Interaction of replacing corn silage with soyhulls as a roughage source with or without 3% added wheat straw in the diet: impacts on intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation in steers fed high-concentrate diets

Six ruminally cannulated steers [475.0 ± 49.6 kg initial body weight (BW)] were used in a 6 × 3 incomplete Latin square design (6 treatments and 3 periods), to evaluate the impacts replacing of corn silage with pelleted soyhulls as roughage in high-concentrate finishing diets containing 30% modified distillers grains with solubles. Treatments were based on increasing dietary inclusion of soyhulls and consisted of: 1) Control (0), roughage supplied by dietary inclusion of 20% corn silage [dry matter (DM) basis], 2) 50% replacement of corn silage with soyhulls (50), 3) 100% replacement of corn silage with soyhulls (100), and the same three treatments repeated with 3% added wheat straw (DM basis) replacing corn in the diet (0S, 50S, and 100S, respectively). Absolute dry matter intake (DMI; kg/d basis) tended to decrease both linearly and quadratically (P ≤ 0.09) and proportional DMI (% of BW) decreased linearly (P = 0.04) with increasing soyhull inclusion but was not affected by the addition of straw in the diet (P = 0.68). Total tract digestibility of organic matter and crude protein were not affected by soyhull inclusion or added straw (P ≥ 0.32). Ruminal pH did not differ (P = 0.65) with increasing soyhull inclusion but increased with the addition of straw (P < 0.01; 5.9 versus 6.1 for no straw and straw, respectively). Molar proportions of acetate and butyrate decreased while propionate increased with increased soyhull inclusion (P ≤ 0.03; linearly and quadratically respectively). Ruminal fluid kinetics were unaffected be either rate of replacement of corn silage with soyhulls or wheat straw inclusion (P ≥ 0.13). Decreases in DMI observed in this study would likely decrease finishing cattle performance and underscores the need for additional research before recommending this practice to cattle feeders.

Impacts of added roughage on growth performance, digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and ruminal pH of feedlot steers fed wheat-based feedlot diets containing 30% modified distillers grains with solubles

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the inclusion rate roughage in wheat-based diets containing modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS) on feedlot performance (Feedlot Experiment), as well as digestibility, ruminal pH, and ruminal fermentation characteristics (Digestibility Experiment). The feedlot experiment utilized 72 Angus steers (392 ± 46.3 kg initial body weight; BW) which were randomly assigned to 1 of 12 pens, 3 pens per treatment, to evaluate feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Dietary treatments were 1) control; 10% roughage, 2) 12% roughage, 3) 14% roughage, and 4) 16% roughage. The digestibility experiment used 4 ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers (393 ± 33.0 kg) in a 4 × 4 Latin Square with either 10%, 12%, 14%, or 16% roughage as in the feedlot experiment. However, dietary roughage source was different between these two experiments and included a combination of grass hay and wheat straw (Feedlot Experiment), and corn silage (Digestibility Experiment). All data were analyzed with the Mixed Procedures of SAS. Feed intake was recorded, with duodenal and fecal output calculated using chromic oxide. Ruminal pH and fermentation were assessed. Growth performance and most carcass characteristics were not affected by increasing roughage (P ≥ 0.11). Marbling tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.10) with increasing roughage inclusion. Increasing dietary roughage content had no effect on organic matter intake (P = 0.60) in the digestibility experiment. Intake, duodenal flow, and digestibility of NDF and ADF were not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.16). Ruminal pH increased linearly (P < 0.01) as rate of roughage inclusion increased. Ruminal concentrations of acetate and butyrate increased, and propionate decreased in a linear fashion (P < 0.01) thereby increasing (P < 0.01) acetate and butyrate to propionate ratio with increasing dietary roughage. Our data indicate that increasing roughage inclusion in wheat-based diets including 30% MDGS increased ruminal pH and shifted ruminal fermentation patterns. Additionally, increasing roughage inclusion did not affect feedlot performance in steers fed wheat at 36 to 42% of dietary DM in combination with 30% MDGS.

Exploration of Factors Associated with Intention, Initiation and Duration of Breastfeeding

Aim To assess breastfeeding intention, initiation and duration up to three months postnatal and associated factors. Methods Secondary data from 131 healthy pregnant women participating in an RCT in a Dublin hospital who recorded intention to breastfeed were included. Demographic and breastfeeding data were collected. Results Of the 131 women, 91.6% (n=120) reported intending to breastfeed. 91.7% of those subsequently initiated breastfeeding (n=110/120). Of those intending to breastfeed, 78.9% (n=86/109) and 68.9% (n=73/106) remained breastfeeding at one and three months postnatal respectively. Higher education (p<0.05) and lower BMI (p<0.05) were significantly associated with initiation and duration of breastfeeding. Ethnicity, age, parity or mode of delivery were not significantly associated with breastfeeding. Conclusion Many factors are associated with breastfeeding intention and duration including education and BMI. It is important to develop tailored support measures to encourage initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.

Energy release in the solar corona from spatially resolved magnetic braids

It is now apparent that there are at least two heating mechanisms in the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona. Wave heating may be the prevalent mechanism in quiet solar periods and may contribute to heating the corona to 1,500,000 K (refs 1-3). The active corona needs additional heating to reach 2,000,000-4,000,000 K; this heat has been theoretically proposed to come from the reconnection and unravelling of magnetic 'braids'. Evidence favouring that process has been inferred, but has not been generally accepted because observations are sparse and, in general, the braided magnetic strands that are thought to have an angular width of about 0.2 arc seconds have not been resolved. Fine-scale braiding has been seen in the chromosphere but not, until now, in the corona. Here we report observations, at a resolution of 0.2 arc seconds, of magnetic braids in a coronal active region that are reconnecting, relaxing and dissipating sufficient energy to heat the structures to about 4,000,000 K. Although our 5-minute observations cannot unambiguously identify the field reconnection and subsequent relaxation as the dominant heating mechanism throughout active regions, the energy available from the observed field relaxation in our example is ample for the observed heating.

The AIN-76A defined rodent diet accelerates the development of heart failure in SHHF rats: a cautionary note on its use in cardiac studies

Previous studies from our laboratory have shown positive benefits of linoleic acid (LA) feeding for attenuation of rat heart failure (HF). However, another research group concluded LA feeding was detrimental to cardiac function, using the American Institute of Nutrition 76A (AIN) diet as a background diet for the experimental animals only. To reconcile these conflicting results and determine whether (i) AIN has effects on cardiovascular function, and (ii) AIN reverses the positive effects of LA feeding, studies were performed using spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) rats in both a survival study with lifetime feeding of AIN (control: Purina 5001) and a 2 × 2 factorial design for 6 weeks in young male SHHF rats with background diet and LA as variables. During a lifetime of AIN feeding, mortality from heart failure is significantly accelerated, cardiolipin altered and triglycerides increased. In young rats, 6 weeks on the AIN diet promoted increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increased fed and fasting blood glucose, increased serum inflammatory eicosanoids, decreased docosahexanoic acid, increased posterior wall thickness in diastole and an altered cardiolipin subspecies profile. The addition of LA to the AIN diet was able to rescue blood pressure. However, the combination increased retroperitoneal fat mass, body weight and fed blood glucose beyond the levels with the AIN diet alone. Because the AIN diet has wide ranging effects on cardiovascular parameters, our results suggest that it should not be used in animal studies involving the cardiovascular system unless induction of cardiac dysfunction is the desired outcome.

