Activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors is not essential for the mediation of ischaemic preconditioning in rat heart

1. The aim of the present study was to clarify the role of alpha1-adrenoceptors in the mechanism of ischaemic preconditioning (IP). 2. Rat isolated perfused hearts were either non- preconditioned, preconditioned with 5 min ischaemia or treated for 5 min with alpha1-adrenoceptor agonists (50 micromol/L phenylephrine; 0.1, 0.5 and 1 micromol/L methoxamine) before being subjected to 45 min of sustained ischaemia followed by 60 min reperfusion. 3. Within each of the above protocols, hearts were divided into groups to which alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists (prazosin, 5'-methyl urapidil and chloroethylclonidine (CEC)) were administered. Functional recovery and infarct size were used as indices of the effects of ischaemia. Ischaemic contracture characteristics and maximal diastolic pressure during reflow were also assessed. 4. Blockade of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors with prazosin or the subtype-selective antagonists 5'-methyl urapidil and CEC did not abolish the protective effect of IP with respect to both functional recovery and infarct size reduction. 5. Protection afforded by phenylephrine was attenuated in hearts treated with prazosin or the alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor- selective antagonist CEC, but not in those treated with the alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor-selective antagonist 5'-methyl urapidil. 6. Treatment with low concentrations of methoxamine, considered to be alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor selective, did not confer any protection to the ischaemic myocardium. 7. A close relationship between accelerated ischaemic contracture and enhanced cardioprotection was observed. 8. The results suggest that alpha1-adrenoceptor stimulation mimics IP, but it is not an essential component in the mechanism behind the protective effect of IP in rat heart. In addition, the present study demonstrates that stimulation of the alpha(1B)- but not the alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor subtype is responsible for the catecholamine-induced protection of ischaemic myocardium in rat.     

Dual effects of dichloroacetate on cardiac ischaemic preconditioning in the rat isolated perfused heart

1. Ischaemic cardiac preconditioning represents an important cardioprotective mechanism which limits myocardial ischaemic damage. The aim of this investigation was to assess the impact of dichloroacetate (DCA), a pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activator, on preconditioning.
2. Rat isolated hearts were perfused by use of the Langendorff technique, and were subjected to either preconditioning (3×4 or 3×6 min ischaemia) or continuous perfusion, followed by 30 min global ischaemia and 60 min reperfusion. DCA (3 mM) was either given throughout the protocol (pretreatment), during reperfusion only (post-treatment), or not at all. Throughout reperfusion mechanical performance was assessed as the rate-pressure product (RPP: left ventricular developed pressure×heart rate).
3. In non-preconditioned control hearts, mechanical performance was substantially (P<0.001) depressed on reperfusion (the RPP after 60 min of reperfusion (RPP_t=60) was 4,246±974 mmHg beats min⁻¹ compared to baseline value of 21,297±1,728 mmHg beats min⁻¹). Preconditioning with either 3×4 min or 3×6 min cycles caused significant protection, as shown by enhanced recovery (RPP_t=60=7,818±1,138, P<0.05, and 11,123±587 mmHg beats min⁻¹, P<0.001, respectively).
4. Addition of DCA (3 mM) to hearts under baseline conditions significantly (P<0.001) enhanced systolic function with an increased left ventricular developed pressure of 108±5 mmHg compared to 88.3±3.0 mmHg in the controls.
5. Pretreatment with 3 mM DCA had no effect on recovery of mechanical performance in the non-preconditioned hearts (RPP_t=60=3,640±1,235 mmHg beats min⁻¹) while the beneficial effects of preconditioning were reduced in the preconditioned hearts (3×4 min: RPP_t=60=2,919±1,060 mmHg beats min⁻¹; 3×6 min: RPP_t=60=8,032±1,367 mmHg beats min⁻¹). Therefore, DCA had increased the threshold for preconditioning.
6. By contrast, post-treatment of hearts with 3 mM DCA substantially improved recovery on reperfusion in all groups (RPP_t=60=5,827±1,328 (non-preconditioned), 14,022±3,743 (3×4 min; P<0.01) and 23,219±1,374 (3×6 min; P<0.001) mmHg beats min⁻¹).
7. The results of the present investigation clearly show that pretreatment with DCA enhances baseline cardiac mechanical performance but increases the threshold for cardiac preconditioning. However, post-treatment with DCA substantially augments the beneficial effects of preconditioning.

