Regulation of Na+-K+-ATPase leads to disturbances of isoproterenol-induced cardiac dysfunction via interference of Ca2+-dependent cardiac metabolism

Reductions in Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA) activity and expression are often observed in the progress of various reason-induced heart failure (HF). However, NKA α1 mutation or knockdown cannot cause spontaneous heart disease. Whether the abnormal NKA α1 directly contributes to HF pathogenesis remains unknown. Here, we challenge NKA α1+/- mice with isoproterenol to evaluate the role of NKA α1 haploinsufficiency in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac dysfunction. Genetic knockdown of NKA α1 accelerated ISO-induced cardiac cell hypertrophy, heart fibrosis, and dysfunction. Further studies revealed decreased Krebs cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial OXPHOS in the hearts of NKA α1+/- mice challenged with ISO. In ISO-treated conditions, inhibition of NKA elevated cytosolic Na+, further reduced mitochondrial Ca2+ via mNCE, and then finally down-regulated cardiac cell energy metabolism. In addition, a supplement of DRm217 alleviated ISO-induced heart dysfunction, mitigated cardiac remodeling, and improved cytosolic Na+ and Ca2+ elevation and mitochondrial Ca2+ depression in the NKA α1+/- mouse model. The findings suggest that targeting NKA and mitochondria Ca2+ could be a promising strategy in the treatment of heart disease.

Prospective of Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis Using Cardiac Sensing

Pancreatic carcinoma (Ca Pancreas) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. The malignancies of the pancreas can be diagnosed with the help of various imaging modalities. An endoscopic ultrasound with a tissue biopsy is so far considered to be the gold standard in terms of the detection of Ca Pancreas, especially for lesions <2 mm. However, other methods, like computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are also conventionally used. Moreover, newer techniques, like proteomics, radiomics, metabolomics, and artificial intelligence (AI), are slowly being introduced for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. Regardless, it is still a challenge to diagnose pancreatic carcinoma non-invasively at an early stage due to its delayed presentation. Similarly, this also makes it difficult to demonstrate an association between Ca Pancreas and other vital organs of the body, such as the heart. A number of studies have proven a correlation between the heart and pancreatic cancer. The tumor of the pancreas affects the heart at the physiological, as well as the molecular, level. An overexpression of the SMAD4 gene; a disruption in biomolecules, such as IGF, MAPK, and ApoE; and increased CA19-9 markers are a few of the many factors that are noted to affect cardiovascular systems with pancreatic malignancies. A comprehensive review of this correlation will aid researchers in conducting studies to help establish a definite relation between the two organs and discover ways to use it for the early detection of Ca Pancreas.

Mechanism of fibroblast growth factor 21 in cardiac remodeling

Cardiac remodeling is a basic pathological process that enables the progression of multiple cardiac diseases to heart failure. Fibroblast growth factor 21 is considered a regulator in maintaining energy homeostasis and shows a positive role in preventing damage caused by cardiac diseases. This review mainly summarizes the effects and related mechanisms of fibroblast growth factor 21 on pathological processes associated with cardiac remodeling, based on a variety of cells of myocardial tissue. The possibility of Fibroblast growth factor 21 as a promising treatment for the cardiac remodeling process will also be discussed.

Dynamic alteration in myocardium creatine during acute infarction using MR CEST imaging