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and steroid hormone receptor activity in cancer

Sirtuins, which are class III NAD-dependent histone deacetylases that regulate a number of physiological processes, play important roles in the regulation of metabolism, aging, oncogenesis, and cancer progression. Recently, a role for the sirtuins in the regulation of steroid hormone receptor signaling is emerging. In this mini-review, we will summarize current research into the regulation of estrogen, androgen, progesterone, mineralocorticoid, and glucocorticoid signaling by sirtuins in cancer. Sirtuins can regulate steroid hormone signaling through a variety of molecular mechanisms, including acting as co-regulatory transcription factors, deacetylating histones in the promoters of genes with nuclear receptor-binding sites, directly deacetylating steroid hormone nuclear receptors, and regulating pathways that modify steroid hormone receptors through phosphorylation. Furthermore, disruption of sirtuin activity may be an important step in the development of steroid hormone-refractory cancers.

CHANGES IN CARBON DIOXIDE TENSION AND HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION OF THE BLOOD FOLLOWING MULTIPLE PULMONARY EMBOLISM

1. The production of multiple emboli of the pulmonary capillaries and arterioles results in rapid and shallow breathing which may be associated with anoxemia, but is not dependent for its occurrence upon anoxemia. 2. Similarly there may occur an increase in the partial pressure of CO₂ in the blood as well as an increase in hydrogen ion concentration. 3. These changes must be regarded as the result of the impaired pulmonary function. 4. They are not, however, the cause of the rapid and shallow respirations, since the abnormal type of breathing may occur without the attendant blood changes. 5. The characteristic type of response to increase in CO₂ tension is an increased rather than a decreased depth of respiration.

THE EFFECT OF MULTIPLE EMBOLI OF THE CAPILLARIES AND ARTERIOLES OF ONE LUNG

1. Injection of a suspension of potato starch cells into the left branch of the pulmonary artery, in quantity sufficient ordinarily to give rise to markedly accelerated respirations, resulted in no change in respiratory rate. 2. A method for injecting substances into the pulmonary artery or its branches without interfering with the blood flow to the lungs has been described. 3. Injection of similar material into one lung when the other is excluded from the circulation either by ligation or by temporary clamping does give rise to rapid and shallow breathing (from a rate of 10 to 15 per minute to one of 60 or over) identical in character to that brought about by introducing emboli into both lungs. 4. A method for clamping and releasing the pulmonary artery or its branches in a dog breathing normally with closed thorax has been devised. This is described in detail in another paper. 5. After rapid breathing has been initiated by the effect of emboli lodged in the arterioles and capillaries of the right lung, reestablishing the circulation in the other lung by releasing the clamp on its artery may or may not restore the respiratory rate to its original, normal level. 6. This discrepancy in results has not been correlated with any difference in oxygen saturation of the arterial blood, or in carbon dioxide tension or pH of its plasma. 7. It is, however, believed to be related to the gross and microscopic anatomy of the lung of which the artery has been temporarily clamped. Photomicrographs are published, showing in one dog (No. 3), in which the respiratory rate returned to normal, a normal histological picture of the left lung, and in another dog (No. 4), in which the rate remained rapid after release of the clamp, a picture characterized by congestion and dilatation of arterioles and capillaries. 8. The fact that accelerated respirations result from emboli in the pulmonary capillaries and arterioles only after a certain quantity of material has been introduced, and the fact that emboli in one lung do not occasion accelerated respirations unless the circulation through the other lung is occluded or abnormal, leads us to the conclusion that the phenomenon is not an irritative stimulus due to foreign bodies, but is in some manner related to (a) diminution of the pulmonary vascular bed, (b) resistance to the blood flow through the lungs or (c) congestion or dilatation of the arterioles and capillaries of the lungs.

OBSERVATIONS ON RESISTANCE TO THE FLOW OF BLOOD TO AND FROM THE LUNGS

1. Embolism of pulmonary arterioles and capillaries produced by the intravenous injection of starch grains results in a dilatation of the pulmonary artery and the right chambers of the heart. This has been demonstrated both by x-ray studies and direct inspection. 2. The dilatation of the pulmonary artery and heart occurs synchronously with the acceleration of respirations. 3. Dilatation of these structures produced by other means, such as obstruction to the flow of blood to and from the lungs, by gradually clamping either the pulmonary artery (cat and dog) or pulmonary veins (cat) does not, however, give rise to rapid and shallow breathing. 4. The effect of these maneuvers on respiration does not become apparent until respirations suddenly cease. 5. Neither does sudden restriction of the pulmonary vascular bed by clamping the left branch of the pulmonary artery give rise to rapid and shallow breathing, though this procedure may cause an increase in CO₂ tension and in hydrogen ion concentration of the blood. 6. Since rapid and shallow breathing is not the result of (1) anoxemia, (2) increased pCO₂ and hydrogen ion concentration of the serum, (3) restriction of pulmonary vascular bed by nearly half, (4) increase in resistance to the flow of blood to and from the lungs) (5) the presence of starch grains in the lungs acting as a local irritant, it must be the result of the secondary pathological changes which occur in the pulmonary parenchyma following embolism. 7. The nature of these changes, congestion and edema, has been discussed elsewhere. Whether they operate directly on nerve endings or through their influence on lung volume and tissue elasticity is not certain. 8. Various important clinical analogies have been emphasized.

OXYGEN POISONING IN MAMMALS

1. Oxygen in concentrations of over 70 per cent of an atmosphere is poisonous to dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and mice. 2. The poisonous effects manifest themselves in drowsiness, anorexia, loss of weight, increasing dyspnea, cyanosis and death from oxygen want. 3. The cause of oxygen want is a destructive lesion of the lungs. 4. The lesion may be characterized grossly as an hemorrhagic edema. Microscopically there is to be seen in varying degrees of intensity (a) capillary engorgement with hemorrhage, (b) the presence of interstitial and intraalveolar serum, (c) hypertrophy and desquamation of alveolar cells, (d) interstitial and alveolar infiltration of mononuclear cells. 5. The type of tissue reaction is not characteristic of an infectious process and no organisms have been recovered at autopsy from the heart's blood or from lung puncture. 6. The poisonous effects of inhalations of oxygen-rich mixtures do not appear to be related to impurities in the oxygen, nor are they related to faulty ventilation, excessive moisture or increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of the chambers in which the experimental animals were confined.

