Measurement of the Positive Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment to 0.20 ppm

We present a new measurement of the positive muon magnetic anomaly, a_{μ}≡(g_{μ}-2)/2, from the Fermilab Muon g-2 Experiment using data collected in 2019 and 2020. We have analyzed more than 4 times the number of positrons from muon decay than in our previous result from 2018 data. The systematic error is reduced by more than a factor of 2 due to better running conditions, a more stable beam, and improved knowledge of the magnetic field weighted by the muon distribution, ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'}, and of the anomalous precession frequency corrected for beam dynamics effects, ω_{a}. From the ratio ω_{a}/ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'}, together with precisely determined external parameters, we determine a_{μ}=116 592 057(25)×10^{-11} (0.21 ppm). Combining this result with our previous result from the 2018 data, we obtain a_{μ}(FNAL)=116 592 055(24)×10^{-11} (0.20 ppm). The new experimental world average is a_{μ}(exp)=116 592 059(22)×10^{-11} (0.19 ppm), which represents a factor of 2 improvement in precision.

Measurement of the Positive Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment to 0.46 ppm

We present the first results of the Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) Muon g-2 Experiment for the positive muon magnetic anomaly a_{μ}≡(g_{μ}-2)/2. The anomaly is determined from the precision measurements of two angular frequencies. Intensity variation of high-energy positrons from muon decays directly encodes the difference frequency ω_{a} between the spin-precession and cyclotron frequencies for polarized muons in a magnetic storage ring. The storage ring magnetic field is measured using nuclear magnetic resonance probes calibrated in terms of the equivalent proton spin precession frequency ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'} in a spherical water sample at 34.7 °C. The ratio ω_{a}/ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'}, together with known fundamental constants, determines a_{μ}(FNAL)=116 592 040(54)×10^{-11} (0.46 ppm). The result is 3.3 standard deviations greater than the standard model prediction and is in excellent agreement with the previous Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) E821 measurement. After combination with previous measurements of both μ^{+} and μ^{-}, the new experimental average of a_{μ}(Exp)=116 592 061(41)×10^{-11} (0.35 ppm) increases the tension between experiment and theory to 4.2 standard deviations.

Differential Patterns of Cocaine-Induced Organ Toxicity in Murine Heart versus Liver

To determine cocaine's toxicity in different organs, BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected daily for 15 days with either saline or cocaine: 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, or 60 mg/kg. Cardiac function, hepatic pathophysiology, heart and liver apoptosis, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) levels were analyzed. After administration of cocaine, cardiac function decreased. Inflammatory cell infiltration and eosinophilic contraction bands were visible in the hearts of mice treated with 60mg/kg cocaine. Moreover, histopathology demonstrated that cocaine caused hepatic necrosis. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining and DNA ladder analysis indicated that cocaine caused apoptosis in both the heart and liver. Moreover, immunoassay showed that TNF-α levels significantly increased in the heart and liver with cocaine administration. However, our RT-PCR study showed that there was no significant difference in either the heart or liver in the levels of mRNA for TNF-α between cocaine-treated and saline control mice. The present study demonstrated that cocaine is toxic to multiple organs, and at low dose can induce hepatic damage without gross pathological injury to the heart. The results suggest that the liver is more sensitive than the heart to cocaine toxicity, and induction of apoptosis or TNF-α elevation may be a common mechanism responsible for cocaines toxicity.

Cocaine-induced transmural myocardial infarction in a Yorkshire swine with normal coronary arteries: Evidence for microvascular and/or epicardial coronary artery spasm

Cocaine-induced myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries is well documented in humans. The exact mechanism of action remains speculative. We report one case of cocaine-induced myocardial infarction with normal coronaries in one swine. Systemic hemodynamics and angiographic, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and histopathologic data are presented. Intravenous cocaine (1, 3, 10 mg/kg) produced significant decreases in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, stroke volume, coronary blood flow, and coronary reserve, whereas pulmonary artery diastolic pressure and coronary vascular resistances increased. Left anterior descending and left circumflex coronary artery cross-sectional area decreased by 31% and 64%, respectively, without localized vasospasm. Electrocardiographic changes occurred (3 mm ST elevation in leads II, III, AVF). Peak creatine phosphokinase was 17,220 IU/L. The echocardiogram revealed severe hypokinesis of the inferior wall and normal ventricular function. The animal survived the acute phase of the infarction and the swine was restudied 12 weeks later. Upon rechallenge, systemic and coronary hemodynamics shoved changes similar to those in the previous study. The swine developed ventricular fibrillation and expired after the 10 mg/kg cocaine dose. Macroscopic examination of the external surface of the heart revealed marked diffuse fibrosis in the posteroinferior and lateral left ventricular wall. Our data suggest that the infarct induced by cocaine may have resulted from severe vasoconstriction or spasm at the level of the microcirculation, and/or the epicardial coronary arteries, which shoved slight but significant narrowing throughout their lengths.

Disorder strength and field-driven ground state domain formation in artificial spin ice: experiment, simulation, and theory

Quenched disorder affects how nonequilibrium systems respond to driving. In the context of artificial spin ice, an athermal system comprised of geometrically frustrated classical Ising spins with a twofold degenerate ground state, we give experimental and numerical evidence of how such disorder washes out edge effects and provide an estimate of disorder strength in the experimental system. We prove analytically that a sequence of applied fields with fixed amplitude is unable to drive the system to its ground state from a saturated state. These results should be relevant for other systems where disorder does not change the nature of the ground state.

Science signals a new understanding of marihuana

Some recent scientific advances in the study of the cannabinoids are outlined. The mode of action of marihuana and the cannabinoids has now been described. They belong to a new class of drug that acts on a hitherto undescribed neuro-physiological system. An endogenous neurotransmitter or neuromodulator for this system has been isolated, identified and named "anandamide". These findings throw new light and imbue new confidence for the future of the therapeutic application of compounds derived from and related to the cannabinoids and anandamide. An outline is also provided of the current knowledge and future potential of cannabinoids in therapeutics. The effect of the current legal classification of the cannabinoids on the research and development of these compounds is discussed.

Can cocaine abuse exacerbate the cardiac toxicity of human immunodeficiency virus?

Both cocaine use and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection alone have been associated with an increased incidence of cardiac dysfunction. Concomitant exposure to cocaine and HIV infection may exacerbate the cardiac toxicity of either agent alone, a hypothesis that is examined in this review article. A possible unifying hypothesis based on enhancement of adrenergic stimulation is proposed.

A radiological study of the incidence of unilateral canine hip dysplasia

The authors reviewed pelvic radiographs of 891 dogs in a retrospective study, to determine the incidence of Unilateral Canine Hip Dysplasia (UCHD). Results show that 149 (16.7%) dogs had UCHD. Comparing dogs affected uni- and bilaterally, results show a maximum of 37.6% with UCHD in dogs less than 12 month old, 22.8% in dogs between 12-24 months of age, 25.5% in dogs between 25-72 months and 14.1% in dogs older than 73 months.

Effect of diabetes mellitus and its treatment on ventricular arrhythmias complicating acute myocardial infarction

AIMS

To evaluate the effect of diabetes mellitus and its treatment on the risk of arrhythmias among early survivors of acute myocardial infarction.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD

The Onset Study was conducted in 64 US medical centres. Between August 1989 and September 1996, 3882 patients were interviewed after having an acute myocardial infarction. We used logistic regression models to examine the association of diabetes and its treatment with the risk of ventricular arrhythmia after adjustment for age, gender, hypertension, thrombolytic therapy, smoking, obesity, cardiac medicines and congestive heart failure.

RESULTS

During the index hospitalization, patients with diabetes (n=814) were less likely to develop ventricular arrhythmias than patients without diabetes (6.8 vs. 13.3%, P<0.001). The risk of ventricular arrhythmia in patients treated with first generation sulphonylureas or diet alone was similar to patients without diabetes (OR=0.91; 95% CI, 0.39-2.15, and 0.76; 95% CI, 0.46-1.26, respectively). However, compared with patients without diabetes, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for ventricular arrhythmias was lower among patients treated with insulin or patients treated with second generation sulphonylureas (OR=0.54, 95% CI 0.32-0.92; OR=0.45, 95% CI 0.27-0.75, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with patients without diabetes, the risk of ventricular arrhythmias complicating acute myocardial infarction is lower in patients with diabetes treated with second generation sulphonylureas or insulin, but not in those treated with first generation sulphonylureas or diet alone. This suggests that differences in the mechanism of action of different sulphonylureas may result in clinically relevant differences in arrhythmic risk.