Creatine (Cr) is an essential metabolite in the creatine kinase reaction, which plays a critical role in maintaining normal cardiac function. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI offers a novel way to map myocardium Cr. This study aims to investigate the dynamic alteration in myocardium Cr during acute infarction using CEST MRI, which may facilitate understanding of the heart remodeling mechanism at the molecular level. Seven adult Bama pigs underwent cardiac cine, Cr CEST, and late gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) T₁ -weighted (T₁ w) imaging three and 14 days after myocardial infarction induction on a 3 T scanner. Cardiac structural and functional indices, including myocardium mass (MM), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF), were measured from cines. Infarct angle was determined from LGE T₁ w images, based on which myocardium was classified into infarct, adjacent, and remote regions. Cr-weighted CEST signal was quantified from a three-pool Lorentzian fitting model and measured within each region and the entire myocardium. Student's t-test was conducted to evaluate any significant differences in measurements between the two time points. Correlation was assessed with Pearson correlation. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Over the studied period, MM, EDV, and ESV did not alter significantly (P > 0.05), whereas significant increases of SV and EF and decrease of infarct angle were observed (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the Cr-weighted CEST signal elevated significantly on Day 14 compared with Day 3 in the infarct (10.00 ± 1.28% versus 6.91 ± 1.54%, P < 0.01), adjacent (11.17 ± 2.00% versus 8.01 ± 1.58%, P = 0.01), and entire myocardium (11.03 ± 1.36% versus 8.19 ± 1.28%, P < 0.01). Moderate negative correlations were shown between the infarct angle and Cr-weighted CEST signals in the infarct (r = -0.80, P < 0.001), adjacent (r = -0.58, P = 0.03), and entire myocardium (r = -0.76, P < 0.01). In conclusion, the dynamic increase of myocardium Cr during acute infarction may interact with cardiac structural and functional recovery. The study provides supplementary insights into the heart remodeling process from the metabolic viewpoint.

Effects of a collagen hyaluronic acid silk-fibroin patch with the electroconductive element polyaniline on left ventricular remodeling in an infarct heart model

Biodegradable cardiac patches have been able to induce improvement in left ventricular (LV) remodeling. A novel scaffold patch made with collagen and silk-fibroin (COL-SF) was further associated to polyaniline (PANi) to increase conductivity. Thus, this study investigated the safety of the association of PANi to a patch, and the improvement in LV remodeling in a myocardial infarct (MI) rat model. Wistar rats underwent MI induction. MI was confirmed with echocardiographic and after 2 weeks, animals (n = 10/group) were randomized into: (a) COL-SF hyaluronic acid patch, (b) PANi hyaluronic acid patch, (c) MI Control (just repeat thoracotomy). Healthy animals were also followed. Echocardiography was performed at pre-treatment, and at 2-, 4-, and 8-weeks post-treatment. Hearts underwent hemodynamic evaluation on Langendorff apparatus and histology for LV thickness and percent of infarct size. Liver, kidneys, and blood samples were evaluated for biochemical, hematological, oxidative stress, and histology. There was a tendency of lower %infarct size in patched animals. LV thickness was higher in the patched animals than controls. Functional echocardiographic indices %Fractional shortening and %LV ejection fraction decreased in the MI control group, but not in the patched animals. PANi presented higher %LVEF versus MI control. PANi presented higher liver transaminases; no morphological changes were observed in histology. Elevation of antioxidant markers was observed. COL-SF and PANi patches were able to induce better remodeling features compared to MI controls on %infarct size and LV thickness and have not presented echocardiographic worsening. Polyaniline may present a slight improvement on LV remodeling, despite associated to signs of hepatotoxicity and pro-oxidant effect.

MicroRNAs as monitoring markers for right-sided heart failure and congestive hepatopathy

The last decades showed a worrying increase in the evolution of cardiovascular diseases towards different stages of heart failure (HF), as a stigma of the western lifestyle. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), non-coding RNAs, which are approximately 22-nucleotide long, were shown to regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of HF. miRNAs research is of high interest nowadays, as these molecules display mechanisms of action that can influence the course of evolution of common chronic diseases, including HF. The potential of post-transcriptional regulation by miRNAs concerning the diagnosis, management, and therapy for HF represents a new promising approach in the accurate assessment of cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to assess the current knowledge of miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases, especially right-sided heart failure and hepatomegaly. Moreover, attention is focused on their role as potential molecular biomarkers and more promising aspects involving miRNAs as future therapeutic targets in the pathophysiology of HF.