A STUDY OF THE HERING-BREUER REFLEX

1. Cutting one vagus nerve, while recording the pulmonary ventilation of each lung separately, has no unique effect on the ventilation of the denervated lung. Both lungs respond to unilateral vagotomy by an equivalent slowing and deepening of respiratory movement. 2. When the bronchus to one lung is blocked the first effect is a slowing and deepening of the respiratory movements recorded by the opposite lung. As oxygen want develops these movements become rapid and shallow. 3. With a combination of these two conditions, i.e., when the bronchus to one lung is blocked and its vagus nerve is severed, the pulmonary ventilation recorded by the opposite lung exhibits the same changes as may result from unilateral vagotomy alone, unaccompanied by occlusion of the bronchus. 4. From these facts it may be concluded that the slowing and deepening of breathing which follows unilateral vagotomy does not depend for its occurrence upon the passage of air in and out of the bronchus of the lung whose vagus nerve has been sectioned. 5. The slowing of respirations after occlusion of the bronchus to one lung and section of the corresponding vagus nerve still occurs even though the phrenic nerve on the same side has been divided. This indicates that the slowing of respirations following unilateral vagotomy does not depend on the movements of the diaphragm on the side of vagal section. 6. When the pulmonary artery to one lung has been ligated and the vagus nerve on the same side cut, the response of the other lung is the same as has been described, namely, its respiratory movements become slower and deeper. This is taken as evidence that the results of unilateral vagotomy are not dependent upon an intact pulmonary circulation. 7. The general conclusions from these experiments are that the slowing and deepening of respirations following unilateral vagotomy do not depend upon: (a) Passage of air in and out of the trachea. (b) Expansion and collapse of the lung. (c) Existence of a normal pulmonary circulation in the vagotomized lung. (d) Normal fluctuations in alveolar carbon dioxide tension, (e) Contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm on the side of vagotomy. 8. The slowing and deepening of respirations, alluded to, may be presumed to indicate that a normal reflex (the Hering-Breuer reflex) has been interrupted. Since this interruption occurs in spite of all the conditions enumerated under Paragraph 7, we must conclude that none of these conditions is essential to the existence of this reflex.

THE RESPONSE TO RESPIRATORY RESISTANCE : A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS PRODUCED BY PARTIAL OBSTRUCTION IN THE INSPIRATORY AND EXPIRATORY PHASES OF RESPIRATION

1. A study has been made of the effects of resistance to respiration in the inspiratory and expiratory phases. 2. Resistance to inspiration caused an increase in respiratory rate, a decrease in tidal air, and in most instances a severe limitation of the minute volume of pulmonary ventilation. Anoxemia and acidosis accompanied these changes. 3. When resistance was removed the respiratory rate continued to be rapid, but the tidal air and minute volume increased. As a result of this there was a fall in pCO₂, a rise in pH, and in some cases a complete disappearance of anoxemia. 3. Resistance to expiration slowed the respiratory rate and produced a constant decrease in the minute volume of pulmonary ventilation. Anoxemia and carbon dioxide retention occurred, but were less pronounced than in the inspiratory experiments. Release of resistance to expiration resulted in a return of all functions to their normal, or approximately normal, levels. 4. A difference in the gross pulmonary pathology found at autopsy in these two types of experiments has been described, and an attempt has been made to correlate changes in function with changes in structure. 5. No direct evidence has been supplied for the liability to fatigue of the respiratory center.

Negative autoregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 expression characterizing cranial development in cases of Apert (P253R mutation) and Pfeiffer (C278F mutation) syndromes and suggesting a basis for differences in their cranial phenotypes

OBJECT

Heterogeneous mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene (FGFR2) cause a range of craniosynostosis syndromes. The specificity of the Apert syndrome-affected cranial phenotype reflects its narrow mutational range: 98% of cases of Apert syndrome result from an Ser252Trp or Pro253Arg mutation in the immunoglobulin-like (Ig)IIIa extracellular subdomain of FGFR2. In contrast, a broad range of mutations throughout the extracellular domain of FGFR2 causes the overlapping cranial phenotypes of Pfeiffer and Crouzon syndromes and related craniofacial dysostoses.

METHODS

In this paper the expression of FGFR1, the IgIIIa/c and IgIIIa/b isoforms of FGFR2, and FGFR3 is investigated in Apert syndrome (P253R mutation)- and Pfeiffer syndrome (C278F mutation)-affected fetal cranial tissue and is contrasted with healthy human control tissues. Both FGFR1 and FGFR3 are normally expressed in the differentiated osteoblasts of the periosteum and osteoid, in domains overlapped by that of FGFR2, which widely include preosseous cranial mesenchyme. Expression of FGFR2, however, is restricted to domains of advanced osseous differentiation in both Apert syndrome- and Pfeiffer syndrome-affected cranial skeletogenesis in the presence of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)2, but not in the presence of FGF4 or FGF7. Whereas expression of the FGFR2-IgIIIa/b (KGFR) isoform is restricted in normal human cranial osteogenesis, there is preliminary evidence that KGFR is ectopically expressed in Pfeiffer syndrome-affected cranial osteogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Contraction of the FGFR2-IgIIIa/c (BEK) expression domain in cases of Apert syndrome- and Pfeiffer syndrome-affected fetal cranial ossification suggests that the mutant activation of this receptor, by ligand-dependent or ligand-independent means, results in negative autoregulation. This phenomenon, resulting from different mechanisms in the two syndromes, offers a model by which to explain differences in their cranial phenotypes.

Glibenclamide improves postischemic recovery of myocardial contractile function in trained and sedentary rats

In this study, we sought to determine whether there was any evidence for the idea that cardiac ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channels play a role in the training-induced increase in the resistance of the heart to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. To do so, the effects of training and an K(ATP) channel blocker, glibenclamide (Glib), on the recovery of left ventricular (LV) contractile function after 45 min of ischemia and 45 min of reperfusion were examined. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were sedentary (Sed; n = 18) or were trained (Tr; n = 17) for >20 wk by treadmill running, and the hearts from these animals used in a Langendorff-perfused isovolumic LV preparation to assess contractile function. A significant increase in the amount of 72-kDa class of heat shock protein was observed in hearts isolated from Tr rats. The I/R protocol elicited significant and substantial decrements in LV developed pressure (LVDP), minimum pressure (MP), rate of pressure development, and rate of pressure decline and elevations in myocardial Ca(2+) content in both Sed and Tr hearts. In addition, I/R elicited a significant increase in LV diastolic stiffness in Sed, but not Tr, hearts. When administered in the perfusate, Glib (1 microM) elicited a normalization of all indexes of LV contractile function and reductions in myocardial Ca(2+) content in both Sed and Tr hearts. Training increased the functional sensitivity of the heart to Glib because LVDP and MP values normalized more quickly with Glib treatment in the Tr than the Sed group. The increased sensitivity of Tr hearts to Glib is a novel finding that may implicate a role for cardiac K(ATP) channels in the training-induced protection of the heart from I/R injury.

Renal hypertension prevents run training modification of cardiomyocyte diastolic Ca2+ regulation in male rats

The combined effects of endurance run training and renal hypertension on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) dynamics and Na+-dependent Ca2+ regulation in rat left ventricular cardiomyocytes were examined. Male Fischer 344 rats underwent stenosis of the left renal artery [hypertensive (Ht), n = 18] or a sham operation [normotensive (Nt), n = 20]. One-half of the rats from each group were treadmill trained for >16 wk. Cardiomyocyte fura 2 fluorescence ratio transients were recorded for 7 min during electrical pacing at 0.5 Hz, 2 mM extracellular Ca2+ concentration, and 29°C. The rate of [Ca2+]c decline was not changed by run training in the Nt group but was reduced in the Ht group. At 7 min, cardiomyocytes were exposed to 10 mM caffeine in the absence of Na+ and Ca2+, which triggered sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ release and suppressed Ca2+efflux via Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. External Na+ was then added, and Na+-dependent Ca2+ efflux rate was recorded. Treadmill training significantly enhanced Na+-dependent Ca2+efflux rate under these conditions in the Nt group but not in the Ht group. These data provide evidence that renal hypertension prevents the normal run training-induced modifications in diastolic [Ca2+]c regulation mechanisms, including Na+/Ca2+ exchanger.