The lumbosacral junction in working german shepherd dogs -- neurological and radiological evaluation

The clinical and radiological incidence of lumbosacral (LS) disease was studied on 57 German Shepherd dogs (GSDs) used in active service. The study included a clinical history, a neurological examination, and plain radiographs of the caudal lumbar vertebrae. The neurological examinations revealed lower back pain and/or neural deficits in 21 dogs, of which 14 had a history of pain or pelvic gait abnormalities. Radiographic findings were spondylosis at L7-S1, degeneration of L7-S1 disc, LS malalignment, transitional LS vertebrae and/or primary spinal canal stenosis in 15 dogs with neurological abnormalities and/or back pain and in 18 dogs with no clinical signs. No correlation between the neurological and the radiographic findings were found. This study demonstrates that even prominent radiographic LS abnormalities are of minimal value in the evaluation of LS disease in the GSD.

S antigen specific effector T cell activation detected by cytokine flow cytometry

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Effector T cell activation is particularly important in the initiation of autoimmune uveitis. This pilot study seeks to demonstrate activation of human peripheral effector T cells in response to the uveitis candidate autoantigen, retinal S antigen (SAg), using cytokine flow cytometry (CFC).

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) suspensions from uveitis patients and controls were stimulated with bovine SAg. Activation responses were detected by CFC.

RESULTS

Electronic gating enabled analysis of CD69+, IFN-gamma+ CD4+ lymphocytes. An SAg specific response was detectable in four of 13 patients and four of eight controls.

CONCLUSION

SAg specific, peripheral, effector T cell activation can be detected by CFC. Similar levels of responsiveness were seen in patient and control groups. More detailed cytokine profiling may demonstrate functional differences between the groups.

Intravascular ultrasound diagnosis of cystic adventitial degeneration of the popliteal artery: a case report

The diagnosis of cystic adventitial degeneration (CAD) is difficult. We present the first case in which intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) correctly identified CAD of the popliteal artery when duplex sonography and angiography were inconclusive.

Metoprolol attenuates postischemic depressed myocardial function in papillary muscles isolated from normal and postinfarction rat hearts

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that metoprolol treatment may enhance tolerance to ischemia in normal and postinfarction rat myocardium. Myocardial infarction was induced by permanent ligation of the left coronary artery in adult rats. Animals were divided into sham-operated and infarction groups with or without metoprolol treatment. Metoprolol treatment (60 mg/kg/day via gastric gavage) was started on the second day after surgery and continued until sacrifice at 6 weeks after myocardial infarction. Isometric force and intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) transients were simultaneously recorded in isolated left ventricular papillary muscles. Ischemia was simulated by immersing the muscles into fluorocarbon with hypoxia. Metoprolol treatment induced a significant improvement of isometric force and ameliorated diastolic [Ca(2+)](i) overload in postinfarction rat myocardium at baseline. Metoprolol treatment also reduced diastolic [Ca(2+)](i), ameliorated the depression of developed tension during ischemia, and enhanced recovery of postischemic depressed myocardial function in sham-operated and postinfarction rat papillary muscles. Protein levels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase of left ventricles and postischemic papillary muscles from metoprolol-treated rats were higher than those in placebo-treated animals. We concluded, therefore, that metoprolol treatment produced appreciable improvement of intracellular Ca(2+) handling during ischemia-reoxygenation cycles, and enhanced recovery of postischemic depressed myocardial function in both normal and postinfarction rat myocardium.

Effect of endogenous catecholamine on myocardial stunning in a simulated ischemia model

During ischemia, large amounts of catecholamine are released to the myocardium from the sympathetic nerve endings in the heart. It has not been clearly shown whether the released catecholamine has detrimental or beneficial effects on postischemic myocardial contractile function. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of endogenous catecholamine released during ischemia on myocardial contractile function, using ferret papillary muscles in a stimulated ischemia model. Papillary muscles were excised and mounted in organ baths containing oxygenated physiological salt solution at 37 degrees C. In order to eliminate the effect of endogenous catecholamine, a subset of animals was reserpinized for 2 days prior to the experiments. Muscles were stabilized for 1 h, and stretched to the length at which maximal isometric tension developed. Ischemia was simulated by changing the solution to liquid fluorocarbon bubbled with 95% N2 and 5% CO2. After 20 min of ischemia, the bathing medium was replaced with oxygenated physiological salt solution and developed tension was measured for 60 min. Pharmacologic agents with specific effects on myocardial autonomic pathways were used to investigate the cellular mechanisms of the observed effects. Tension recovery of reserpinized muscles was significantly better than control muscles (65.5 +/- 2.8% vs. 54.9 +/- 5.0%, P < 0.01). Exogenously administered beta-adrenergic antagonists did not attenuate stunning in control muscles; whereas forskolin and carbachol exacerbated stunning. These results indicate that catecholamine released during ischemia exacerbates myocardial stunning and overrides the effect of clinically relevant concentrations of beta-adrenergic antagonists, which may limit their ability to protect myocardium from acute ischemic insult. The effect of endogenous catecholamine was simulated by forskolin, but not attenuated by carbachol, which suggests that changes in the contractile apparatus activated by excess cyclic AMP were relevant to the mechanical dysfunction that developed.

Single point mutations affect fatty acid block of human myocardial sodium channel alpha subunit Na+ channels

Suppression of cardiac voltage-gated Na(+) currents is probably one of the important factors for the cardioprotective effects of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) against lethal arrhythmias. The alpha subunit of the human cardiac Na(+) channel (hH1(alpha)) and its mutants were expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK293t) cells. The effects of single amino acid point mutations on fatty acid-induced inhibition of the hH1(alpha) Na(+) current (I(Na)) were assessed. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) significantly reduced I(Na) in HEK293t cells expressing the wild type, Y1767K, and F1760K of hH1(alpha) Na(+) channels. The inhibition was voltage and concentration-dependent with a significant hyperpolarizing shift of the steady state of I(Na). In contrast, the mutant N406K was significantly less sensitive to the inhibitory effect of EPA. The values of the shift at 1, 5, and 10 microM EPA were significantly smaller for N406K than for the wild type. Coexpression of the beta(1) subunit and N406K further decreased the inhibitory effects of EPA on I(Na) in HEK293t cells. In addition, EPA produced a smaller hyperpolarizing shift of the V(1/2) of the steady-state inactivation in HEK293t cells coexpressing the beta(1) subunit and N406K. These results demonstrate that substitution of asparagine with lysine at the site of 406 in the domain-1-segment-6 region (D1-S6) significantly decreased the inhibitory effect of PUFAs on I(Na), and coexpression with beta(1) decreased this effect even more. Therefore, asparagine at the 406 site in hH1(alpha) may be important for the inhibition by the PUFAs of cardiac voltage-gated Na(+) currents, which play a significant role in the antiarrhythmic actions of PUFAs.

Rapid onset of ptosis indicates accurate intraconal placement during retrobulbar anaesthetic injection

BACKGROUND

Anecdotal evidence has previously suggested that retrobulbar local anaesthetic (LA) injection is accompanied by the rapid onset of ptosis. Here the validity of this potentially valuable sign is tested.

METHODS

25 patients received a retrobulbar injection and the times for development of ptosis and akinesia in other extraocular muscle groups were recorded and compared. The effects of retrobulbar injections were also studied on posterior orbital structures in 10 patients using low frequency ultrasound.

RESULTS

The mean time of onset of ptosis was 4.76 seconds, an order of magnitude less than times recorded for akinesia in other muscle groups. Ultrasonography revealed a significant distension of the extraocular muscle cone during retrobulbar injection.

CONCLUSION

Ptosis develops significantly more rapidly than other motor effects in retrobulbar anaesthesia and can therefore be taken as an indicator of accurate intraconal placement. Retrobulbar injection is associated with significant distension of the extraocular muscle cone.

