been used in China for centuries to treat immune-related disorders. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of TPL on cardiac remodeling in rats. Age matched male Wistar rats were used in this study. Cardiac remodeling rat model was established by hypodermic injection of isoprenaline for ten days. The rats were treated with TPL (20 or 100 μg/kg/d) for six consecutive weeks. At the end of the study, the cardiac function, collagen volume fraction, perivascular collagen area and hydroxyproline concentration were studied. Echocardiography, Masson staining, immunohistochemistry, western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed. The protein and mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein 3 (Smad3) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) were analyzed. The results indicated that TPL treatment significantly reduced the collagen volume fraction, perivascular collagen area, ventricular weight/body weight ratio and hydroxyproline concentration in myocardial tissue compared with the model group. In addition, it also improved the cardiac function. TPL attenuated cardiac remodeling in rats by down-regulating the p38 MAPK and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathways. TPL treatment significantly attenuated cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac function through suppressing the p38 MAPK and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in isoprenaline-induced cardiac remodeling rats. Our findings suggested that TPL might be a novel complementary medicine in the treatment of chronic heart failure.

Prednisolone attenuates improvement of cardiac and skeletal contractile function and histopathology by lisinopril and spironolactone in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an inherited disease that causes striated muscle weakness. Recently, we showed therapeutic effects of the combination of lisinopril (L), an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and spironolactone (S), an aldosterone antagonist, in mice lacking dystrophin and haploinsufficient for utrophin (utrn(+/-);mdx, het mice); both cardiac and skeletal muscle function and histology were improved when these mice were treated early with LS. It was unknown to what extent LS treatment is effective in the most commonly used DMD murine model, the mdx mouse. In addition, current standard-of-care treatment for DMD is limited to corticosteroids. Therefore, potentially useful alternative or additive drugs need to be both compared directly to corticosteroids and tested in presence of corticosteroids. We evaluated the effectiveness of this LS combination in the mdx mouse model both compared with corticosteroid treatment (prednisolone, P) or in combination (LSP). We tested the additional combinatorial treatment containing the angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan (T), which is widely used to halt and treat the developing cardiac dysfunction in DMD patients as an alternative to an ACE inhibitor. Peak myocardial strain rate, assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, showed a negative impact of P, whereas in both diaphragm and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle contractile function was not significantly impaired by P. Histologically, P generally increased cardiac damage, estimated by percentage area infiltrated by IgG as well as by collagen staining. In general, groups that only differed in the presence or absence of P (i.e. mdx vs. P, LS vs. LSP, and TS vs. TSP) demonstrated a significant detrimental impact of P on many assessed parameters, with the most profound impact on cardiac pathology.

ATP-dependent potassium channels and mitochondrial permeability transition pores play roles in the cardioprotection of theaflavin in young rat

Previous studies have confirmed that tea polyphenols possess a broad spectrum of biological functions such as anti-oxidative, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and cardiovascular protection activities, as well as anti-cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury properties. But the effect of tea polyphenols on ischemia/reperfusion heart has not been well elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of theaflavin (TF1) and its underlying mechanism. Young male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: (1) the control group; (2) TF1 group; (3) glibenclamide + TF1 group; (4) 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) + TF1 group; and (5) atractyloside + TF1 group. The Langendorff technique was used to record cardiac function in isolated rat heart before and after 30 min of global ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. The parameters of cardiac function, including left ventricular developing pressure (LVDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), maximal differentials of LVDP (± LVdP/dt (max)) and coronary flow (CF), were measured. The results showed: (1) compared with the control group, TF1 (10, 20, 40 μmol/l) displayed a better recovery of cardiac function after ischemia/reperfusion in a concentration-dependent manner. At 60 min of reperfusion, LVDP, ± LVdP/dt (max) and CF in the TF1 group were much higher than those in the control group, whereas left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in the TF1 group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). (2) Pretreatment with glibenclamide (10 μmol/l), a K(ATP) antagonist, completely abolished the cardioprotective effects of TF1 (20 μmol/l). Also, most of the effects of TF1 (20 μmol/l) on cardiac function after 60 min of reperfusion were reversed by 5-HD (100 μmol/l), a selective mitochondria K(ATP) antagonist. (3) Atractyloside (20 μmol/l), a mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opener, administered at the beginning of 15 min of reperfusion completely abolished the cardioprotection of TF1 (20 μmol/l). The results indicate that TF1 protects the rat heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury through the opening of K(ATP) channels, particularly on the mitochondrial membrane, and inhibits mPTP opening.

Cannabinoid/agonist WIN 55,212-2 reduces cardiac ischaemia–reperfusion injury in Zucker diabetic fatty rats: role of CB2 receptors and iNOS/eNOS

BACKGROUND

Diabetes increases cardiac damage after myocardial ischaemia. Cannabinoids can protect against myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury. The aim of this study was to examine the cardioprotective effect of the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) against ischaemia/reperfusion injury in an experimental model of type 2 diabetes. We performed these experiments in the Zucker diabetic fatty rat, and focused on the role of cannabinoid receptors in modulation of cardiac inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)/endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression.

METHODS

Male 20-week-old Zucker diabetic fatty rats were treated with vehicle, WIN, the selective CB1 or CB2 receptor antagonists AM251 and AM630, respectively, AM251 + WIN or AM630 + WIN. Hearts were isolated from these rats, and the cardiac functional response to ischaemia/reperfusion injury was evaluated. In addition, cardiac iNOS and eNOS expression were determined by western blot.

RESULTS

WIN significantly improved cardiac recovery after ischaemia/ reperfusion in the hearts from Zucker diabetic fatty rats by restoring coronary perfusion pressure and heart rate to preischaemic levels. Additionally, WIN decreased cardiac iNOS expression and increased eNOS expression after ischaemia/reperfusion in diabetic hearts. WIN-induced cardiac functional recovery was completely blocked by the CB2 antagonist AM630. However, changes in NOS isoenzyme expression were not affected by the CB antagonists.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows a cardioprotective effect of a cannabinoid agonist on ischaemia/reperfusion injury in an experimental model of a metabolic disorder. The activation mainly of CB2 receptors and the restoration of iNOS/eNOS cardiac equilibrium are mechanisms involved in this protective effect. These initial studies have provided the basis for future research in this field.

Vasoconstrictor and inotropic effects induced by the root bark extracts of Anthocleista schweinfurthii

The present study was undertaken to investigate the cardiovascular effect of three extracts from the root bark of Anthocleista schweinfurthii Gilg.: an aqueous extract (AE), a dichloromethane extract (DCMR) and a fraction enriched in cardiac glycoside type compounds (CARDAN). In isolated perfused frog heart, bolus injection of the extracts produced a positive inotropic effect. The responses to AE and DCMR, but not to CARDAN, were depressed by propranolol. In isolated rat aorta, DCMR produced a transient increase in contractile tension while AE and CARDAN induced a sustained constriction. AE vasoconstrictor effect was abolished by phentolamine, while contraction evoked by CARDAN was antagonized by verapamil. In aortic rings contracted in low K+ media, the addition of K+ evoked a relaxation, which was abolished by ouabain, depressed by DCMR but not affected by either A(E) or CARDAN. These observations indicate that Anthocleista schweinfurthii contains substances that promote vasoconstriction and increase cardiac contraction. The effect of DCMR was only partially mediated by inhibition of the Na+ pump while the mechanism of action of A(E) and CARDAN was distinct from the inhibition of the Na+, K+ - ATPase pump, but could involve adrenergic receptors, or either direct or indirect activation of L-type calcium channels.

