Phosphorylation in coronary artery cold-induced contraction in the newborn lamb

Myocardial dysfunction after hypothermic protection has been linked to various mechanisms. Coronary vasospasm in particular may be responsible for ischemic injury during reperfusion. Herein we hypothesized that coronary arteries (CA) sustain a cold-induced contraction during hypothermia mediated by a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)-/protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP)-dependent pathway. Isolated newborn lamb CA rings were studied in a tissue bath for isometric contraction during 2-h profound (17 degrees C) or ultra-profound (7 degrees C) hypothermia. In parallel, protein tyrosine phosphorylation was evaluated by use of the Western blot technique. Na-orthovanadate (SOV) and genestein (GEN) were used separately and in combination to evaluate the effect of PTK/PTP activation on CA contraction and tyrosine phosphorylation during cooling (17 or 7 degrees C) vs 37 degrees C. Cooling from 37 to 7 degrees C induced transient contraction at approximately 17 degrees C (29% KCl response), which was more prominent during rewarming to 37 degrees C (36% KCl). Cooling to 17 degrees C resulted in sustained contraction (7-10% KCl), which was reversible upon rewarming. Cold-induced contraction was significantly enhanced by SOV (7- to 10-fold at 17 degrees C; 2-fold at 7 degrees C) and abolished by GEN. Concurrently, tyrosine phosphorylation of 33-, 45-, and 104-kDa proteins increased during cooling (35-100% at 17 degrees C; 46-66% at 7 degrees C). Tyrosine phosphorylation was similarly enhanced by SOV (1.7- to 2.3-fold at 17 degrees C; 2.9- to 3.9-fold at 7 degrees C) and abolished by GEN in the presence or absence of SOV. These results support a prominent role for the PTK/PTP signal transduction pathway in the coronary artery cold-induced contraction. This information provides one possible biomolecular mechanism linked to ischemia/reperfusion pathophysiology of CA in neonatal hearts exposed to hypothermic myocardial protection.

Effects of hypothermosol, an experimental acellular solution for tissue preservation and cardiopulmonary bypass, on isolated newborn lamb coronary vessels subjected to ultra profound hypothermia and anoxia

Ultra profound hypothermia (4 to 10 degrees C) is an experimental method aiming at safely prolonging organ and total body preservation. For this purpose, Hypothermosol (HTS), an investigational acellular solution for blood substitution, was demonstrated to be beneficial in animal models undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. We investigated the beneficial versus deleterious effects of cold preservation and the role of HTS on isolated coronary arteries (CA) during cold exposure, rewarming, and post-rewarming exposure to anoxia. Newborn lamb CA rings were studied using a tissue bath technique. CA were subjected to cold (7 degrees C for 3 h) and treated with either Krebs' buffer (Krebs/hypothermia) or HTS (HTS/hypothermia) (n = 15 each). A third group maintained at 37 degrees C (Krebs/normothermia) (n = 18) served as a time control. After rewarming (37 degrees C), precontracted CA were exposed to anoxia. In Krebs/hypothermia a substantial hypercontraction (g) occurred during rewarming (1.21+/-0.07) (mean +/- SEM) but not in HTS/hypothermia (0.79+/-0.03); P<0.05. Precontraction force generated by indomethacin/U46619 was identical in all three groups. However, Krebs/hypothermia vessels demonstrated a significantly higher relative vasoconstriction (percentage) in the early (approximately 10 min) and late (30 min) anoxia exposure than the HTS/hypothermia and time control (119.5%+/- 3.7 vs. 109.5%+/-4.4 and 101.5%+/-3, and 71%+/-7.6 vs. 38.9%+/-7 and 51.5%+/-5.9, respectively; P<0.05). In conclusion, Ultra profound hypothermia promotes coronary vasoconstriction upon rewarming, which is detrimental to relaxant response to hypoxia. Both phenomena are alleviated by performing ultra profound hypothermia under HTS protection.

Endothelial dysfunction in cerebral microcirculation during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in newborn lambs

OBJECTIVES

Inflammatory stimuli or mechanical stresses associated with hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass could potentially impair cerebrovascular function, resulting in inadequate cerebral perfusion. We hypothesize that hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with endothelial or vascular smooth muscle dysfunction and associated cerebral hypoperfusion. Therefore we studied the cerebrovascular response to endothelium-dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine, endothelium-independent nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, and vasoactive amine, serotonin, in newborn lambs undergoing hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (nasopharygeal temperature = 18 degrees C).

METHODS

Studies were performed on 13 newborn lambs equipped with a closed cranial window, allowing for direct visualization of surface pial arterioles. Six animals were studied while undergoing hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, whereas seven served as nonbypass, warm (37 degrees C) controls. Pial arteriolar caliber (range = 111 to 316 microm diameter) was monitored using video microscopy.

RESULTS

Topical application of acetylcholine caused a dose-dependent increase in arteriolar diameter in the control group that was absent in animals undergoing hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass did not alter the vasodilation in response to sodium nitroprusside. Furthermore, the contractile response to serotonin was fully expressed during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

CONCLUSIONS

The specific loss of acetylcholine-induced vasodilation suggests endothelial cell dysfunction rather than impaired ability of vascular smooth muscle to respond to nitric oxide. It is speculated that loss of endothelium-dependent regulatory factors in the cerebral microcirculation during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass may enhance vasoconstriction, and impaired cerebrovascular function may be a basis for associated neurologic injury during or after hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

Protein tyrosine kinase signaling in cold-stimulated contraction of newborn lamb cerebral arteries

We recently reported a contraction of middle cerebral artery (MCA) preparations isolated from newborn lambs in response to tissue cooling. However, the mechanism(s) by which cold stimulus modifies the contractile properties of MCA is not known. We hypothesize that cold stimulus-triggered contraction may be mediated by a signal transduction pathway associated with protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)-dependent machinery. In the present study the tissue bath technique was used to evaluate the effect of select inhibitors of PTK and protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) on the temperature-dependent contractile behavior of isolated MCA from new-born lambs. Reduction of tissue bath temperature from 37 to 21 degrees C stimulated contraction (55 +/- 3% of the response to 120 mM KCl). Two distinct inhibitors of PTK, genistein and tyrphostin 47, completely reversed the cold-stimulated contraction, whereas staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, was without effect. Sodium orthovanadate (50 microM) potentiated the cold-stimulated contraction, augmenting the slope of the temperature-force relationship over twofold. Two Ser/Thr phosphatase inhibitors (okadaic acid and calyculin A) had no effect on the temperature-force relationship. These results offer experimental evidence to support a novel hypothesis where PTK/PTP-dependent signal transduction pathways may be preferably targeted by cold stimulus and thus provide a biochemical basis for cold-stimulated modification of cerebral vascular contractile properties.