Point mutations in alpha-subunit of human cardiac Na+ channels alter Na+ current kinetics

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) prevent ischemia-induced fatal cardiac arrhythmias in animals and probably in humans. This action results from inhibition of ion currents for Na+, Ca2+, and possibly other ions. To extend understanding of this protection we are seeking a possible binding site for the PUFAs on the alpha-subunit of the human cardiac Na+ channel, hH1alpha, transiently expressed in HEK293t cells. Three mutated single amino acid substitutions with lysine were made in the alpha-subunit at Domain 4-Segment 6 (D4-S6) for F1760, Y1767 and at D1-S6 for N406. These are in the putative sites of binding of local anesthetics and batrachotoxin, respectively. The mutants F1760K, Y1767K, and N406K, separately and to different extents, affected the current density, the steady-state inactivation potential, accelerated inactivation, delayed recovery from inactivation, and affected voltage-dependent block, but did not affect activation of the hH1alpha. It is essential to learn that single point mutations in D1-S6 and D4-S6 alone significantly modify the kinetics of human cardiac hH1alpha Na+ currents. The effects of PUFAs on these mutant channels will be the subject of subsequent reports.

Importance of an intact growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor 1 axis for normal post-infarction healing: studies in dwarf rats

Treatment with GH attenuates remodeling and improves left ventricular function in the setting of experimental heart failure following coronary ligation. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that an intact GH/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis is required for normal myocardial infarction healing. Myocardial infarction was induced by coronary ligation in GH-deficient dwarf rats and in age-matched controls. In dwarf rats, serum IGF-1 levels were reduced by 50%, and grow rate was 50% less than normal littermates, although no differences in myocardial IGF-1 messenger RNA levels were observed compared with controls. All rats underwent transthoracic echocardiography at baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks after myocardial infarction. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was obtained by in vivo closed chest catheterization. At 6 weeks, both infarcted groups exhibited similar myocardial infarction size at transthoracic echocardiography and at morphometric histology. In both groups with myocardial infarction, there was significant left ventricular dilation and reduced systolic function. However, the extent of remodeling as assessed by the increase in end-diastolic dimension (%Delta + 36 +/- 5 vs. +19 +/- 4; P: < 0.01) and depression of function (%Delta fractional shortening -12 +/- 2 vs. -7 +/- 1; P: < 0.01) were both greater in the dwarf group. Furthermore, dwarf rats failed to develop compensatory hypertrophy of noninfarcted posterior wall (%Delta posterior wall +5 +/- 1 vs. +15 +/- 3; P: < 0.01). Therefore, pathologic left ventricular remodeling and functional loss following myocardial infarction is more marked in conditions of GH deficiency. An intact GH/IGF-1 axis appears necessary for a normal response to myocardial infarction injury in the rat.

Enhanced gene expression of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger attenuates ischemic and hypoxic contractile dysfunction

Enhanced gene expression of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger in failing hearts may be a compensatory mechanism to promote influx and efflux of Ca(2+), despite impairment of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). To explore this, we monitored intracellular calcium (Ca(i)(2+)) and cardiac function in mouse hearts engineered to overexpress the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger and subjected to ischemia and hypoxia, conditions known to impair SR Ca(i)(2+) transport and contractility. Although baseline Ca(i)(2+) and function were similar between transgenic and wild-type hearts, significant differences were observed during ischemia and hypoxia. During early ischemia, Ca(i)(2+) was preserved in transgenic hearts but significantly altered in wild-type hearts. Transgenic hearts maintained 40% of pressure-generating capacity during early ischemia, whereas wild-type hearts maintained only 25% (P < 0.01). During hypoxia, neither peak nor diastolic Ca(i)(2+) decreased in transgenic hearts. In contrast, both peak and diastolic Ca(i)(2+) decreased significantly in wild-type hearts. The decline of Ca(i)(2+) was abbreviated in hypoxic transgenic hearts but prolonged in wild-type hearts. Peak systolic pressure decreased by nearly 10% in hypoxic transgenic hearts and >25% in wild-type hearts (P < 0.001). These data demonstrate that enhanced gene expression of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger preserves Ca(i)(2+) homeostasis during ischemia and hypoxia, thereby preserving cardiac function in the acutely failing heart.

Lack of direct role for calcium in ischemic diastolic dysfunction in isolated hearts

BACKGROUND

Ischemia is characterized by an increase in intracellular calcium and occurrence of diastolic dysfunction. We investigated whether the myocyte calcium level is an important direct determinant of ischemic diastolic dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We exposed isolated, perfused isovolumic (balloon in left ventricle) rat and rabbit hearts to low-flow ischemia and increased extracellular calcium (from 1.5 to 16 mmol/L) for brief periods. Intracellular calcium was measured by aequorin. Low-flow ischemia resulted in a 270% increase (P:<0.05) in diastolic intracellular calcium, a 50% (P:<0.05) calcium transient amplitude decrease, and a 52% (P:<0.05) slowing of calcium transient decline. Diastolic pressure increased by 6+/-2 mm Hg (P:<0.05), and rate of systolic pressure decay decreased by 65% (P:<0.05). Experimentally increasing extracellular calcium doubled both intracellular diastolic calcium and calcium transient amplitude, concomitant with a developed pressure increase; however, there was no increase in ischemic diastolic pressure, slowing of the calcium transient decay, or further slowing of systolic pressure decay. Similarly, after 45 minutes of low-flow ischemia, after diastolic pressure had increased from 8.5+/-0.6 to 19.7+/-3.5 mm Hg (P:<0.001), intracoronary high-molar calcium chloride infusion increased systolic pressure from 36+/-4 to 63+/-11 mm Hg (P:<0.001), indicating an increase in intracellular calcium, but it decreased diastolic pressure from 19. 7+/-3.5 to 17.5+/-3.7 mm Hg (P:<0.01). Conversely, EGTA infusion decreased systolic pressure, indicating a decrease in intracellular calcium, but did not decrease diastolic pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

When calcium availability was experimentally altered during ischemia, there was no alteration in left ventricular diastolic pressure, suggesting that ischemic diastolic dysfunction is not directly mediated by a calcium activated tension.

In situ preparation of a highly active N-heterocyclic carbene-coordinated olefin metathesis catalyst

Highly active N-heterocyclic carbene-coordinated catalysts may be synthesized and used in situ, without requiring prior isolation of the catalyst. Activation of this in situ catalyst with ethereal HCl dramatically reduces the reaction times required for high conversions. A variety of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl-containing substrates participate readily in cross and ring-closing metathesis reactions using this preparation.

Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac morphology and function in mutant dwarf rats

Although the mutant dwarf rat has been proposed as a model of growth hormone (GH) deficiency, few studies have addressed its cardiovascular abnormalities. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate cardiac structure and function in mutant dwarf rats in vivo before and after chronic GH administration, by means of transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. To this purpose, forty 90-day-old female dwarf rats were randomized to receive either GH treatment or placebo. Twenty age-and sex-matched Lewis rats (200-250 g) served as the control group. All rats underwent echocardiograms before receiving any drug and after 3 weeks of therapy. Echocardiographically detected left ventricular mass indexed to tibial length was reduced by 41% in dwarf rats compared to the control group. Such relative cardiac atrophy was also evident at the myocyte level, and was fully reversible after GH therapy. In contrast to the control group, dwarf rats also showed a reduction of left ventricular diastolic volumes normalized to tibial length and impaired cardiac performance as suggested by the reduction of cardiac index, abnormal stress-shortening relations, and a significant elevation of total peripheral vascular resistance. All these abnormalities were reversible upon GH therapy for 3 weeks. In conclusion, GH plays an important role in maintaining a normal cardiac structure and function. Since the observed changes are similar to those seen in GH-deficient men, the mutant dwarf rat represents a faithful animal model of GH deficiency.