[Low serum Klotho level as a predictor of calcification of the heart and blood vessels in patients with CKD stages 2-5D]

Cardiovascular calcification (CVC) makes a significant contribution to the manifestation of cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic kidney disease. Early CVC markers are currently being actively studied to optimize cardio-renoprotective strategies. We performed a prospective comparative analysis of the following factors: FGF-23, a-Klotho, sclecrostin, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), central systolic pressure as an independent determinant of CVC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 131 patients with chronic kidney disease 25D st. Serum levels of FGF-23, Klotho, and sclerostin were evaluated using the ELISA method. Vascular augmentation (stiffness) indices, central arterial pressure (using the SphygmoCor device), calcification of heart valves and the degree of aortic calcification (aortic radiography) were also investigated. The observation period was 2 years.

RESULTS

According to the Spearman correlation analysis, the percent of calcification increase and the change in Klotho level are most related. According to ROC analysis, a decrease in serum levels of Klotho by 50 units or more is a significant predictor of an increase in aortic calcification of 50% or more with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 77%. Using logistic regression analysis, it was found that a serum Klotho level 632 pg/L predicts an eGFR below a median level of 48 ml/min/1.73 m2 with a sensitivity of 85.5% and a specificity of 78.5%. Wherein OR 17.477 (CI 95% 8.04637.962; p0.001).

CONCLUSION

The factor most associated with CVC is Klotho. Decreased serum level of Klotho is a predictor of aortic calcification. In addition, the initial serum level of Klotho is a predictor of eGFR after 2 years.

Risk Reduction and Right Heart Reverse Remodeling by Upfront Triple Combination Therapy in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Combinations of therapies are currently recommended for patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and excellent results have been reported with triple upfront combination of these drugs. We evaluated the effects of this approach on right ventricular (RV) function and outcome in patients with severe PAH.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients (age, 44 ± 15 years) with newly diagnosed high-risk idiopathic PAH that was nonreversible by the inhalation of nitric oxide were treated upfront with a combination of ambrisentan, tadalafil, and subcutaneous treprostinil between 2014 and 2018. Clinical evaluation, World Health Organization functional class, 6-min walk distance, biomarkers, echocardiography, and right-sided heart catheterization data were recorded at baseline and during follow-up.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 2 years, all patients were still alive. The Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management score decreased from 10 ± 1 to 5 ± 1, right-sided atrial pressure decreased from 13 ± 3 to 5 ± 2 mm Hg, mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 60 ± 9 to 42 ± 5 mm Hg, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreased from 16.4 ± 4.4 to 5.5 ± 1.3 Wood units, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide decreased from 3,379 ± 1,921 to 498 ± 223 pg/mL, and World Health Organization functional class decreased from 3.4 ± 0.5 to 2.0 ± 0.4 (all P < .001). Cardiac index increased from 1.8 ± 0.3 to 3.5 ± 0.8 L/min/m² and 6-min walk distance increased from 158 ± 130 to 431 ± 66 m (both P < .001). Echocardiography showed decreased right-sided atrial and RV areas, improved left ventricular eccentricity index, and increased fractional area change (all P < .001) in proportion to treatment-induced decrease in PVR.

CONCLUSIONS

Triple upfront combination therapy with ambrisentan, tadalafil, and subcutaneous treprostinil in severe nonreversible PAH is associated with considerable clinical and hemodynamic improvement and right-sided heart reverse remodeling.