Redox regulation of resveratrol-mediated switching of death signal into survival signal

In this study, we determined the changes in the intracellular redox environment of the heart during ischemia and reperfusion and the effects of resveratrol on such changes. Because redox regulation by thioredoxin (Trx) plays a crucial role in signal transduction and cytoprotection against ROS, the effects of resveratrol on the changes in the amounts of thioredoxin were monitored in an attempt to determine the role of intracellular thioredoxin in resveratrol-mediated changes in intracellular redox environment and its role in resveratrol-mediated cardioprotection. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: group I, control (rats were gavaged with vehicle only); group II, rats were gavaged with 2.5 mg/kg body wt resveratrol per day for 10 days; group III, rats were given resveratrol for 10 days, but on the 7th day, they were treated with shRNA against Trx-1; group IV, rats were given resveratrol for 10 days, but were injected (iv) with cisplatin (1 mg/kg body wt) on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. In concert, two groups of mice (Dn-Trx-1) and a corresponding wild-type group were also gavaged with 2.5 mg/kg body wt resveratrol for 10 days. After 10 days, isolated rat and mouse hearts perfused via working mode were made globally ischemic for 30 min followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Ischemia/reperfusion developed an infarct size of about 40% and resulted in about 25% apoptotic cardiomyocytes, which were reduced by resveratrol. Cisplatin, but not shRNA-Trx-1, abolished the cardioprotective abilities of resveratrol. In the experiments with mouse hearts, similar to rat hearts, resveratrol significantly reduced the ischemia/reperfusion-mediated increase in infarct size and apoptosis in both groups. MDA formation, a presumptive marker for lipid peroxidation, was increased in the I/R group and reduced in the resveratrol group, and resveratrol-mediated reduction in MDA formation was abolished with cisplatin, but not with shRNA-Trx-1. I/R-induced reduction in GSH/GSSH ratio was prevented by resveratrol, and resveratrol-mediated preservation of GSH/GSSG ratio was reduced by cisplatin, but not by sh-RNA-Trx-1. RT-PCR revealed an increase in both Trx-1 and Trx-2 transcripts; but only Trx-2 protein, not Trx-1 protein, was enhanced with resveratrol by Western blot analysis. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic study revealed that resveratrol treatment significantly increased the decay rates of nitroxide radicals compared to control hearts, suggesting that resveratrol can switch into the reduction state more compared to control heart. Finally, resveratrol generated a survival signal by phosphorylation of Akt and increase in induction of Bcl-2 expression, which was inhibited by cisplatin, but not by shRNA-Trx-1. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that resveratrol provides cardioprotection by maintaining intracellular redox environments, and Trx-2 is likely to play a role in switching I/R-induced death signal into survival signal.

Lidocaine abolishes the myocardial protective effect of sevoflurane post-conditioning

BACKGROUND

Post-ischemic administration of volatile anesthetics activates ischemia-reperfusion injury salvage process and decreases myocardial damage. However, the mechanisms underlying anesthetic post-conditioning and effects of lidocaine on it remain unclear. Here we report the cardioprotection of sevoflurane-induced post-conditioning and the effects of lidocaine on it.

METHODS

Isolated perfused rat hearts were exposed to 40 min of ischemia followed by 1 h of reperfusion. Volatile anesthetic post-conditioning was induced by 15 min of 3 vol% sevourane (1.5 minimum alveolar concentration) administered at the onset of reperfusion. In some experiments, lidocaine was coadministered with sevoflurane in different concentrations (2, 10 and 20 microg/ml). Infarct size was determined by dividing the total necrotic area of the left ventricle by the total left ventricular slice area (percent necrotic area).

RESULTS

Sevoflurane-induced post-conditioning signicantly improved post-ischemia functional recovery and decreased infarct size (47.3+/-5.6% in unprotected hearts vs. 18.6+/-3.1% in anesthetic post-conditioning, P<0.05). Sevourane-mediated cardioprotection was abolished by 20 microg/ml lidocaine.

CONCLUSIONS

Sevourane-induced post-conditioning effectively protected myocardium against reperfusion damage and its cytoprotection was reversed by 20 microg/ml lidocaine.

27-Hydroxycholesterol is an endogenous SERM that inhibits the cardiovascular effects of estrogen

The cardioprotective effects of estrogen are mediated by receptors expressed in vascular cells. Here we show that 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), an abundant cholesterol metabolite that is elevated with hypercholesterolemia and found in atherosclerotic lesions, is a competitive antagonist of estrogen receptor action in the vasculature. 27HC inhibited both the transcription-mediated and the non-transcription-mediated estrogen-dependent production of nitric oxide by vascular cells, resulting in reduced estrogen-induced vasorelaxation of rat aorta. Furthermore, increasing 27HC levels in mice by diet-induced hypercholesterolemia, pharmacologic administration or genetic manipulation (by knocking out the gene encoding the catabolic enzyme CYP7B1) decreased estrogen-dependent expression of vascular nitric oxide synthase and repressed carotid artery reendothelialization. As well as antiestrogenic effects, there were proestrogenic actions of 27HC that were cell-type specific, indicating that 27HC functions as an endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Taken together, these studies point to 27HC as a contributing factor in the loss of estrogen protection from vascular disease.

Nitrative inactivation of thioredoxin-1 and its role in postischemic myocardial apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Intracellular proteins involved in oxidative stress and apoptosis are nitrated in diseased tissues but not in normal tissues; definitive evidence to support a causative link between a specific protein that is nitratively modified with tissue injury in a specific disease is limited, however. The aims of the present study were to determine whether thioredoxin (Trx), a novel antioxidant and antiapoptotic molecule, is susceptible to nitrative inactivation and to establish a causative link between Trx nitration and postischemic myocardial apoptosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In vitro exposure of human Trx-1 to 3-morpholinosydnonimine resulted in significant Trx-1 nitration and almost abolished Trx-1 activity. 3-morpholinosydnonimine-induced nitrative Trx-1 inactivation was completely blocked by MnTE-2-PyP(5+) (a superoxide dismutase mimetic) and markedly attenuated by PTIO (a nitric oxide scavenger). Administration of either reduced or oxidized Trx-1 in vivo attenuated myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (>50% reduction in apoptosis and infarct size, P<0.01). However, administration of nitrated Trx-1 failed to exert a cardioprotective effect. In cardiac tissues obtained from ischemic/reperfused heart, significant Trx-1 nitration was detected, Trx activity was markedly inhibited, Trx-1/ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1) complex formation was abolished, and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 activity was increased. Treatment with either FP15 (a peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst) or MnTE-2-PyP(5+) 10 minutes before reperfusion blocked nitrative Trx inactivation, attenuated apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 activation, and reduced postischemic myocardial apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results strongly suggest that nitrative inactivation of Trx plays a proapoptotic role under those pathological conditions in which production of reactive nitrogen species is increased and that antinitrating treatment may have therapeutic value in those diseases, such as myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, in which pathological apoptosis is increased.

Inhibition of cardiac PGC-1alpha expression abolishes ERbeta agonist-mediated cardioprotection following trauma-hemorrhage

PGC-1alpha (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor [PPARgamma] coactivator-1alpha) activates PPARalpha and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), which regulate proteins, fatty acid and ATP metabolism (i.e., FAT/CD36, MCAD, and COX I). Recently we found that the salutary effects of estradiol (E2) on cardiac function following trauma-hemorrhage (T-H) are mediated via estrogen receptor (ER)beta. In this study we tested the hypothesis that ERbeta-mediated cardioprotection is induced via up-regulation of PGC-1alpha through PPARalpha or Tfam-dependent pathway. Male rats underwent T-H and received ERalpha agonist propylpyrazole-triol (PPT), ERbeta agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN), E2, or vehicle. Another group was treated with antisense PGC-1alpha oligonucleotides prior to administration of DPN. E2 and DPN treatments attenuated the decrease in cardiac mitochondrial ATP, abrogated the T-H-induced lipid accumulation, and normalized PGC-1alpha, PPARalpha, FAT/CD36, MCAD, Tfam, and COX I after T-H. In contrast, PPT administration did not abrogate lipid accumulation. Moreover, in PPT-treated animals mitochondrial ATP remained significantly lower than those observed in DPN- or E2-treated animals. Prior administration of antisense PGC-1alpha prevented DPN-mediated cardioprotection and increase in ATP levels and Tfam but not in PPARalpha following T-H. These findings suggest that the salutary effects of E2 on cardiac function following T-H are mediated via ERbeta up-regulation of PGC-1alpha through Tfam-dependent pathway.

The role of potassium channels in the vasodilatory effect of levosimendan in human internal thoracic arteries

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the role of potassium channels in vasodilatory effect of levosimendan in human internal thoracic arteries.

METHODS

Samples of redundant internal thoracic arteries obtained from patients undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft surgery were cut into 3 mm wide rings and suspended in 20 ml organ baths. Isometric tension was continuously measured with an isometric force transducer connected to a computer-based data acquisition system.

