An experimental model of western diet in female Wistar rats leads to cardiac hypoxia related to a stimulated contractility

Previous studies in Western diet (WD)-fed male rats have highlighted a link between the stimulation of cardiac contractility, mitochondrial adaptations and a pro-inflammatory fatty acid profile of phospholipids in the heart. Our objectives were to determine (1) if WD-fed female Wistar rats and obese humans display a similar pro-inflammatory profile in their cardiac phospholipids and (2) if this lipid profile is associated with deleterious effects on the heart of the female rodents. Female Wistar rats were fed WD for 5 weeks or a laboratory chow as a control. Ionic homeostasis, redox status, inflammation markers, and fatty acid composition of phospholipids were analysed in the heart. WD increased the abdominal fat mass without modifying the body weight of female rats. As previously found in males, a WD induced a shift in membrane fatty acid composition toward a pro-inflammatory profile in the female rats, but not in obese humans. It was associated with an increased COX2 expression suggesting an increased pro-inflammatory eicosanoid production. Signs of increased intracellular calcium strongly supported a stimulation of cardiac contractility without any induction of apoptosis. The heart of WD-fed rats exhibited a hypoxic state as a higher HIF1-α expression was reported. The expressions of antioxidant enzymes were increased, but the redox reserves against reactive oxygen species were lowered. In conclusion, as previously observed in males, we suppose that cardiac abnormalities are magnified with severe obesity in female rats, leading to hypoxia and intense oxidative stress which could ultimately induce cell death and heart failure.

A chronic low-dose magnesium L-lactate administration has a beneficial effect on the myocardium and the skeletal muscles

The purpose of this study was to determine whether magnesium L-lactate is responsible for having a beneficial effect on the myocardium and the skeletal muscles and how this substrate acts at the molecular level. Twenty seven young male Wistar rats were supplied with a magnesium L-lactate (L) solution, a magnesium chloride (M) solution and/or water (W) as a vehicle for 10 weeks. The treated animals absorbed the L and M solutions as they wished since they also had free access to water. After 9 weeks of treatment, in vivo cardiac function was determined ultrasonically. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the tenth week of treatment and the heart was perfused according to the Langendorff method by using a technique allowing the determination of cardiomyocyte activity (same coronary flow in the two groups). Blood was collected and skeletal muscles of the hind legs were weighed. The myocardial expressions of the sodium/proton exchange 1 (NHE1) and sodium/calcium exchange 1 (NCX1), intracellular calcium accumulation, myocardial magnesium content, as well as systemic and tissue oxidative stress, were determined. Animals of the L group absorbed systematically a low dose of L-lactate (31.5 ± 4.3 µg/100 g of body weight/day) which was approximately four times higher than that ingested in the W group through the diet supplied. Ex vivo cardiomyocyte contractility and the mass of some skeletal muscles (tibialis anterior) were increased by the L treatment. Myocardial calcium was decreased, as was evidenced by an increase in total CaMKII expression, without any change in the ratio between phosphorylated CaMKII and total CaMKII. Cardiac magnesium tended to be elevated. Our results suggest that the increased intracellular magnesium concentration was related to L-lactate-induced cytosolic acidosis and to the activation of the NHE1/NCX1 axis. Interestingly, systemic oxidative stress was reduced by the L treatment whereas the lipid profile of the animals was unaltered. Taken together, these results suggest that a chronic low-dose L-lactate intake has a beneficial health effect on some skeletal muscles and the myocardium through the activation of the NHE1/NCX1 axis, a decrease in cellular calcium and an increase in cellular magnesium. The treatment can be beneficial for the health of young rodents in relation to chronic oxidative stress-related diseases.

A procedure to extract functional isolated mitochondria from small-sized human atrial samples. Application to obesity with a partial characterisation of the organelles

Evaluating the activity of cardiac mitochondria is probably the best way to estimate early cellular damage in chronic pathology. Early diagnosis allows rapid therapeutic intervention thus increasing patient survival rate in a number of diseases. However, data on human cardiac mitochondria are scarce in the international literature. Here, we describe a method to extract and study functional mitochondria from the small-sized right atrial aliquots (minimum of 400 mg) obtained during extracorporeal circulation and usually considered as surgical waste products. The mitochondria were purified through several mechanical processes (fine myocardial cutting, tissue grinding and potter Elvehjem homogenising), an enzymatic proteolytic action (subtilisin) and differential centrifugations. In chronic pathologies, including obesity, early disturbances of mitochondrial function can occur. The effects of obesity on the rate of mitochondrial oxygen consumption and H₂O₂ release were thus determined with three different substrates (glutamate/malate, succinate/rotenone and palmitoylcarnitine/malate). The human atrial mitochondria were of high quality from a functional viewpoint, compared to rat ventricle organelles, but the extraction yield of the human mitochondria was twice lower than that of rat mitochondria. Tests showed that glutamate/malate-related ADP-stimulated respiration was strongly increased in obese subjects, although the oxidation of the other two substrates was unaffected. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by the isolated mitochondria was low in comparison with that of the lean subjects. These results confirm those found in one of our previous studies in the ventricles of rats fed a high-fat diet. In conclusion, the described method is simple, reliable and sensitive. It allows for the description of the impact of obesity on the function of atrial mitochondria while using only a small patient sampling (n = 5 in both the lean and the obese groups).

EPA is Cardioprotective in Male Rats Subjected to Sepsis, but ALA Is Not Beneficial

It has been proven that dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n-3 or EPA) protects the heart against the deleterious effects of sepsis in female rats. We do not know if this is the case for male rodents. In this case, the efficiency of other n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) remains to be determined in both female and male rats. This study aimed at (i) determining whether dietary EPA is cardioprotective in septic male rats; (ii) evaluating the influence of dietary α-linolenic (C18:3 n-3 or ALA) on cardiac function during this pathology; and (iii) finding out the physiological and molecular mechanisms responsible for the observed effects. Sixty male rats were divided into three dietary groups. The animals were fed a diet deficient in n-3 PUFAs (DEF group), a diet enriched with ALA (ALA group) or a diet fortified with EPA (EPA group) for 6 weeks. Thereafter, each group was subdivided into 2 subgroups, one being subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and the other undergoing a fictive surgery. Cardiac function was determined in vivo and ex vivo. Several parameters related to the inflammation process and oxidative stress were determined. Finally, the fatty acid compositions of circulating lipids and cardiac phospholipids were evaluated. The results of the ex vivo situation indicated that sepsis triggered cardiac damage in the DEF group. Conversely, the ex vivo data indicated that dietary ALA and EPA were cardioprotective by resolving the inflammation process and decreasing the oxidative stress. However, the measurements of the cardiac function in the in vivo situation modulated these conclusions. Indeed, in the in vivo situation, sepsis deteriorated cardiac mechanical activity in the ALA group. This was suspected to be due to a restricted coronary flow which was related to a lack of cyclooxygenase substrates in membrane phospholipids. Finally, only EPA proved to be beneficial in sepsis. Its action necessitates both resolution of inflammation and increased coronary perfusion. In that sense, dietary ALA, which does not allow the accumulation of vasodilator precursors in membrane lipids, cannot be protective during the pathology.

Dietary EPA Increases Rat Mortality in Diabetes Mellitus, A Phenomenon Which Is Compensated by Green Tea Extract

Diabetes is characterized by a high mortality rate which is often associated with heart failure. Green tea and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are known to lessen some of the harmful impacts of diabetes and to exert cardio-protection. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of EPA, green tea extract (GTE), and a combination of both on the cardiac consequences of diabetes mellitus, induced in Wistar rats by injection of a low dose of streptozotocin (33 mg/kg) combined with a high fat diet. Cardiac mechanical function, coronary reactivity, and parameters of oxidative stress, inflammation, and energy metabolism were evaluated. In the context of diabetes, GTE alone limited several diabetes-related symptoms such as inflammation. It also slightly improved coronary reactivity and considerably enhanced lipid metabolism. EPA alone caused the rapid death of the animals, but this effect was negated by the addition of GTE in the diet. EPA and GTE combined enhanced coronary reactivity considerably more than GTE alone. In a context of significant oxidative stress such as during diabetes mellitus, EPA enrichment constitutes a risk factor for animal survival. It is essential to associate it with the antioxidants contained in GTE in order to decrease mortality rate and preserve cardiac function.