Sprint training shortens prolonged action potential duration in postinfarction rat myocyte: mechanisms

Two electrophysiological manifestations of myocardial infarction (MI)-induced myocyte hypertrophy are prolongation of action potential duration (APD) and reduction of transient outward current (I(to)) density. Because high-intensity sprint training (HIST) ameliorated myocyte hypertrophy and improved myocyte Ca(2+) homeostasis and contractility after MI, the present study evaluated whether 6-8 wk of HIST would shorten the prolonged APD and improve the depressed I(to) in post-MI myocytes. There were no differences in resting membrane potential and action potential amplitude (APA) measured in myocytes isolated from sham-sedentary (Sed), MI-Sed, and MI-HIST groups. Times required for repolarization to 50 and 90% APA were significantly (P < 0.001) prolonged in MI-Sed myocytes. HIST reduced times required for repolarization to 50 and 90% APA to values observed in Sham-Sed myocytes. The fast and slow components of I(to) were significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced in MI-Sed myocytes. HIST significantly (P < 0.001) enhanced the fast and slow components of I(to) in MI myocytes, although not to levels observed in Sham-Sed myocytes. There were no significant differences in steady-state I(to) inactivation and activation parameters among Sham-Sed, MI-Sed, and MI-HIST myocytes. Likewise, recovery from time-dependent inactivation was also similar among the three groups. We suggest that normalization of APD after MI by HIST may be mediated by restoration of I(to) toward normal levels.

Endurance training alters outward K+ current characteristics in rat cardiocytes

The effect of endurance run training on outward K+ currents with rapidly inactivating (I(to)) and sustained or slowly inactivating (I(sus)) characteristics was examined in left ventricular (LV) cardiocytes isolated from sedentary (Sed) and treadmill-trained (Tr) female Sprague-Dawley rats. Isolated LV cardiocytes were used in whole cell patch-clamp studies to characterize whole cell I(to) and I(sus). Peak I(to) was greatest in cells isolated from the Tr group. When I(to) was corrected for cell capacitance to yield a current density, most, but not all, of the Sed vs. Tr differences in I(to) magnitude were eliminated. Regardless of how I(to) was expressed (e.g., I(to) or I(to) density), the time required to achieve a peak value was markedly shortened in the cardiocytes isolated from the Tr group. Training elicited a reduction in I(sus) density. Action potential characteristics were determined in Sed and Tr cardiocytes in primary culture. Training did not affect resting membrane potential, whereas peak membrane potential was reduced and time to peak membrane potential was prolonged in the Tr group. In addition, time to 50% repolarization was significantly increased in cells from the Tr group. Collectively, these data indicate that I(to) and I(sus) characteristics are altered by training in isolated LV cardiocytes. These alterations in I(to) and I(sus) may be responsible, at least in part, for the training-induced alterations in action potential configuration in cardiocytes in primary culture.

Gender and aging in a transgenic mouse model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Mutations in the cardiac myosin heavy chain (MHC) can cause familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). A transgenic mouse model has been developed in which a missense (R403Q) allele and an actin-binding deletion in the alpha-MHC are expressed in the heart. We used an isovolumic left heart preparation to study the contractile characteristics of hearts from transgenic (TG) mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates. Both male and female TG mice developed left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy at 4 mo of age. LV hypertrophy was accompanied by LV diastolic dysfunction, but LV systolic function was normal and supranormal in the young TG females and males, respectively. At 10 mo of age, the females continued to present with LV concentric hypertrophy, whereas the males began to display LV dilation. In female TG mice at 10 mo of age, impaired LV diastolic function persisted without evidence of systolic dysfunction. In contrast, in 10-mo-old male TG mice, LV diastolic function worsened and systolic performance was impaired. Diminished coronary flow was observed in both 10-mo-old TG groups. These types of changes may contribute to the functional decompensation typically seen in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Collectively, these results further underscore the potential utility of this transgenic mouse model in elucidating pathogenesis of FHC.

Progression from hypertrophic to dilated cardiomyopathy in mice that express a mutant myosin transgene

A mouse model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was created by expression of a cardiac alpha-myosin transgene including the R(403)Q mutation and a deletion of a segment of the actin-binding domain. HCM mice show early histopathology and hypertrophy, with progressive hypertrophy in females and ventricular dilation in older males. To test the hypothesis that dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is part of the pathological spectrum of HCM, we studied chamber morphology, exercise tolerance, hemodynamics, isolated heart function, adrenergic sensitivity, and embryonic gene expression in 8- to 11-mo-old male transgenic animals. Significantly impaired exercise tolerance and both systolic and diastolic dysfunction were seen in vivo. Contraction and relaxation parameters of isolated hearts were also decreased, and lusitropic responsiveness to the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol was modestly reduced. Myocardial levels of the G protein-coupled beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 1 (beta-ARK1) were increased by more than twofold over controls, and total beta-ARK1 activity was also significantly elevated. Induction of fetal gene expression was also observed in transgenic hearts. We conclude that transgenic male animals have undergone cardiac decompensation resulting in a DCM phenotype. This supports the idea that HCM and DCM may be part of a pathological continuum rather than independent diseases.

Excitation wavelengths for fura 2 provide a linear relationship between [Ca(2+)] and fluorescence ratio

We proposed and tested the use of nontraditional excitation wavelengths (lambda(1) and lambda(2)) and an emission wavelength (lambda(em)) to define conditions under which free calcium concentration and a fluorescence ratio are linearly related. Fluorescence spectra were determined for aqueous solutions that contained 25 microM fura 2, 125 mM K(+), and either 0 mM or 0.1 mM Ca(2+). Effectively linear relationships between [Ca(2+)] and a fluorescence ratio, i.e., <5% bias when [Ca(2+)] </= 5 x dissociation constant, were apparent when lambda(1) >/= 400 nm, lambda(2) </= 370 nm, and lambda(em) >/= 510 nm. Combinations with longer lambda(1) and lambda(em) and/or with shorter lambda(2) reduced this bias further. Although the method described does not obviate the complications that surround the correction for fluorescence background, choosing a nontraditional combination of excitation and emission wavelengths offers several practical advantages over more traditional fura 2 fluorescence methodologies in a variety of experimental settings.