RESULTS

Levosimendan (10(-8)-10(-5) M) or cromakalim (10(-8)-10(-5) M) produced concentration-dependent relaxation responses in human internal thoracic arteries precontracted by 10(-6) M phenylephrine. The relaxant responses to levosimendan did not differ significantly between endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded preparations. Incubation of human internal thoracic artery rings with adenosine 3',5'-triphosphate (ATP)-dependent potassium channel blocker glibenclamide (10(-6) M) for 30 min significantly inhibited the relaxant responses to both levosimendan and cromakalim. The Ca2+-activated potassium channel blocker iberiotoxin (10(-7) M) also caused a significant but smaller inhibition on relaxant responses to levosimendan. Incubation of the rings with the voltage-dependent potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (5 mM) for 10 min did not cause significant alterations in relaxant responses to levosimendan.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggested that levosimendan-induced relaxation responses in human internal thoracic arteries were depended on the activation of ATP-dependent and Ca2+-activated potassium channels.

Nandrolone decanoate impairs exercise-induced cardioprotection: role of antioxidant enzymes

The beneficial effects of exercise in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases are well known and the abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has been associated to cardiovascular disorders. Previous studies showed that heart protection to ischemic events would be mediated by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities. Here, we investigated the impact of exercise and high doses of the AAS nandrolone decanoate (DECA), 10 mgkg(-1) body weight during 8 weeks, in cardiac tolerance to ischemic events as well as on the activity of antioxidant enzymes in rats. After a global ischemic event, hearts of control trained (CT) group recovered about 70% of left ventricular developed pressure, whereas DECA trained (DT), control sedentary (CS) and DECA sedentary (DS) animals recovered only about 20%. Similarly, heart infarct size was significantly lower in the CT group compared to animals of the three other groups. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were significantly higher in CT animals than in the other three groups, whereas catalase activity was not affected in any group. Together, these results indicate that chronic treatment with DECA cause an impairment of exercise induction of antioxidant enzyme activities, leading to a reduced cardioprotection upon ischemic events.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate inhibits the cardioprotective effect of estrogen in experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury

OBJECTIVE

Results from recent clinical trials of estrogen and progestogen therapy (EPT) suggest that some progestogens may interfere with the cardiovascular benefits of estrogen (E). The aim of this study was to investigate whether medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) modifies the protective effect of E in experimental ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in vivo and in vitro in the rat.

DESIGN

Ovariectomized female Wistar rats (250-280 g, n = 61) received E, MPA, E and MPA, or placebo subcutaneously. Fourteen days later, hearts were isolated and perfused with Krebs Henseleit for in vitro experiments or left in situ for in vivo experiments. In both cases, the left coronary artery was occluded for 45 minutes, followed by 2 hours of reperfusion.

RESULTS

In vivo E significantly reduced the necrotic zone of reperfused hearts (21.8% +/- 1.7% of area at risk) compared with placebo (42.8% +/- 4.8% area at risk; P < 0.05). This protection was reversed by co-administration of MPA with E (necrotic zone 38.2% +/- 6.1% area at risk). The influence of E on neutrophil infiltration was demonstrated by its ability to reduce myocardial myeloperoxidase activity (0.2 +/- 0.1 U/g tissue) relative to placebo (1.3 +/- 0.5 U/g tissue; P < 0.05). Myocardial myeloperoxidase activity was significantly increased to 1.1 +/- 0.3 U/g tissue in rats receiving E and MPA. However, MPA also reversed the protective effect of E in neutrophil-free buffer-perfused hearts, suggesting that additional mechanisms are involved.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we showed that the administration of MPA can inhibit the effects of E that lead to protection of the myocardium from reperfusion injury and that this involves both neutrophil-dependent and neutrophil-independent mechanisms.

[Combination therapy with acetylsalicylic acid and non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]

Patients may require both low-dose aspirin (ASA) and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This raises the questions of whether NSAIDs may inhibit the cardioprotective effects of low-dose ASA; whether the cardioprotective effect of low-dose ASA can be obtained by NSAIDs: and whether the combination of low-dose ASA and NSAIDs increases the risk of adverse effects. This review attempts to answer these questions.

Atractyloside and 5-hydroxydecanoate block the protective effect of puerarin in isolated rat heart

The aim of the present study was to determine whether the clinically effective cardioprotection conferred by puerarin (Pue) against ischemia and reperfusion is mediated by mitochondrial transmembrane pores and/or channels. Hearts isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused on a Langendorff apparatus and subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. The production of formazan, which provides an index of myocardial viability, was measured by absorbance at 550 nm, and the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the coronary effluent was determined. In this model, Pue (0.0024-2.4 mmol/l) had a dose-dependent, negatively inotropic effect. Pretreatment with Pue at 0.24 mmol/l for 5 min before ischemia increased myocardial formazan content, reduced LDH release, improved recovery of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and rate-pressure product (left ventricular developed pressure multiplied by heart rate) during reperfusion. Administration of atractyloside (20 micromol/l), an opener of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, for the first 20 min of reperfusion, and 5-hydroxydecanoate (100 micromol/l), the mitochondrial-specific ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker, for 20 min before ischemia, attenuated the protective effects of Pue. In mitochondria isolated from hearts pretreated with 0.24 mmol/l Pue for 5 min, a significant inhibition of Ca(2+)-induced swelling was observed, and this inhibition was attenuated by 5-hydroxydecanoate. In isolated ventricular myocytes, pretreatment with Pue prevented ischemia-induced cell death and depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, and atractyloside and 5-hydroxydecanoate attenuated the effects of Pue. These findings indicate that puerarin protects the myocardium against ischemia and reperfusion injury via inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and activating the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel.

Reduction of infarct size with d-myo-inositol trisphosphate: role of PI3-kinase and mitochondrial KATP channels

Prophylactic treatment with d- myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate hexasodium [d- myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3], the sodium salt of the endogenous second messenger Ins(1,4,5)P3, triggers a reduction of infarct size comparable in magnitude to that seen with ischemic preconditioning (PC). However, the mechanisms underlying d- myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced protection are unknown. Accordingly, our aim was to investigate the role of four archetypal mediators implicated in PC and other cardioprotective strategies (i.e., PKC, PI3-kinase/Akt, and mitochondrial and/or sarcolemmal KATP channels) in the infarct-sparing effect of d- myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3. Fifteen groups of isolated buffer-perfused rabbit hearts [5 treated with d- myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3, 5 treated with PC, and 5 control cohorts] underwent 30 min of coronary artery occlusion and 2 h of reflow. One set of control, d- myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3, and PC groups received no additional treatment, whereas the remaining sets were infused with chelerythrine, LY-294002, 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), or HMR-1098 [inhibitors of PKC, PI3-kinase, and mitochondrial and sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, respectively]. Infarct size (delineated by tetrazolium staining) was, as expected, significantly reduced in both d- myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3- and PC-treated hearts versus controls. d- myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced cardioprotection was blocked by 5-HD but not HMR-1098, thereby implicating the involvement of mitochondrial, but not sarcolemmal, KATP channels. Moreover, the benefits of d- myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3 were abrogated by LY-294002, whereas, in contrast, chelerythrine had no effect. These latter pharmacological data were corroborated by immunoblotting: d- myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3 evoked a significant increase in expression of phospho-Akt but had no effect on the activation/translocation of the cardioprotective ε-isoform of PKC. Thus PI3-kinase/Akt signaling and mitochondrial KATP channels participate in the reduction of infarct size afforded by prophylactic administration of d- myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3.

Reduced oxygen supply explains the negative force-frequency relation and the positive inotropic effect of adenosine in buffer-perfused hearts

In isolated rat hearts perfused with HEPES and red blood cell-enriched buffers, we examined changes in left ventricular pressure induced by increases in heart rate or infusion of adenosine to investigate whether the negative force-frequency relation and the positive inotropic effect of adenosine are related to an inadequate oxygen supply provided by crystalloid perfusates. Hearts perfused with HEPES buffer at a constant flow demonstrated a negative force-frequency relation, whereas hearts perfused with red blood cell-enriched buffer exhibited a positive force-frequency relation. In contrast, HEPES buffer-perfused hearts showed a concentration-dependent increase in left ventricular systolic pressure [EC50 = 7.0 ± 1.2 nM, maximal effect (Emax) = 104 ± 2 and 84 ± 2 mmHg at 0.1 μM and baseline, respectively] in response to adenosine, whereas hearts perfused with red blood cell-enriched buffer showed no change in left ventricular pressure. The positive inotropic effect of adenosine correlated with the simultaneous reduction in heart rate ( r = 0.67, P < 0.01; EC50 = 3.8 ± 1.4 nM, baseline 228 ± 21 beats/min to a minimum of 183 ± 22 beats/min at 0.1 μM) and was abolished in isolated hearts paced to suppress the adenosine-induced bradycardia. In conclusion, these results indicate that the negative force-frequency relation and the positive inotropic effect of adenosine in the isolated rat heart are related to myocardial hypoxia, rather than functional peculiarities of the rat heart.