Mechanism of suppression of cardiac L-type Ca(2+) currents by the phospholipase A(2) inhibitor mepacrine

Phospholipase A(2) plays a crucial role in the release of arachidonic acid (AA) from membrane phospholipids and in myocardial injury during ischemia and reperfusion. Mepacrine, a phospholipase A(2) inhibitor, has been shown to protect the heart from ischemic injury. In order to examine the mechanism of this protection, we investigated the effects of mepacrine on the L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca,L)) in rat single ventricular myocytes. Extracellular application of mepacrine significantly inhibited I(Ca,L) in a tonic- and use-dependent manner. The inhibition was also concentration-dependent with an IC(50) of 5.2 microM. Neither the activation nor the steady-state inactivation of I(Ca,L) was altered by mepacrine. The mepacrine-induced inhibition of I(Ca,L) was reversible after washout of the inhibitor. Addition of 1 microM AA partially reversed the mepacrine-induced inhibition of I(Ca,L). Intracellular dialysis, with 2 mM cAMP, significantly increased I(Ca, L), but did not prevent the mepacrine-induced inhibition of I(Ca,L). In addition, extracellular application of isoproterenol or membrane permeable db-cAMP did not reverse the mepacrine-induced inhibition of I(Ca,L). Biochemical measurement revealed that incubation of ventricular myocytes with mepacrine significantly reduced intracellular cAMP levels. The mepacrine-induced reduction of cAMP production was abolished by addition of AA. Our results demonstrate that mepacrine strongly inhibits cardiac I(Ca,L). While mepacrine is a phospholipase A(2) inhibitor and reduces cAMP production, its inhibitory effect on I(Ca,L) mainly results from a direct block of the channel. Therefore, we speculate that the protective effect of mepacrine during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion mostly relates to its blockade of Ca(2+) channels.

Coexpression with beta(1)-subunit modifies the kinetics and fatty acid block of hH1(alpha) Na(+) channels

Voltage-gated cardiac Na(+) channels are composed of alpha- and beta(1)-subunits. In this study beta(1)-subunit was cotransfected with the alpha-subunit of the human cardiac Na(+) channel (hH1(alpha)) in human embryonic kidney (HEK293t) cells. The effects of this coexpression on the kinetics and fatty acid-induced suppression of Na(+) currents were assessed. Current density was significantly greater in HEK293t cells coexpressing alpha- and beta(1)-subunits (I(Na,alpha beta)) than in HEK293t cells expressing alpha-subunit alone (I(Na,alpha)). Compared with I(Na,alpha), the voltage-dependent inactivation and activation of I(Na,alpha beta) were significantly shifted in the depolarizing direction. In addition, coexpression with beta(1)-subunit prolonged the duration of recovery from inactivation. Eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA, C20:5(n-3)] significantly reduced I(Na,alpha beta) in a concentration-dependent manner and at 5 microM shifted the midpoint voltage of the steady-state inactivation by -22 +/- 1 mV. EPA also significantly accelerated channel transition from the resting state to the inactivated state and prolonged the recovery time from inactivation. Docosahexaenoic acid [C22:6(n-3)], alpha-linolenic acid [C18:3(n-3)], and conjugated linoleic acid [C18:2(n-6)] at 5 microM significantly inhibited both I(Na,alpha beta) and I(Na,alpha.) In contrast, saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids had no effects on I(Na,alpha beta). This finding differs from the results for I(Na,alpha), which was significantly inhibited by both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Our data demonstrate that functional association of beta(1)-subunit with hH1(alpha) modifies the kinetics and fatty acid block of the Na(+) channel.

Na(+)/H(+) exchange inhibition with HOE642 improves postischemic recovery due to attenuation of Ca(2+) overload and prolonged acidosis on reperfusion

BACKGROUND

Na(+)/H(+) exchange inhibition with HOE642 (cariporide) improves postischemic recovery of cardiac function, but the mechanisms of action remain speculative. Because Na(+)/H(+) exchange is activated on reperfusion, it was hypothesized that its inhibition delays realkalinization and decreases intracellular Na(+) and, via Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange, Ca(2+) overload. Attenuated Ca(2+) overload and prolonged acidosis are known to be cardioprotective.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Left ventricular developed and end-diastolic pressures were measured in isolated buffer-perfused rat hearts subjected to 30 minutes of no-flow ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion (37 degrees C) with or without 1 micromol/L HOE642 added to the perfusate 15 minutes before ischemia. Intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and pH(i) were measured with aequorin (n=10 per group) and (31)P NMR spectroscopy (n=6 per group), respectively. HOE642 did not affect preischemic mechanical function, [Ca(2+)](i), or pH(i). Mechanical recovery after 30 minutes of reperfusion was substantially improved with HOE642: left ventricular developed pressure (in percent of preischemic values) was 92+/-3 versus 49+/-7 and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was 16+/-3 versus 46+/-5 mm Hg (P<0.05 for HOE642-treated versus untreated hearts). End-ischemic [Ca(2+)](i) was significantly lower in HOE642-treated than in untreated hearts (1.04+/-0.06 versus 1.84+/-0. 02 micromol/L, P<0.05). Maximal intracellular Ca(2+) overload during the first 60 seconds of reperfusion was attenuated with HOE642 compared with untreated hearts: 2.0+/-0.3 versus 3.2+/-0.3 micromol/L (P<0.05). pH(i) was not different at end ischemia ( approximately 5.9+/-0.05). Realkalinization was similar in the first 90 seconds of reperfusion and significantly delayed in the next 3 minutes (eg, 6.8+/-0.07 in HOE642-treated hearts compared with 7. 2+/-0.07 in untreated hearts; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

HOE642 improves postischemic recovery by reducing Ca(2+) overload during ischemia and early reperfusion and by prolonging postischemic acidosis.

Altered inotropic responsiveness and gene expression of hypertrophied myocardium with captopril

Inotropic responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation is generally found to be impaired in left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and failure. To investigate the mechanisms by which angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy may modulate inotropic responsiveness with long-term pressure overload, we studied the effects of captopril treatment on cardiac gene expression, LV muscle mechanical contraction, and intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) transients from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). LV papillary muscles from untreated SHR, age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), and SHR treated with captopril (CAP(Rx) started at 12, 18, and 21 months of age) were studied. All animals were studied at 24 months of age or when heart failure developed. In untreated SHR, alpha-myosin heavy chain (MHC) gene expression and protein were decreased, the Ca(2+) transient (with the bioluminescent indicator aequorin) was prolonged, and abundance of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger mRNA levels increased in comparison to WKY. Active stress development at L(max) and the maximum rate of stress development were depressed and contractile duration prolonged in SHR relative to WKY. Isoproterenol administration further decreased active stress in untreated SHR despite an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) levels. In CAP(Rx) SHR, alpha-MHC gene expression and protein levels were increased, the Ca(2+) transient was not prolonged, Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger expression was downregulated, and papillary muscle function demonstrated increased active stress and maximum rate of stress development in response to isoproterenol. The increased abundance of alpha-MHC mRNA in conjunction with an increase in V(1) myosin isozyme suggests that captopril affects transcriptional regulation of cardiac gene expression. Restored LV inotropic responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation in CAP(Rx) SHR appears to be coupled to normalization of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger mRNA expression, upregulation of V(1) myosin isozyme levels, and increased speed of contraction.

[Myocardial metabolism of calcium in heart failure: from physiology to new therapeutic perspectives]

Development of heart failure is associated with an impairment of intracellular calcium handling. The precise mechanisms involved are still obscure. When membrane depolarization occurs, a small amount of extracellular calcium enters the intracellular milieu through the L-type channels. Such "trigger" calcium acts on specific receptors of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, that, in turn, according to the so-called calcium entry-calcium release mechanism, allows the release of a larger amount of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Removal of calcium from the cytosol is the key event of the diastolic phase. Calcium removal from cytosol occurs through specific membrane pumps. Recent therapeutic approaches involving gene targeting of calcium pumps have yielded promising results. Specifically, increased levels of SERCA 2 in the myocardium have shown to enhance cardiac contractility under normal circumstances and in experimental heart failure. Future research is needed to confirm these findings in human heart failure.