Nitric oxide and beta-adrenergic mechanisms modify contractile responses to norepinephrine in ovine fetal and newborn cerebral arteries

Ovine fetal cerebral arteries exhibit an enhanced contractile response to norepinephrine (NE) compared with newborns and adults. It is possible that beta-adrenergic receptors and/or nitric oxide (NO), a putative endothelium-dependent relaxing factor, differentially modulate cerebrovascular responsiveness to NE as a function of development. The present study evaluated the effect of the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol, and the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (LNAME), on the contractile response of isolated middle cerebral artery (MCA) and basilar artery (BA) to NE during fetal development. MCAs isolated from four preterm fetal lambs (105 d of gestation), seven near-term fetal lambs (125-130 d of gestation), and eight newborn lambs (2-7 d of age) were evaluated using organ baths. BAs isolated from the near-term fetal and newborn lambs were also evaluated. Contractile reactivity of MCAs to NE decreased significantly during fetal maturation as manifested by a marked decrease in Fmax (maximal relative contractile force generated) and an increase in EC50 (Fmax = 100 +/- 7, 41 +/- 7, and 28 +/- 8% of KCl contraction; EC50 = 0.14 +/- 0.03, 1.09 +/- 0.36, and 1.07 +/- 0.22 microM for preterm fetus, near-term fetus, and newborn lamb MCAs, respectively, p < or = 0.05). Propranolol treatment (10(-5) M) increased Fmax (2-fold) only for newborn lamb MCAs. Pretreatment with LNAME (10(-4) M) markedly enhanced the contractile response to NE (7-fold decrease in EC50 and 2-fold increase in Fmax, p < 0.05) for near-term fetus MCAs, whereas preterm fetus and newborn lamb MCAs were unaffected by the inhibitor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of halothane on the immature lamb heart

The choice of anesthesia during pregnancy and fetal operations is controversial. Halothane frequently is used, but its direct effects on fetal cardiac performance are unknown. The effects of halothane on fetal cardiac mechanics were studied in 8 fetal lamb hearts (135 days' gestation) using a modified Langendorff model connected to a membrane oxygenator. The perfusate consisted of oxygenated maternal blood at a constant flow temperature, hematocrit value, and glucose level. Coronary blood flow, left ventricular systolic pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and the developed left ventricular pressure at a fixed volume were evaluated at baseline and after the addition of incremental concentrations of halothane to the perfusate through the oxygenator. Perfusate halothane levels were maintained in a clinical range. Systolic and diastolic cardiac function were adversely affected by the administration of even low doses of halothane, despite a concomitant increase in coronary blood flow. Because of the immaturity of their calcium transport system, fetal hearts may be particularly sensitive to the known calcium channel-blocking properties of halothane.

Hypothermia enhances contractility in cerebral arteries of newborn lambs

Hypothermia is the major factor influencing autoregulatory properties of the cerebral circulation in human infants undergoing hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. The present investigation evaluated the effect of decreased temperature on the contractility of isolated middle cerebral arteries obtained from newborn lambs. Reducing bath temperature from 37 to 21 degrees C caused a temperature-dependent increase in contractile tension, achieving 1.32 +/- 0.09 g above resting tension (0.75 g). Pretreatment with nonselective (alpha 1 and alpha 2) alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, phentolamine (10(-5) M), with an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (10(-4) M), and with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (10(-5) M), did not affect the contractile response to a decrease in bath temperature from 37 to 21 degrees C. Furthermore, cerebral arteries were responsive to both norepinephrine (constriction) and sodium nitroprusside (relaxation) and the sensitivity of cerebral arteries to the sympathetic neurotransmitter norepinephrine appears to be enhanced at low temperatures. We postulate that direct cerebral vasoconstriction and enhanced adrenergic contractility may be responsible for increased cerebrovascular resistance during and after hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass with possible ischemic cerebral injury and neurological sequelae.

Indomethacin-sensitive CO2 reactivity of cerebral arterioles is restored by vasodilator prostaglandin

To investigate the role of vasodilator prostanoids in the CO2-induced relaxation of cerebral arterioles, the present study examined the effect of exogenous prostaglandin (PG) E2 and nonprostanoid vasodilators, adenosine and sodium nitroprusside, on the indomethacin-impaired pial arteriolar response to CO2 in newborn piglets. Reactivity of pial arterioles (52-131 microns diam) was determined using a closed cranial window with intravital microscopy. Cortical prostanoid synthesis was assessed by analyzing for select prostanoids in cerebrospinal fluid sampled from under the cranial window. Inhalation of 7% CO2 caused an elevation of cortical 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane (Tx) B2 and increased pial arteriolar diameter by 34 +/- 5%. Two cyclooxygenase inhibitors, indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) and ibuprofen (30 mg/kg i.v.), abolished the CO2-induced elevation of cortical prostanoids. Indomethacin, but not ibuprofen, blocked the CO2-induced increase in pial arteriolar diameter. The indomethacin-impaired vasodilator response to CO2 was restored when PGE2 (0.1-1 microM) was applied topically to the cortical surface. Adenosine (1-100 microM) and sodium nitroprusside (0.5 microM) only partially restored the vasodilator response to CO2. The data suggest that vasodilator prostanoids facilitate cerebrovascular relaxation to CO2 and may play a permissive role in the relaxation response of vascular smooth muscle. The fact that adenosine (adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-mediated dilator) and sodium nitroprusside (guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-mediated dilator), were partially effective suggests a role for those intracellular signaling pathways. We speculate that receptor activation of intracellular pathways may alter Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus in such a way that the relaxation response to CO2 can occur.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cerebrovascular reactivity to adenosine analogues in 0.6-0.7 gestation and near-term fetal sheep

During acute hypoxia, fetal sheep less than 0.7 gestation increase cerebral blood flow (CBF) relatively less than fetal sheep near term. We hypothesized that cerebrovascular reactivity to a hypoxic vasodilator metabolite such as adenosine might be diminished in immature fetuses. This study examined cerebral vasoreactivity to adenosine analogues in nine sheep fetuses less than 0.7 gestation (90-103 days) and nine near term (129-143 days). Fetuses were equipped in utero with a closed cranial window, and pial arterioles were studied by intravital microscopy. 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)-adenosine (NECA; 10(-9)-10(-5) M) and N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA; 10(-9)-10(-4) M) each caused a dose-dependent increase in arteriolar diameter that was attenuated in the presence of the adenosine receptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT; 5 x 10(-6) M). Dose-response curves to the agonists were similar for both age groups. NECA was a more potent vasodilator than CPA, in keeping with their affinity for the A2 receptor. Suffusion of 8-PT alone at less than 10(-5) M had no effect on arteriolar diameter. We conclude that adenosine is able to dilate fetal cerebral arterioles as young as 0.6 gestation by acting at an A2 receptor, although resting tone is not influenced by adenosine. The immature fetal sheep CBF response to hypoxia is not attributable to undeveloped vasoreactivity to adenosine.

Cholinergic reactivity of cerebral arteries in the developing fetal and newborn lamb

Cerebral arteries of newborn pigs and baboons constrict to acetylcholine, suggesting that endothelium-dependent dilator mechanisms may be lacking in immature cerebral arteries. The present study tested this possibility in the immature sheep by examining the response of cerebral arterioles in fetal and newborn sheep to endothelium-dependent dilator, acetylcholine. Pial arteriolar diameter was measured in 9 anaesthetized foetuses in utero (4 preterm, 90-111 days gestation and 5 term, 128-143 days gestation) and in 5 anaesthetized, newborn lambs (14 days) using a closed cranial window with intravital microscopy. Application of acetylcholine to the pial surface induced dose-dependent increase in pial arteriolar diameter in all age groups; EC50 for acetylcholine was 0.10 +/- 0.03, 0.28 +/- 0.08 and 0.26 +/- 0.17 microM for preterm fetal, term fetal, and newborn lambs, respectively. The data demonstrate a sensitive dilator response to acetylcholine in immature fetuses as well as newborn lambs suggesting that cholinergic-mediated release of endothelium-dependent relaxing factor is functional early in gestation. The contractile response to acetylcholine observed in newborn pigs and premature baboons may reflect a species difference rather than maturational lack of endothelium-dependent dilator mechanisms.