The Cardioprotective Effects of Preconditioning with Endotoxin, but Not Ischemia, Are Abolished by a Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ Antagonist

We investigated whether endogenous ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) protect the heart against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. The selective PPAR-gamma antagonist GW9662 (2-chloro-5-nitrobenzanilide) was used in rat models of 1) regional myocardial I/R, 2) ischemic preconditioning, and 3) delayed cardioprotection by endotoxin. We also investigated the effects of the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, parecoxib, on ischemic preconditioning and delayed cardioprotective effects of endotoxin. Male Wistar rats were anesthetized with sodium thiopentone. Animals were subjected to either 15 or 25 min of regional myocardial I/R and pretreated with the PPAR-gamma agonist ciglitazone (0.3 mg/kg), the PPAR-gamma antagonist GW9662 (1 mg/kg), or GW9662 and ciglitazone. Animals were also subjected to either 1) ischemic preconditioning alone, ischemic preconditioning, and pretreated with either GW9662 or parecoxib (20 mg/kg) or 2) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 mg/kg) alone, LPS, and pretreated with ciglitazone, GW9662, or parecoxib (20 mg/kg). Myocardial infarct size was determined by p-nitroblue tetrazolium staining. The PPAR-gamma antagonist GW9662 (1 mg/kg) abolished the cardioprotection afforded by the potent PPAR-gamma agonist ciglitazone (0.3 mg/kg). Neither GW9662 nor parecoxib affected the cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning. Pretreatment with ciglitazone did not provide additional cardioprotection to LPS-treated animals. Both GW9662 and parecoxib abolished the delayed cardioprotective effects of endotoxin. Thus, we propose that 1) endogenous ligands of PPAR-gamma are being generated by myocardial ischemia in sufficient amounts to attenuate myocardial I/R injury, and 2) that cyclooxygenase-2 metabolites contribute to (or even account for) the cardioprotective effects of endotoxin (second window of protection) by acting as endogenous PPAR-gamma ligands.

Effects of antidigoxin antiserum on endoxin levels, apoptosis and the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 protein in ischaemia-reperfusion myocardium

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of antidigoxin antiserum (ADA), an endoxin special antagonist, on endoxin levels, apoptosis and the expression of the apoptosis-related protein bcl-2 and bax in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion (MIR). The left anterior descending coronary artery was subjected to 30 min ischaemia followed by 45 min reperfusion in open-chest anaesthetized rats. The rats were divided randomly into seven groups: a sham-operated group, an MIR group, a vehicle control (normal saline) group, and groups receiving verapamil (5 mg/kg) or ADA (9, 18 and 36 mg/kg). The drugs were injected into rats via the femoral vein before reperfusion was commenced. Myocardial endoxin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Apoptotic cells was detected using the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labeling method. The expression of the apoptosis-related proteins bcl-2 and bax was detected by immunohistochemistry and their semiquantification scores were recorded by a computer image analysis system. Myocardial endoxin levels, the number of apoptotic cells and bax protein expression were increased in the MIR group compared with the sham group. Although bcl-2 protein expression was elevated in the MIR group, there was no significant difference between the MIR and sham groups. However, the ratio of bcl-2/bax was significantly decreased in the MIR group. In the group receiving 36 mg/kg ADA, myocardial endoxin levels, the number of apoptotic cells and bax protein expression were significantly decreased; bcl-2 protein expression was enhanced. The bcl-2/bax ratio was increased. The results suggest that ADA inhibited myocardial apoptosis induced by MIR in rats. The mechanisms involved require further investigation, but the present study may suggest that ADA prevents bax upregulation and enhances bcl-2 upregulation by antagonizing the effects of endoxin.

Activators of PPARgamma antagonize protection of cardiac myocytes by endothelin-1

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent survival factor against myocardial cell apoptosis. This anti-apoptotic effect of ET-1 is mediated in part through calcineurin/NFATc-dependent induction of bcl-2 expression. Since it has been reported that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) interacts with NFATc, we investigated the effects of PPARgamma ligands on anti-apoptotic effects of ET-1 in cardiac myocytes. In primary cardiac myocytes from neonatal rats, administration of PPARgamma activators (15-deoxy-delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 and troglitazone) attenuated the anti-apoptotic effects of ET-1. These activators abolished the ET-1-stimulated increase in bcl-2 expression and in binding of cardiac NFATc to the bcl-2 NFAT site. These findings demonstrate that activators of PPARgamma perturb the anti-apoptotic effects of ET-1 in cardiac myocytes and that this perturbation is, in part, based on functional transcriptional cross-talk between NFATc and PPARgamma.

Ouabain-induced hypertension alters the participation of endothelial factors in alpha-adrenergic responses differently in rat resistance and conductance mesenteric arteries

1. This study compares the role of endothelial factors in alpha-adrenoceptor contractile responses in mesenteric resistance (MRA) and superior (SMA) mesenteric arteries from ouabain-treated (8.0 microg day(-1), 5 weeks) and untreated rats. The role of the renin-angiotensin system was also evaluated. 2. Ouabain treatment increased systolic blood pressure. In addition, ouabain reduced the phenylephrine response in SMA but did not alter noradrenaline responses in MRA. 3. Endothelium removal or the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor (l-NAME, 100 microm) increased the responses to alpha-adrenergic agonists in both vessels. After ouabain treatment, both endothelial modulation and the l-NAME effect were increased in SMA, while only the l-NAME effect was increased in MRA. Endothelial NOS expression remained unaltered after ouabain treatment. 4. Indomethacin (10 microm) similarly reduced the noradrenaline contraction in MRA from both groups; in contrast, in SMA, indomethacin only reduced phenylephrine-induced contractions in segments from untreated rats. Co-incubation of l-NAME and indomethacin leftward shifted the concentration-response curves for noradrenaline more in MRA from ouabain-treated rats; tetraethylammonium (2 mm) shifted the noradrenaline curves further leftward only in MRA from untreated rats. 5.Losartan treatment prevents the development of hypertension but not all vascular changes observed after ouabain treatment. 6. In conclusion, a rise in endothelial NO and impaired prostanoid participation might explain the reduction in phenylephrine-induced contraction in SMA after ouabain treatment. An increase in the modulatory effect of endothelial NO and impairment of endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizing factor effect might explain why the ouabain treatment had no effect on noradrenaline responses in MRA.

Acute aspirin treatment abolishes, whereas acute ibuprofen treatment enhances morphine-induced cardioprotection: role of 12-lipoxygenase

Patients suffering an acute myocardial infarction routinely receive morphine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone or in combination. However, the importance of the dose, timing, or the combined administration of both on infarct size reduction has not been assessed. Additionally, it is not known whether morphine or NSAIDs require 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO) to mediate infarct size reduction as found previously for ischemic preconditioning. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion, followed by infarct size assessment (mean +/- S.E.M.%, **P < 0.01). Morphine (0.3 mg/kg), ibuprofen (3 mg/kg), but not aspirin (3 mg/kg) reduced infarct size when administered 5 min before reperfusion compared with vehicle (42.3 +/- 1.5**, 40.8 +/- 2.8**, 60.7 +/- 2.3 versus 59.1 +/- 1.7%, respectively); however, none of these agents reduced infarct size when administered 10 s after reperfusion. Ibuprofen (3 mg/kg) administered with morphine (0.3 mg/kg) reduced infarct size (43.7 +/- 1.3%**), whereas aspirin (1 and 3 mg/kg) abolished morphine-induced infarct size reduction. Morphine (0.2 mg/kg) and ibuprofen (0.6 mg/kg) given at doses not effective individually reduced infarct size when given together (59.0 +/- 1.4, 57.6 +/- 2.8, and 43.9 +/- 1.6%**, respectively). Morphine- and ibuprofen-induced infarct size reduction was abolished by the 12-LO inhibitor baicalein (3 mg/kg) and mimicked by the 12-LO metabolite 12-(S)-hydroxyeicosa-5Z,8Z,10Z,14Z-tetraenoic acid (45.2 +/- 2.5%**). These data suggest that morphine and ibuprofen reduce infarct size individually or at subthreshold doses in combination by 12-LO when administered 5 min before reperfusion. Furthermore, acute aspirin administration has a detrimental interaction with morphine that abrogates morphine-induced infarct size reduction.