Depressed tolerance to fluorocarbon-simulated ischemia in failing myocardium due to impaired [Ca(2+)](i) modulation

The aim of this study was to investigate the tolerance of failing myocardium from postinfarction rats to simulated ischemia. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by ligation of the left coronary artery in male Wistar rats. Isometric force and free intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) were measured in isolated left ventricular papillary muscles from sham-operated and post-MI animals 6 wk after surgery. Ischemia was simulated by using fluorocarbon immersion with hypoxia. Results showed that mechanical performance was depressed during the period of hypoxia in physiological salt solution (44 +/- 7% of baseline in sham vs. 30 +/- 6% of baseline in MI, P < 0.05) or ischemia (16 +/- 2% of baseline in sham vs. 9 +/- 1% of baseline in MI, P < 0.01) accompanied by no corresponding decrease of peak [Ca(2+)](i) (hypoxia: 51 +/- 8% of baseline in sham vs. 46 +/- 7% of baseline in MI, P = NS; ischemia: 47 +/- 5% of baseline in sham, 39 +/- 7% of baseline in MI, P = NS). After reoxygenation, [Ca(2+)](i) rapidly returned to near preischemic basal levels, whereas developed tension in fluorocarbon remained significantly lower. This dissociation between peak [Ca(2+)](i) and isometric contractility was more pronounced in the failing myocardium from postinfarction rats. In conclusion, more severe impairment of [Ca(2+)](i) homeostasis in the failing myocardium from postinfarction rats increases susceptibility to ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Cardiac dysfunction caused by myocardium-specific expression of a mutant thyroid hormone receptor

Thyroid hormone deficiency has profound effects on the cardiovascular system, resulting in decreased cardiac contractility, adrenergic responsiveness, and vascular volume and increased peripheral vascular resistance. To determine the importance of direct cardiac effects in the genesis of hypothyroid cardiac dysfunction, the cardiac myocyte was specifically targeted with a mutant thyroid hormone receptor (TR)-beta (Delta337T-TR-beta(1)) driven by the alpha-myosin heavy chain (alpha-MHC) gene promoter. As a control in these experiments, a wild-type (Wt) TR-beta(1) was also targeted to the heart by using the same promoter. Transgenic mice expressing the mutant TR displayed an mRNA expression pattern consistent with cardiac hypothyroidism, even though their peripheral thyroid hormone levels were normal. When these animals were rendered hypothyroid or thyrotoxic, mRNA expression of MHC isoforms remained unchanged in the hearts of the Delta337T transgenic animals, in contrast to Wt controls or transgenic animals expressing Wt TR-beta(1), which exhibited the expected changes in steady-state MHC mRNA levels. Studies in Langendorff heart preparations from mutant TR-beta(1) transgenic animals revealed evidence of heart failure with a significant reduction in +dP/dT, -dP/dT, and force-frequency responses compared with values in Wt controls and transgenic mice overexpressing the Wt TR-beta(1). In contrast, in vivo measures of cardiac performance were similar between Wt and mutant animals, indicating that the diminished performance of the mutant transgenic heart in vitro was compensated for by other mechanisms in vivo. This is the first demonstration indicating that isolated cardiac hypothyroidism causes cardiac dysfunction in the absence of changes in the adrenergic or peripheral vascular system.

Mice mutant for Egfr and Shp2 have defective cardiac semilunar valvulogenesis

Atrioventricular and semilunar valve abnormalities are common birth defects, but how cardiac valvulogenesis is directed remains largely unknown. During studies of genetic interaction between Egfr, encoding the epidermal growth factor receptor, and Ptpn11, encoding the protein-tyrosine-phosphatase Shp2, we discovered that Egfr is required for semilunar, but not atrioventricular, valve development. Although unnoticed in earlier studies, mice homozygous for the hypomorphic Egfr allele waved-2 (Egfrwa2/wa2) exhibit semilunar valve enlargement resulting from over-abundant mesenchymal cells. Egfr-/- mice (CD1 background) have similar defects. The penetrance and severity of the defects in Egfrwa2/wa2 mice are enhanced by heterozygosity for a targeted mutation of exon 2 of Ptpn11 (ref. 3). Compound (Egfrwa2/wa2:Ptpn11+/-) mutant mice also show premature lethality. Electrocardiography, echocardiography and haemodynamic analyses showed that affected mice develop aortic stenosis and regurgitation. Our results identify the Egfr and Shp2 as components of a growth-factor signalling pathway required specifically for semilunar valvulogenesis, support the hypothesis that Shp2 is required for Egfr signalling in vivo, and provide an animal model for aortic valve disease.

Dynamic changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum function in cardiac hypertrophy and failure

Previous studies have demonstrated that cardiac function changes with development of pressure overload-induced hypertrophy. The present study was undertaken to discover the basis for the changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) functions: uptake, (as related to the SR Ca2+ pump properties) and release in isolated, perfused hypertrophied rat hearts. Our results demonstrated significant prolongation of the time-to-90%-relaxation, both during the period of compensation (8 weeks after banding the ascending aorta, group HR1), when systolic function was preserved, and later with progressive hypertrophy (20 weeks after banding, group HR2) and contractile failure (20-22 weeks after banding, group F). The initial rates of the oxalate-supported SR Ca2+ uptake and the maximum transport rate (Vmax) of the SR Ca2+ pump, measured in the left ventricular homogenates, during blockade of the SR Ca2+ release channels with ruthenium red, were preserved in group HR1. To correlate early relaxation abnormalities with SR function, the [Ca2+] required for half-maximal pump activation (EC50) was examined and increased significantly in HRI vs. Sham1 (0.95+/-0.06 vs. 0.81+/-0.04 microM, P<0.05) indicating that the affinity of the SR Ca2+ pump for Ca2+ was reduced. The same tendency was demonstrated in groups HR2 (0.94+/-0.06 vs. 0.79+/-0.05) and F (0.89+/-0.05 vs. 0.78+/-0.05). In addition, with progression of hypertrophy we observed a significant decline in the amount of SR Ca2+ pump, as assessed by the Vmax, from 31.22+/-1.20 (Sham2) to 26.47+/-1.58 HR2) nmol/mg protein per min (P<0.05), and from 33.81+/-1.23 (Sham3) to 25.15+/-1.57 (F) nmol/mg protein per min, (P<0.01). This decrease was accompanied by a parallel reduction in the number of SR Ca2+ release channels by 14% (HR2) and 23% (F), as determined by maximum [3H] ryanodine binding (Bmax). These results suggest that pressure overload-induced changes in SR Ca2+ uptake (as reflected by Vmax and EC50) and SR Ca2+ release (as reflected by Bmax), both leading to diminished Ca2+ sequestration, may contribute to impaired cardiac relaxation with compensatory hypertrophy and failure.

Abnormal cardiac function in the streptozotocin-induced non-insulin-dependent diabetic rat: noninvasive assessment with doppler echocardiography and contribution of the nitric oxide pathway

OBJECTIVES

We sought to evaluate in vivo and in vitro left ventricular (LV) geometry and function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and the possible role of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes results in cardiac dysfunction; however, the specific abnormalities are unknown. Because decreased NO contributes to abnormal vascular function in diabetics, we hypothesized that NO pathway abnormalities may contribute to diabetic cardiomyopathy.

METHODS

Control rats and those with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) underwent echocardiography, hemodynamic assessment, isolated heart perfusion and measurement of exhaled NO and LV endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS).

RESULTS

Diabetic rats had increased LV mass (3.3 +/- 0.6 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.3 g/g body weight [BW], p < 0.001) and cavity dimensions (diastolic 2.0 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.8 +/- 0.2 cm/cm tibial length [TL], p < 0.05). Diabetic rats had prolonged isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) (40 +/- 8 vs. 26 +/- 6 ms, p < 0.0001), increased atrial contribution to diastolic filling (0.47 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.30 +/- 0.08 m/s, p < 0.0001), and elevated in vivo LV end-diastolic pressure (7 +/- 6 vs. 2 +/- 1 mm Hg, p = 0.04). Diabetic rats had increased chamber stiffness. Shortening was similar in both groups, despite reduced meridional wall stress in diabetics, suggesting impaired systolic contractility. Exhaled NO was lower in diabetic rats (1.8 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.3 +/- 0.3 parts per billion, p < 0.01) and correlated with Doppler LV filling. The ecNOS was similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is characterized by LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction, the latter correlating with decreased exhaled NO. The NO pathway is intact, suggesting impaired availability of NO as contributor to cardiomyopathy.