Early sepsis does not stimulate reactive oxygen species production and does not reduce cardiac function despite an increased inflammation status

If it is sustained for several days, sepsis can trigger severe abnormalities of cardiac function which leads to death in 50% of cases. This probably occurs through activation of toll-like receptor-9 by bacterial lipopolysaccharides and overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β In contrast, early sepsis is characterized by the development of tachycardia. This study aimed at determining the early changes in the cardiac function during sepsis and at finding the mechanism responsible for the observed changes. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups, the first one being made septic by cecal ligation and puncture (sepsis group) and the second one being subjected to the same surgery without cecal ligation and puncture (sham-operated group). The cardiac function was assessed in vivo and ex vivo in standard conditions. Several parameters involved in the oxidative stress and inflammation were determined in the plasma and heart. As evidenced by the plasma level of TNF-α and gene expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the heart, inflammation was developed in the sepsis group. The cardiac function was also slightly stimulated by sepsis in the in vivo and ex vivo situations. This was associated with unchanged levels of oxidative stress, but several parameters indicated a lower cardiac production of reactive oxygen species in the septic group. In conclusion, despite the development of inflammation, early sepsis did not increase reactive oxygen species production and did not reduce myocardial function. The depressant effect of TNF-α and IL-1β on the cardiac function is known to occur at very high concentrations. The influence of low- to moderate-grade inflammation on the myocardial mechanical behavior must thus be revisited.

Rapeseed oil fortified with micronutrients can reduce glucose intolerance during a high fat challenge in rats

Background

Better choices of dietary lipid sources and substitution of refined by fortified oils could reduce the intake of saturated fatty acids (FA) and increase the intake of omega 3 FA concomitantly to healthy bioactive compounds.

Methods

The development of obesity and metabolic disturbances was explored in rats fed during 11 weeks with a high fat diet (HFD) in which the amount of saturated and polyunsaturated FA was respectively reduced and increased, using rapeseed oil as lipid source. This oil was used in a refined form (R) or fortified (10 fold increase in concentration) with endogenous micronutrients (coenzyme Q10 + tocopherol only (RF) only and also with canolol (RFC)). The effect of substituting palm by rapeseed oil was analysed using a student t test, oil fortification was analysed using ANOVA statistical test.

Results

Despite a similar weight gain, diets R, RF and RFC improved glucose tolerance (+ 10%) of the rats compared to a standard HFD with palm and sunflower oils as lipid source. Plasma glucose was lowered in RF and RFC groups (- 15 and 23% respectively), although triacylglycerol level was only reduced in group RFC (- 33%) compared to R. The fortification with canolol promoted the activation of Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in skeletal muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue respectively. Canolol supplementation also led to reduce p38 MAPK activation in skeletal muscle.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the presence of endogenous micronutrients in rapeseed oil promotes cellular adaptations to reverse glucose intolerance and improve the metabolism of insulin sensitive tissues.

Dietary canolol protects the heart against the deleterious effects induced by the association of rapeseed oil, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 in the context of a high-fat diet

Background

Obesity progressively leads to cardiac failure. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been shown to have cardio-protective effects in numerous pathological situations. It is not known whether rapeseed oil, which contains α-linolenic acid (ALA), has a similar protective effect. Omega-3 PUFAs are sensitive to attack by reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxidation products could damage cardiac cells. We thus tested whether dietary refined rapeseed oil (RSO) associated with or without different antioxidants (vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and canolol) is cardio-protective in a situation of abdominal obesity.

Methods

Sixty male Wistar rats were subdivided into 5 groups. Each group was fed a specific diet for 11 weeks: a low-fat diet (3% of lipids, C diet) with compositionally-balanced PUFAs; a high-fat diet rich in palm oil (30% of lipids, PS diet); the PS diet in which 40% of lipids were replaced by RSO (R diet); the R diet supplemented with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and vitamin E (RTC diet); and the RTC diet supplemented with canolol (RTCC diet). At the end of the diet period, the rats were sacrificed and the heart was collected and immediately frozen. Fatty acid composition of cardiac phospholipids was then determined. Several features of cardiac function (fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis) were also estimated.

Results

Abdominal obesity reduced cardiac oxidative stress and apoptosis rate by increasing the proportion of arachidonic acid (AA) in membrane phospholipids. Dietary RSO had the same effect, though it normalized the proportion of AA. Adding vitamin E and CoQ10 in the RSO-rich high fat diet had a deleterious effect, increasing fibrosis by increasing angiotensin-2 receptor-1b (Ag2R-1b) mRNA expression. Overexpression of these receptors triggers coronary vasoconstriction, which probably induced ischemia. Canolol supplementation counteracted this deleterious effect by reducing coronary vasoconstriction.

Conclusion

Canolol was found to counteract the fibrotic effects of vitamin E + CoQ10 on cardiac fibrosis in the context of a high-fat diet enriched with RSO. This effect occurred through a restoration of cardiac Ag2R-1b mRNA expression and decreased ischemia.

Effect of reproductive ageing on pregnant mouse uterus and cervix

KEY POINTS

Older pregnant women have a greater risk of operative delivery, still birth and post-term induction. This suggests that maternal age can influence the timing of birth and processes of parturition. We have found that increasing maternal age in C57BL/6J mice is associated with prolongation of gestation and length of labour. Older pregnant mice also had delayed progesterone withdrawal and impaired myometrial function. Uterine ageing and labour dysfunction should be investigated further in older primigravid women.

ABSTRACT

Advanced maternal age (≥35 years) is associated with increased rates of operative delivery, stillbirth and post-term labour induction. The physiological causes remain uncertain, although impaired myometrial function has been implicated. To investigate the hypothesis that maternal age directly influences successful parturition, we assessed the timing of birth and fetal outcome in pregnant C57BL/6J mice at 3 months (young) and 5 months (intermediate) vs. 8 months (older) of age using infrared video recording. Serum progesterone profiles, myometrium and cervix function, and mitochondrial electron transport chain complex enzymatic activities were also examined. Older pregnant mice had a longer mean gestation and labour duration (P < 0.001), as well as reduced litter size (P < 0.01) vs. 3-month-old mice. Older mice did not exhibit the same decline in serum progesterone concentrations as younger mice. Cervical tissues from older mice were more distensible than younger mice (P < 0.05). Oxytocin receptor and connexin-43 mRNA expression were reduced in the myometrium from 8-month-old vs. 3-month-old mice (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively) in tandem with more frequent but shorter duration spontaneous myometrial contractions (P < 0.05) and an attenuated contractile response to oxytocin. Myometrial mitochondrial copy number was reduced in older mice, although there were no age-induced changes to the enzymatic activities of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes. In conclusion, 8-month-old mice provide a useful model of reproductive ageing. The present study has identified potential causes of labour dysfunction amenable to investigation in older primigravid women.

Liver mitochondrial function in ZDF rats during the early stages of diabetes disease

The aim of this study was to characterize the early alterations of the liver mitochondrial function in ZDF (fa/fa) rats that develop diabetes compared to that of their lean counterparts ZDF (fa/+). Liver mitochondrial function was examined in 11‐ and 14‐week‐old ZDF (fa/fa) and ZDF lean (fa/+) rats. Oxygen consumption, H₂O₂ release, calcium retention capacity (CRC), membrane potential, membrane fluidity, and fatty acid composition were analyzed. State 3 oxygen consumption with palmitoyl‐carnitine increases between 11 and 14 weeks of age in lean but not in diabetic animals. This response was not seen with other substrates, suggesting that the use of fatty acids is impaired in diabetic rats. H₂O₂ release was lower in 14‐week‐old ZDF (fa/fa) rats as compared to ZDF lean (fa/+). These changes were not associated with differences in enzymatic activities of the respiratory complexes, suggesting regulatory mechanisms independent of their expression levels. Membrane fluidity and composition analyses show only slight effects linked to diabetes progression. The most salient feature was a reduction in CRC in the presence of CsA, an effect reflecting PTP dysregulation. Our data suggest few changes of mitochondrial function in ZDF fa/fa rats. At the age of 11 weeks, liver mitochondria have mainly a reduced effect of CsA on CRC.

Long-term abdominal adiposity activates several parameters of cardiac energy function

Abdominal obesity increases the incidence of cardiac events but reduces mortality when one of these events occurs. The phenomenon called obesity paradox might be related to myocardial energetics. This study was aimed at determining whether long-term abdominal adiposity alters cardiac energy function. Two groups of male Wistar rats were fed a standard or a Western-type (WD) diet for 8 months. The ex vivo coronary reactivity and mechanical function as well as the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (mOxPhos) and hydrogen peroxide release (mH2O2r) were determined. Abdominal adiposity was augmented by the WD. This was also the case for the coronary reactivity to acetylcholine, but the rate pressure product remained roughly stable despite a reduction of the left ventricle-developed pressure partly compensated by a slight increase in heart rate. The prolonged WD administration resulted in an improvement of mOxPhos, but the mH2O2r was exaggerated which was confirmed in the whole cell by a reduced aconitase to fumarase ratio. This did not modify the plasma oxidative stress due to an increased plasma antioxidant status. In conclusion, long-term WD administration improved the cardiac fitness and might predispose the organism to the obesity paradox. Conversely, the increased mitochondrial mH2O2r can precipitate the heart toward cardiomyopathy if the WD is maintained for a longer duration.