     

Anti-infarct effect of magnesium is not mediated by adenosine A1 receptors in rat globally ischaemic isolated hearts

1. The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of magnesium (Mg) on cardiac function and infarct size and to compare it effects with those of adenosine. The mechanism of Mg-mediated cardioprotection was explored by combined use of Mg and a selective adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist. 2. Rat isolated hearts were used for Langendorff perfusion. Hearts were either non-preconditioned or preconditioned with Mg (6 mmol/L) or adenosine (1 mmol/L) before 30 min sustained ischaemia followed by 120 min reperfusion. Within each of these protocols, hearts were divided into two groups; one group was exposed to the A(1) receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; 200 nmol/L). Infarct size was measured by the triphenyltetrazolium chloride method. Left ventricular function was assessed by left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), the product of heart rate x LVDP and coronary flow (CF). 3. The administration of Mg had an anti-infarct effect independent of its effect on postischaemic functional recovery in rats. Both Mg and adenosine equipotently reduced infarct size, but this effect of Mg was not blocked by the simultaneous administration of DPCPX. Cardiac function was improved by both adenosine and Mg and blockade of adenosine A(1) receptors attenuated these effects for both agents. 4. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that stimulation of adenosine A(1) receptors is not responsible for the anti-infarct effect of Mg in ischaemic myocardium in rats, but that the Mg-mediated protection of postischaemic functional recovery in rats is mediated by these receptors.     

Metabolic and functional effects of carbachol and ischaemic preconditioning in rat isolated heart

1. Metabolic and functional effects of ischaemic preconditioning (IP), pretreatment with carbachol (Ch) and combined interventions were studied in rat isolated working hearts subjected to 20 min global ischaemia (37 degrees C) and 40 min reperfusion. Prior to the ischaemic period, hearts were either perfused according to Langendorff (control group), ischaemically preconditioned by 5 min global ischaemia and 5 min reperfusion (IP group), perfused with 0.1 mumol/L Ch for 5 min and then with Ch-free Krebs'-Henseleit buffer for 5 min (Ch group) or perfused with 0.1 mumol/L Ch for 5 min and then subjected to IP (Ch + IP group). 2. Although Ch exerted slight negative chronotropic and inotropic effects during pre-ischaemic Langendorff perfusion, it did not affect myocardial contents of ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) prior to sustained ischaemia. At the end of final reperfusion, the IP and Ch groups showed similar recovery of aortic output (67.5 +/- 5.0 and 56.8 +/- 5.4%, respectively), cardiac output (65.4 +/- 5.4 and 63.5 +/- 5.7%, respectively) and stroke volume (73.4 +/- 7.5 and 67.0 +/- 6.7%, respectively) expressed as a percentage of steady state values. These indices were higher than those in the control group (42.8 +/- 4.7, 53.8 +/- 4.3 and 56.1 +/- 5.6%, respectively; P < 0.05). The Ch + IP group exhibited complete recovery of all indices of pump function, including cardiac work, expressed as the cardiac output-mean aortic pressure (CO-MAP) product. 3. There were no differences in ATP recovery between the groups after reperfusion: the ATP content was, on average, 73.1 +/- 3.5% of the initial ATP content. However, all treated groups had enhanced PCr recovery and better preservation of total creatine (sigma Cr = PCr + Cr), an index of cell membrane integrity, than control. Metabolic efficacy of the pre-ischaemic interventions can be ranked as follows: IP < or = Ch < Ch + IP. In all groups, myocardial content of sigma Cr was positively correlated with percentage recovery of the CO-MAP product at the end of reperfusion (r = 0.79, P < 0.05). 4. The results demonstrate that Ch treatment combined with IP provides significantly greater postischaemic myocardial salvage. The similarity of the metabolic and functional effects of Ch treatment and IP strongly suggests muscarinic M2 acetylcholine receptor involvement in acute adaptation of rat heart to ischaemia/reperfusion stress.     