Sprint training restores normal contractility in postinfarction rat myocytes

The significance of 6-8 wk of high-intensity sprint training (HIST) on contractile abnormalities of myocytes isolated from rat hearts with prior myocardial infarction (MI) was investigated. Compared with the sedentary (Sed) condition, HIST attenuated myocyte hypertrophy observed post-MI primarily by reducing cell lengths but not cell widths. At high extracellular Ca(2+) concentration (5 mM) and low pacing frequency (0.1 Hz), conditions that preferentially favored Ca(2+) influx over efflux, MI-Sed myocytes shortened less than Sham-Sed myocytes did. HIST significantly improved contraction amplitudes in MI myocytes. Under conditions that favored Ca(2+) efflux, i.e., low extracellular Ca(2+) concentration (0.6 mM) and high pacing frequency (2 Hz), MI-Sed myocytes contracted more than Sham-Sed myocytes. HIST did not appreciably affect contraction amplitudes of MI myocytes under these conditions. Compared with MI-Sed myocytes, HIST myocytes showed significant improvement in time required to reach one-half maximal contraction amplitude shortening, maximal myocyte shortening and relengthening velocities, and half time of relaxation. Our results indicate that HIST instituted shortly after MI improved cellular contraction in surviving myocytes. Because our previous studies demonstrated that, in post-MI myocytes, HIST improved intracellular Ca(2+) dynamics, enhanced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) uptake and Ca(2+) content, and restored Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange current toward normal, we hypothesized that improvement in MI myocyte contractile function by HIST was likely mediated by normalization of cellular Ca(2+) homeostatic mechanisms.

A mathematical model of cardiocyte Ca(2+) dynamics with a novel representation of sarcoplasmic reticular Ca(2+) control

Cardiac contraction and relaxation dynamics result from a set of simultaneously interacting Ca(2+) regulatory mechanisms. In this study, cardiocyte Ca(2+) dynamics were modeled using a set of six differential equations that were based on theories, equations, and parameters described in previous studies. Among the unique features of the model was the inclusion of bidirectional modulatory interplay between the sarcoplasmic reticular Ca(2+) release channel (SRRC) and calsequestrin (CSQ) in the SR lumen, where CSQ acted as a dynamic rather than simple Ca(2+) buffer, and acted as a Ca(2+) sensor in the SR lumen as well. The inclusion of this control mechanism was central in overcoming a number of assumptions that would otherwise have to be made about SRRC kinetics, SR Ca(2+) release rates, and SR Ca(2+) release termination when the SR lumen is assumed to act as a simple, buffered Ca(2+) sink. The model was sufficient to reproduce a graded Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) response, CICR with high gain, and a system with reasonable stability. As constructed, the model successfully replicated the results of several previously published experiments that dealt with the Ca(2+) dependence of the SRRC (, J. Gen. Physiol. 85:247-289), the refractoriness of the SRRC (, Am. J. Physiol. 270:C148-C159), the SR Ca(2+) load dependence of SR Ca(2+) release (, Am. J. Physiol. 268:C1313-C1329;, J. Biol. Chem. 267:20850-20856), SR Ca(2+) leak (, J. Physiol. (Lond.). 474:463-471;, Biophys. J. 68:2015-2022), SR Ca(2+) load regulation by leak and uptake (, J. Gen. Physiol. 111:491-504), the effect of Ca(2+) trigger duration on SR Ca(2+) release (, Am. J. Physiol. 258:C944-C954), the apparent relationship that exists between sarcoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticular calcium concentrations (, Biophys. J. 73:1524-1531), and a variety of contraction frequency-dependent alterations in sarcoplasmic [Ca(2+)] dynamics that are normally observed in the laboratory, including rest potentiation, a negative frequency-[Ca(2+)] relationship, and extrasystolic potentiation. Furthermore, under the condition of a simulated Ca(2+) overload, an alternans-like state was produced. In summary, the current model of cardiocyte Ca(2+) dynamics provides an integrated theoretical framework of fundamental cellular Ca(2+) regulatory processes that is sufficient to predict a broad array of observable experimental outcomes.

Sprint training normalizes Ca(2+) transients and SR function in postinfarction rat myocytes

Previous studies have shown that myocytes isolated from sedentary (Sed) rat hearts 3 wk after myocardial infarction (MI) undergo hypertrophy, exhibit altered intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) dynamics and abnormal contraction, and impaired sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function manifested as prolonged half-time of [Ca(2+)](i) decline. Because exercise training elicits positive adaptations in cardiac contractile function and myocardial Ca(2+) regulation, the present study examined whether 6-8 wk of high-intensity sprint training (HIST) would restore [Ca(2+)](i) dynamics and SR function in MI myocytes toward normal. In MI rats, HIST ameliorated myocyte hypertrophy as indicated by significant (P </= 0.05) decreases in whole cell capacitances [Sham-Sed 179 +/-12 (n = 20); MI-Sed 226 +/- 7 (n = 20); MI-HIST 183 +/- 11 pF (n = 19)]. HIST significantly (P < 0.0001) restored both systolic [Ca(2+)](i) [Sham-Sed 421 +/- 9 (n = 79); MI-Sed 350 +/- 6 (n = 70); MI-HIST 399 +/- 9 nM (n = 70)] and half-time of [Ca(2+)](i) decline (Sham-Sed 0. 197 +/- 0.005; MI-Sed 0.247 +/- 0.006; MI-HIST 0.195 +/- 0.006 s) toward normal. Compared with Sham-Sed myocytes, SR Ca(2+)-ATPase expression significantly (P < 0.001) decreased by 44% in MI-Sed myocytes. Surprisingly, expression of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase was further reduced in MI-HIST myocytes to 26% of that measured in Sham-Sed myocytes. There were no differences in calsequestrin expression among the three groups. Expression of phospholamban was not different between Sham-Sed and MI-Sed myocytes but was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced in MI-HIST myocytes by 25%. Our results indicate that HIST instituted shortly after MI improves [Ca(2+)](i) dynamics in surviving myocytes. Improvement in SR function by HIST is mediated not by increased SR Ca(2+)-ATPase expression, but by modulating phospholamban regulation of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase activity.

Impaired leptin responsiveness in aged rats

We previously reported that adiposity and serum leptin levels increase with age in male F-344xBN rats and that when physiological levels of serum leptin are manipulated by fasting, there is a corresponding reciprocal change in hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA in young rats, but there are no changes in older rats. These findings suggest that the regulation of hypothalamic NPY mRNA by leptin may be impaired with age. To test this hypothesis, we infused saline or leptin for 7 days into ad libitum-fed rats and compared these with saline-infused rats that were pair-fed the amount of food consumed by the leptin-treated rats. We examined daily food consumption, body weight, whole-body oxygen consumption, serum leptin, and NPY mRNA in the hypothalamus. Food consumption decreased by 50% in the leptin-infused compared with the saline-infused young rats but only decreased by 20% in the aged rats. In the leptin-treated young rats, there was a 24% increase in oxygen consumption compared with the pair-fed rats, but there were no changes in oxygen consumption in the aged rats. Leptin infusion diminished hypothalamic NPY levels by nearly 50% compared with pair-fed young rats, whereas there were no changes in the hypothalamic NPY mRNA levels in senescent rats. In summary, aged rats demonstrate a reduced responsiveness to leptin, including a diminished decrease in food intake and no increase in energy expenditure. These diminished responses to leptin were associated with and may be the result of an impaired suppression of hypothalamic NPY mRNA levels. This leptin resistance may be due to either the elevated obesity and serum leptin with age or due to age itself, or both.