Functional changes of the coronary microvasculature with aging regarding glucose tolerance, energy metabolism, and oxidative stress

This study was aimed at characterizing the functional progression of the endothelial (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the coronary microvasculature between youth and old age, as well as at determining the mechanisms of the observed changes on the basis of the glucose tolerance, mitochondrial energy metabolism, and oxidative stress. Male rats were divided into four age groups (3, 6, 11, and 17 months for the young (Y), young adult (YA), middle-aged (MA), and old (O) animals). The cardiac mechanical function, endothelial-dependent dilatation (EDD) and endothelial-independent dilatation (EID) of the coronary microvasculature were determined in a Langendorff preparation. The mitochondrial respiration and H2O2 production were evaluated and completed by ex vivo measurements of oxidative stress. EDD progressively decreased from youth to old age. The relaxation properties of the SMCs, although high in the Y rats, decreased drastically between youth and young adulthood and stabilized thereafter, paralleling the reduction of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. The ECs dilatation activity, low at youth, was stimulated in YA animals and returned to their initial level at middle age. That parameter followed faithfully the progression of the amount of active cardiac endothelial nitric oxide synthase and whole body glucose intolerance. In conclusion, the progressive decrease in EDD occurring with aging is due to different functional behaviors of the ECs and SMCs, which appear to be associated with the systemic glucose intolerance and cardiac energy metabolism.

Body adiposity dictates different mechanisms of increased coronary reactivity related to improved in vivo cardiac function

BACKGROUND

Saturated fatty acid-rich high fat (HF) diets trigger abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiac dysfunction. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of nascent obesity on the cardiac function of animals fed a high-fat diet and at analyzing the mechanisms by which these alterations occurred at the level of coronary reserve.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were fed a control (C) or a HF diet containing high proportions of saturated fatty acids for 3 months. Thereafter, their cardiac function was evaluated in vivo using a pressure probe inserted into the cavity of the left ventricle. Their heart was isolated, perfused iso-volumetrically according to the Langendorff mode and the coronary reserve was evaluated by determining the endothelial-dependent (EDV) and endothelial-independent (EIV) vasodilatations in the absence and presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors (L-NAME and indomethacin). The fatty acid composition of cardiac phospholipids was then evaluated.

RESULTS

Although all the HF-fed rats increased their abdominal adiposity, some of them did not gain body weight (HF- group) compared to the C group whereas other ones had a higher body weight (HF+). All HF rats displayed a higher in vivo cardiac activity associated with an increased EDV. In the HF- group, the improved EDV was due to an increase in the endothelial cell vasodilatation activity whereas in the HF+ group, the enhanced EDV resulted from an improved sensitivity of coronary smooth muscle cells to nitric oxide. Furthermore, in the HF- group the main pathway implicated in the EDV was the NOS pathway while in the HF+ group the COX pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Nascent obesity-induced improvement of cardiac function may be supported by an enhanced coronary reserve occurring via different mechanisms. These mechanisms implicate either the endothelial cells activity or the smooth muscle cells sensitivity depending on the body adiposity of the animals.

Preserved endothelium-dependent dilatation of the coronary microvasculature at the early phase of diabetes mellitus despite the increased oxidative stress and depressed cardiac mechanical function ex vivo

Background

There has been accumulating evidence associating diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular dysfunctions. However, most of the studies are focused on the late stages of diabetes and on the function of large arteries. This study aimed at characterizing the effects of the early phase of diabetes mellitus on the cardiac and vascular function with focus on the intact coronary microvasculature and the oxidative stress involved.

Materials and methods

Zucker diabetic fatty rats and their lean littermates fed with standard diet A04 (Safe) were studied at the 11th week of age. Biochemical parameters such as glucose, insulin and triglycerides levels as well as their oxidative stress status were measured. Their hearts were perfused ex vivo according to Langendorff and their cardiac activity and coronary microvascular reactivity were evaluated.

Results

Zucker fatty rats already exhibited a diabetic state at this age as demonstrated by the elevated levels of plasma glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin and triglycerides. The ex vivo perfusion of their hearts revealed a decreased cardiac mechanical function and coronary flow. This was accompanied by an increase in the overall oxidative stress of the organs. However, estimation of the active form of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and coronary reactivity indicated a preserved function of the coronary microvessels at this phase of the disease. Diabetes affected also the cardiac membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition by increasing the arachidonic acid and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids levels.

Conclusions

The presence of diabetes, even at its beginning, significantly increased the overall oxidative stress of the organs resulting to decreased cardiac mechanical activity ex vivo. However, adaptations were adopted at this early phase of the disease regarding the preserved coronary microvascular reactivity and the associated cardiac phospholipid composition in order to provide a certain protection to the heart.

An increase in the redox state during reperfusion contributes to the cardioprotective effect of GIK solution

This study aimed at determining whether glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) solutions modify the NADH/NAD(+) ratio during postischemic reperfusion and whether their cardioprotective effect can be attributed to this change in part through reduction of the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The hearts of 72 rats were perfused with a buffer containing glucose (5.5 mM) and hexanoate (0.5 mM). They were maintained in normoxia for 30 min and then subjected to low-flow ischemia (0.5% of the preischemic coronary flow for 20 min) followed by reperfusion (45 min). From the beginning of ischemia, the perfusate was subjected to various changes: enrichment with GIK solution, enrichment with lactate (2 mM), enrichment with pyruvate (2 mM), enrichment with pyruvate (2 mM) plus ethanol (2 mM), or no change for the control group. Left ventricular developed pressure, heart rate, coronary flow, and oxygen consumption were monitored throughout. The lactate/pyruvate ratio of the coronary effluent, known to reflect the cytosolic NADH/NAD(+) ratio and the fructose-6-phosphate/dihydroxyacetone-phosphate (F6P/DHAP) ratio of the reperfused myocardium, were evaluated. Mitochondrial ROS production was also estimated. The GIK solution improved the recovery of mechanical function during reperfusion. This was associated with an enhanced cytosolic NADH/NAD(+) ratio and reduced mitochondrial ROS production. The cardioprotection was also observed when the hearts were perfused with fluids known to increase the cytosolic NADH/NAD(+) ratio (lactate, pyruvate plus ethanol) compared with the other fluids (control and pyruvate groups). The hearts with a high mechanical recovery also displayed a low F6P/DHAP ratio, suggesting that an accelerated glycolysis rate may be responsible for increased cytosolic NADH production. In conclusion, the cardioprotection induced by GIK solutions could occur through an increase in the cytosolic NADH/NAD(+) ratio, leading to a decrease in mitochondrial ROS production.

Mitochondrial basis of the anti-arrhythmic action of lidocaine and modulation by the n-6 to n-3 PUFA ratio of cardiac phospholipids

The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of mitochondria in the mechanism of the anti-arrhythmic lidocaine. Rats were fed with a diet containing either n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs, SSO group) or an equimolecular mixture of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs (FO group) for 8 weeks. The hearts were perfused according to the working mode using a medium with or without lidocaine 5 μm. They were then subjected to local ischemia (20 min) and reperfusion (30 min). Dietary n-3 PUFAs triggered the expected decrease in the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio of cardiac phospholipids. Reperfusing the ischemic area favored the incidence of severe arrhythmias. Lidocaine treatment abolished almost completely reperfusion arrhythmias in the FO group, but did not display anti-arrhythmic properties in the SSO group. As it was indicated by measurements of the mitochondrial function, lidocaine seemed to favor mitochondrial calcium retention in the FO group, which might prevent cytosolic calcium spikes and reperfusion arrhythmias. In the SSO group, the resistance to lidocaine was associated with an aggravation of cellular damages. The mitochondrial calcium retention capacities were saturated, and lidocaine was unable to increase them, making the drug inefficient in preventing reperfusion arrhythmias.

Middle age aggravates myocardial ischemia through surprising upholding of complex II activity, oxidative stress, and reduced coronary perfusion

Aging compromises restoration of the cardiac mechanical function during reperfusion. We hypothesized that this was due to an ampler release of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study aimed at characterising ex vivo the mitochondrial ROS release during reperfusion in isolated perfused hearts of middle-aged rats. Causes and consequences on myocardial function of the observed changes were then evaluated. The hearts of rats aged 10- or 52-week old were subjected to global ischemia followed by reperfusion. Mechanical function was monitored throughout the entire procedure. Activities of the respiratory chain complexes and the ratio of aconitase to fumarase activities were determined before ischemia and at the end of reperfusion. H(2)O(2) release was also evaluated in isolated mitochondria. During ischemia, middle-aged hearts displayed a delayed contracture, suggesting a maintained ATP production but also an increased metabolic proton production. Restoration of the mechanical function during reperfusion was however reduced in the middle-aged hearts, due to lower recovery of the coronary flow associated with higher mitochondrial oxidative stress indicated by the aconitase to fumarase ratio in the cardiac tissues. Surprisingly, activity of the respiratory chain complex II was better maintained in the hearts of middle-aged animals, probably because of an enhanced preservation of its membrane lipid environment. This can explain the higher mitochondrial oxidative stress observed in these conditions, since cardiac mitochondria produce much more H(2)O(2) when they oxidize FADH(2)-linked substrates than when they use NADH-linked substrates. In conclusion, the lower restoration of the cardiac mechanical activity during reperfusion in the middle-aged hearts was due to an impaired recovery of the coronary flow and an insufficient oxygen supply. The deterioration of the coronary perfusion was explained by an increased mitochondrial ROS release related to the preservation of complex II activity during reperfusion.