Sympathetic nerve modulation of regional cerebral blood flow during asphyxia in newborn piglets

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during asphyxia suggests a reflex vasoconstrictor mechanism active principally in brain cortex. Present studies in newborn piglets investigate sympathetic modulation of the cerebrovasculature both during and after acute asphyxia. Unilateral superior cervical sympathetic ganglionectomy (SCSG) was performed in 13 newborn piglets, after which asphyxia was produced by discontinuing ventilation. In 8 animals, blood flow was measured during control and sequentially 1, 2, and 3 min after ventilation was stopped. In 5 piglets with unilateral SCSG, cortical flow decreased in the innervated hemisphere, -34 +/- 14% after 2 min, and -25 +/- 9% at 3 min of asphyxia compared with control (104 +/- 22 ml.min-1.100 g-1; mean +/- SE). In contrast, the sympathetically denervated hemisphere showed -13 +/- 17% at 2 min and +7 +/- 23% at 3 min, representing 45 +/- 6% and 30 +/- 9% left-right (L-R) flow differences, respectively. Bilateral SCSG (3 piglets) similarly attenuated the cortical CBF vasoconstrictor response to asphyxia, +6 +/- 21% at 2 min and -8 +/- 5% at 3 min. Significant innervated-denervated rCBF differences were present during asphyxia in cerebral gray (55% +/- 24), cerebral white (41% +/- 16), caudate (25% +/- 7), hippocampus (36% +/- 12), and choroid plexus (145% +/- 42), indicating sympathetic nerve modulation. Brain stem structures showed increasing rCBF throughout asphyxia and no L-R differences.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of dexamethasone on cerebral prostanoid formation and pial arteriolar reactivity to CO2 in newborn pigs

This study investigates the effect of glucocorticoid treatment on the relationship between arteriolar PCO2 and cortical prostanoid production and on cerebrovascular responsiveness to elevated CO2 in newborn piglets. The response of pial arteries to hypercapnia (fractional inspired CO2 = 0.035 and 0.07) was studied in 18 anesthetized newborn piglets, 9 of which were pretreated with dexamethasone (2 mg.kg-1.day-1 for 36-48 h). Pial arterioles (77-122 microns diam) were monitored using a closed cranial window and intravital microscopy. Perivascular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was sampled from the cortical surface and analyzed for 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) using radioimmunoassay. In the dexamethasone-treated animals the increase in arteriolar diameter to CO2 was diminished by approximately 50% for each respective CO2 concentration vs. the control group. Acute sympathetic denervation did not restore the CO2 dilator response. Dexamethasone did not alter baseline cortical CSF prostanoid concentrations but abolished the CO2-induced increase in CSF prostanoids. The dilator response to exogenously applied prostaglandin E2 was inhibited in dexamethasone-treated animals. However, the dilator response to exogenous adenosine and the contractile response to prostaglandin F2 alpha were not altered in the dexamethasone-treated piglets. The data support the concept that metabolites of arachidonic acid participate in the cerebrovascular response to CO2 and suggest that glucocorticoid treatment may influence cerebrovascular tone via this mechanism.

Mono-L-arginine-containing compounds dilate piglet pial arterioles via an endothelium-derived relaxing factor-like substance

We determined the effects of mono-L-arginine-containing compounds on pial arterioles of anesthetized piglets. A closed cranial window was implanted, and the diameter of one pial arteriole was determined by intravital microscopy. Diameter was determined during application of artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing no drugs and during application of 10(-5), 10(-4), 10(-3), and 10(-2) M L-arginine (ARG), L-arginine ethyl ester (AEE), N alpha-benzoyl-L-arginine (NBA), N alpha-benzoyl-L-arginine ester ethyl (BAEE), and L-citrulline (CIT). Initial diameters were 100-200 microns. All of these compounds dilated arterioles, but the threshold concentration needed to elicit dilation varied: 10(-5) M for NBA (n = 5), 10(-3) M for AEE (n = 9) and BAEE (n = 6), and 10(-2) M for ARG (n = 6) and CIT (n = 4). Maximal responses were 15 +/- 8% for CIT, 17 +/- 4% for ARG, 19 +/- 8% for BAEE, 28 +/- 5% for NBA, and 27 +/- 6% for AEE. Indomethacin pretreatment (5 mg/kg i.v.) did not change arteriolar responses to AEE, NBA, and BAEE. However, coadministration of methylene blue (0.5 x 10(-4) M or 0.5 x 10(-3) M) abolished dilation to 10(-3) M AEE or BAEE and attenuated dilation to 10(-5) M NBA. In addition, coadministration of hemoglobin (0.4 x 10(-4) M) abolished dilation to AEE, BAEE, or NBA. Last, intravenous (5 mg/kg) and coadministration (10(-3) M) of NG-methyl-L-arginine blocked dilation to NBA or AEE. We conclude that mono-L-arginine-containing compounds produce pial arteriolar dilation in piglets, possibly involving an endothelium-derived relaxing factor.

Sympathetic reactivity of cerebral arteries in developing fetal lamb and adult sheep

The response of cerebral arteries to norepinephrine was examined in vivo in six dated preterm fetal (94-121 days gestation), eight term fetal (127-141 days gestation), five newborn (7-14 days), and five adult sheep, anesthetized and equipped with a closed cranial window. Norepinephrine (10(-8)-10(-4) M in cerebrospinal fluid) caused a dose-dependent decrease in pial arteriolar diameter in fetal and newborn lambs; however, preterm fetuses were 7- and 14-fold more sensitive to norepinephrine than term fetuses and newborn lambs, respectively. The effective concentration of norepinephrine inducing a 15% decrease in diameter (EC15) was 4.6 +/- 1.8, 33 +/- 11, and 64 +/- 23 microM, for the respective ages. Adult cerebral arterioles did not contract to norepinephrine. In preterm and term fetuses, the contractile response to norepinephrine was blocked by alpha 1-antagonist, prazosin (3 mg iv), and was enhanced by cocaine (10(-5) M; EC15 = 0.086 +/- 0.04 and 1.84 +/- 1.20 microM, respectively) indicating that alpha 1-adrenoceptors mediate the response and that the decrease in sensitivity is not caused by development of neuronal uptake processes. In seven fetuses (111-141 days; mean 123 days gestation), electrical stimulation of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion constricted pial arterioles by 21 +/- 5%; this contractile response was also blocked by prazosin. The cerebral arterioles of the fetus in utero possess a functional sympathetic innervation capable of influencing cerebrovascular resistance. There is a loss of responsiveness of cerebral arterioles to norepinephrine during fetal and postnatal development, suggesting that the contribution of neuroadrenergic mechanisms to cerebrovascular regulation may be relatively unique to the immature brain.