Interaction of Androgens with Cardiotonic Drugs in Isolated Left Atrium of Rat

Pharmacological concentrations of androgens are known to elicit a rapid positive inotropism in isolated left atrium of male rats. Upon short-term exposure to androgens, an increase in intracellular cAMP levels has been observed, though delayed with respect to the time course of contraction, suggesting that other mechanisms may participate in initiating the contraction. Therefore, the interaction of positive inotropism elicited by ouabain, an inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, and androgens was studied in isolated left atrium of rat. Androgens antagonized ouabain-elicited positive inotropism and increased the basal tone. Vanadate, an inhibitor of the Ca(2+) pump, produced a similar effect as androgens on ouabain-elicited positive inotropism. Therefore, androgens might interact with the Ca(2+) pump and this may explain the increase in basal tone. The conjugation of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone with bovine serum albumin produced the same effect, suggesting an extracellular interaction of androgens inhibiting the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase that could increase intracellular Ca(2+) via the Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange.

Synthesis and pharmacological characterization of functionalized 2-pyridones structurally related to the cardiotonic agent milrinone

A new class of cardiotonic agents characterized by a 2-pyridone structure was synthesized. Appropriate sym-2-dimethylaminomethylene-1,3-diones reacted with methylcyanoacetate to afford the desired compounds. These derivatives were evaluated for their ability in inducing cardiotonic response on guinea pig isolated myocardial preparations. Compound 8b increased atrial contractility to an extent which is significantly higher than that of milrinone, the parent drug used as a reference compound. The pharmacological characterization and the docking studies performed on 8b highlighted its selective mechanism of action via type 3 PDE (PDE3) inhibition.

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases prevents cardiac hypertrophy induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation in rats

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) -I is one of the candidates for cardiac hypertrophy induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation. However, the mechanisms by which the biologic actions of IGF-I are regulated under this condition remain unclear. IGF-I becomes bioavailable for its receptors upon its dissociation from IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) through IGFBP degradation. Because matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the degradation of IGFBPs, the authors investigated the role of MMPs in the regulation of the IGF-I action through the degradation of IGFBPs in cardiac hypertrophy induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation. They examined the expression of MMPs in cardiac tissues of rats infused with isoproterenol (3 mg/kg per day), the effect of a MMP inhibitor, SI-27 (5 mg/rat per day), on cardiac hypertrophy, and the expression of IGF-I and IGFBP-3. MMP-1 and -2 activities increased and IGFBP-3 was degraded in heart hypertrophied by isoproterenol. MMP inhibition caused a regression in the myocyte hypertrophy in association with the suppression of both IGF-I protein in myocytes and the degradation of IGFBP-3 protein. These results suggest that the induction of myocyte hypertrophy by isoproterenol is mediated, at least in part, by a modulation of the IGF-I axis.

Type II nitric oxide synthase activity is cardio-protective in experimental sepsis

Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) via the induction of NO synthase (NOS) II is implicated in the pathogenesis of the refractory hypotension that characterizes septic shock. However, clinical trials of nonselective NOS inhibitors have failed to afford a mortality benefit in patients with sepsis, and in those with depressed left ventricular function, death rates were increased. Such observations have led to the suggestion that a selective inhibitor of NOSII would be more effective in treating septic shock, although precisely how NO modulates cardiac function in these circumstances remains unclear. We therefore used an isolated ejecting rodent heart model to study the effects of NO and experimental sepsis (endotoxin 20 mg kg i.p.) on cardiac functions. Coronary flow and cardiac output and ventricular functions were reduced by LPS, effects that were partially obviated by supplementation of perfusate with the NO substrate, L-arginine. These improvements were partially blocked by the selective NOSII inhibitor N-(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine (1400W) and further reduced by the combined NOSI, II and III inhibitor L-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). These findings suggest that NOSII is cardio-protective in the heart in sepsis and explain why its inhibition in man led to increased mortality in a subpopulation of patients.

Cardioprotection with pioglitazone is abolished by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in ischemic rabbit hearts--comparison of the effects of pioglitazone and metformin

BACKGROUND

The effects of two drugs representing different classes of antidiabetic pharmacology (pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione; and metformin, a biguanide) on the myocardial metabolism in the ischemia are poorly understood.

METHODS

To test the hypothesis that cardioprotection of pioglitazone and metformin is associated with nitric oxide (NO), we studied the high energy phosphate metabolism by 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in isolated rabbit hearts. Forty-five minutes of continuous normothermic global ischemia was carried out. Pioglitazone or metformin was administered at the beginning, 60 min prior to the global ischemia, with or without the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME, administered 5 min or 60 min prior to the ischemia. In the first experiment, whether NO was produced or not by administration of pioglitazone, for the prevention of myocardial ischemic injury, was investigated. Hearts of male Japanese white rabbits were divided into 4 experimental groups: the control (C) group, the P group consisting of pioglitazone treatment, the P + L5 group consisting of pioglitazone treatment with L-NAME (5 min before ischemia), and the P + L60 group consisting of pioglitazone treatment with L-NAME (60 min before ischemia). In the next experiment, a comparison between the effects of pioglitazone and metformin in preventing ischemic injury were studied. The hearts were divided into 4 experimental groups: the control (C) group, the P group consisting of pioglitazone treatment, the P + L5 group consisting of pioglitazone treatment with L-NAME (5 min before ischemia), the M group consisting of metformin treatment, and the M + L5 group consisting of metformin treatment with L-NAME (5 min before ischemia).

RESULTS

In the first experiment, the decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during ischemia was significantly inhibited in the P group in comparison with the C group (P < 0.01). However, the decrease in ATP was not inhibited in the P + L5 group during ischemia. In contrast, in the P + L60 group, the decrease in ATP was not inhibited during a part of ischemia. In the next experiment, a comparison between the effects of pioglitazone and metformin in preventing ischemic injury was studied. As a result of administration of either pioglitazone or metformin, there was no difference between groups with and without L-NAME.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that pioglitazone has a significant beneficial effect on improving the myocardial energy metabolism during ischemia. This cardioprotection may be dependent on nitric oxide (NO) synthase during ischemia more than preischemia. Furthermore, the present findings suggest that both pioglitazone and metformin have equal cardioprotective effects mediated by NO on myocardial ischemic injury in rabbits.

Immediate control of life-threatening digoxin intoxication in a child by use of digoxin-specific antibody fragments (Fab)

Digoxin-immune antibody fragments (Fab) for treatment of digitalis intoxication was introduced in 1976. Many reports have been published concerning this therapy for children, but few have focused on its immediate reversal of cardiac as well as extracardiac life-threatening manifestations of digoxin toxicity. We present a case of life-threatening digitalis intoxication in a child with postoperative renal insufficiency, after a Sennings procedure for transposition of the great arteries. Digoxin administration according to the nationally recommended dosage and intervals unexpectedly resulted in serum levels in the toxic range. Severe cardiac arrhythmias, haemodynamic instability and a rapid-increasing serum potassium level resulted. This report demonstrates how administration of Fab according to the manufacturer's dosage recommendation reversed the tachyarrhythmia immediately and re-established a normal level of serum potassium within minutes.

Cardioselective anti-ischemic ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) openers: benzopyranyl indoline and indole analogues

This paper describes the design, syntheses, and biological evaluations of novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) openers, benzopyranyl indoline and indole derivatives. Among those, two enantiomers of indoline-2-carboxylic ethyl esters (14, 18) showed the best cardioprotective activities both in vitro and in vivo, while their vasorelaxation potencies were very low (concentration for 50% inhibition of vasorelaxation >30 microM). The cardioprotective effect of 14 was completely reversed by 5-hydroxydecanoate, a selective mitochondrial K(ATP) blocker, indicating its provable protective mechanism through the mitochondrial K(ATP) opening. In addition, we performed conformational analyses using 2D-NMR, X-ray crystallography and molecular modeling to study the structure-activity relationships in this series of compounds.