Abnormalities of mitochondrial functioning can partly explain the metabolic disorders encountered in sarcopenic gastrocnemius

Aging triggers several abnormalities in muscle glycolytic fibers including increased proteolysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis. Since the mitochondria are the main site of substrate oxidation, ROS production and programmed cell death, we tried to know whether the cellular disorders encountered in sarcopenia are due to abnormal mitochondrial functioning. Gastrocnemius mitochondria were extracted from adult (6 months) and aged (21 months) male Wistar rats. Respiration parameters, opening of the permeability transition pore and ROS production, with either glutamate (amino acid metabolism) or pyruvate (glucose metabolism) as a respiration substrate, were evaluated at different matrix calcium concentrations. Pyruvate dehydrogenase and respiratory complex activities as well as their contents measured by Western blotting analysis were determined. Furthermore, the fatty acid profile of mitochondrial phospholipids was also measured. At physiological calcium concentration, state III respiration rate was lowered by aging in pyruvate conditions (-22%), but not with glutamate. The reduction of pyruvate oxidation resulted from a calcium-dependent inactivation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase system and could provide for the well-known proteolysis encountered during sarcopenia. Matrix calcium loading and aging increased ROS production. They also reduced the oxidative phosphorylation. This was associated with lower calcium retention capacities, suggesting that sarcopenic fibers are more prone to programmed cell death. Aging was also associated with a reduced mitochondrial superoxide dismutase activity, which does not intervene in toxic ROS overproduction but could explain the lower calcium retention capacities. Despite a lower content, cytochrome c oxidase displayed an increased activity associated with an increased n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio of mitochondrial phospholipids. In conclusion, we propose that mitochondria obtained from aged muscle fibers display several functional abnormalities explaining the increased proteolysis, ROS overproduction and vulnerability to apoptosis exhibited by sarcopenic muscle. These changes appear to be related to modifications of the fatty acid profile of mitochondrial lipids.

Oxyphytosterols are present in plasma of healthy human subjects

The oxidised derivatives of phytosterols (oxyphytosterols) were identified in plasma samples from thirteen healthy human volunteers, using MS. All the samples contained noticeable quantities of (24R)-5β,6β-epoxy-24-ethylcholestan-3β-ol (β-epoxysitostanol) and (24R)-ethylcholestan-3β,5α,6β-triol (sitostanetriol) and also trace levels of (24R)-5α,6α-epoxy-24-ethylcholestan-3β-ol (α-epoxysitostanol), (24R)-methylcholestan-3β,5α,6β-triol (campestanetriol) and (24R)-ethylch olest-5-en-3β-ol-7-one(7-ketositosterol). The amounts of these oxyphytosterols in plasma varied from 4·8 to 57·2 ng/ml. There are two possibilities concerning the origin of these compounds. First, they could come from the small amounts of oxyphytosterols in food. Second, they could originate from thein vivooxidation of phytosterols in plasma. Very few data actually exist concerning these compounds. Their identification in human samples suggests that further research is necessary in this field.

Effects of dietary oxysterols on coronary arteries in hyperlipidaemic hamsters

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary oxysterols on coronary atherosclerosis and vasospasm. Golden Syrian hamsters were fed three diets with different lipid contents for 3 months: (1) a normolipidaemic diet containing 25 g corn oil–fish oil (4:1, w/w)/kg (group Low L); (2) a hyperlipidaemic diet composed of the normolipidaemic diet supplemented with 150 g lard+30 g cholesterol/kg (group High L); (3) a third diet, similar to the hyperlipidaemic diet, in which 4 g cholesterol/kg was replaced by a mixture of oxysterols (group High L+OS). The oxysterol mixture contained (g/kg): 5,6α-epoxycholesterol 211, 5,6β-epoxycholesterol 179, 7α-hydroxycholesterol 67, 7β-hydroxycholesterol (7βOH) 185, 7-ketocholesterol (7 K) 235; and trace amounts of 7-hydroperoxycholesterols (approximately 30 g/kg). Atherosclerosis was evaluated by measuring myocardial Ca, oxysterols and acyl-CoA cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT) activity; furthermore, coronary reactivity to sodium nitroprusside (5×10-6 m) was measured and the morphology of coronary arteries was visualized by transmission electron microscopy. Coronary spasm was determined by evaluating reactivity to serotonin (5×10-6 m). Feeding the high-lipid diet (group High L) increased the plasma level of 7βOH, 7 K and cholestanetriol. The presence of oxysterols in the diet (group High L+OS) further increased the concentrations of 7βOH and 7 K in the plasma. However, as evidenced by myocardial Ca, ACAT activity and coronary reactivity to sodium nitroprusside, severe atherosclerosis did not develop during the 3-month diet. 7 K was increased in myocardial lipids of groups High L and High L+OS. Electron microscopy did not show the development of atherosclerosis in group High L, whereas vascular wall thickening, endothelial damage and smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration occurred when oxysterols were present in the food. Serotonin (5×10-6 m) induced exacerbated coronary vasoconstriction in group High L that was completely reversed by dietary oxysterols. In conclusion, dietary oxysterols exhibit anti-spasmodic properties, but they cannot be used as agents against excess dietary lipid-induced coronary spasm because of their atherogenic properties.

Acute in vivo administration of a fish oil-containing emulsion improves post-ischemic cardiac function in n-3-depleted rats

A novel i.v. lipid preparation (MCT:FO) containing 80% medium chain-triacylglycerols and 20% fish oil was recently developed to rapidly replenish cell membrane phospholipids with omega 3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In regard of this property, we investigated the effect of a single i.v. administration of MCT:FO on the recovery of cardiac function after ischemia in control and n-3-depleted rats. Results were compared with those obtained either with a control preparation, where FO was replaced by triolein (MCT:OO), or with saline. Saline (1 ml) or lipid preparation (also 1 ml) was injected as a bolus via the left saphenous vein. After 60 min the heart was removed and perfused for 20 min in normoxic conditions according to Langendorff. Thereafter, the heart was subjected to a 20 min zero-flow normothermic ischemia, followed by 40 min reperfusion. Cardiac mechanical and metabolic functions were monitored. In control rats, the previous administration of a lipid preparation (MCT:FO or MCT:OO) versus saline improved cardiac function during aerobic reperfusion post-ischemia. N-3-depleted rats showed decreased basal cardiac function and impaired recovery following ischemia. However, the bolus injection of MCT:FO opposed the deleterious effect of long-term n-3-deficiency and, in this respect, was superior to MCT:OO over the first 20 min of reperfusion. This novel approach to rapidly correct n-3 PUFA-deficiency might be clinically relevant and offer interesting perspectives in the management of acute ischemic accidents.

High dietary sucrose triggers hyperinsulinemia, increases myocardial β-oxidation, reduces glycolytic flux and delays post-ischemic contractile recovery

Although the causal relationship between insulin resistance (IR) and hypertension is not fully resolved, the importance of IR in cardiovascular dysfunction is recognized. As IR may follow excess sucrose or fructose diet, the aim of this study was to test whether dietary starch substitution with sucrose results in myocardial dysfunction in energy substrate utilization and contractility during normoxic and post-ischemic conditions. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three diets, differing only in their starch to sucrose (S) ratio (13, 2 and 0 for the Low S, Middle S and High S groups, respectively), for 3 weeks. Developed pressure and rate x pressure product (RPP) were determined in Langendorff mode-perfused hearts. After 30 min stabilization, hearts were subjected to 25 min of total normothermic global ischemia, followed by 45-min reperfusion. Oxygen consumption, beta-oxidation rate (using 1-13C hexanoate and Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometry of CO2 produced in the coronary effluent) and flux of non-oxidative glycolysis were also evaluated. Although fasting plasma glucose levels were not affected by increased dietary sucrose, high sucrose intake resulted in increased plasma insulin levels, without significant rise in plasma triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations. Sucrose-rich diet reduced pre-ischemic baseline measures of heart rate, RPP and non-oxidative glycolysis. During reperfusion, post-ischemic recovery of RPP was impaired in the Middle S and High S groups, as compared to Low S, mainly due to delayed recovery of developed pressure, which by 45 min of reperfusion eventually resumed levels matching Low S. At the start of reperfusion, delayed post-ischemic recovery of contractile function was accompanied by: (i) reduced lactate production; (ii) decreased lactate to pyruvate ratio; (iii) increased beta-oxidation; and (iv) depressed metabolic efficiency. In conclusion, sucrose rich-diet increased plasma insulin levels, in intact rat, and increased cardiac beta-oxidation and coronary flow-rate, but reduced glycolytic flux and contractility during normoxic baseline function of isolated perfused hearts. Sucrose rich-diet impaired early post-ischemic recovery of isolated heart cardiac mechanical function and further augmented cardiac beta-oxidation but reduced glycolytic and lactate flux.