Effect of thromboxane A2/endoperoxide antagonist SQ29548 on the contractile response to acetylcholine in newborn piglet cerebral arteries

Previous studies have shown that cholinergic stimulation results in a prostanoid-dependent cerebral vasoconstriction in piglets. The present study specifically investigated the contribution of thromboxane A2 (TXA2)/prostaglandin endoperoxide and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) to the cerebral vascular response to exogenous acetylcholine (ACh). Effects of TXA2/prostaglandin endoperoxide-receptor antagonist SQ29548 on responsiveness of pial arterioles to ACh (10(-7) and 10(-4) M), PGF2 alpha (10(-7)-10(-5) M), TXA2 mimetic 9,11-methanoepoxy prostaglandin H2 (U46619, 5 and 10 ng/ml), and norepinephrine (10(-6)-10(-4) M) were studied by use of a closed cranial window in 37 anesthetized mechanically ventilated newborn piglets. Pial arteriolar diameter was measured by intravital microscopy. Topical application of exogenous PGF2 alpha and U46619 resulted in dose-dependent cerebral vasoconstriction, and the dose-response curve for each agonist was shifted to the right by the increasing concentrations of SQ29548 (10(-6)-10(-8) M). Topical application of high concentration of ACh (10(-4) M) caused a transient 34 +/- 4% decrease in pial arteriolar diameter from 98 +/- 6 to 65 +/- 5 microns (p less than 0.05). This constriction was attenuated (16 +/- 3%) in the presence of 10(-8) M SQ29548 and abolished with 10(-6) or 10(-4) M SQ29548. SQ29548 (10(-6) M) was without effect on the vasoconstrictor response to exogenous norepinephrine. Low concentration of ACh (10(-7) M) had no consistent effect on pial arterioles in the absence or presence of TXA2/prostaglandin endoperoxide-receptor blockade. The data suggest that vascular prostaglandin/endoperoxide receptors mediate cerebral vasoconstriction upon muscarinic-receptor stimulation.

Lipid peroxidation as the mechanism of modification of brain 5'-nucleotidase activity in vitro

The effect of lipid peroxidation on the Mg2(+)-independent and Mg2(+)-dependent activity of brain cell membrane 5'-nucleotidase was determined and the affinity of the active sites of Mg2(+)-dependent enzyme for 5'-AMP (substrate) and Mg2+ (activator) was examined. Brain cell membranes were peroxidized at 37 degrees C in the presence of 100 microM ascorbate and 25 microM FeCl2 (resultant) for 10 min. The activity of 5'-nucleotidase and lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) were determined. At 10 min, the level of lipid peroxidation products increased from 0.20 +/- 0.10 to 17.5 +/- 1.5 nmoles malonaldehyde/mg membrane protein. The activity of Mg2(+)-independent 5'-nucleotidase increased from 0.201 +/- 0.020 in controls to 0.305 +/- 0.028 mumol Pi/mg protein/hr in peroxidized membranes. In the presence of 10 mM Mg2+, the activity increased by 5.8-fold in the peroxidized membrane preparation in comparison to 14-fold in control. In peroxidized preparation, the affinity of active site of Mg2(+)-dependent 5'-nucleotidase for 5'-AMP tripled, as indicated by a significant decrease in Km (Km = 95 +/- 2 microM AMP for control; Km = 32 +/- 2 microM AMP for peroxidized). Vmax was significantly reduced from 3.35 +/- 0.16 in control to 1.70 +/- 0.9 mumoles Pi/mg protein in peroxidized membranes. The affinity of the active site for Mg2+ significantly increased (Km = 6.17 +/- 0.37 mM Mg2+ for control; Km = 4.0 +/- 0.31 peroxidized).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anti-oxidant enzymes in the brain of newborn piglets during ischemia followed by reperfusion

The activity of anti-oxidant enzymes in the brains of newborn piglets were studied under the condition of ischemic hypoxia followed by reperfusion. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, was determined in the brain tissue of control animals and animals exposed to 60 min of hypoxia followed by 30 min of normoxia. The results showed that the activities of these enzymes were not significantly affected by hypoxia and subsequent reperfusion, suggesting that under these conditions the anti-oxidant system is not a target for, nor is its inhibition a cause of, cellular damage. It is proposed that the anti-oxidant enzyme system in the brain is non-responsive to and may not play a role during hypoxia/ischemia and subsequent reperfusion.

Effect of indomethacin on the regulation of cerebral blood flow during respiratory alkalosis in newborn piglets

The effect of cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin on regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) during hypocapnia induced by hyperventilation and during hypercapnia induced by CO2 inhalation was examined. CBF was measured in 27 anesthetized, ventilated piglets (2-8 d) using microspheres in control and indomethacin treated animals (5 mg/kg) after hyperventilation or inhalation of 6% CO2. In the control group (n = 6), CBF decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) to all regions of the brain after hyperventilation with a 32% decrease in the cerebral cortex. In the indomethacin-treated group (n = 6), blood flow significantly decreased by 35 to 49% in all regions of the brain, except the cerebral white matter, during normocapnia with no further decrease in flow during subsequent hypocapnia. Although CBF increased significantly after indomethacin treatment during hypercapnia the response was markedly attenuated with blood flow to the cerebral gray matter, hippocampus and pons rising only 42, 25, and 42% in contrast to 108, 75, and 225% in the control group. Since indomethacin decreased resting CBF, unilateral sympathetic nerve stimulation at 15 Hz was used to test the specificity of indomethacin on hypocapnic vasoconstriction (n = 5). Unilateral sympathetic nerve stimulation caused a further statistically significant decrease in CBF on the stimulated side after hyperventilation with indomethacin (12%), which was comparable to that which occurred during normocapnia (16%). The data demonstrate that indomethacin attenuates the cerebrovascular sensitivity to both increases and decreases in CO2/H+ and implicate a possible role for vasoactive prostanoids in mediating the response of CBF to fluctuations in CO2 in newborn piglets.

Lipid peroxidation as the mechanism of modification of the affinity of the Na+, K+-ATPase active sites for ATP, K+, Na+, and strophanthidin in vitro

The effect of lipid peroxidation on the affinity of specific active sites of Na+,K+-ATPase for ATP (substrate), K+ and Na+ (activators), and strophanthidin (a specific inhibitor) was investigated. Brain cell membranes were peroxidized in vitro in the presence of 100 microM ascorbate and 25 microM FeCl2 at 37 degrees C for time intervals from 0-20 min. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and the activity of Na+, K+-ATPase were determined. The enzyme activity decreased by 80% in the first min. from 42.0 +/- 3.8 to 8.8 +/- 0.9 mumol Pi/mg protein/hr and remained unchanged thereafter. Lipid peroxidation products increased to a steady state level from 0.2 +/- 0.1 to 16.5 +/- 1.5 nmol malonaldehyde/mg protein by 3 min. In peroxidized membranes, the affinity for ATP and strophanthidin was increased (two and seven fold, respectively), whereas affinity for K+ and Na+ was decreased (to one tenth and one seventh of control values, respectively). Changes in the affinity of active sites will affect the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation mechanisms of Na+, K+-ATPase reaction. The increased affinity for ATP favors the phosphorylation of the enzyme at low ATP concentrations whereas, the decreased affinity for K+ will not favor the dephosphorylation of the enzyme-P complex resulting in unavailability of energy for transmembrane transport processes. The results demonstrate that lipid peroxidation alters Na+, K+-ATPase function by modification at specific active sites in a selective manner, rather than through a non-specific destructive process.