阿魏酸钠对离体大鼠心脏的药理性预适应保护作用及机制

目的研究阿魏酸钠(sodiumferulate,SF)诱导药理性预适应对离体大鼠心脏的保护作用及其机制。方法将大鼠离体心脏随机分5组:正常组(Control组,富氧液灌注100min);缺氧/复氧损伤组(I/R组,稳定灌流30min,缺血停灌40min后复灌30min);缺血预适应组(IP组,行3次停灌5min、复灌5min刺激后,停灌40min、复灌30min);SF组(用含有1.69mmol.L-1SF的灌流液灌流15min后改用正常灌流液灌流15min,后行停灌40min、复灌30min);格列本脲组(Gli组,用格列本脲30μmol.L-1和SF1.69mmol.L-1合用灌流心脏15min后改用正常灌流液灌流15min,后行停灌40min、复灌30min)。结果与I/R组相比1.69mmol.L-1SF能明显改善心功能、减少心律失常发生率及严重程度、降低心肌组织钙超载、保护心肌Na+,K+-ATP酶、Ca2+ATP酶活性。30μmol.L-1格列本脲与SF合并使用后,上述心肌保护作用则部分取消。结论SF预处理能改善心功能,抗心律失常、抗钙超负荷,其作用机制至少部分与KATP通道开放有关。     

Pyruvate-dependent preconditioning and cardioprotection in murine myocardium

1. Whether pyruvate inhibits or can actually initiate myocardial preconditioning is unclear and whether pyruvate provides protection via its action as a 'cosubstrate' with glucose or via alternative mechanisms also remains controversial. We examined effects of a high concentration of pyruvate (10 mmol/L) alone or with 15 mmol/L glucose in mouse hearts subjected to 20 min ischaemia and 30 min reperfusion. 2. Provision of 10 mmol/L pyruvate alone or as a cosubstrate markedly reduced ischaemic contracture and enhanced postischaemic recovery. Time to contracture was increased from approximately 3 min to over 8 min, peak contracture was reduced from 90 mmHg to less than 60 mmHg and postischaemic pressure development was also improved. Effects on contracture were independent of the presence of pyruvate during ischaemia and improved postischaemic recovery was evident with pre-ischaemic pyruvate perfusion. 3. Cardioprotection did not require the presence of pyruvate during ischaemia or reperfusion and effects of pyruvate pretreatment could be mimicked by pretreatment with 1 mmol/L dichloroacetate (DCA), an activator of pyruvate dehydrogenase. 4. Myocardial adenosine efflux and Ca2+ content were elevated (by 215 and 65%, respectively) following pretreatment with pyruvate, potentially triggering a preconditioned state. A role for adenosine A1 receptors is supported by lack of added protection with pyruvate in hearts transgenically overexpressing adenosine A1 receptors. 5. Collectively, these observations demonstrate that pre-ischaemic treatment with pyruvate or DCA provides a beneficial preconditioning-like effect in ischaemic and postischaemic myocardium. The response appears unrelated to glycolytic inhibition, but may be mediated via transient changes in adenosine levels and/or cellular Ca2+.     

Role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in ischaemic preconditioning in diabetic rat hearts

1. It has been suggested that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is involved in the protection provided by ischaemic preconditioning in rat hearts and that ischaemic preconditioning is absent in diabetic rat hearts. 2. In the present study, we tested the relationship between sensory nerve function and ischaemic preconditioning in diabetic rats. 3. In 4- and 8-week diabetic rats and age-matched non- diabetic controls, 30 min global ischaemia and 40 min reperfusion caused a significant decrease in cardiac function and a marked increase in creatine kinase (CK) release. Ischaemic preconditioning, by three cycles of 5 min ischaemia and 5 min reperfusion, improved the recovery of cardiac function and decreased CK release during reperfusion in 4-week diabetic rat hearts. However, the cardioprotection afforded by ischaemic preconditioning was lost in 8-week diabetic rat hearts. Pretreatment with CGRP for 5 min also significantly improved the recovery of cardiac function and decreased CK release in rats subjected to 4 or 8 weeks of diabetes. 4. The content of CGRP in the coronary effluent during ischaemic preconditioning was significantly increased in 4-week diabetic rat hearts (P < 0.05). However, only a slight increase in the release of CGRP was shown in 8-week diabetic rat hearts (P > 0.05). 5. In summary, the present results suggest that the protection afforded by ischaemic preconditioning is attenuated in diabetic rats and that the change may be related to the reduction in CGRP release in diabetic rat hearts.     