NADPH oxidases are in part responsible for increased cardiovascular superoxide production during aging

The aim of our study was to examine in rats, age-related differences in myocardial ischemic recovery and to determine the possible relationship with modification of cardiac and vascular oxidative stress. Isolated perfused hearts from young (2 months), adult (6 months), and old (21 months) Wistar rats were subjected to a ischemia-reperfusion sequence. Vascular histomorphological analyses were performed and NADPH oxidase was studied. The expression of angiotensin AT(1) receptors was evaluated using immunostaining. During the preischemic period, but also after ischemia, an aged-related decrease in myocardial functional parameters was observed, and was associated with an increased release of reactive oxygen species. In aortas, the activity and expression of NADPH oxidase increased with age according to the ESR, fluorescence microscopy, and immunohistochemistry; the NADPH oxidase involved was localized in endothelial cells. We found an age-related increase in the expression of endothelial angiotensin AT(1). Our study suggests that myocardial function and adaptation to ischemia-reperfusion declined during aging and are related to a higher level of oxidative stress. Endothelial NADPH oxidase is a major contributor to age-related cardiovascular deterioration. One of the regulators of vascular NADPH oxidase activity, the renin-angiotensin system, may be involved in the modulation of vascular superoxide production during the aging process.

Effect of exogenous adenosine and monensin on glycolytic flux in isolated perfused normoxic rat hearts: role of pyruvate kinase

We studied the effect of exogenous adenosine in isolated perfused normoxic rat hearts on glycolytic flux through pyruvate kinase (PK). We compared its effect with that of myxothiazol, an inhibitor of mitochondrial ATP production. Moreover, we tested whether an increase of membrane ionic flux with monensin is linked to a stimulation of glycolytic flux through PK. After a 20-min stabilization period adenosine, myxothiazol or monensin were administrated to the perfusate continuously at various concentrations during 10 min. The contraction was monitored and the lactate production in coronary effluents evaluated. The amount of adenine nucleotides and phosphoenolpyruvate was measured in the frozen hearts. Myxothiazol induced a decrease of the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP : -40%) together with a stimulation of glycolytic flux secondary to PK activation. In contrast, adenosine primarily reduced heart rate (HR: -30%) with only marginal effects on LVDP. This was associated with an inhibition of glycolysis at the level of PK. The Na+ ionophore monensin affected HR (+14%) and LVDP (+25%). This effect was associated with a stimulation of glycolysis secondary to the stimulation of PK. These results provide new information of action of adenosine in the heart and support the concept of a direct coupling between glycolysis and process regulating sarcolemmal ionic fluxes.

Calcium overload increases oxidative stress in old rat gastrocnemius muscle

In order to challenge in vivo muscle Ca2+ homeostasis and analyze consequences on mitochondrial H2O2 release (MHR) and sarcopenia, we injected Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (200 microg/kg, ip) in adult and old rats and measured gastrocnemius mass and mitochondrial Ca2+ content (MCC) using radioactive Ca2+ 48 h after injection. In a second experiment performed in old rats, we measured isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) activity as an index of MCC, MHR, mitochondrial respiration, citrate synthase, COX and antioxydant enzyme activities 24 h after a 150 microg/kg injection. In adult rats, muscle mass and MCC were unchanged by A23187. In old rats, MCC increased 24 h after injection as reflected by a significant increase in ICDH activity; measured MCC tended to increase at 48 h. MHR and Mn-SOD activity were significantly increased at 24 h, and GPX activity was reduced. Muscle mass was unchanged but was negatively correlated with MCC in control and treated old rats. In conclusion, in old rats, A23187 probably induced a mitochondrial Ca2+ overload responsible for the observed increase in MHR without leading to muscle atrophy on a short term basis.

Dietary oxysterols induce in vivo toxicity of coronary endothelial and smooth muscle cells

Dietary cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) were reported to exhibit in vitro toxicity toward vascular cells. The aim of this study was to determine whether dietary COPs induce in vivo toxicity toward coronary arteries and to evaluate their effect on the coronary reactivity. Golden Syrian hamsters were fed either a normolipidic diet or a hyperlipidic diet with or without a mixture of COPs (1.4 mg/kg/day). At the end of the feeding periods, cardiac mitochondria and cytosol were prepared to determine the subcellular distribution of cytochrome c. Oxidative phosphorylation was evaluated with glutamate, pyruvate or palmitoylcarnitine as a substrate. The main coronary artery was examined all along its length by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Plasma sterol concentrations were determined. Furthermore, at the end of the 3-month feeding period, the hearts were perfused at constant pressure by the Langendorff method. The endothelium-dependent reactivity to acetylcholine was evaluated. The myocardial sterol concentration was also estimated. After a 15-day diet with dietary COPs, a release of cytochrome c into the cytosolic fraction of the whole heart occurred, which indicated apoptosis of one or several types of cardiac cells probably induced by excess circulating cholestanetriol. The morphological data obtained by TEM after three months of diet suggested that mainly vascular cells (endothelial and smooth muscle cells) were damaged by dietary COPs, whereas cardiomyocytes appeared healthy. Furthermore, the mitochondrial oxidation of palmitoylcarnitine was reduced and that of pyruvate was increased, suggesting some maintenance of energy metabolism. This strengthens the hypothesis of apoptosis. Several changes in coronary reactivity suggesting an increased NO production were observed. In conclusion, dietary COPs triggered in vivo apoptosis of coronary cells through the release of cytochrome c in the cytosol. This toxicity was counterbalanced by an increased endothelium-dependent dilation.

Fatty acid oxidation and related gene expression in heart depleted of carnitine by mildronate treatment in the rat

The metabolic and genic effects induced by a 20-fold lowering of carnitine content in the heart were studied in mildronate-treated rats. In the perfused heart, the proportion of palmitate taken up then oxidized was 5-10% lower, while the triacylglycerol (TAG) formation was 100% greater than in controls. The treatment was shown to increase the maximal capacity of heart homogenates to oxidize palmitate, the mRNA level of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I) isoforms, the specific activity of CPT-I in subsarcolemmal mitochondria and the total carnitine content of isolated mitochondria. Concomitantly, the increased mRNA expression of lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid translocase and enzymes of TAG synthesis was associated with a 5- and 2-times increase in serum TAG and free fatty acid contents, respectively. The compartmentation of carnitine at its main functional location was expected to allow the increased CPT-I activity to ensure in vivo correct fatty acid oxidation rates. All the inductions related to fatty acid transport, oxidation and esterification most likely stem from the abundance of blood lipids providing cardiomyocytes with more fatty acids.

Incorporation of oxyphytosterols in tissues of hamster

Oxyphytosterols (OPS) were fed to hamsters, at different concentrations, in order to observe their eventual incorporation into plasma, aorta, liver, kidneys and heart. The animals receiving the very high level (2500 ppm) presented 7beta-hydroxycampesterol, beta-epoxycampesterol, campestanetriol, 7-ketocampesterol, 7beta-hydroxysitosterol, beta-epoxysitosterol, sitostanetriol and 7-ketositosterol in all tissues. The same compounds were observed in the tissues of animals receiving 500 ppm of OPS in their diet, but with much lower levels. In hamsters fed 100 ppm of OPS, as well as in control animals, in most cases, the only observed OPS was sitostanetriol, which seems to be difficult to eliminate from the animal.

Involvement of oxygen free radicals in the respiratory uncoupling induced by free calcium and ADP-magnesium in isolated cardiac mitochondria: comparing reoxygenation in cultured cardiomyocytes

Recently, we have observed that the simultaneous application of free calcium (fCa) and ADP-magnesium (Mg) reduced the ADP:O ratio in isolated cardiac mitochondria. The uncoupling was prevented by cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of the permeability transition pore. The purpose of this study was to know if the generation of oxygen free radicals (OFR) is involved in this phenomenon and if it occurs during reoxygenation (Reox) of cultured cardiomyocytes. Cardiac mitochondria were harvested from male Wistar rats. Respiration was assessed in two media with different fCa concentrations (0 or 0.6 microM) with palmitoylcarnitine and ADP-Mg as respiration substrates. The production of Krebs cycle intermediates (KCI) was determined. Without fCa in the medium, the mitochondria displayed a large production of citrate + isocitrate + alpha-ketoglutarate. fCa drastically reduced these KCI and promoted the accumulation of succinate. To know if OFR are involved in the respiratory uncoupling, the effect of 4OH-TEMPO (250 microM), a hydrosoluble scavenger of OFR, was tested. 4OH-TEMPO completely abolished the fCa- and ADP-Mg-induced uncoupling. Conversely, vitamin E contributed to further decreasing the ADP:O ratio. Since no hydrosoluble electron acceptor was added in our experiment, the oxygen free radical-induced oxidized vitamin E was confined near the mitochondrial membranes, which should reduce the ADP:O ratio by opening the permeability transition pore. The generation of OFR could result from the matrix accumulation of succinate. Taken together, these results indicate that mitochondrial Ca uptake induces a slight increase in membrane permeability. Thereafter, Mg enters the matrix and, in combination with Ca, stimulates the isocitrate and/or alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenases. Matrix succinate favors oxygen free radical generation that further increases membrane permeability and allows respiratory uncoupling through proton leakage. To determine whether the phenomenon takes place during Reox, cultured cardiomyocytes were subjected to hypoxia and Reox. 14C-palmitate was added during Reox to determine the KCI profile. Succinate had not increased during Reox. In conclusion, calcium- and ADP-Mg-induced respiratory uncoupling is due to oxygen free radical generation through excess matrix accumulation of succinate. The phenomenon does not occur during reoxygenation because of a total restoration of mitochondrial magnesium and/or ADP concentration.