Regional cerebral blood flow response during and after acute asphyxia in newborn piglets

The hemodynamic response during and after acute asphyxia was studied in 14 newborn piglets. An apnea-like asphyxial insult was produced in paralyzed mechanically ventilated piglets by discontinuing ventilation until the piglets became bradycardic (heart rate less than 80 beats/min). Seven piglets had organ blood flow measured by microspheres at control, during asphyxia (PO2 = 16 +/- 11 Torr, pH = 7.31 +/- 0.07, PCO2 = 47 +/- 9 Torr), and during recovery from asphyxia. During acute asphyxia, rapid organ blood flow redistribution occurred, producing decreased renal and skeletal muscle blood flow, while coronary blood flow increased. Although total brain blood flow changed little during asphyxia, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) analysis revealed significant nonhomogeneous blood flow distribution within the brain during asphyxia, with decreases to the cerebral gray and white matter and the choroid plexus, whereas brain stem structures had increased flow. During recovery with reventilation, total brain blood flow increased 24% above control, with a more uniform distribution and increased flow to all brain regions. The time course of rCBF changes during acute asphyxia was then determined in seven additional piglets with CBF measurements made sequentially at 30-60 s, 60-120 s, and 120-180 s of asphyxia. The vasoconstriction seen in cortical structures, concurrent with the reduction in skeletal and kidney blood flow, known to be sympathetically mediated, suggest a selective reflex effect in this brain region. The more gradual and progressive vasodilation in brain stem regions during asphyxia is consistent with chemical control. These findings demonstrate significant regional heterogeneity in CBF regulation in newborn piglets.

Cholinergic mechanisms in the cerebral circulation of the newborn piglet: effect of inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism

The cerebrovascular response to cholinergic stimulation and the effect of inhibition of the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways on the response to acetylcholine (ACh) was investigated in newborn piglets. Responsiveness of pial arterioles to ACh, methacholine, and nicotine was studied using a closed cranial window. Pial arteriolar diameter was measured using intravital microscopy. Pial arteriolar responses to ACh, 10(-8)-10(-4)M, applied to the cortical surface, were variable and dose-dependent. At low concentration, 10(-7)M, 45% of the arterioles increased diameter by 9 +/- 1%, 19% responded by decreasing diameter by 9 +/- 1%, and 35% did not respond. The response to high concentration, 10(-4)M, was a profound decrease in diameter, 28 +/- 3%, in 78% of the arterioles studied. These effects were abolished by atropine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.). Muscarinic agonist, methacholine, 10(-5)-10(-3)M, also resulted in a decrease in cerebral vascular diameter, while nicotine, 10(-6)-10(-4)M, had no effect. In six animals, administration of cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.), blocked the response to 10(-4)M ACh but did not affect the response to 10(-7)M ACh. In five animals, administration of lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (2 mg/kg i.v.) augmented the vasoconstrictor response at both ACh concentrations. The data suggest that, in the newborn piglet, vasoactive prostanoids released following cholinergic activation of a muscarinic-type receptor mediate vasoconstriction in cerebral arterioles.

Cerebral metabolic response and mitochondrial activity following insulin-induced hypoglycemia in newborn lambs

We evaluated the newborn lamb's cerebral cellular activity and metabolism following acute insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Eleven animals received an insulin bolus followed by a continuous infusion to maintain a plasma glucose of 1 mM/l for 2 h, while 8 other animals received an equivalent dose of saline. Following the induction of hypoglycemia, the animals became quiet and transient seizures were observed in 3 animals. A significant increase in heart rate (p less than 0.01), and a decrease in arterial PaCO2 at 30 min (p less than 0.01), and pH at 2 h (p = 0.02), following hypoglycemia, were observed in the experimental group. Hypoglycemia did not significantly alter the cerebral blood flow, mitochondrial respiratory control ratio or the state-3 activity. The cerebral arteriovenous difference (CAVD) for oxygen did not change, while the glucose CAVD was significantly reduced from 0.47 +/- 0.21 to 0.24 +/- 0.16 mM/l (p less than 0.05) at the end of the hypoglycemia period, suggesting consumption of alternate substrates of energy by the brain. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia was associated with a significant increase in arterial lactate (p less than 0.01), and a significant correlation (p less than 0.01) between arterial and CAVD for lactate and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOB) was observed. Cerebral consumption of alternate substrates of energy was inconsistent, and only observed for lactate in 5 and for BOB in 3 experimental animals following hypoglycemia. These data indicate that the newborn lamb's cerebral cellular activity is not affected by the degree of hypoglycemia achieved in these studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Measurement of carotid body blood flow in cats by use of radioactive microspheres

To resolve the controversy regarding carotid body blood flow, we used the radioactive microsphere technique for determination of tissue blood flow. We also measured the blood flow to several other tissues in the cat. Blood flow experiments were performed on 13 cats that were anesthetized, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated with air. Different numbers of differently labeled 9-, 15-, and 25-micron microspheres were injected via a catheter into the left atrium. It was determined that one injection of 5 x 10(6) 15-micron microspheres was appropriate for the determination of carotid body blood flow. Flows to the carotid bodies and other organs by use of this protocol were as follows (ml.min-1.100 g-1, means +/- SE): carotid bodies, 1,417 +/- 143; adrenal glands, 406 +/- 89; left kidney, 355 +/- 69; right kidney, 375 +/- 74; heart, 201 +/- 39; liver 81 +/- 14; pancreas, 80 +/- 21; superior cervical ganglia, 62 +/- 9; carotid artery wall, 2.4 +/- 1.1. The blood flow to the carotid bodies was the highest for any organ. This measurement provides new evidence that tissue blood flow to the carotid body is very high. This high flow is consistent with the prompt physiological reflex functions of the carotid body.

5'-Nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase in developing fetal guinea pig brain and the effect of maternal hypoxia

The activity of key enzymes of adenosine metabolism was studied in the developing fetal guinea pig brain. The activities of 5'-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase were determined in the brains of fetal guinea pigs at 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 days of gestation. The level of 5'-nucleotidase activity was extremely low at 30 and 35 days of gestation but increased rapidly during the 40 to 60 day period. The enzyme activity increased in the presence of Mg2+ with the Mg2+ - dependent activation increasing with the age of gestation. This Mg2+ - dependent activity was primarily associated with the membrane fraction. Prenatal hypoxia significantly increased the fetal brain M2+ - independent 5'-nucleotidase activity at 45 days of gestational age and beyond. Prior to this age, no effect was evident. Furthermore, following hypoxia, the Mg2+ - dependent activation of 5'-nucleotidase activity was lost. The activity of adenosine deaminase was present at 30 days of gestation and, unlike 5'-nucleotidase, it remained at the same level until 60 days. The results indicate that the term fetal guinea pig brain has the enzymatic mechanisms of adenosine metabolism and thus the potential for adenosine-mediated regulation of cerebrovasculature during hypoxia.