Altered phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic reticulum contributes to the diminished contractile response to isoproterenol in hypertrophied rat hearts

We tested the hypothesis that changes in phosphorylation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) protein, phospholamban (PIB) and myofibrillar proteins troponin I (TnI) and C protein are responsible for the decreased relaxant response to isoproterenol in cardiac hypertrophy and failure induced by ascending aortic banding in rats. In isolated perfused heart preparations under maximal isoproterenol stimulation, the capacity for in vitro cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of PIB was significantly increased at the compensatory stage of hypertrophy (126-130%, P<0.001), but decreased with failure (70-76%, P<0.001). Phosphorylation of TnI also decreased in the failing hearts, however to a lesser extent (80-83%, P<0.05). No significant hypertrophy-related difference was evident in isoproterenol-induced phosphorylation of C protein. The relative tissue level of PIB was increased (150-168%, P<0.001) in hypertrophied and decreased (71-83.8%, P<0.05) in failing hearts compared with the respective age-matched sham-operated controls (100%). As a percentage above baseline, the maximal isoproterenol-induced increase in the EC50 of the SR Ca2+ pump in response to phosphorylation of PIB was 38.5+/-1.1% for sham-operated rats, and 26.0+/-3.8% and 15.4+/-4.2% for hypertrophied and failing hearts respectively. As a consequence, linear correlation was observed between the maximal increase in EC50 and the maximal rate of relaxation [(-dP/dt)/DevP] upon isoproterenol stimulation, declining with progressive hypertrophy to failure. These data suggest that hypertrophy-induced alterations in PIB phosphorylation and protein level contribute to the diminished relaxant response of the hypertrophied and failing heart to adrenergic agonists.

Cardiovascular abnormalities in transgenic mice with reduced brown fat: an animal model of human obesity

BACKGROUND

A new model of murine obesity has recently been developed through transgenic ablation of brown adipose tissue that manifests typical metabolic complications of obesity, including insulin resistance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The cardiovascular phenotype has not been defined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Transthoracic echocardiography, aortic catheterization, isolated whole-heart studies, and morphometric histology defined cardiac structure and function in 30 transgenic mice with reduced brown fat and 30 matched wild-type controls. Obesity was indicated by a 77% increase in body weight and was accompanied by elevated systemic pressures (mean aortic blood pressure 85+/-1 versus 66+/-2 mm Hg; P<0.01), left ventricular dilation and hypertrophy (mass/body weight 4.0+/-0.2 versus 2.7+/-0.3 mg/g; P<0.01), and high cardiac output (cardiac index 3.2+/-0.4 versus 2.4+/-0.1 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1); P<0.01). Baseline functional parameters assessed in vitro were not different, but after imposition of zero-flow ischemia, significant relaxation impairment developed in obese mice. Although morphometrically determined myocyte diameters were similar, the percentage of interstitial fibrosis was significantly increased in transgenic mice compared with wild-type controls (7.5+/-2% versus 4. 2+/-0.2%; P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Transgenic ablation of brown adipose tissue is associated not only with obesity but also with systemic hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy with eccentric remodeling and fibrosis, and high cardiac output, a unique constellation of findings strikingly similar to that seen in human obesity. Mice with reduced brown fat may serve as a new model for the cardiovascular morbid complications associated with obesity in humans.

Gender differences in postinfarction left ventricular remodeling

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies suggest that gender affects the adaptive responses of the heart to some forms of cardiac overload. It is unknown whether gender influences left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS

We performed transthoracic echocardiographic-Doppler examinations in age-matched male (n = 17) and female (n = 16) rats before, and 1 and 6 weeks after transmural MI or sham surgery.

RESULTS

Following large MI (male = 45 +/- 1% LV circumference vs. female = 48 +/- 4%, p = NS), both male and female rats developed progressive LV dilatation. Infarctions caused a similar degree of global and regional LV systolic dysfunction in males and females. Male rats had significant increases in the thickness of the noninfarcted posterior wall by 6 weeks after MI. However, posterior wall thickness did not change in the infarcted female rats. Average myocyte diameter in the noninfarcted region of the heart was also greater in male than female MI rats. The combination of increased cavity size with little change in wall thickness resulted in a greater decline in relative wall thickness in the female rats compared to the males. Male rats with MI showed progressively restricted LV diastolic filling as assessed by transmitral Doppler recordings. Female rats had less of an increase in the ratio of early to late transmitral velocities and less of an increase in the E wave deceleration rate after MI.

CONCLUSIONS

Female rats showed a different pattern of LV remodeling than males with less of an increase in thickness of the noninfarcted portions of the left ventricle than males, but comparable LV cavity enlargement and systolic dysfunction. Despite similar infarct size, females developed less pronounced abnormalities of LV diastolic filling. We hypothesize that the gender-related differences in postinfarction LV remodeling may contribute to the different LV filling patterns, and might ultimately relate to differences in clinical outcome.

Effects of stimulation frequency on calcium transients in noninfarcted myocardium: modulation by chronic captopril treatment

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition produces beneficial effects in patients and experimental animals after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the mechanisms accounting for these effects are incompletely understood.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We recorded contractile force and intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) transients in papillary muscles from sham-operated rats (n = 8), untreated rats with heart failure after MI (MI; n = 7), and MI rats receiving captopril treatment for 5 weeks (n = 4). All studies were performed 6 weeks after MI or sham surgery. In muscles from sham-operated rats, increasing stimulation frequency from 0.33 to 3.0 Hz was associated with no change in the peak amplitude or the time to the peak of the Ca2+i transients. In contrast, in muscles from MI rats, stimulation at 3.0 Hz caused a marked increase in the amplitude of the Ca2+i transients (170% of baseline), prolongation of the time to the peak of the Ca2+i transient (54 +/- 2 to 84 +/- 8 * ms), and a prominent alternans pattern. Tissue hypoxia did not appear to be responsible for the abnormal response to rapid stimulation in the myocardium from infarcted hearts because bubbling the bath solution with 95% N2/5% CO2 resulted in no change in the amplitude of the Ca2+i transients in muscles from both groups. Muscles from captopril-treated MI rats responded like sham-operated controls, with no change in the amplitude or time course of the Ca2+i transients during rapid stimulation.

CONCLUSION

In myocardium isolated from rats with postinfarction heart failure, increasing stimulation frequency causes marked increases in peak Ca2+i , prolongation of the time course of the Ca2+i transient, and Ca2+i alternans. Despite the increased Ca2+i transients, contractility declined during rapid pacing. We hypothesize that these changes could be explained by a frequency-related decline in intracellular pH and/or a decrease in sarcolemmal Ca2+ extrusion. The frequency-dependent abnormalities of cellular Ca2+ regulation in the infarcted heart are prevented by long-term treatment with an ACE inhibitor.

Intrinsic cardiac muscle function, calcium handling and beta -adrenergic responsiveness is impaired in rats with growth hormone deficiency

To evaluate whether growth hormone (GH) is required for normal cardiac muscle function, we studied left ventricular papillary muscles of mutant GH-deficient rats. Developed tension normalized by cross-sectional area (DT), intracellular [Ca(2+)](i)(aequorin method) and beta-adrenergic responsiveness were assessed with or without 3 weeks GH replacement therapy and compared to normal controls. Steady-state force-Ca(2+)relationship was determined in tetanized ryanodine-treated muscles. beta-adrenergic responsiveness was tested during graded isoproterenol stimulation. [Ca(2+)](i)at baseline and the EC(50)of the force-Ca(2+)relationship were similar in all groups. In dwarf rats, DT at baseline was reduced by 43% compared to controls, due to a decreased maximal Ca(2+)-activated force. beta-adrenergic responsiveness of systolic Ca(2+)-release and mechanical function were depressed in dwarf rats. GH treatment caused at least partial improvement of the depressed parameters. These data support the hypothesis that GH is required for normal intrinsic function of cardiac muscle by maintaining Ca(2+)- and beta-adrenergic responsiveness.

Effects of propranolol treatment on left ventricular function and intracellular calcium regulation in rats with postinfarction heart failure

1. Chronic treatment with beta-adrenergic blocking agents can improve survival in patients with heart failure. The mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects and whether these effects are generalizable to ischaemic heart failure are unresolved. 2. We performed echocardiographic-Doppler examinations in rats (n=28) 1 and 6 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI) or sham surgery. Rats were randomized to no treatment or propranolol (500 mg/l in drinking water) after the first echocardiogram. Isometric contractions and intracellular Ca transients were recorded simultaneously in noninfarcted left ventricular (LV) papillary muscles. 3. Untreated MI rats had significant LV dilatation (10.6+/-0.4* vs 8.9+/(-0.3) mm, MI vs control), impaired systolic function (fractional shortening=11+/-2* vs 38+/-2%), and a restrictive LV diastolic filling pattern. MI rats receiving propranolol had similar LV chamber sizes (10.6+/(-0.5) mm) and systolic function (13+/(-2%). The propranolol treated animals had higher LV end-diastolic pressures (27+/-2* vs 20+/(-3 mmHg) and a more restricted LV diastolic filling pattern (increased ratio of early to late filling velocities and more rapid E wave deceleration rate). Contractility of papillary muscles from untreated MI rats was depressed (1.6+/(-0.3) vs 2.4+/(0.5 g mm(-2). In addition, Ca transients were prolonged and the inotropic response to isoproterenol was blunted. Propranolol treatment did not improve force development (1.6+/(-0.3 g mm(-2) or the duration of Ca transients during isoproterenol stimulation. 4. Chronic propranolol treatment in rats with postinfarction heart failure did not improve LV remodeling or systolic function. LV diastolic pressures and filling patterns were worsened by propranolol. Treatment also did not produce appreciable improvement in contractility, intracellular Ca regulation or beta-adrenergic responsiveness in the noninfarcted myocardium.