Effects of dietary oxysterols on coronary arteries in hyperlipidaemic hamsters

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary oxysterols on coronary atherosclerosis and vasospasm. Golden Syrian hamsters were fed three diets with different lipid contents for 3 months: (1) a normolipidaemic diet containing 25 g corn oil-fish oil (4:1, w/w)/kg (group Low L); (2) a hyperlipidaemic diet composed of the normolipidaemic diet supplemented with 150 g lard+30 g cholesterol/kg (group High L); (3) a third diet, similar to the hyperlipidaemic diet, in which 4 g cholesterol/kg was replaced by a mixture of oxysterols (group High L+OS). The oxysterol mixture contained (g/kg): 5,6alpha-epoxycholesterol 211, 5,6beta-epoxycholesterol 179, 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol 67, 7beta-hydroxycholesterol (7betaOH) 185, 7-ketocholesterol (7 K) 235; and trace amounts of 7-hydroperoxycholesterols (approximately 30 g/kg). Atherosclerosis was evaluated by measuring myocardial Ca, oxysterols and acyl-CoA cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT) activity; furthermore, coronary reactivity to sodium nitroprusside was measured and the morphology of coronary arteries was visualized by transmission electron microscopy. Coronary spasm was determined by evaluating reactivity to serotonin. Feeding the high-lipid diet (group High L) increased the plasma level of 7betaOH, 7 K and cholestanetriol. The presence of oxysterols in the diet (group High L+OS) further increased the concentrations of 7betaOH and 7 K in the plasma. However, as evidenced by myocardial Ca, ACAT activity and coronary reactivity to sodium nitroprusside, severe atherosclerosis did not develop during the 3-month diet. 7 K was increased in myocardial lipids of groups High L and High L+OS. Electron microscopy did not show the development of atherosclerosis in group High L, whereas vascular wall thickening, endothelial damage and smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration occurred when oxysterols were present in the food. Serotonin induced exacerbated coronary vasoconstriction in group High L that was completely reversed by dietary oxysterols. In conclusion, dietary oxysterols exhibit anti-spasmodic properties, but they cannot be used as agents against excess dietary lipid-induced coronary spasm because of their atherogenic properties.

Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and coronary heart disease-related mortality: a possible mechanism of action

Epidemiological and interventional studies indicate that dietary n-3 PUFA reduces mortality due to coronary heart disease (CHD). They act at a low dose, since one or two meals with fatty fish per week is sufficient to provide protection when compared with no fish intake. These fatty acids are effective in providing primary prevention in low- and high-risk subjects and secondary prevention. At high doses, dietary n-3 PUFAs have several beneficial properties. First, they act favourably on blood characteristics: they are hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic; they reduce platelet aggregation; they exhibit antithrombotic and fibrinolytic activities; they reduce blood viscosity and they exhibit antiinflammatory action. Second, they reduce ischemia/reperfusion-induced cellular damage. This effect is apparently due to the incorporation of eicosapentaenoic acid in membrane phospholipids. Third, they reduce ischemia and reperfusion arrhythmias. All the effects exerted by n-3 PUFAs at high doses are incompatible with the beneficial action on CHD mortality in humans observed at low doses, where their main properties are related to circulation in the form of free fatty acids. Numerous experimental studies have indicated that low concentrations of exogenous n-3 PUFAs reduce the severity of cardiac arrhythmias. This effect is probably responsible for the protective action of n-3 PUFA on CHD mortality. Further studies are necessary to confirm this assumption in animals. Such studies should take account of the fact that only a low dose of n-3 PUFA (20 mg/kg/day) is necessary to afford protection. Furthermore, since the beneficial effect of n-3 PUFAs on CHD mortality is observed in fish eaters versus no-fish eaters, and since populations in industrialised countries consume excess n-6 PUFAs, control animals in long-term dietary experiments should be fed a diet with only n-6 fatty acids as a source of PUFAs.

Kinetic parameters of hepatic oxidation of cyclic fatty acid monomers formed from linoleic and linolenic acids

Cyclic fatty acid monomers (CFAM) occur from linoleic (CFAM-18:2) or linolenic (CFAM-18:3) acids present in some edible oils as a result of domestic frying or industrial refining. They present adverse effects in pups and weaning rats. In the present work, we studied the importance of hepatic oxidation in the metabolism of CFAM. For this purpose, kinetic parameters of Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase I (key enzyme of the channeling of the fatty acids into the mitochondrial beta-oxidation pathway) and Acyl CoA Oxidase (key enzyme of the peroxisomal oxidation pathway) towards CFAM-18:2 and CFAM-18:3 were calculated on hepatic sub-cellular fractions of rats. For mitochondrial oxidation of CFAM, we observed a lower oxygen consumption and a lower activity of Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase compared to 18:2w6 and 16:0. For peroxisomal oxidation, CFAM-18:2 showed the same kinetic parameters (Vm and K(0.5)) as 18:2w6 and 16:0, used for oxidative controls, whereas CFAM-18:3 presented a lower Vm (-50%). This difference should induce a lower catabolism of CFAM-18:3 in liver. This could contribute to their accumulation and probably to their toxic effect.

Effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and hepatic steatosis on the functioning of isolated working rat heart under normoxic conditions and during post-ischemic reperfusion

The purpose of this study was to modify the amount of 22:4 n-6, 22:5 n-6 and 20:5 n-3 in cardiac phospholipids and to evaluate the influence of these changes on the functioning of working rat hearts and mitochondrial energy metabolism under normoxic conditions and during postischemic reperfusion. The animals were fed one of these four diets: (i) 10% sunflower seed oil (SSO); (ii) 10% SSO + 1% cholesterol; (iii) 5% fish oil (FO, EPAX 3000TG, Pronova) + 5% SSO; (iv) 5% FO + 5% SSO + 1% cholesterol. Feeding n-3 PUFA decreased n-6 PUFA and increased n-3 PUFA in plasma lipids. In the phospholipids of cardiac mitochondria, this dietary modification also induced a decrease in the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. Cholesterol feeding induced marked hepatic steatosis (HS) characterized by the whitish appearance of the liver. It also brought about marked changes in the fatty acid composition of plasma and mitochondrial phospholipids. These changes, characterized by the impairment of deltaS- and delta6-desaturases, were more obvious in the SSO-fed rats, probably because of the presence of the precursor of the n-6 family (linoleate) in the diet whereas the FO diet contained large amounts of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. In the mitochondrial phospholipids of SSO-fed rats, the (22:4 n-6 + 22:5 n-6) to 18:2 n-6 ratio was decreased by HS, without modification of the proportion of 20:4 n-6. In the mitochondrial phospholipids of FO-fed rats, the amount of 20:5 n-3 tended to be higher (+56%). Cardiac functioning was modulated by the diets. Myocardial coronary flow was enhanced by HS in the SSO-fed rats, whereas it was decreased in the FO-fed animals. The rate constant k012 representing the activity of the adenylate kinase varied in the opposite direction, suggesting that decreased ADP concentrations could cause oxygen wasting through the opening of the permeability transition pore. The recovery of the pump function tended to be increased by n-3 PUFA feeding (+22%) and HS (+45%). However, the release of ascorbyl free radical during reperfusion was not significantly modified by the diets. Conversely, energy production was increased by ischemia/reperfusion in the SSO group, whereas it was not modified in the FO group. This supports greater ischemia/reperfusion-induced calcium accumulation in the SSO groups than in the FO groups. HS did not modify the mitochondrial energy metabolism during ischemia/reperfusion. Taken together, these data suggest that HS- and n-3 PUFA-induced decrease in 22:4 and 22:5 n-6 and increase in 20:5 n-3 favor the recovery of mechanical activity during post-ischemic reperfusion.

Effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on contractile function of hearts isolated from sedentary and trained rats

Moderate physical training induced a decrease in arterial blood pressure in fish oil-fed rats as compared to sunflower seed oil-fed rats. The purpose of this study was to determine if these changes were due to modifications of the left ventricular function of the heart. Forty rats were fed a semi-purified diet containing either 10% sunflower seed oil or 10% fish oil (EPAX 3000TG, Pronova). Each dietary group was assigned to two sub-groups, one being constituted by sedentary animals and the other by trained animals. Training was achieved by daily running for 60 minutes at moderate intensity for three weeks. At the end of the training period, the animals were sacrificed and their hearts were immediately perfused according to the working mode. The phospholipid fatty acid composition and parameters of the left ventricular function were determined. Feeding fish oil markedly reduced the proportion of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, 18:2 n-6, 20:4 n-6, 22:4 n-6 and 22:5 n-6) in cardiac phospholipids. The n-6 PUFA were replaced by n-3 PUFA (mainly docosahexaenoic acid). In sedentary animals, the fluid dynamic (aortic and coronary flow, cardiac output) was not modified by the diet. The heart rate was reduced (-10%) in n-3 PUFA-rich hearts. Physical training did not markedly alter the polyunsaturated fatty acid profile of cardiac phospholipids. Conversely, it reduced the heart rate, aortic flow and cardiac output (-11, -21 and -14%, respectively) at a similar extent in the two dietary groups. In a second set of experiments, the training period was repeated in animals fed a commercially available diet (A103, UAR) which simultaneously provided n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. In these dietary conditions, neither the aortic flow nor the heart rate was decreased by physical exercise. These results suggest that both n-6 and n-3 PUFA in the diet are necessary to ensure a good cardiac adaptation to moderate physical training. Furthermore, the fish oil-induced decrease in arterial blood pressure in trained animals was not related to changes in cardiac contractility, but to a decrease in vascular resistances. Moderate physical training + dietary n-3 PUFA might be used to prevent hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Calcium- and ADP-magnesium-induced respiratory uncoupling in isolated cardiac mitochondria: influence of cyclosporin A

This study was designed to determine the effect of calcium and ADP-Mg on the oxidative phosphorylation in isolated cardiac mitochondria. The influence of cyclosporin A was also evaluated. The mitochondria were extracted from rat ventricles. Their oxidative phosphorylations were determined in two respiration media with different free Ca2+ concentrations. Respiration was determined with palmitoylcarnitine and either ADP or ADP-Mg. With elevated free Ca2+ concentrations and ADP-Mg, the transition state III to state IV respiration did not occurred. The ADP:O ratio was reduced. The phenomenon was not observed in the other experimental conditions (low free Ca2+ concentration with either ADP- or ADP-Mg or elevated free Ca2+ concentration with ADP-). Uncoupling was allied with a constant AMP production, which maintained an elevated ADP level in the respiration medium and prevented the return to state IV respiration. It was also observed in a respiration medium devoid of free Ca2+ when the mitochondria were pre-loaded with Ca2+. Uncoupling was inhibited by cyclosporin A. Furthermore, the Krebs cycle intermediates released from 14C-palmitoylcarnitine oxidation revealed that succinate was increased by elevated free Ca2+ and ADP-Mg. Succinate is a FAD-linked substrate with low respiration efficiency. Its accumulation could account for the decreased ADP:O ratio. The Ca2+- and ADP-Mg-induced uncoupling might be partly responsible for the mechanical abnormalities observed during low-flow ischemia.

Effects of amiodarone on cardiac function and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation during ischemia and reperfusion

This study was carried out in order to determine if the efficiency of amiodarone, a class III antiarrhythmic agent, is associated with changes in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. A population of 30 rats were treated with amiodarone (100 mg/kg/day) for 5 days. A second population receiving only vehicle was used as control. The hearts were perfused according to the working mode. After 15 min of normoxic perfusion, the left main coronary artery was ligated and the ligation was maintained for 20 min. The ligation was removed and reperfusion continued for a further 30 min. The electrocardiogram was monitored continuously. At the end of perfusion, the ischemic and non ischemic areas were visually separated and mitochondria were harvested from each area. Their oxidative and energy metabolism were assessed with palmitoylcarnitine as substrate in 2 respiration media differing in their free calcium concentration (0 or 0.34 microm). In normoxic conditions, amiodarone treatment increased the cardiac metabolic efficiency (mechanical work to oxygen consumption ratio). The local ischemia decreased the aortic and coronary flows without modifying the cardiac metabolic efficiency. Amiodarone treatment maintained the aortic flow at a significantly higher value; the duration of severe arrhythmias was significantly decreased by the drug. The reperfusion of the ischemic area allowed the partial recovery of fluid dynamics. The coronary flow was restored to 89% of the pre ischemic value. Conversely, the aortic flow never exceeded that measured at the end of ischemia, partly due to the important development of severe arrhythmias. The recovery of aortic flow and metabolic efficiency during reperfusion was improved by amiodarone treatment; ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation duration were reduced. In the mitochondria issued from the normoxic area, the energy metabolism was not altered by the amiodarone treatment, but the presence of calcium in the respiration medium modified the oxidative phosphorylation. The divalent cation slightly decreased the state III respiration rate and increased noticeably the state IV respiration rate. This was associated with an important mitochondrial AMP production and maintenance of ADP in the respiration medium. This energy wasting was reported to decrease the mitochondrial metabolic efficiency. After an ischemia-reperfusion sequence, mitochondrial oxidation phosphorylation was reduced and amiodarone treatment amplified this decrease. This was presumably due to an increased mitochondrial calcium accumulation. Thus, the beneficial properties of amiodarone during reperfusion are supposed to be due to a protection against the deleterious effect of excess matrix calcium on mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Individual effects of dietary EPA and DHA on the functioning of the isolated working rat heart

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary pure eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the physiology of the heart in normoxic conditions and during postischemic reperfusion. These effects were compared with those of dietary n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Rats were fed a diet containing either sunflower seed oil (75 g·kg-1, SSO group), or a mixture of EPA (20:5 n-3) ethyl ester and SSO (10:90, EPA group), or a mixture of DHA (22:6 n-3) ethyl ester and SSO (10:90, DHA group), or a mixture of EPA + DHA ethyl esters and SSO (4.2:5.8:90, e+D group) for 6 weeks. The hearts were then perfused according to the working mode. The perfusion was maintained either in normoxic conditions or stopped for 17 min (global zero-flow ischemia) and restored for 33 min (reperfusion). The aortic and coronary flows, aortic developed pressure, and electrocardiogram were continuously monitored. When rats were fed a diet containing either EPA and (or) DHA, the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio of cardiac phospholipids decreased. The proportion of arachidonic acid was reduced more with DHA than dietary EPA. In the EPA group, the percentage of DHA was lower than in the DHA group, but the percentage of EPA and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5 n-3) was higher. These changes in membrane fatty acid composition altered the cardiac function. In normoxic conditions, the coronary flow was higher in the SSO group than in the DHA and EPA groups. The heart rate was lower in the DHA and e+D groups than in the EPA and SSO groups. The aortic flow, cardiac output, and aortic developed pressure were not affected. During postischemic reperfusion, the recovery of aortic flow, coronary flow, and aortic developed pressure was similar in the four groups. A slightly improved recovery of cardiac function was noticed in the EPA group, but the difference was not significant. Feeding rats 5% fish oil + 5% SSO instead of 10% SSO for 8 weeks increased the incorporation of EPA in cardiac phospholipids and favored the recovery (+120%) of aortic flow during postischemic reperfusion. In conclusion, the beneficial effect of dietary fish oil on the recovery of cardiac pump activity during reperfusion was not observed with DHA or EPA alone. It appears to be positively related to the accumulation of EPA in membrane phospholipids. The dietary conditions favouring EPA accumulation remain to be determined.Key words: dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, myocardial ischemia, reperfusion.

Individual effects of dietary EPA and DHA on the functioning of the isolated working rat heart

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary pure eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the physiology of the heart in normoxic conditions and during postischemic reperfusion. These effects were compared with those of dietary n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Rats were fed a diet containing either sunflower seed oil (75 g x kg(-1), SSO group), or a mixture of EPA (20:5 n-3) ethyl ester and SSO (10:90, EPA group), or a mixture of DHA (22:6 n-3) ethyl ester and SSO (10:90, DHA group), or a mixture of EPA + DHA ethyl esters and SSO (4.2:5.8:90, e+D group) for 6 weeks. The hearts were then perfused according to the working mode. The perfusion was maintained either in normoxic conditions or stopped for 17 min (global zero-flow ischemia) and restored for 33 min (reperfusion). The aortic and coronary flows, aortic developed pressure, and electrocardiogram were continuously monitored. When rats were fed a diet containing either EPA and (or) DHA, the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio of cardiac phospholipids decreased. The proportion of arachidonic acid was reduced more with DHA than dietary EPA. In the EPA group, the percentage of DHA was lower than in the DHA group, but the percentage of EPA and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5 n-3) was higher. These changes in membrane fatty acid composition altered the cardiac function. In normoxic conditions, the coronary flow was higher in the SSO group than in the DHA and EPA groups. The heart rate was lower in the DHA and e+D groups than in the EPA and SSO groups. The aortic flow, cardiac output, and aortic developed pressure were not affected. During postischemic reperfusion, the recovery of aortic flow, coronary flow, and aortic developed pressure was similar in the four groups. A slightly improved recovery of cardiac function was noticed in the EPA group, but the difference was not significant. Feeding rats 5% fish oil + 5% SSO instead of 10% SSO for 8 weeks increased the incorporation of EPA in cardiac phospholipids and favored the recovery (+120%) of aortic flow during postischemic reperfusion. In conclusion, the beneficial effect of dietary fish oil on the recovery of cardiac pump activity during reperfusion was not observed with DHA or EPA alone. It appears to be positively related to the accumulation of EPA in membrane phospholipids. The dietary conditions favouring EPA accumulation remain to be determined.