Risk Reduction and Right Heart Reverse Remodeling by Upfront Triple Combination Therapy in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Combinations of therapies are currently recommended for patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and excellent results have been reported with triple upfront combination of these drugs. We evaluated the effects of this approach on right ventricular (RV) function and outcome in patients with severe PAH.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients (age, 44 ± 15 years) with newly diagnosed high-risk idiopathic PAH that was nonreversible by the inhalation of nitric oxide were treated upfront with a combination of ambrisentan, tadalafil, and subcutaneous treprostinil between 2014 and 2018. Clinical evaluation, World Health Organization functional class, 6-min walk distance, biomarkers, echocardiography, and right-sided heart catheterization data were recorded at baseline and during follow-up.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 2 years, all patients were still alive. The Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management score decreased from 10 ± 1 to 5 ± 1, right-sided atrial pressure decreased from 13 ± 3 to 5 ± 2 mm Hg, mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 60 ± 9 to 42 ± 5 mm Hg, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreased from 16.4 ± 4.4 to 5.5 ± 1.3 Wood units, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide decreased from 3,379 ± 1,921 to 498 ± 223 pg/mL, and World Health Organization functional class decreased from 3.4 ± 0.5 to 2.0 ± 0.4 (all P < .001). Cardiac index increased from 1.8 ± 0.3 to 3.5 ± 0.8 L/min/m² and 6-min walk distance increased from 158 ± 130 to 431 ± 66 m (both P < .001). Echocardiography showed decreased right-sided atrial and RV areas, improved left ventricular eccentricity index, and increased fractional area change (all P < .001) in proportion to treatment-induced decrease in PVR.

CONCLUSIONS

Triple upfront combination therapy with ambrisentan, tadalafil, and subcutaneous treprostinil in severe nonreversible PAH is associated with considerable clinical and hemodynamic improvement and right-sided heart reverse remodeling.

In Vivo Assessment of Decellularized Porcine Myocardial Slice as an Acellular Cardiac Patch

Acellular cardiac patches made of various biomaterials have shown to improve heart function after myocardial infarction (MI). Extracellular matrix scaffold derived from a decellularized tissue has unique advantages to serve as an acellular cardiac patch due to its biomimetic nature. In this study, we examined the therapeutic outcomes of using a decellularized porcine myocardium slice (dPMS) as an acellular patch in a rat acute MI model. dPMSs with two different thicknesses (300 and 600 μm) were patched to the infarcted area of the rat myocardium, and their effects on cardiac function and host interactions were assessed. We found that the implanted dPMS firmly attached to host myocardium after implantation and prevented thinning of the left ventricular (LV) wall after an MI. A large number of host cells were identified to infiltrate into the implanted dPMS, and a significant number of vessel structures was observed in the dPMS and infarcted area. We detected a significantly higher density of M2 macrophages in the groups treated with dPMSs as compared to the MI group. Contraction of the LV wall and cardiac functional parameters (left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening) was significantly improved in the treatment groups (300 and 600 μm dPMS) 4 weeks after surgery. Our results proved the therapeutic benefits of using dPMS as an acellular cardiac patch for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

A Case of Sudden Death Due to Persistent Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension After Late Atrial Septal Defect Closure

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are one of the most prevalent congenital cardiac anomalies in adults. These interatrial communications can produce changes in the right heart (remodeling and failure) and the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). Most adults with ASDs are surgically treated with excellent results. However, a small fraction of patients is at risk for postoperative complications, particularly the persistence of pulmonary hypertension. A case of a 47-year-old woman who was found unresponsive in the bathroom of her house and died despite resuscitative efforts is described. According to medical records, the woman underwent a surgical repair of an atrial septal defect at the age of 37. At the autopsy, macroscopic and microscopic signs of advanced pulmonary hypertension were detected, highlighting the importance for the forensic pathologists to recognize pulmonary hypertension as a cause of sudden death in adults with a history of late surgical closure of an atrial septal defect.

[Assessment of Efficiency of Medicamentous Therapy in Correction of Structurally Functional Changes of The Cardiac Muscle at Patients With Arterial Hypertension in Combination With Bronchial Asthma]

BACKGROUND

Bronchial asthma (BA) is a serious problem. It was found that the frequency of arterial hypertension (AH) detection in patients with asthma is about 30 %. At patients practically all types of violations of a warm rhythm meet a bronkhoobstruktivny syndrome. Emergence of rather new preparations - If-blockers, opens new opportunities in correction of heart rate (HR) and a cardioprotection at a combination of AH and BA.