Modulation of uncoupling protein 2 and uncoupling protein 3: regulation by denervation, leptin and retinoic acid treatment

We recently reported that the leptin-induced increase in uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) mRNA in brown adipose tissue (BAT) is prevented by the denervation of BAT. We also reported that retinoic acid (RA) increases UCP1 mRNA in BAT. To extend these finding to UCP2 and UCP3 in BAT, we examined UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA after unilateral denervation of BAT, as well as after leptin, beta(3)-adrenergic agonist, RA, and glucocorticoid administration to rats. UCP3 mRNA was 20% less in the denervated compared with the intact BAT, whereas UCP2 mRNA was unchanged with denervation. The beta(3)-adrenergic agonist, CGP-12177 (0.75 mg/kg), increased UPC3 mRNA by 40% in the innervated and by 85% in the denervated BAT. Leptin (0.9 mg/day for 3 days) increased both UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA by 30% in the innervated and, surprisingly, in the denervated BAT. RA (7.5 mg/kg) increased UCP1 mRNA but decreased UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA by 50%, whereas methylprednisolone (65 mg/kg, two doses 24 h apart) suppressed all three uncoupling proteins by greater than 60%. The present findings indicate that: sympathetic innervation is necessary to maintain basal levels of UCP3 mRNA; beta(3)-adrenergic agonist stimulation induces UCP3 mRNA; leptin induces UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA and this induction is not dependent on sympathetic innervation; RA increases UCP1 but decreases UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA; and methylprednisolone suppresses UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 mRNA equally. These data suggest that there are distinct patterns of regulation between UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3, and there may be at least two modes by which leptin could modulate thermogenesis in BAT; first, by increasing sympathetic stimulation of BAT and induction of UCP1 mRNA and, secondly, by increasing UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA by a mechanism independent of sympathetic stimulation.

In situ SR function in postinfarction myocytes

Previous studies have shown lower systolic intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) and reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)-releasable Ca(2+) contents in myocytes isolated from rat hearts 3 wk after moderate myocardial infarction (MI). Ca(2+) entry via L-type Ca(2+) channels was normal, but that via reverse Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange was depressed in 3-wk MI myocytes. To elucidate mechanisms of reduced SR Ca(2+) contents in MI myocytes, we measured SR Ca(2+) uptake and SR Ca(2+) leak in situ, i.e., in intact cardiac myocytes. For sham and MI myocytes, we first demonstrated that caffeine application to release SR Ca(2+) and inhibit SR Ca(2+) uptake resulted in a 10-fold prolongation of half-time (t(1/2)) of [Ca(2+)](i) transient decline compared with that measured during a normal twitch. These observations indicate that early decline of the [Ca(2+)](i) transient during a twitch in rat myocytes was primarily mediated by SR Ca(2+)-ATPase and that the t(1/2) of [Ca(2+)](i) decline is a measure of SR Ca(2+) uptake in situ. At 5.0 mM extracellular Ca(2+), systolic [Ca(2+)](i) was significantly (P </= 0.05) lower (337 +/- 11 and 416 +/- 18 nM in MI and sham, respectively) and t(1/2) of [Ca(2+)](i) decline was significantly longer (0.306 +/- 0.014 and 0.258 +/- 0.014 s in MI and sham, respectively) in MI myocytes. The 19% prolongation of t(1/2) of [Ca(2+) ](i) decline was associated with a 23% reduction in SR Ca(2+)-ATPase expression (detected by immunoblotting) in MI myocytes. SR Ca(2+) leak was measured by a novel electrophysiological technique that did not require assigning empirical constants for intracellular Ca(2+) buffering. SR Ca(2+) leak rate was not different between sham and MI myocytes: the time constants of SR Ca(2+) loss after thapsigargin were 290 and 268 s, respectively. We conclude that, independent of decreased SR filling by Ca(2+) influx, the lower SR Ca(2+) content in MI myocytes was due to reduced SR Ca(2+) uptake and SR Ca(2+)-ATPase expression, but not to enhanced SR Ca(2+) leak.

Chronic run training suppresses alpha-adrenergic response of rat cardiomyocytes and isovolumic left ventricle

The effects of endurance run training on alpha-adrenergic responsiveness of rat left ventricle (LV) were examined in cardiomyocytes and isovolumic LV. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were sedentary (Sed) or trained (Tr) for >20 wk by treadmill running. Cardiomyocyte shortening and fura 2 fluorescence ratio were recorded before and during 5-min exposure to 5 microM phenylephrine (PE) while paced at 0.5 Hz in 2 mM extracellular Ca2+ concentration at 29 degrees C. Cardiomyocyte shortening and shortening velocity increased with PE, and these effects were more pronounced in the Sed group. The rate of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration removal was reduced by PE in the Sed cardiomyocytes, but was unaffected in the Tr. Isovolumic LV pressure was recorded immediately before and during 5-min perfusion with 5 microM PE during pacing at 280 beats/min and 37 degrees C, and positive inotropy due to PE was more pronounced in the Sed than in the Tr. These data demonstrated that the effects of alpha-adrenergic stimulation on myocardial positive inotropy and calcium regulation were reduced in this rat model of run training at both the cellular and whole organ levels.

Beta3-adrenergic regulation of leptin, food intake, and adiposity is impaired with age

With age, there are increases in adiposity, leptin mRNA in white adipose tissue (WAT), and serum leptin levels in rats. Beta3-adrenergic agonists are anti-obesity agents in rodents, and activation of beta3-adrenergic receptors (beta3AR) mediates an acute decrease in food consumption, increased thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT), increased lipolysis in WAT, and suppression of leptin gene expression and serum leptin levels. Because beta3AR signal transduction is impaired with age in BAT and WAT, beta3AR-mediated regulation of leptin, feeding behavior, and adiposity may also be impaired with age. To test this hypothesis, we infused young (6 month) and old (24 month) F344 x BN rats with the beta3AR agonist CL316,243 (1 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) using osmotic minipumps for 7 days. Food intake, body mass, adiposity, and serum leptin, as well as leptin, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA in BAT or WAT were determined. In young rats, CL316,243 infusion reduced body mass and adiposity, suppressed serum leptin and leptin mRNA levels in WAT, induced UCP1 in WAT, and increased UCP1 and LPL mRNA levels in BAT. Moreover, treatment with CL316,243 was associated with a marked but transient suppression of food intake. Most of the responses elicited in the old rats with CL316,243 treatment were qualitatively similar to those in the young rats, but blunted in magnitude. Beta3AR activation of adenylyl cyclase was also reduced in the aged rats. These data suggest that, although CL316,243 is an effective agent in aged rats, the maximum responses are reduced, suggesting that the impaired beta3AR signal transduction with age is a major determining factor in the reduced effectiveness of CL316,243 in older rats.