Sympathetic regulation of cerebral blood flow during seizures in newborn lambs

We examined cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation by the sympathetic nerves in 12 newborn lambs (3-11 days old) during seizures, a potent reflex stimulator of the sympathetic nervous system. CBF was measured with microspheres, and seizures were induced with bicuculline. In six of these lambs, one hemibrain was denervated (D) chronically by interrupting the ipsilateral cervical sympathetic trunk; the other hemibrain remained innervated (I). Before and after 10, 35, and 70 min of seizures, cerebral gray matter blood flow (mean +/- SE ml.min-1.100 g-1) was, respectively, 12 +/- 3 (9%), 71 +/- 12 (21%), 120 +/- 15 (38%), and 54 +/- 5 (14%) greater (P less than 0.05) in the D than in the I hemibrain. In the cerebral white matter, hippocampus, caudate, and thalamus blood flows to the D and I hemibrains were similar before seizures but during seizures they were 10-39% greater (P less than 0.05) in the D than in the I hemibrain. Midbrain, brainstem, and cerebellum D and I blood flows were always similar. In the other six lambs, acute denervation during seizures increased ipsilateral cerebral gray and hippocampus blood flow by 10-31%, but unilateral electrical stimulation decreased ipsilateral cerebral gray, cerebral white, hippocampus, thalamus, and caudate blood flow by 17-27%. The data demonstrate that, during seizures, sympathetic nerve activity modifies regional CBF and the effect is sustained, suggesting a role for the sympathetic nervous system in newborn CBF regulation.

Blood-brain barrier to hydrogen ion during acute metabolic acidosis in piglets

The present study investigates the integrity of the blood-brain barrier to H+ or HCO3- during acute plasma acidosis in 35 newborn piglets anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium. Cerebrospinal fluid acid-base balance, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral oxygenation were measured after infusion of HCl (0.6 N, 0.191-0.388 ml/min) for a period of 1 h at a constant arterial PCO2 of 35-40 Torr. HCl infusion resulted in decreased arterial pH from 7.38 +/- 0.01 to 7.00 +/- 0.02 (P less than 0.01). CBF measured by the tracer microsphere technique was decreased by 12% from 69 +/- 6 to 61 +/- 4 ml.min-1.100 g-1 (P less than 0.05). Infusion of 0.6 N NaCl as a hypertonic control had no effect on CBF. Cerebral metabolic rate for O2 and O2 extraction was not significantly changed from control (3.83 +/- 0.20 ml.min-1.100 g-1 and 5.7 +/- 0.6 ml/100 ml, respectively) during acid infusion. Cerebral venous PO2 was increased from 41.6 +/- 2.1 to 53.8 +/- 4.0 Torr by HCl infusion (P less than 0.02) associated with a shift in O2-hemoglobin affinity of blood in vivo from 38 +/- 2 to 50 +/- 1 Torr. Cisternal cerebrospinal fluid pH decreased from 7.336 +/- 0.014 to 7.226 +/- 0.027 (P less than 0.005), but cerebrospinal fluid HCO3- concentration was not changed from control (25.4 +/- 1.0 meq/l). These data suggest that there is a functional blood-brain barrier in newborn piglets, that is relatively impermeable to HCO3- or H+ and maintains cerebral perivascular pH constant in the face of acute severe arterial acidosis. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mechanism of CO2 response in cerebral arteries of the newborn pig: role of phospholipase, cyclooxygenase, and lipoxygenase pathways

The role of phospholipase, lipoxygenase, and cyclooxygenase pathways in the mechanism of the cerebrovascular response to CO2 and H+ was investigated in newborn piglets. Responsiveness of pial arterioles, 48-206 micron diameter, to inhalation of 6% CO2 and to suffusion of acidic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, pH = 6.84), adenosine (10(-4) M), or theophylline (10(-2) M) was studied using a closed cranial window. Pial arteriolar diameter was measured using intravital microscopy. Phospholipase inhibitors quinacrine hydrochloride (10(-4) M in CSF) and p-bromophenacyl bromide (10(-4) M in CSF) abolished the CO2 vasodilation from delta diameter = 27 +/- 5% and 28 +/- 3% during baseline to 0 +/- 4% and -1 +/- 1% following the respective inhibitors. Following administration of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.), the CO2 response was converted from vasodilation, 31 +/- 6%, to constriction, -4 +/- 1% (p less than 0.001), while the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (2 mg/kg i.v. or 10(-4) M in CSF) augmented the pial arteriolar response to CO2 from 21 +/- 4% to 34 +/- 7% (p less than 0.005). Topical application of superoxide dismutase (40 units/ml CSF) plus catalase (40 units/ml CSF) also appeared to augment the CO2 response. Suffusion of the cortical surface with acidic CSF at constant PCO2 increased pial arteriolar diameter by 11 +/- 2% that was also abolished by indomethacin. Vasodilatory responses to topical adenosine and theophylline were not affected by indomethacin, suggesting specificity for H+ ion-related vasodilation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine dramatically increases prostanoid synthesis in piglet parietal cortex

We investigated effects of exogenous acetylcholine on prostanoid synthesis by parietal cortex in neonatal pigs. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with no drug, and CSF containing acetylcholine at 10(-6) to 10(-3) M was injected under a 'closed' cranial window, and after 5 min the CSF was collected and analyzed by radioimmunoassay for prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGF2 alpha, PGD2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (the hydrolysis product of prostacyclin), and thromboxane (TX) B2 (the hydrolysis product of TXA2). PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were the predominant prostanoids in CSF under control conditions. Levels of all CSF prostanoids increased after topical application of acetylcholine, with the largest increases being for PGE2 and PGF2 alpha. During control conditions, levels were 1294 +/- 170 (mean +/- S.E.M.) pg/ml for PGE2 (n = 16), 1032 +/- 143 pg/ml for PGF2 alpha (n = 3), 659 +/- 92 pg/ml for 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (n = 15), 141 +/- 44 pg/ml for TXB2 (n = 12), and were below detectable levels for PGD2. Following application of 10(-3) M acetylcholine, levels were 34,535 +/- 5438 pg/ml for PGE2, 15,539 +/- 2772 pg/ml for PGF2 alpha, 2967 +/- 547 pg/ml for 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, 580 +/- 105 pg/ml for TXB2, and 556 +/- 221 pg/ml for PGD2. These results suggest that prostanoids could play a role in mediating effects of acetylcholine in the brain, or in modulating acetylcholine release via a negative feedback mechanism.

Brain oxidative phosphorylation following alteration in head position in preterm and term neonates

An alteration in head position, which effects cerebral blood flow, may increase the risk for intraventricular hemorrhage in the critically ill infant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vivo cerebral oxidative metabolism as an index of tissue oxygen delivery reflecting brain blood flow, in healthy preterm and term infants following a change in head position. Cerebral phosphoenergetics using 31 phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were measured in 10 preterm and eight term infants following three different head positions: neutral, prone, and supine. All infants were clinically stable at the time of study. The phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate ratio, an indicator of bioenergetic reserve, was determined. The mean +/- SD for phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate ratio in the neutral position in preterm and term infants was 1.08 +/- 0.15 and 1.12 +/- 0.21, respectively, and did not change significantly following head turning. These data suggest that any alteration in cerebral blood flow as a result of a change in head position in the healthy neonate may be compensated by physiological and biochemical regulations so that no changes in brain oxidative phosphorylation are measurable.