MCC-134, a single pharmacophore, opens surface ATP-sensitive potassium channels, blocks mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels, and suppresses preconditioning

BACKGROUND

MCC-134 (1-[4-(H-imidazol-1-yl)benzoyl]-N-methylcyclobutane-carbothioamide), a newly developed analog of aprikalim, opens surface smooth muscle-type ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels but inhibits pancreatic K(ATP) channels. However, the effects of MCC-134 on cardiac surface K(ATP) channels and mitochondrial K(ATP) (mitoK(ATP)) channels are unknown. A mixed agonist/blocker with differential effects on the two channel types would help to clarify the role of K(ATP) channels in cardioprotection.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To index mitoK(ATP) channels, we measured mitochondrial flavoprotein fluorescence in rabbit ventricular myocytes. MCC-134 alone had little effect on basal flavoprotein fluorescence. However, MCC-134 inhibited diazoxide-induced flavoprotein oxidation in a dose-dependent manner (EC(50)=27 micro mol/L). When ATP was included in the pipette solution, MCC-134 slowly activated surface K(ATP) currents with some delay (>10 minutes). These results indicate that MCC-134 is a mitoK(ATP) channel inhibitor and a surface K(ATP) channel opener in native cardiac cells. In cell-pelleting ischemia assays, coapplication of MCC-134 with diazoxide abolished the cardioprotective effect of diazoxide, whereas MCC-134 alone did not alter cell death. These results were reproducible in both rabbit and mouse myocytes. MCC-134 also attenuated the effect of ischemic preconditioning against myocardial infarction in mice, consistent with the results of cell-pelleting ischemia assays.

CONCLUSIONS

A single drug, MCC-134, opens surface K(ATP) channels but blocks mitoK(ATP) channels; the fact that this drug inhibits preconditioning reaffirms the primacy of mitoK(ATP) rather than surface K(ATP), channels in the mechanism of cardioprotection.

Aspirin alters the cardioprotective effects of the factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism

BACKGROUND

The mechanism underlying decreased risk for myocardial infarction in carriers of the Leu34 polymorphism of the factor (F) XIII A-subunit is unclear. Given that acetylation of fibrinogen by aspirin can alter its clotting properties and the presence of fibrin stimulates thrombin-mediated activation of FXIII, we have tested the hypothesis that treatment with aspirin differentially modulates the influence of the FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism on its activation in vivo.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The rates of the disappearance of FXIIIA chain and the appearance of its activated form (FXIIIAa) in sequential 30-second blood samples collected at the site of microvascular injury were compared in 14 healthy carriers of the Leu34 allele and 23 Val34 homozygotes both before and after a 7-day aspirin ingestion (75 mg/d), with the use of quantitative Western blotting. The presence of the Leu34 allele was associated with a significant increase in the maximum rate of FXIII activation by thrombin. Although the Leu34-positive and -negative subjects were similar with respect to aspirin-related impairment of thrombin generation, aspirin led to a more pronounced inhibition of the activation of FXIII in the Leu34 carriers as compared with the Val34 homozygotes.

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of FXIII activation by aspirin is enhanced in the Leu34 carriers in vivo, suggesting that these subjects might benefit more than the Leu34-negative subjects from the reduction in risk for myocardial infarction with low-dose aspirin.

Sarcolemmal K(ATP) channel triggers opioid-induced delayed cardioprotection in the rat

Recently, the involvement of sarcolemmal K(ATP) (sarcK(ATP)) channels in ischemic and pharmacological preconditioning (IPC and PPC) has been minimized by numerous studies suggesting a primary role for mitochondrial K(ATP) (mitoK(ATP)) channels in early and delayed cardioprotection. Although the mitoK(ATP) channel has clearly been shown to be a distal effector of delayed IPC and PPC, studies implicating it as a trigger of protection in delayed IPC are lacking. Accordingly, we characterized the role of cardiac K(ATP) channels as triggers or distal effectors of delayed cardioprotection induced by opioids in rats, and the data suggest that the sarcK(ATP) channel triggers and that the mitoK(ATP) channel is a distal effector of opioid-induced delayed cardioprotection.

S-Isopetasin, a sesquiterpene of Petasites formosanus, allosterically antagonized carbachol in isolated guinea pig atria

We investigated the antimuscarinic effect of S-isopetasin in isolated guinea pig atria to clarify whether it preferentially acts on muscarinic M 2 or M 3 receptors. The tension changes of isolated atria were isometrically recorded on a polygraph. S-Isopetasin at 50 and 100 microM significantly inhibited baselines of contractile tension and heart rate, but atropine at 1 microM enhanced both. S-Isopetasin (10 - 100 microM) did not significantly alter the concentration-negative inotropic response curves of carbachol (CCh) in left atria. S-Isopetasin (10 - 100 microM) allosterically antagonized negative inotropic and chronotropic responses induced by CCh in spontaneously beating right atria, based on the slopes of Schild plots significantly differing from unity. On the contrary, atropine (0.01 - 1 microM) competitively antagonized all the above responses to CCh. The pA 2 values of S-isopetasin were significantly less than that of S-isopetasin in guinea pig trachealis, suggesting that S-isopetasin may preferentially act on tracheal muscarinic M 3, but not cardiac muscarinic M 2 receptors. However, atropine preferentially acts neither. This finding reveals that S-isopetasin may have benefit in the treatment of asthma.

Doxorubicin affects the cardiac muscarinic system in the rat

During the study on the mechanism of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, we observed that a long incubation (4 hr) with doxorubicin reduced the maximal negative inotropic effects of a muscarinic receptor agonist, carbachol. The mechanism responsible for this doxorubicin-induced reduction of the efficacy of carbachol was examined in isolated guinea pig hearts. In isolated left atrial muscle preparations, 1 hr incubation with 100 microM doxorubicin caused a parallel right-ward shift of the concentration-response curves for carbachol, but a longer (4 hr) incubation with this agent (30, 100 or 200 microM), caused a significant reduction of the magnitude of the negative inotropic effect of carbachol in addition to the concentration-dependent parallel right-ward shift. The 4-hr incubation with these concentrations of doxorubicin also reduced the maximal negative inotropic effect of an adenosine A1 receptor agonist, R-phenylisopropyl adenosine (R-PIA), without affecting the potency of this agonist. Doxorubicin (1 to 100 microM) reduced [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding in a concentration dependent manner, but failed to alter [3HIR-PIA binding. The decrease in the magnitude of the maximal negative inotropic effect by doxorubicin was caused by changes in the muscarinic system at steps common to the transduction of muscarinic and adenosine A1 receptor mechanisms.

Uremic sera contain inhibitors that block digitoxin-valproic acid interaction

BACKGROUND

Digitoxin and valproic acid show strong binding to serum albumin. Thus, when present simultaneously in serum, digitoxin and valproic acid compete for binding sites. We studied digitoxin-valproic acid interaction in normal and uremic sera.

METHODS

Fluorescence polarization immunoassays were used for measuring total digitoxin and total valproic acid concentrations. We used a modified protocol of improved sensitivity to measure free digitoxin concentrations. We supplemented 2 normal and 2 uremic pools with digitoxin and then aliquots of these pools were further supplemented with various concentrations of valproic acid. After incubation at 37 degrees C for 2 hours in a water bath, specimens were allowed to re-equilibrate at room temperature for 20 minutes. Free digitoxin concentrations were measured. We also investigated digoxin-valproic acid interaction using 1 normal and 1 uremic serum pool.

RESULTS

We observed significant increases in free digitoxin concentrations in normal sera in the presence of valproic acid. In contrast, we observed a slight decline in free digitoxin concentration in the presence of valproic acid in uremic sera. We speculated that uremic sera contained inhibitors that block digitoxin-valproic acid interaction and identified indoxyl sulfate as an inhibitor. However, another uremic compound, hippuric acid showed no inhibitory effect. Interestingly, we observed no significant interaction between digoxin and valproic acid in either normal or uremic serum pool. This is probably because of poor protein binding of digoxin.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that valproic acid significantly displaces digitoxin from protein binding sites in normal serum. However, uremic sera contain inhibitors that block digitoxin-valproic acid interaction.