Cardiac troponin T mutations result in allele-specific phenotypes in a mouse model for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Multiple mutations in cardiac troponin T (cTnT) can cause familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). Patients with cTnT mutations generally exhibit mild or no ventricular hypertrophy, yet demonstrate a high frequency of early sudden death. To understand the functional basis of these phenotypes, we created transgenic mouse lines expressing 30%, 67%, and 92% of their total cTnT as a missense (R92Q) allele analogous to one found in FHC. Similar to a mouse FHC model expressing a truncated cTnT protein, the left ventricles of all R92Q lines are smaller than those of wild-type. In striking contrast to truncation mice, however, the R92Q hearts demonstrate significant induction of atrial natriuretic factor and beta-myosin heavy chain transcripts, interstitial fibrosis, and mitochondrial pathology. Isolated cardiac myocytes from R92Q mice have increased basal sarcomeric activation, impaired relaxation, and shorter sarcomere lengths. Isolated working heart data are consistent, showing hypercontractility and diastolic dysfunction, both of which are common findings in patients with FHC. These mice represent the first disease model to exhibit hypercontractility, as well as a unique model system for exploring the cellular pathogenesis of FHC. The distinct phenotypes of mice with different TnT alleles suggest that the clinical heterogeneity of FHC is at least partially due to allele-specific mechanisms.

Detailed characterization of the human aorta-gonad-mesonephros region reveals morphological polarity resembling a hematopoietic stromal layer

The definitive long-term repopulating human hematopoietic stem cell, which seeds the adult blood system, was previously thought to derive from the extra-embryonic yolk sac. However, there is now considerable evidence that in both avian and murine systems, yolk sac hematopoietic cells are largely a transient, embryonic population and the definitive stem cell, in fact, derives from a distinct region within the embryonic mesoderm, the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region. In the human embryo, an analogous region has been found to contain a cluster of cells distinct from, but closely associated with, the ventral endothelium of the dorsal aorta, the appearance of which is restricted both spatially and temporally. We have used antibodies recognising hematopoietic regulatory factors to further characterise this region in the human embryo. These studies indicate that all factors examined, including vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor FLK-1, Flt-3 ligand and its receptor STK-1, and stem cell leukemia transcription factor, are expressed by both hematopoietic cells in the cluster and endothelial cells. However, there is some discontinuity in cells directly underlying the cluster. Furthermore, we have identified a morphologically distinct region of densely-packed, rounded cells in the mesenchyme directly beneath the ventral wall of the dorsal aorta, and running along its entire length. In the preumbilical AGM region, directly underlying the hematopoietic cluster, but not at more rostral and caudal levels, this region of mesenchyme expresses tenascin-C, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein known to facilitate cell-cell interactions and migration. This region of cells may therefore provide the microenvironmental support for the intraembryonic development of definitive hematopoietic stem cells, a process in which tenascin-C may play a pivotal role.

Differential expression of stress proteins in rat myocardium after free wheel or treadmill run training

High-intensity treadmill exercise increases the expression of a cardioprotective, inducible 72-kDa stress protein (SP72) in cardiac muscle. This investigation examined whether voluntary free wheel exercise training would be sufficient to confer a similar response. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either treadmill (TM-Tr) or free wheel (FW-Tr) training groups. By the end of the 8-wk training period, TM-Tr animals ran 1 h/day, 5 days/wk up a 10% grade, covering a distance of 8,282 m/wk. FW-Tr rats ran, on average, 5,300 m/wk, with one-third of the animals covering distances similar to those for the TM-Tr group. At the time of death, hearts of trained and caged sedentary control (Sed) animals were divided into left (LV) and right (RV) ventricles. Citrate synthase activity and the relative immunoblot contents of SP72, SP73 (the constitutive isoform of the SP70 family), and a 75-kDa mitochondrial chaperone (SP75) were subsequently determined. LV and RV did not differ on any measure, and SP73, SP75, and citrate synthase were not affected by training. Cardiac SP72 levels were elevated over fourfold in both ventricles of TM-Tr compared with RV of FW-Sed rats. Despite the animals having run a similar total distance, cardiac SP72 content in FW-Tr rats was not different from that in Sed animals. These data indicate that voluntary exercise training is insufficient to elicit an elevation of SP72 in rat heart and suggest that exercise intensity may be a critical factor in evoking the cardioprotective SP72 response.

Effects of chronic run training on Na+-dependent Ca2+ efflux from rat left ventricular myocytes

The effects of endurance run training on Na+-dependent Ca2+ regulation in rat left ventricular myocytes were examined. Myocytes were isolated from sedentary and trained rats and loaded with fura 2. Contractile dynamics and fluorescence ratio transients were recorded during electrical pacing at 0.5 Hz, 2 mM extracellular Ca2+ concentration, and 29 degreesC. Resting and peak cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) did not change with exercise training. However, resting and peak [Ca2+]c increased significantly in both groups during 5 min of continuous pacing, although diastolic [Ca2+]c in the trained group was less susceptible to this elevation of intracellular Ca2+. Run training also significantly reduced the rate of [Ca2+]c decay during relaxation. Myocytes were then exposed to 10 mM caffeine in the absence of external Na+ or Ca2+ to trigger sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ release and to suppress cellular Ca2+ efflux. This maneuver elicited an elevated steady-state [Ca2+]c. External Na+ was then added, and the rate of [Ca2+]c clearance was determined. Run training significantly reduced the rate of Na+-dependent clearance of [Ca2+]c during the caffeine-induced contractures. These data demonstrate that the removal of cytosolic Ca2+ was depressed with exercise training under these experimental conditions and may be specifically reflective of a training-induced decrease in the rate of cytosolic Ca2+ removal via Na+/Ca2+ exchange and/or in the amount of Ca2+ moved across the sarcolemma during a contraction.

Shortening and [Ca2+] dynamics of left ventricular myocytes isolated from exercise-trained rats

The effects of run endurance training and fura 2 loading on the contractile function and Ca2+ regulation of rat left ventricular myocytes were examined. In myocytes not loaded with fura 2, the maximal extent of myocyte shortening was reduced with training under our pacing conditions [0.5 Hz at 2.0 and 0.75 mM external Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o)], although training had no effect on the temporal characteristics. The "light" loading of myocytes with fura 2 markedly suppressed (approximately 50%) maximal shortening in the sedentary and trained groups, although the temporal characteristics of myocyte shortening were significantly prolonged in the trained group. No discernible differences in the dynamic characteristics of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) transient were detected at 2.0 mM [Ca2+]o, although peak [Ca2+] and rate of [Ca2+] rise during caffeine contracture were greater in the trained state at 0.75 mM [Ca2+]o. We conclude that training induced a diminished myocyte contractile function under the conditions studied here and a more effective coupling of inward Ca2+ current to sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release at low [Ca2+]o, and that fura 2 and its loading vehicle DMSO significantly alter the intrinsic characteristics of myocyte contractile function and Ca2+ regulation.

Endurance exercise alters the contractile responsiveness of rat heart to extracellular Na+ and Ca2+

PURPOSE AND METHODS

The isovolumic contractile responsiveness of left ventricular (LV) myocardium to altered extracellular [Ca2+], [Na+], and pacing frequency was examined using perfused hearts (37 degrees C) isolated from sedentary (SED) and treadmill-trained (TR) adult female rats.