Alpha-adrenergic receptor subtypes in the cerebral circulation of newborn piglets

The purpose of this study was to identify the alpha-adrenergic receptor subtype mediating cerebral vasoconstriction during sympathetic nerve stimulation in the newborn piglet. The effect of alpha 1- and alpha 2- antagonists prazosin and yohimbine on the cerebrovascular response to unilateral electrical stimulation (15 Hz, 15 V) of the superior cervical sympathetic trunk was studied in 25 newborn piglets. Regional cerebral blood flow was measured with tracer microspheres (15 +/- 1 micron). Sympathetic stimulation decreased blood flow to the ipsilateral cerebrum hippocampus, choroid plexus, and masseter muscle by 15 +/- 2, 10 +/- 2, 51 +/- 5, and 94 +/- 5%, respectively. alpha 1-Adrenergic receptor blockade with prazosin (0.5 mg/kg, n = 10) inhibited the sympathetic vasoconstriction in the cerebrum, hippocampus, and masseter muscle (7 +/- 2, 4 +/- 3, and 55 +/- 9%, respectively) and abolished it in the choroid plexus. alpha 2-Adrenergic receptor blockade with yohimbine (0.5 mg/kg, n = 6 and 1.0 mg/kg, n = 5) had no effect. Following the higher dose of yohimbine, however, blood flow to all brain regions was increased by approximately two-fold, possibly due to enhanced cerebral metabolism. These data demonstrate that vascular alpha 1-adrenergic receptors mediate vasoconstriction to neuroadrenergic stimulation in cerebral resistance vessels in the newborn piglet.

31P-NMR studies of cerebral metabolic changes during graded hypoxia in newborn lambs

We measured cerebral phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), ATP, and intracellular pH (pHi) with in vivo phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) during 10- to 15-min periods of reversible hypoxic hypoxia in 20 newborn lambs (1-11 days). There was a significant correlation between arterial O2 partial pressure (PaO2) and the PCr/Pi ratio or pHi; however, between PaO2 130-33 mmHg, metabolite changes were not significant. PCr/Pi and pHi decreased significantly when PaO2 was lowered below 33 and 28 mmHg, respectively. After recovery, metabolite ratios and pHi returned to base-line values within 5 min. During the early phases of hypoxia and recovery, there were large fluctuations in metabolites and pHi, indicating that mitochondrial reactions were not in a steady state. After several minutes of hypoxia or recovery, PCr/Pi and pHi stabilized, suggesting steady state kinetics for mitochondrial respiration. NMR is extremely sensitive to changes in mitochondrial oxygenation, and stable PCr/Pi and pHi indicate that O2 tension in cerebral mitochondria of the newborn lamb is constant between PaO2 of 30 and 140 mmHg.

Effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation on cerebral blood flow in newborn piglets

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation on regional cerebral blood flow during the first 3 wk of postnatal development in piglets. Forty-one piglets ranging in age from 2 to 24 days were studied while anesthetized with 30% N2O, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated (PaCO2 = 35-40 mm Hg). Regional cerebral blood flow was measured with tracer microspheres (15 +/- micron) during electrical stimulation (15 Hz, 15 V, 3 ms) of the right cervical sympathetic trunk. Sympathetic stimulation decreased blood flow to the ipsilateral cerebrum (gray and white matter) (-15 +/- 2%), hippocampus (-9 +/- 2%), choroid plexus (-50 +/- 5%), and masseter muscle (-93 +/- 2%) compared to the contralateral side where blood flow to these regions was 74 +/- 4, 45 +/- 2, 258 +/- 26, and 24 +/- 4 ml/min/100 g, respectively (mean +/- SEM; p less than or equal to 0.05). The magnitude of the reduction in cerebral blood flow was not dependent on postnatal age as no significant differences were noted when the piglets were grouped according to age. Hypercapnia (PaCO2 = 64 +/- 5 mm Hg) increased blood flow 2- to 4-fold above control in all brain regions except the choroid plexus. The effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation was augmented during hypercapnia where blood flow to the ipsilateral cerebrum, hippocampus, and caudate nucleus was decreased by -34 +/- 4, -23 +/- 5, and -16 +/- 3%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Responses of newborn pig pial arteries to sympathetic nervous stimulation and exogenous norepinephrine

The purpose of this study was to examine responses of pial arteries of newborn pigs to stimulation of sympathetic nerves and to exogenous norepinephrine. In the cerebral circulation, pial arteries are important resistance vessels. Diameters of pial arteries in anesthetized piglets, aged 1-6 days, were determined using the "closed" cranial window method. Electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral superior cervical ganglion (16 Hz; 2.5 msec; 10 V) reduced pial arterial diameter from 219 +/- 13 microns (mean +/- SEM) to 190 +/- 12 micron (n = 16) (p less than 0.05) without affecting arterial blood pressure. Pial arterial constriction during nerve stimulation was sustained over the 5-min stimulation period. Following cessation of stimulation, diameters returned to control levels. Exogenous norepinephrine in artificial cerebrospinal fluid constricted pial arteries from 149 +/- 19 to 133 +/- 18 microns at 2 X 10(-6) M (p less than 0.05) and from 159 +/- 20 to 123 +/- 16 microns at 2 X 10(-4) M (p less than 0.05) (18 arteries from nine piglets). Pial arterial responses to nerve stimulation and exogenous norepinephrine were not dependent on initial size of the vessels. The results of this study establish the existence of functional sympathetic innervation in the cerebral circulation at birth in pigs.

Sequential changes in red cell glycolytic enzymes and intermediates and possible control mechanisms in the first two months of postnatal life in lambs

The sequential changes in several glycolytic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycolytic intermediates, and adenosine triphosphate, as well as intracellular pH and plasma inorganic phosphorus were followed simultaneously in eight lambs from birth to 2 months of age. The activities of all glycolytic enzymes and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were elevated at birth. The 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration increased markedly postnatally and was associated with a simultaneous increase in the concentrations of red cell glucose-6-phosphate and total triose phosphate and a decrease in intracellular pH. Inorganic phosphorus also increased and correlated with the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration in the first 10 days of postnatal life. The content of red cell 3-phosphoglycerate, 2-phosphoglycerate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and ATP increased slightly. These results suggested increased glycolytic flux through the diphosphoglycerate mutase reaction which resulted in net synthesis of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. The red cell total triose phosphate peaked and fell initially, followed by glucose-6-phosphate and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate suggesting inhibition of phosphofructokinase activity and a decrease in glycolysis secondary to decreased red cell intracellular pH. After 10 days of postnatal life all glycolytic intermediates fell simultaneously, which correlated with a decrease in activity of the glycolytic enzymes.