Selective attenuation by adenosine of arrhythmogenic action of isoproterenol on ventricular myocytes

We examined whether adenosine equally attenuated the stimulatory effects of isoproterenol on arrhythmic activity and twitch shortening of guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes. Transmembrane voltages and whole cell currents were recorded with patch electrodes, and cell twitch shortening was measured using a video-motion detector. Isoproterenol increased the action potential duration at 50% repolarization (APD50), L-type Ca2+ current [ I Ca(L)], and cell twitch shortening and induced delayed afterdepolarizations (DAD), transient inward current ( I Ti), and aftercontractions. Adenosine attenuated the arrhythmogenic actions of isoproterenol more than it attenuated the effects of isoproterenol on APD50, I Ca(L), or twitch shortening. Adenosine (0.1–100 μmol/l) decreased the amplitude of DADs by 30 ± 6% to 92 ± 5% but attenuated isoproterenol-induced prolongation of the APD50 by only 14 ± 4% to 59 ± 4% and had no effect on the voltage of action potential plateau. Adenosine (30 μmol/l) inhibited I Ti by 91 ± 4% but decreased isoproterenol-stimulated I Ca(L) by only 30 ± 12%. Isoproterenol-induced aftercontractions were abolished by adenosine (10 μmol/l), whereas the amplitude of twitch shortening was not reduced. The effects of adenosine on twitch shortenings and aftercontractions were mimicked by the A1-adenosine receptor agonist CPA ( N 6-cyclopentyladenosine) and by ryanodine. In conclusion, adenosine antagonized the proarrhythmic effect of β-adrenergic stimulation on ventricular myocytes without reducing cell twitch shortening.

Experimental urethane anaesthesia prevents digoxin intoxication: electrocardiographic and histological study in rabbit

An electrocardiographic and histological study was performed in rabbit to detect the effects of urethane (ethyl carbamate) intraperitoneal (i.p.) anaesthesia in digoxin intoxication, since it has been previously shown that this anaesthetic and digitalis glycosides exert specific peripheral effects on the cardiovascular system involving central structures of the autonomic nervous system. We observed that i.p. urethane anaesthesia prevented the onset of the electrocardiographic signs of digitalis intoxication, as well as inhibiting the appearance of histological myocardial alterations after treatment with toxic digoxin doses. On the other hand, lethal arrhythmias and severe myocardial damage were observed in animals that had not undergone preliminary urethane anaesthesia. These results indicate that the effect exerted by urethane in preventing the toxic action of digoxin is probably due to a decrease of sympathetic activity in anaesthetized animals by centrally mediated sympathetic inhibition.

Xestospongin C, a selective and membrane-permeable inhibitor of IP(3) receptor, attenuates the positive inotropic effect of alpha-adrenergic stimulation in guinea-pig papillary muscle

We evaluated the role of the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP(3)) receptor-mediated Ca(2+) release on the positive inotropic effects of alpha-adrenergic stimulation using a novel, potent, selective membrane-permeable blocker of IP(3) receptor, xestospongin C. Guinea-pig papillary muscle permeabilized with saponin exhibited spontaneous oscillatory contractions in solution buffered with pCa(2+) 6.5 by a low concentration of EGTA. The oscillatory activity was increased by adding 100 microM IP(3) and abolished by 1 microM ryanodine or 30 microM cyclopiazonic acid. Xestospongin C (3 microM) inhibited the IP(3)-induced increase in the oscillatory contractions without affecting basal oscillations. In intact papillary muscle, xestospongin C (3 microM) inhibited the positive inotropic effects of phenylephrine, resulting in a rightward and downward shift of the concentration-response curve for phenylephrine. On the contrary, xestospongin C did not affect the concentration-response curve for phenylephrine obtained in the presence of ryanodine (1 microM). On the other hand, xestospongin C affected neither basal contractions nor the positive inotropic effects of a high extracellular Ca(2+) concentration (3.2 mM) or that of isoprenaline (1 and 10 nM). These results suggest that the IP(3)-mediated increase in Ca(2+) release is involved in the positive inotropic effects of alpha-adrenergic stimulation in the guinea-pig cardiac muscle.

5-[4-(3,3-Dimethylbutoxycarbonyl)phenyl]-4-pentynoic acid and its derivatives inhibit ionotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors by binding to the 4'-ethynyl-4-n-propylbicycloorthobenzoate site

Acyclic noncompetitive antagonists of ionotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, bearing an ester or ether linkage, were designed, synthesized, and assayed for their inhibition of the specific binding of [3H]4'-ethynyl-4-n-propylbicycloorthobenzoate (EBOB), a radiolabeled noncompetitive antagonist, to rat brain and housefly head membranes. 5-[4-(3,3-Dimethylbutoxycarbonyl)phenyl]-4-pentynoic acid (DBCPP), a butyl benzoate analogue, was found to competitively inhibit the binding of [3H]EBOB in rat brain membranes, with an IC50 of 88 nM. The potency conferred by the p-substituent decreased in the order C(triple bond)C(CH2)2COOH > C(triple bond)C(CH2)2COOCH3 > C(triple bond) CH > Br. Pentyl phenyl ethers were equally potent compared with butyl benzoates, while phenyl pentanoates and benzyl butyl ethers were less pont. These compounds were generally less active in housefly head membranes than in rat brain membranes. The introduction of an isopropyl group into the 1-position of the 3,3-dimethylbutyl group of a butyl benzoate and two benzyl butyl ethers caused an increase in potency in housefly GABA receptors, whereas this modification at the corresponding position of other compounds led to an unchanged or decreased potency. In the case of rat receptors, this modification resulted in a decrease in potency except for a phenyl pentanoate. To confirm that DBCPP interferes with GABA receptor function, we performed whole-cell patch clamp experiments with rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in the primary culture. Repeated co-applications of GABA and DBCPP suppressed GABA-induced whole-cell currents with an IC50 of 0.54 microM and a Hill coefficient of 0.7. These findings indicate that DBCPP and its derivatives inhibit ionotropic GABA receptors by binding to the EBOB site and that there might be structural difference in the noncompetitive antagonist-binding site between rat and housefly GABA receptors.

Recombinant production of PIGF-1 and its activity in animal models

In this paper we review current knowledge on placenta growth factor (PIGF) and summarise our data on its recombinant production in bacteria and its activity. PIGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are both angiogenic factors belonging to the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family. PIGF is a dimeric glycoprotein which shares a number of biochemical and functional features with VEGF. The aminoacidic similarity between the two factors is high (about 50%) in the PDGF-like domain. By alternative splicing of the PIGF mRNA, three forms of PIGF protein are generated which are named PIGF-1, PIGF-2 and PIGF-3. We have focused our attention on form 1 of human PIGF (PIGF-1). A large quantity of active recombinant PIGF-1 has been obtained using a bacterial expression system. By optimising the fermentation and purification it was possible to produce about 140 mg/l of culture of active PIGF-1, which is potentially suitable for a pharmaceutical use. The angiogenic activity of two different batches of bacteria-derived PIGF-1 obtained in our laboratory was demonstrated in chick chorionallantoic membrane assays. Finally, in preliminary studies we have shown that bacteria-derived PIGF-1 has a protective effect against myocardial lesions induced by isoprenaline in rat and rabbit.

Bupivacaine inhibits baroreflex control of heart rate in conscious rats

BACKGROUND

Because exposure to intravenously administered bupivacaine may alter cardiovascular reflexes, the authors examined bupivacaine actions on baroreflex control of heart rate in conscious rats.

METHODS

Baroreflex sensitivity (pulse interval vs. systolic blood pressure in ms/mmHg) was determined before, and 1.5 and 15.0 min after rapid intravenous administration of bupivacaine (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg) using heart rate changes evoked by intravenously administered phenylephrine or nitroprusside. The actions on the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic divisions of the baroreflex were tested in the presence of a muscarinic antagonist methyl atropine and a beta-adrenergic antagonist atenolol.

RESULTS

Within seconds of injection of bupivacaine, mean arterial pressure increased and heart rate decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Baroreflex sensitivity was unaltered after administration of 0.5 mg/kg bupivacaine. In addition, 1 mg/kg bupivacaine at 1.5 min depressed phenylephrine-evoked reflex bradycardia (0.776 +/- 0.325 vs. 0.543 +/- 0.282 ms/mmHg, P < 0.05) but had no effect on nitroprusside-induced tachycardia. Bupivacaine (2 mg/kg), however, depressed reflex bradycardia and tachycardia (phenylephrine, 0.751 +/- 0.318 vs. 0.451 +/- 0.265; nitroprusside, 0.839 +/- 0.256 vs. 0.564 +/- 0.19 ms/mmHg, P < 0.05). Baroreflex sensitivity returned to prebupivacaine levels by 15 min. Bupivacaine (2 mg/kg), in the presence of atenolol, depressed baroreflex sensitivity (phenylephrine, 0.633 +/- 0.204 vs. 0.277 +/- 0.282; nitroprusside, 0.653 +/- 0.142 vs. 0.320 +/- 0.299 ms/mmHg, P < 0.05). In contrast, bupivacaine did not alter baroreflex sensitivity in the presence of methyl atropine.