RESULTS

The suppressive effect of reducing perfusate free [Ca2+] to 0.7 mM on LV developed pressure (delta LVP) was greater in the TR hearts compared with SED hearts (P < 0.05). When perfusate [Na+] was reduced to 120 mM ([Ca2+] = 0.7 mM), delta LVP augmentation was greatest in the TR hearts (P < 0.05). The negative force-frequency relationship observed at physiologic [Ca2+] and [Na+] was progressively altered toward a positive force-frequency relationship with each subsequent change in perfusate [Ca2+] and [Na+] although the effect was greatest in TR hearts (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Training elicited a small but significant (P < 0.05) prolongation in the pressure development phase of contraction. Under the physiological [Ca2+], [Na+] perfusion condition, training produced an increase in the magnitude of extrasystolic potentiation of LV pressure, whereas the time constant of mechanical restitution was unaffected. Training affected neither the Ca(2+)-dependence nor the maximal capacity of [3H] ryanodine binding to LV myocardial homogenates. The simplest interpretation of [Na+] and [Ca2+] reduction experiments is that myocardial Ca2+ efflux was augmented by exercise training.

Cellular adaptations of the heart muscle to exercise training

Exercise training is unique in that it represents a stress that elicits positive adaptations in the heart. Hallmark adaptations of the heart to training include resting and submaximal exercise bradycardia, increases in end-diastolic dimension, improved ventricular function, and an increase in the resistance of the heart to ischaemic insult. Endurance exercise training has also been shown to be effective in the treatment and/or prevention of the cardiac functional deficits that are known to occur in settings of chronic hypertension, advanced age, and myocardial infarction. Over the last 20-25 years, considerable effort has been directed towards identifying the cellular basis for the global adaptations of the normal and pathologically involved heart to endurance exercise training. It is the intent of this brief review to identify some of the known and hypothetical cellular adaptations that underlie the positive effects of endurance exercise training on the heart.

A truncated cardiac troponin T molecule in transgenic mice suggests multiple cellular mechanisms for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Mutations in multiple cardiac sarcomeric proteins including myosin heavy chain (MyHC) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) cause a dominant genetic heart disease, familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). Patients with mutations in these two genes have quite distinct clinical characteristics. Those with MyHC mutations demonstrate more significant and uniform cardiac hypertrophy and a variable frequency of sudden death. Patients with cTnT mutations generally exhibit mild or no hypertrophy, but a high frequency of sudden death at an early age. To understand the basis for these distinctions and to study the pathogenesis of the disease, we have created transgenic mice expressing a truncated mouse cTnT allele analogous to one found in FHC patients. Mice expressing truncated cTnT at low (< 5%) levels develop cardiomyopathy and their hearts are significantly smaller (18-27%) than wild type. These animals also exhibit significant diastolic dysfunction and milder systolic dysfunction. Animals that express higher levels of transgene protein die within 24 h of birth. Transgenic mouse hearts demonstrate myocellular disarray and have a reduced number of cardiac myocytes that are smaller in size. These studies suggest that multiple cellular mechanisms result in the human disease, which is generally characterized by mild hypertrophy, but, also, frequent sudden death.

Sprint training attenuates myocyte hypertrophy and improves Ca2+ homeostasis in postinfarction myocytes

Myocytes isolated from rat hearts 3 wk after myocardial infarction (MI) had decreased Na+/Ca2+ exchange currents (I Na/Ca; 3 Na+ out:1 Ca2+ in) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)-releasable Ca2+ contents. These defects in Ca2+ regulation may contribute to abnormal contractility in MI myocytes. Because exercise training elicits positive adaptations in cardiac contractile function and myocardial Ca2+ regulation, the present study examined whether 6-8 wk of high-intensity sprint training (HIST) would ameliorate some of the cellular maladaptations observed in post-MI rats with limited exercise activity (Sed). In MI rats, HIST did not affect citrate synthase activities of plantaris muscles but significantly increased the percentage of cardiac alpha-myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms (57.2 +/- 1.9 vs. 49.3 +/- 3.5 in MI-HIST vs. MI-Sed, respectively; P < or = 0.05). At the single myocyte level, HIST attenuated cellular hypertrophy observed post-MI, as evidenced by reductions in cell lengths (112 +/- 4 vs. 130 +/- 5 micrograms in MI-HIST vs. MI-Sed, respectively; P < or = 0.005) and cell capacitances (212 +/- 8 vs. 242 +/- 9 pF in MI-HIST vs. MI-Sed, respectively; P < or = 0.015). Reverse I Na/Ca was significantly lower (P < or = 0.0001) in myocytes from MI-Sed rats compared with those from rats that were sham operated and sedentary. HIST significantly increased reverse I Na/Ca (P < or = 0.05) without affecting the amount of Na+/Ca2+ exchangers (detected by immunoblotting) in MI myocytes. SR-releasable Ca2+ content, as estimated by integrating forward I Na/Ca during caffeine-induced SR Ca2+ release, was also significantly increased (P < or = 0.02) by HIST in MI myocytes. We conclude that the enhanced cardiac output and stroke volume in post-MI rats subjected to HIST are mediated, at least in part, by reversal of cellular maladaptations post-MI.

Advances in home therapy for gingivitis--revolution or evolution?

The daily use of toothpaste offers the opportunity for additional therapeutic benefits beyond caries control. The dental professional must be prepared to assist patients in making informed choices about these products to maximize their benefits as a supplement to mechanical oral hygiene. Dentifrices containing chemotherapeutic agents that are successful in controlling gingivitis, when combined with mechanical therapy, have the potential to improve oral health. However, the published clinical studies on some of these products do not always present a consistent picture with regard to absolute or relative efficacy. In this article, the clinical studies on dentifrices containing sodium bicarbonate/hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, triclosan, and stannous fluoride are reviewed. In addition, suggestions for the analysis of these types of studies by practitioners are presented. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the dental professional to provide monitoring and guidance to assist patients in making informed decisions about oral health care product use.

Endurance training does not affect intrinsic calcium current characteristics in rat myocardium

The voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (L-type channel) controls an inward Ca2+ current (ICa) that is centrally involved in the regulation of myocardial excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. A significant body of evidence exists to support the idea that exercise training elicits alterations in myocardial Ca2+ regulation, and the L-type channel has been implicated as a possible site of adaptation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether training elicits adaptations at the level of the L-type Ca2+ channel, as reflected by alterations in whole cell ICa characteristics in single myocytes isolated from rat left ventricle (LV). Female rats were treadmill trained at a moderately high intensity for a minimum of 20 wk. Body weight was unaffected by the training protocol, whereas there was a trend (P = 0.06) for a modest increase in LV weight (approximately 8%). Training produced significant (P < 0.05) increases in mean myocyte capacitance (approximately 9%) and myocyte length (approximately 6%), thus providing electrophysiological and morphological evidence that training elicited LV cardiocyte hypertrophy. Whole cell ICa vs. voltage and ICa density vs. voltage relationships as well as ICa inactivation and recovery characteristics were unaffected by our training paradigm. These findings do not support the hypothesis that training elicits adaptations in L-type Ca2+ channel number or intrinsic function in a model exhibiting classical exercise training-induced myocardial hypertrophy. Our results do not, however, preclude the possibility that training-induced adaptations at sites other than the L-type Ca2+ channel could affect ICa and myocardial EC coupling.