Cerebral blood flow and metabolism following pancuronium bromide in newborn lambs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cerebral blood flow and metabolism following pancuronium bromide paralysis in healthy newborn lambs. Cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate for O2 and glucose were measured along with blood pressure and blood gases before and again at 15 and 60 min following pancuronium paralysis in seven newborn lambs. Pancuronium bromide paralysis had no effect on any of these parameters either at 15 or 60 min of paralysis. Total cerebral blood flow, cerebral metabolic rate for O2, and cerebral metabolic rate for glucose were 87 +/- 6 ml/min/100 g, 258 +/- 10 mumol O2/min/100 g, and 53 +/- 10 mmol glucose/min/100 g, respectively. Neither was any change in regional cerebral blood flow noted. In spite of being connected immediately to the ventilator, however, some animals experienced a transient increase (average = 32%) in blood pressure, that was not associated with an increase in end tidal CO2. The data suggest that pancuronium paralysis in healthy awake newborn lambs does not lead to any alteration in cerebral blood flow or metabolism.

Effect of upper airway carbon dioxide on ventilation and blood gases in the awake pony

Carbon dioxide concentrations were increased during expiration in the upper one-half of the trachea, pharynx, and nasal sinuses to determine if elevation of upper airway CO2 would alter breathing or arterial blood gases in the awake pony. Carbon dioxide (100%) was injected into the midcervical trachea via a chronically implanted transcutaneous cannula during the first part of the animal's expiration. This maneuver elevated upper airway expiratory CO2 concentrations but prevented any exogenous CO2 from entering the lung and being absorbed into the arterial blood. Twelve experiments were performed on six ponies in which upper airway CO2 was elevated 2, 4, and 6% above the normal expired CO2 concentrations. Tidal volume increased in a dose dependent manner during upper airway CO2 exposure, but total ventilation was unchanged from base-line measurements made while the animal breathed room air. Arterial Po2 also increased during upper airway CO2 administration, reaching a mean value 6 Torr (1 Torr = 133.322 Pa) greater than the base-line values at the +6% CO2 exposure. We conclude that upper airway CO2 exposure alters breathing pattern slightly (increases tidal volume) and increases arterial PO2 in the awake pony.

Cerebrovascular response to acute decreases in arterial PO2

The purpose of these studies was to examine the time course of the cerebrovascular response to acute hypoxia in unanesthetized ponies. An electromagnetic flow transducer chronically placed on the internal carotid artery of the pony allowed continuous recording of internal carotid artery blood flow (ICBF) which has been shown to be representative of cerebral blood flow (CBF). The ponies were subjected to three levels of acute isocapnic hypoxia (PaO2 = 62, 44, and 39 mm Hg for hypoxia level I, II, and III, respectively), and the temporal and steady-state cerebrovascular response was examined. ICBF increased significantly at all three hypoxia levels (8, 25, and 40% at hypoxia I, II, and III, respectively). This increase was rapid in the two most severe levels of hypoxia, beginning within 45 s, and was complete within 90 s. The increase lagged behind the reduction in PaO2 by 24-28 s. During the very mild level of hypoxia (I), no such rapid increase in flow was observed; rather, the increase occurred only after 5 min of hypoxia. Microsphere (15 microns diameter) measurements from six ponies during the most severe level of hypoxia (III) demonstrated that CBF increased 38%. Noncerebral tissues known to be vascularly connected to the circle of Willis, and thus capable of receiving blood flow via the internal carotid artery, either did not change or increased so slightly during hypoxia that their effect on ICBF was minimal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regional cerebral blood flow during hypercapnia in the anesthetized rabbit

These experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that increases in blood flow to the lower brainstem would be greater than forebrain regions during arterial hypercapnia. Total and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured via the tracer microsphere technique in seven anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits during normocapnia (arterial PCO2 congruent to 40 torr) and hypercapnia (arterial PCO2 congruent to 80 torr). During normocapnia average CBF was 0.77 ml/min/g, and regional measurements of blood flow indicated significantly greater flow to the cerebrum (0.86 ml/min/g) than either the medulla (0.52 ml/min/g) or the pons (0.49 ml/min/g). When arterial PCO2 was increased average CBF increased 113%, and a significant linear regression was calculated for arterial PCO2 vs CBF [CBF (ml/min/g) = 0.028 PCO2 (torr) - 0.502]. The distribution of blood flow within the brain was similar to normocapnia except that blood flow to the cerebellum was now greater than any other brain region (1.97 ml/min/g for the cerebellum compared to 1.66 ml/min/g for the cerebrum). Absolute increases in blood flow to the lower brainstem were equal to or less than other areas of the brain. We conclude that ponto-medullary blood flow does not increase disproportionate to other areas of the brain during hypercapnia, but some redistribution of CBF does occur in that cerebellar blood flow increased significantly more than the cerebrum, medulla, or pons.

Distribution of internal carotid artery blood flow in the pony

This study determined whether blood flow through the internal carotid artery (ICA) could be used to sample total cerebral blood flow in the pony. To answer this question we considered both the anatomic arrangement of the ICA in cadavers and the relative distribution of ICA blood flow to cerebral and extracerebral tissue using radioactive microspheres. Acrylic corrosion casts of the ICA indicated that this vessel traveled directly to the base of the brain, contributing to the formation of the circle of Willis, and did not send any significant branches to other tissues. Two vessels (internal ethmoidal artery and internal ophthalamic artery) did arise anteriorly from the circle of Willis and were, therefore, indirectly supplied by the ICA. Injection of radioactive microspheres of 15 microns diameter indicated that blood flow to extracerebral structures supplied by the internal ethmoidal and internal ophthalamic arteries was less than 5% of total ICA blood flow. Increases in ICA blood flow as measured with an electromagnetic flowmeter during isocapnic hypoxia (arterial PO2 near 40 Torr) in the awake pony (n = 6) were compared with increases in total brain flow as measured with radioactive microspheres (n = 6). ICA blood flow increased 40% compared with a 38% increase in total brain blood flow as measured with microspheres. We conclude that the ICA supplies predominantly brain tissue (approximately 95%) and that changes in ICA blood flow are representative of changes in total brain blood flow in the awake pony.

Cerebral blood flow during normocapnic hyperoxia in the unanesthetized pony

The effect of hyperoxia on cerebral blood flow (CBF) was examined in 12 unanesthetized ponies. CBF was determined using radioactive microspheres, 15 micrometer in diam, durijng inspriation of the following gases: 1) room air (control); 2) 40% I2 in N2; and 3) approximately 100% O2 with 2.2-4.5% CO2 added to maintain isocapnia. CBF did not change from control values during either level of hyperoxia. However, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) increased during 40% O2 (delta 1.0 Torr) and approximately 100% O2 (delta 2.9 Torr). This rise in CSF PCO2, not due to a change in CBF, may have resulted from a decrease in the CO2 carrying capacity of cerebral venous blood during hyperoxia (Haldane effect). Although respiration did not change during 40% O2, expired minute volume increased 25% during approximately 100% O2 due to an increase in tidal volume. This rise in respiration was not associated with changes in any of the conventional stimuli to breathing (arterial pH, O2 tension, or PCO2 or CSF pH). One possible explanation was that cerebral extracellular fluid pH, in the vicinity of the central chemoreceptors, or cerebral intracellular fluid pH changed in a direction unlike CSF pH. An alternate explanation was that the CO2 in the inspired gas activated CO2-sensitive receptors in the lungs.