Protective effects of trimetazidine on hypoxic cardiac myocytes from the rat

The electrophysiological effects of the antianginal drug trimetazidine (TMZ) were investigated in cultured rat ventricular myocytes using a substrate-free hypoxia model of ischemia. The transmembrane potentials were recorded with glass microelectrodes and the contractions were simultaneously monitored with a video motion detector. The cardiomyocytes were treated with TMZ (1-5.10(-4) M final concentration) in the bath. The untreated and the drug-treated cells were submitted either to 150 min normoxia or to 150 min hypoxia followed by 90 min reoxygenation in the absence of oxidizable substrate. In normoxic conditions, TMZ did not affect the maximal diastolic potential (MDP) but significantly lowered the plateau potential level (OS) and decreased the upstroke velocity (Vmax) and the spontaneous action potential rate (APR). Conversely, TMZ significantly increased action potential duration at 80% repolarization (APD80). Under substrate-free hypoxia, the untreated cells displayed a progressive contractile failure and an important decrease in OS and APD. In parallel, early postdepolarizations triggering high rate spikes were observed. Prolonging oxygen depletion led to the cessation of the spontaneous electrical activity and thereafter to a gradual decrease in MDP. Near normal rhythmic action potentials and contractions resumed after reoxygenation. Comparatively, the treatment by 5.10(-4) M TMZ almost completely prevented the decrease in plateau amplitude, resting membrane potential, Vmax, APD80, and rate caused by substrate-free hypoxia. Moreover, the hypoxia-induced arrhythmias and the cessation of spontaneous electromechanical activities did not occur in the presence of TMZ (5.10(-4) M). After reoxygenation, the TMZ-treated cells exhibited a higher action potential amplitude than that of the untreated cells, although the TMZ-induced depressive effects on the spontaneous frequency and the Vmax persisted. In conclusion, this study shows that TMZ (5.10(-4) M) is efficient in protecting the isolated cardiac myocytes against the functional alterations induced by substrate-free hypoxia and led thus to a better recovery upon reoxygenation. The cytoprotective action may be linked, at least in part, to apparent ion channel blocking effects of the drug, which appeared in basal conditions at concentrations used in this study.

Myocardial ischemia and in vitro mitochondrial metabolic efficiency

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oxidative capacities and the rate of energy synthesis in isolated mitochondria extracted from normal and post-ischemic myocardium. Isolated rat hearts were perfused according to the working mode with a Krebs Heinseleit buffer containing glucose (11 mM), insulin (10 IU/l) and caprylic acid (25 microM). After a 15 min perfusion in normoxic conditions, the hearts were subjected to a 20 min local zero-flow ischemia followed by a 20 min reperfusion. During the perfusion, the aortic and coronary flows, the aortic pressure and the electrocardiogram were monitored. At the end of the reperfusion period, the non-ischemic and ischemic zones (NIZ and IZ, respectively) were separated and the mitochondria were harvested from each zone. The oxygen uptake and the rate of energy production of the NIZ and IZ mitochondria were then assessed with palmitoylcarnitine as substrate in 2 buffers differing in their free calcium concentration (0.041 and 0.150 microM). Ischemia provoked a 50% reduction of coronary and aortic flows. The reperfusion of the IZ allowed the partial recovery of coronary flow, but the aortic flow decreased beneath its ischemic value because of the occurrence of severe arrhythmias, stunning and probably hibernation. The IZ mitochondria displayed a lower rate of oxygen consumption, whatever the buffer free calcium concentration. Conversely, their rate of energy production was increased, indicating that their metabolic efficiency was improved as compared to NIZ mitochondria. This might be due to the mitochondrial calcium overload persisting during reperfusion, to the activation of the inner membrane Na+/Ca2+ exchange and to a significant mitochondrial swelling. On the other hand, the presence of an elevated free calcium concentration in the respiration buffer provoked some energy wasting characterized by a constant AMP production. This was attributed to some accumulation of acetate and the activation of the energy-consuming acetylCoA synthetase. In conclusion, ischemia and reperfusion did not alter the membrane integrity of the mitochondria but improved their metabolic efficiency. Nevertheless, these in vitro results can not reflect the mitochondrial function in the reperfused myocardium. The mitochondrial calcium overload reported to last during reperfusion in the cardiomyocytes might mimic the free calcium-induced reduction of metabolic efficiency observed in vitro in the present study. The resulting energy wasting might be responsible for the contractile abnormalities noticed in the reperfused myocardium.

Fatty acid oxidation in the heart

The heart is known for its ability to produce energy from fatty acids (FA) because of its important beta-oxidation equipment, but it can also derive energy from several other substrates including glucose, pyruvate, and lactate. The cardiac ATP store is limited and can assure only a few seconds of beating. For this reason the cardiac muscle can adapt quickly to the energy demand and may shift from a 100% FA-derived energy production (after a lipid-rich food intake) or any balanced situation (e.g., diabetes, fasting, exercise). These situations are not similar for the heart in terms of oxygen requirement because ATP production from glucose is less oxygen-consuming than from FA. The regulation pathways for these shifts, which occur in physiologic as well as pathologic conditions (ischemia-reperfusion), are not yet known, although both insulin and pyruvate dehydrogenase activation are clearly involved. It becomes of strategic importance to clarify the pathways that control these shifts to influence the oxygen requirement of the heart. Excess FA oxidation is closely related to myocardial contraction disorders characterized by increased oxygen consumption for cardiac work. Such an increased oxygen cost of cardiac contraction was observed in stunned myocardium when the contribution of FA oxidation to oxygen consumption was increased. In rats, an increase in n-3 polyunsaturated FA in heart phospholipids achieved by a fish-oil diet improved the recovery of pump activity during postischemic reperfusion. This was associated with a moderation of the ischemia-induced decrease in mitochondrial palmitoylcarnitine oxidation. In isolated mitochondria at calcium concentrations close to that reported in ischemic cardiomyocytes, a futile cycle of oxygen wastage was reported, associated with energy wasting (constant AMP production). This occurs with palmitoylcarnitine as substrate but not with pyruvate or citrate. The energy wasting can be abolished by CoA-SH and other compounds, but not the oxygen wasting. Again, the calcium-induced decrease in mitochondrial ADP/O ratio was reduced by increasing the n-3 polyunsaturated FA in the mitochondrial phospholipids. These data suggest that in addition to the amount of circulating lipids, the quality of FA intake may contribute to heart energy regulation through the phospholipid composition. On the other hand, other intervention strategies can be considered. Several studies have focused on palmitoylcarnitine transferase I to achieve a reduction in beta-oxidation. In a different context, trimetazidine was suggested to exert its anti-ischemic effect on the heart by interfering with the metabolic shift, either at the pyruvate dehydrogenase level or by reducing the beta-oxidation. Further studies will be required to elucidate the complex system of heart energy regulation and the mechanism of action of potentially efficient molecules.

Trimetazidine: in vitro influence on heart mitochondrial function

The mechanism of action of the antianginal trimetazidine (TMZ) remains largely unknown. In cultured rat ventricular myocytes in physiologic conditions, TMZ (5 x 10(-4) M) reduced the plateau potential level, the upstroke velocity, and the spontaneous action potential rate. When the cardiomyocytes were submitted to hypoxia (150 or 240 minutes) in a glucose-free medium, treatment with TMZ largely prevented the hypoxia-induced electromechanical alterations, i.e., the decrease in plateau amplitude, in resting membrane potential, in action potential duration, in rate, and in contractility. No hypoxia-induced arrhythmia was observed in the TMZ-treated cells. Moreover, the lactate dehydrogenase leakage was significantly reduced in the TMZ-treated cardiomyocytes (-58% and -36%, after 150 and 240 minutes of hypoxia, respectively). The drug was not efficient in reducing the hypoxia-induced decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. The cellular ATP content was slightly lower in the TMZ-treated cells in normoxic conditions and in hypoxic conditions, but only in the glucose-free medium. To investigate further the relation between TMZ and energy metabolism, the respiration parameters were measured in heart mitochondria isolated from control and TMZ-treated rats (6 mg/kg/day, 7 days) with different substrates. This treatment resulted in a slight alteration of pyruvate oxidation, which was observed in the absence and in the presence of TMZ (10(-4) M) in the respiration medium. Conversely, a potent inhibition of palmitoylcarnitine oxidation was measured when TMZ was added to the respiration medium. Neither pretreatment of the rats, nor addition of TMZ to the medium affected the oxidation of glutamate or citrate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)