AIM

To assess therapy diltiazem-retard and ivabradine on structurally functional changes of a cardiac muscle and HR at patients with AH in combination with BA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients (n=91) with BA with AH 1, 2. All patients were outpatients and taken therapy on BA with inhaled corticosteroids. The patients used a 2-agonists. All patients were performed the echocardioscopy on Acuson 128XP/ 10c (USA). Holter monitor ECG (HM-EKG) was found myocardium ischemia - 18 patients, research was continued by 73 persons. The patients were divided into 2 groups. In the first group made n=37, age 53+/-7,64, received diltiazem-retard. The second group included n=36, age 51,2+/-7,13 years - ivabradine. Duration of observation is 12 weeks.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Therapy ivabradine and diltiazem at patients BA according to HM-EKG reliable decrease in frequency of registration of ventricular extrasistoliya in days and heart rate (HR) (<0,05), the quantity of supraventricular extrasistoliya per day doubtfully decreased. Diltiazem wasn't more effective concerning decrease in HR, ventricular and supraventricular extrasistoliya, when comparing with ivabradine (>0,05). The result of 12 week therapy ivabradine at patients with a combination of AH and BA more significant was observed in comparison with diltiazem, regression a hypertrophy of the left ventricle, improvement of diastolic function and almost full regression of warm ektopiya. The tendency was to decrease and stabilization arterial pressure and decrease in HR to purpose level.

The Mingle-Mangle of Wnt Signaling and Extracellular Vesicles: Functional Implications for Heart Research

Wnt signaling is an important pathway in health and disease and a key regulator of stem cell maintenance, differentiation, and proliferation. During heart development, Wnt signaling controls specification, proliferation and differentiation of cardiovascular cells. In this regard, the role of activated Wnt signaling in cardiogenesis is well defined. However, the knowledge about signaling transmission has been challenged. Recently, the packaging of hydrophobic Wnt proteins on extracellular vesicles (EVs) has emerged as a mechanism to facilitate their extracellular spreading and their functioning as morphogens. EVs spread systemically and therefore can have pleiotropic effects on very different cell types. They are heavily studied in tumor biology where they affect tumor growth and vascularization and can serve as biomarkers in liquid biopsies. In this review we will highlight recent discoveries of factors involved in the release of Wnts on EVs and its potential implications in the communication between physiological and pathological heart cells.

Cardiac adaptation to hypertension in adult female Dahl salt-sensitive rats is dependent on ovarian function, but loss of ovarian function does not predict early maladaptation

Aim of study was to examine experimentally the adult female hypertensive heart in order to determine the role of ovary function in the response of the heart to salt-dependent hypertension. Dahl salt-sensitive rats, age 12 weeks, with/without ovariectomy were fed a standard (0.3% NaCl) or high-salt diet (8%) for 16 weeks. Mean arterial blood pressure monitored noninvasively in conscious state increased significantly by high salt. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and endpoint. Heart function and molecular changes were evaluated at endpoint by left ventricle catheterization, by sirius red staining for collagen and by gene expression using quantitative RT-PCR for selected genes. At endpoint, significant concentric hypertrophy was present with high salt. Increase in relative wall thickening with high salt compared to normal diet was more pronounced with intact ovaries (0.33 ± 0.02 and 0.57 ± 0.04 vs. 0.29 ± 0.00 and 0.46 ± 0.03) as was the reduction in midwall fractional shortening (20 ± 0.6 and 14 ± 2 vs. 19 ± 0.9 and 18 ± 1). Ovariectomy increased stroke volume and decreased the ratio of mitral peak velocity of early filling (E) to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E') (E/E' ratio) when compared to hearts from intact rats. High salt increased expression of collagen I and III genes and perivascular collagen in the heart slightly, but % interstitial collagen by sirius red staining remained unchanged in intact rats and decreased significantly by ovariectomy. Added volume load but not deterioration of function or structure characterized the nonfailing hypertensive heart of salt-sensitive females ovariectomized at mature age when compared to corresponding intact females.