Differential depressant effects of general anesthetics on the cardiovascular response to cocaine in mice

In recent years, murine models have gained increasing importance for studies of cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology, largely due to the development of transgenic strains with specific alterations in phenotype. Differential effects of general anesthetic agents on the cardiovascular responses to cocaine have been reported in larger mammals; therefore, we studied the effects of commonly used anesthetics on heart function and on blood pressure responses to cocaine in Swiss Webster mice. We positioned a polyethylene catheter (PE-10) in the right carotid artery or left ventricle of mice anesthetized with equivalent anesthetic dose of either ketamine-xylazine (KX, 40 mg/kg + 5 mg/kg), pentobarbital (PEN, 40 mg/kg) or alpha-chloralose-urethane (CU, 80 mg/kg + 100 mg/kg). Cocaine (0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg) was administrated via the left jugular vein by bolus injection. In the KX group, the basal mean arterial pressure (MAP) and systolic left ventricular pressure (LVP) were 110 +/- 12 and 120 +/- 13 mmHg, respectively, close to conscious values. However, PEN and CU significantly decreased the basal parameters (P < 0.01 compared to the KX group). The lowest dose of cocaine (0.3 mg/kg) elicited minimal changes. Significant responses were obtained with a 1-mg/kg dose of cocaine (P < 0.01 compared to baseline). However, at 3 mg/kg, a toxic effect of cocaine appeared in all three anesthetic groups. Compared to published conscious animal data, anesthetic agents attenuated the cardiovascular effects of cocaine. Taken together, our results indicate that minimally effective doses of general anesthetics may significantly alter the basal hemodynamic state and the responses to sympathomimetic agents in the murine model, as has been reported in larger mammalian species. We concluded that anesthesia with ketamine-xylazine provides baseline hemodynamic values close to reported values in conscious animals, but also attenuates the hemodynamic response to cocaine.

Bone dysplasias in the labrador retriever: a radiographic study

A radiographic study of the humeral head, elbow joint, hip joint, stifle joint, tarsal joint, and lumbosacral (LS) junction was performed in 1,018 Labrador retrievers in search for humeral head, femoral condyle, and tarsal osteochondroses; elbow and hip dysplasias; and transitional LS vertebrae. The ages of all dogs reported were one year or older. Elbow dysplasia was detected as the most common lesion (17.8%), with a higher prevalence in the male dog. Hip dysplasia was the second most common lesion (12.6%) and was found equally in the male and female. Elbows and hips were often affected in the same dog (4.2%). Transitional vertebral segments were found more frequently in the female (4.2%) than in the male (1.0%), and the condition was thought to be inherited.

Transitional lumbosacral vertebral anomaly in the dog: a radiographic study

Transitional lumbosacral vertebral anomalies have for some time been suggested as a possible cause of cauda equina syndrome (especially in the German shepherd dog [GSD]), a condition recently thought to be inherited. The frequency of this condition within a large clinical population and the radiographic features used in its detection are reported. In a group of 143 patients, the sexes were similarly represented and the GSD was greatly overrepresented. The anomaly is characterised by separation of the first sacral segment that was identified on the lateral view by the presence of a radiolucent disc space between what are normally the first and second sacral segments. On the ventrodorsal view, the anomaly was characterised by separation of the spinous processes between what are normally the first and second sacral segments. In the presence of the transitional segment, the nature of the sacroiliac joint at the level of the anomalous segment varies from a strong ilial attachment, with the presence of a wing-like lateral process, to a weakened ilial attachment because of the presence of a lateral process, shaped as that seen on a lumbar segment. These patterns were present unilaterally or bilaterally and result in symmetrical or asymmetrical patterns. The effect of the weakening of the sacroiliac attachment was thought to result in premature disc degeneration, which, together with spinal canal stenosis, resulted in potential compression of the overlying spinal nerves and creation of a cauda equina syndrome. The condition is thought to have clinical significance and should be selected against in breeding, especially in the GSD.

Role of microtubules in the contractile dysfunction of hypertrophied myocardium

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine whether the ameliorative effects of microtubule depolymerization on cellular contractile dysfunction in pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy apply at the tissue level.

BACKGROUND

A selective and persistent increase in microtubule density causes decreased contractile function of cardiocytes from cats with hypertrophy produced by chronic right ventricular (RV) pressure overloading. Microtubule depolymerization by colchicine normalizes contractility in these isolated cardiocytes. However, whether these changes in cellular function might contribute to changes in function at the more highly integrated and complex cardiac tissue level was unknown.

METHODS

Accordingly, RV papillary muscles were isolated from 25 cats with RV pressure overload hypertrophy induced by pulmonary artery banding (PAB) for 4 weeks and 25 control cats. Contractile state was measured using physiologically sequenced contractions before and 90 min after treatment with 10(-5) mol/liter colchicine.

RESULTS

The PAB significantly increased RV systolic pressure and the RV weight/body weight ratio in PAB; it significantly decreased developed tension from 59+/-3 mN/mm2 in control to 25+/-4 mN/mm2 in PAB, shortening extent from 0.21+/-0.01 muscle lengths (ML) in control to 0.12+/-0.01 ML in PAB, and shortening rate from 1.12+/-0.07 ML/s in control to 0.55+/-0.03 ML/s in PAB. Indirect immunofluorescence confocal microscopy showed that PAB muscles had a selective increase in microtubule density and that colchicine caused complete microtubule depolymerization in both control and PAB papillary muscles. Microtubule depolymerization normalized myocardial contractility in papillary muscles of PAB cats but did not alter contractility in control muscles.

CONCLUSIONS

Excess microtubule density, therefore, is equally important to both cellular and to myocardial contractile dysfunction caused by chronic, severe pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy.

Alterations in heart failure of cyclic AMP-dependent inotropic and lusitropic properties of cardiac and skeletal muscle

A central working hypothesis in our laboratory is that deficient cellular cyclic AMP concentrations may be responsible, at least in part, for striated muscle dysfunction, both cardiac and skeletal, in heart failure. These results suggest that therapy aimed at restoring cyclic AMP to normal levels may be effective with regard to improving systolic and diastolic function in the heart and may decrease the development of fatigue in skeletal muscle of patients with failure. The use of cyclic AMP-dependent drugs in clinical practice has been limited by side effects associated with raising total cellular content of this cyclic nucleotide. However, evidence suggesting that separate pools of cyclic AMP may exist within the cell raises the possibility that those pools associated with excitation/contraction coupling could serve as more specific therapeutic targets.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 but not growth hormone augments mammalian myocardial contractility by sensitizing the myofilament to Ca2+ through a wortmannin-sensitive pathway: studies in rat and ferret isolated muscles

A growing body of evidence has been accumulated recently suggesting that growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) affect cardiac function, but their mechanism(s) of action is unclear. In the present study, GH and IGF-1 were administered to isolated isovolumic aequorin-loaded rat whole hearts and ferret papillary muscles. Although GH had no effect on the indices of cardiac function, IGF-1 increased isovolumic developed pressure by 24% above baseline. The aequorin transients were abbreviated and demonstrated decreased amplitude. The positive inotropic effects of IGF-1 were not associated with increased intracellular Ca2+ availability to the contractile machinery but to a significant increase of myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. Accordingly, the Ca2+-force relationship obtained under steady-state conditions in tetanized muscle was shifted significantly to the left (EC50, 0.44+/-0.02 versus 0.52+/-0.03 micromol/L with and without IGF-1 in the perfusate, respectively; P<0.05); maximal Ca2+-activated tetanic pressure was increased significantly by 12% (211+/-3 versus 235+/-2 mm Hg in controls and IGF-1-treated hearts, respectively; P<0.01). The positive inotropic actions of IGF-1 were not associated with changes in either pHi or high-energy phosphate content, as assessed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and were blocked by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. Concomitant administration of IGF binding protein-3 blocked IGF-1-positive inotropic action in ferret papillary muscles. In conclusion, IGF-1 is an endogenous peptide that through a wortmannin-sensitive pathway displays distinct positive inotropic properties by sensitizing the myofilaments to Ca2+ without increasing myocyte [Ca2+]i.