CONCLUSIONS

Bupivacaine, in clinically relevant concentrations, inhibits baroreflex control of heart rate in conscious rats. This inhibition appears to involve primarily vagal components of the baroreflex-heart rate pathways.

4-Aminopyridine induces positive lusitropic effects and prevents the negative inotropic action of phenylephrine in the rat cardiac tissue subjected to ischaemia

The effects of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) at concentration of 1 mM on the contractility of rat isolated papillary muscle subjected to simulated ischaemia has been evaluated. Additionally, the effects of 4-AP on the phenylephrine inotropic action (a selective agonist of alpha1-adrenergic receptor) on rat isolated cardiac tissue underwent simulated ischaemia and reperfusion was studied. Experiments were performed on rat isolated papillary muscles obtained from left ventricle. The following parameters have been measured: force of contraction (Fc), velocity of contraction (+dF/dt), velocity of relaxation (-dF/dt) and the ratio between time to peak contraction (ttp) and relaxation time at the level of 10% of total contraction amplitude (tt10) as an index of lusitropic effects. Simulated ischaemia lasting 45 min was induced by replacement of standard normoxic solution by no-substrat one gassing with 95% N2/5%CO2. Although 4-AP exerted a slight, but significant positive inotropic action itself, pretreatment with 1 mM of this compound significantly depressed a recovery of Fc and +dF/dt, but improves recovery of -dF/dt in the rat papillary muscle during reperfusion as compared with control group of preparations. Moreover, the paradoxical negative inotropic action of phenylephrine observed in rat stunned papillary muscle was prevented in preparations previously treated by 4-AP. These findings suggest that an inhibition of outward K+ current (probably transient outward and rapid component of delayed rectifying currents at 1 mM of 4-AP) aggravates ischaemia-induced failure in contractility but prevents changes in alpha1-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway occuring during ischaemia.

Neuropeptide Y is a prejunctional inhibitor of vagal but not sympathetic inotropic responses in guinea-pig isolated left atria

1. The effects of NPY and related peptides were examined on basal contractile force and nerve-mediated inotropic responses to electrical field stimulation of the guinea-pig isolated left atrium. 2. Electrical field stimulus (EFS)-inotropic response curves were constructed by applying 1-64 trains of four field pulses (200 Hz, 0.1 ms duration, 100 V) across isolated left atria (paced at 4 Hz, 2 ms, 1-4 V) within the atrial refractory period. Curves were constructed in presence of vehicle, propranolol (1 microM) or atropine (1 microM) to determine appropriate stimulus conditions. 3. The effects of PYY (1-10,000 nM), NPY (0.01-10 microM), N-Ac-[Leu28,31]NPY(24-36) (N-A[L]NPY(24-36); 0.01-10 microM) and clonidine (0.1-1000 nM) were examined on the positive and negative inotropic responses to EFS (eight trains, four pulses per refractory period). 4. NPY-related peptides had no effect on basal force of contraction nor on the inotropic concentration-response curves to bethanechol or isoprenaline. All three peptides inhibited vagally-mediated negative inotropic responses; rank order of potency PYY>NPY> or =N-A[L]NPY(24-36) was consistent with an action at prejunctional Y2-receptors. Clonidine concentration-dependently inhibited sympathetic inotropic responses. However, PYY, NPY and N-A[L]NPY(24-36) failed to mediate any significant inhibition of the positive inotropic response to EFS. 5. These data demonstrate that NPY is an effective inhibitor of vagal but not sympathetically-mediated inotropic responses in the guinea-pig isolated left atria. This may suggest that endogenously co-released NPY is important in mediating cross talk between efferent components of the autonomic nervous system modulating cardiac contractility, acting overall to sustain positive inotropic responses.

Nitric oxide inhibits isoprenaline-induced positive inotropic effects in normal, but not in hypertrophied rat heart

Evidence has accumulated that, in the rat heart, nitric oxide (NO) inhibits beta-adrenoceptor-mediated positive inotropic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this effect of NO may be altered in cardiac hypertrophy. For this purpose we studied the effects of the NO-donor SNAP (S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine) on isoprenaline-induced positive inotropic effects in left ventricular strips from three models of cardiac hypertrophy: a) 12-16 weeks old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) vs. age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, b) six weeks old male Wistar WKY-rats sub-totally nephrectomized (SNX) 7 weeks after SNX vs. sham-operated rats (SOP) and c) four weeks old male Wistar WKY-rats supra-renal aortic-banded (AOB, band diameter 1.0 mm) 8 weeks after AOB vs. SOP. In all three models of cardiac hypertrophy the heart weight/body weight ratio was significantly higher than in their respective controls. On isolated electrically driven ventricular strips isoprenaline (10(-10)-10(-5) M) caused concentration-dependent increases in force of contraction. Maximal increases (Emax) were similar in SHR vs. WKY-rats, but reduced in SNX- (2.9+/-0.29 vs. 5.1+/-0.34 mN, p<0.01) and AOB-rats (2.3+/-0.37 vs. 4.2+/-0.33 mN, p<0.01). In control rats (WKY and the respective SOP) the NO-donor SNAP (10(-5) M) caused a significant rightward-shift of the concentration-response curve for isoprenalinel; this rightward-shift could be inhibited by methylene blue (10(-5) M). In ventricular strips of SHR, SNX- and AOB-rats, however, 10(-5) M SNAP failed to significantly affect isoprenaline-induced positive inotropic effect. We conclude that in cardiac hypertrophy effects of NO are attenuated. Such an impairement of the NO-system could contribute to the development and/or maintenance of cardiac hypertrophy.

PST2238: a new antihypertensive compound that antagonizes the long-term pressor effect of ouabain

The inhibition of the long-term pressor effect of ouabain may be useful for the therapy of essential hypertension. Here, for the first time, a selective inhibitor of the ouabain pressor effect is described. In vitro, 17beta-(3-furyl)-5beta-androstane-3beta, 14beta, 17alpha-triol (PST 2238) displaced ouabain from its binding sites on purified sodium, potassium ATPase enzyme (Na-K ATPase) (IC50 1.7 x 10(-6) M) without interacting with other receptors involved in blood pressure regulation or hormonal control. In cultured renal cells, incubation with ouabain (10(-10) to 10(-8) M) for 5 days stimulated the Na-K pump at Vmax, whereas PST 2238 showed the same effect at micromolar concentration. The ouabain-dependent increase in the Na-K pump rate was abolished by PST 2238 at concentrations from 10(-14) to 10(-9) M. In rats made hypertensive by chronic infusion of 50 microg/kg/day of ouabain, PST 2238 given p.o at very low doses (0.1-1 microg/kg/day for 4 weeks) abolished the increase in blood pressure and renal Na-K ATPase activity caused by ouabain. PST 2238 did not affect either blood pressure or renal Na-K ATPase activity in normotensive rats. In conclusion, PST 2238 is a very potent compound that normalizes both blood pressure and alterations in the Na-K pump caused by ouabain. Thus it represents the prototype of a new class of antihypertensive drugs that could be effective in forms of hypertension sustained by the concomitant increase of endogenous ouabain levels and alterations in the Na-K pump.

Increased contractile response induced with ouabain is abolished by thapsigargin in aorta of renal hypertensive rats

1. The aim of the present study was to test in vitro if the increased contractile effect of phenylephrine and KCl, observed after the addition of ouabain in renal hypertensive rat aorta, is mediated by Ca2+ accumulated on the sarcoplasmic reticulum. 2. In aortas of one kidney (1K) rats, ouabain did not modify the concentration-effect curves stimulated with phenylephrine and KCl. 3. Contractile responses stimulated with phenylephrine and KCl were potentiated by ouabain in one kidney--one clip (1K-1C) aortas, and preincubation with thapsigargin abolished the increasing effect of ouabain on these contractions. 4. The addition of thapsigargin before phenylephrine and KCl did not modify the contractile response to phenylephrine and KCl or the resting vascular tone during the time incubation. 5. In the presence of ouabain, thapsigargin significantly increased the vascular tone only in 1K-1C rat aortas. 6. Increased intracellular Na+ concentration as a consequence of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibition induces increased accumulation of Ca2+ inside the sarcoplasmic reticulum in 1K-1C rat aortas. The differential effects in renal hypertensive and normotensive aortas suggest a possible role of this mechanism in modulating cytosolic Ca2+ in renal hypertension.