Intracellular calcium dynamics in mouse model of myocardial stunning

Intracellular calcium (Cai2+) and left ventricular (LV) function were determined in the coronary-perfused mouse heart to study Cai2+-related mechanisms of injury from myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Specifics for loading of the photoprotein aequorin into isovolumically contracting mouse hearts under constant-flow conditions are provided. The method allows detection of changes in Cai2+ on a beat-to-beat basis in a model of myocardial stunning and permits correlation of interventions that regulate Ca2+ exchange with functional alterations. Twenty-three coronary-perfused mouse hearts were subjected to 15 min of ischemia followed by 20 min of reperfusion. In 13 hearts, the perfusate included the calmodulin antagonist W7 (10 microM) to inhibit Ca(2+)-calmodulin-regulated mechanisms. Peak Cai2+ was 0.77 +/- 0.03 microM in the control group and was unaffected by W7 at baseline. Ischemia was characterized by a rapid decline in LV function, followed by ischemic contracture, accompanied by a gradual rise in Cai2+. Reperfusion was characterized by an initial burst of Cai2+ and a gradual recovery to nearly normal systolic Cai2+ while LV pressure recovered to 55% after 20 min of reperfusion (stunned myocardium). These results in the mouse heart confirm that stunning does not result from deficiency of Cai2+ but rather from a decreased myofilament responsiveness to Cai2+ due to changes in the myofilaments themselves. In hearts perfused with W7, the rise in Cai2+ during ischemia was significantly attenuated, as was the magnitude of mean Cai2+ during early reflow. Ischemic contracture was abolished or delayed. Hearts perfused with W7 showed significantly improved recovery of LV pressure, rate of contraction, and rate of relaxation. Diastolic Cai2+ was increased in control hearts during stunning but returned to baseline in hearts perfused with W7. Simultaneous assessment of Cai2+ and LV function demonstrates that calmodulin-regulated mechanisms may contribute to the pathogenesis of myocardial stunning in the mouse heart.

Cytochrome P450: a novel system modulating Ca2+ channels and contraction in mammalian heart cells

1. Cytochrome P450 (P450) is a ubiquitous enzyme system that catalyses oxidative reactions of numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds. The modulatory effects of P450 on the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa), intracellular free Ca2+ signals and cell shortening were assessed in adult rat single ventricular myocytes. 2. Bath administration of the imidazole antimycotics, clotrimazole, econazole and miconazole, which are potent P450 inhibitors, significantly suppressed cardiac ICa. While the Ca2+ channel antagonist nifedipine blocked ICa within 30 s, clotrimazole-induced suppression of ICa required 5.1 +/- 0.4 min (n = 14) to reach a steady low level. The suppression of ICa was dose dependent and recovered after washout of clotrimazole. Intracellular dialysis with the P450 antibody anti-rat CYP1A2 also significantly reduced cardiac ICa. 3. Additional administration of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline (1 microM) or the membrane-permeable 8-bromo-cAMP (2 mM) completely reversed the suppressant effects of clotrimazole and NaCN on ICa. In addition, intracellular dialysis with 2 mM cAMP abolished the P450 inhibitor-induced suppression of ICa. Phosphorylation of the channel with hydrolysis-resistant ATPgammaS prevented the suppressant effect of clotrimazole on ICa. Furthermore, dephosphorylation of the Ca2+ channel with intracellular dialysis with phosphatase types I and II reduced ICa by 85 +/- 3 % and abolished clotrimazole-induced suppression of ICa. 4. Extracellular administration of the phospholipase A2 inhibitors mepacrine and 4-bromophenacyl bromide significantly suppressed ICa. 5. Clotrimazole, econazole, miconazole and CN- also significantly inhibited intracellular free Ca2+ signals and cell shortening in rat single ventricular myocytes. 6. Intracellular cAMP content was significantly reduced in isolated ventricular myocytes incubated with clotrimazole or CN-. Extracellular administration of 11, 12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, one of the P450-mediated metabolites of arachidonic acid, enhanced ICa and intracellular cAMP content. The epoxyeicosatrienoic acid also restored the amplitude of the reduced ICa in P450 antibody-dialysed myocytes. 7. The present data suggest that cytochrome P450 modulates cardiac ICa and cell contraction, and the modulation may result from changes in intracellular levels of cAMP by P450- mediated metabolites of arachidonic acid.

Fatty acids suppress voltage-gated Na+ currents in HEK293t cells transfected with the alpha-subunit of the human cardiac Na+ channel

Studies have shown that fish oils, containing n-3 fatty acids, have protective effects against ischemia-induced, fatal cardiac arrhythmias in animals and perhaps in humans. In this study we used the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique to assess the effects of dietary, free long-chain fatty acids on the Na+ current (INa,alpha) in human embryonic kidney (HEK293t) cells transfected with the alpha-subunit of the human cardiac Na+ channel (hH1alpha). Extracellular application of 0.01 to 30 microM eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) significantly reduced INa,alpha with an IC50 of 0.51 +/- 0.06 microM. The EPA-induced suppression of INa,alpha was concentration- and voltage-dependent. EPA at 5 microM significantly shifted the steady-state inactivation relationship by -27.8 +/- 1.2 mV (n = 6, P < 0.0001) at the V1/2 point. In addition, EPA blocked INa,alpha with a higher "binding affinity" to hH1alpha channels in the inactivated state than in the resting state. The transition from the resting state to the inactivated state was markedly accelerated in the presence of 5 microM EPA. The time for 50% recovery from the inactivation state was significantly slower in the presence of 5 microM EPA, from 2.1 +/- 0.8 ms for control to 34.8 +/- 2.1 ms (n = 5, P < 0.001). The effects of EPA on INa,alpha were reversible. Furthermore, docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3), alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), conjugated linoleic acid (C18:2n-7), and oleic acid (C18:1n-9) at 5 microM and all-trans-retinoic acid at 10 microM had similar effects on INa,alpha as EPA. Even 5 microM of stearic acid (C18:0) or palmitic acid (C16:0) also significantly inhibited INa, alpha. In contrast, 5 microM EPA ethyl ester did not alter INa,alpha (8 +/- 4%, n = 8, P > 0.05). The present data demonstrate that free fatty acids suppress INa,alpha with high "binding affinity" to hH1alpha channels in the inactivated state and prolong the duration of recovery from inactivation.

Superiority of ipratropium plus albuterol over albuterol alone in the emergency department management of adult asthma: a randomized clinical trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The use of nebulized ipratropium in combination with beta-agonists for the treatment of acute asthma in adults is controversial. We wished to test the hypothesis that combined aerosol treatment results in a greater rate of airflow improvement and a lower proportion of hospital admission in adults with acute asthma.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 55 adult asthmatic patients with peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) less than 200 L/min were randomly assigned to nebulization treatment with albuterol alone (2.5 mg initial dose followed by 2 more doses at 20-min intervals.), or the same albuterol regimen plus ipratropium (.5 mg combined with the initial dose of albuterol only). Patients were recruited from an emergency department at an urban academic medical center. The primary endpoints were changes in PEFR and in percent predicted PEFR over time (ie, treatment by time effect). PEFRs were assessed at baseline and at 20-minute intervals for a 1-hour period. The proportion of admissions in the two groups were examined as secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

The increases in PEFR and percent predicted PEFR over time were both significantly greater in the combined ipratropium plus albuterol treatment group (P < or = .001). In addition, the proportion admitted patients was less in this group (3/27) than the proportion in the albuterol-only group (10/28). The 95% confidence interval for the absolute difference of 25% in the proportion admitted was 3% to 46%, P = .03. Most of the baseline clinical and historical features in the two groups were similar.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that ipratropium should be combined with initial albuterol nebulization in the ED treatment of acute asthma in adults, especially those with PEFRs less than 200 L/min.