一氧化氮供体预处理对乳鼠心肌细胞的延迟保护作用及其机制

目的　探讨一氧化氮模拟预处理延迟保护作用的机制。方法　体外培养新生大鼠心肌细胞 ,实验分为 :①阴性对照组 (Normal组 ) ;②SNAP组 :一氧化氮 (nitricoxide ,NO)供体S 亚硝基 N 乙酰青霉胺 (S nitroso N acetyl 1 ,1 penicil lamine ,SNAP ,5 0 0 μmol·L-1 )与心肌细胞共育 2 4h ;③Che +SNAP组 :蛋白激酶C拮抗剂白屈菜季铵碱 (chelerythrinechlo ride ,Che ,1 0 μmol·L-1 )处理心肌细胞 30min后 ,加入SNAP与心肌细胞共育 2 4h ;④PDTC +SNAP组 :核因子κB(NF κB)特异性阻断剂PDTC(1 0 0 μmol·L-1 )处理心肌细胞 30min后 ,加入SNAP与心肌细胞共育 2 4h ;⑤缺氧复氧损伤组 (H/R组 ) :心肌细胞缺氧 6h ,复氧 3h。②～④组部分取细胞爬片以免疫组织化学法观察SNAP对热休克蛋白 70 (HSP70 )表达的影响 ;其余细胞经历H/R损伤后 ,检测心肌细胞存活率及乳酸脱氢酶 (LDH)活性。结果　在正常心肌细胞免疫组织化学法未检测到HSP70的表达 ,心肌细胞经过H/R损伤后 ,可检测到少量HSP70阳性细胞 ,其阳性染色A值为 94 6± 9 1 ,心肌细胞培养上清LDH活性为 (2 1 90 5± 1 5 1 7)U·L-1 ,细胞存活率为 5 1 7%± 4 6 % ,细胞损伤较正常组加重 (P <0 0 1 ) ;SNAP处理细胞后 2 4h ,HSP70阳性细胞数增多 ,     

缓激肽介导的阿魏酸钠对离体大鼠心脏药理性预适应保护作用

目的探讨阿魏酸钠预处理对离体大鼠心脏缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用及相关机制。方法56只SD大鼠随机分为7组(n=8)正常对照(Con)组、缺血/再灌注损伤(I/R)组、缺血预适应(IP)组、阿魏酸钠(SF)组、卡托普利(CP)组、SF+CP组、SF+HOE140组。采用离体大鼠心脏Langendorff逆行灌注模型,观察各组缺血/再灌注前后心功能指标、SOD、GSH-Px活性、MDA含量的变化。结果SF、CP或IP预处理与SF+HOE140组、I/R组相比较,可明显改善心功能,心肌酶活力升高,MDA含量降低(P<0.05);但SF组、CP组、SF+CP3组比较,组间差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论SF的PIP保护机制至少部分由缓激肽介导,SF和CP不宜联合应用于临床心肌保护中。     

缺血预处理对离体大鼠心脏肌钙蛋白T释放的影响

目的 :探讨缺血预处理对离体大鼠再灌注期释放心肌肌钙蛋白 T(Tn T)的影响。方法 :实验采用L angendorff灌流装置 ,单次 5 m in缺血 ,继 10 min再灌注作为预处理模型。于 2 0 min缺血后 6 0 min再灌注 ,测定冠流液Tn T、磷酸肌酸激酶 (CK)、乳酸脱氢酶 (L DH)和左室内压 (L VP)。结果 :缺血预处理能明显减少 Tn T、CK、L DH的释放 ,也能改善左室心肌收缩功能。∑Tn T或再灌注 6 0 m in时的 Tn T与 L VP有明显相关性。结论 :Tn T可以作为一个有效的生化指标来判断左室功能障碍和心肌受损程度 ,缺血预处理能减轻心肌缺所致的心肌损伤并改善左室功能     

预适应减轻大鼠下肢缺血再灌注后的心肺损伤

目的 :观察预适应 (缺血及腺苷 )对大鼠下肢缺血再灌注后心、肺损伤的保护作用。方法 :雄性SD大鼠随机分为手术组 (Ⅰ ) ,缺血预适应组 (Ⅱ ) ,腺苷预适应组 (Ⅲ ) ,假手术组 (Ⅳ )。测定再灌注后的平均动脉压。终点取心、肺组织行测定心肌ATP酶 ,心、肺组织丙二醛 (MDA)及伊文氏兰含量。结果 :组Ⅰ ,Ⅲ再灌注后平均动脉压分别为 (8.1± 1.9)kPa ,(9.2± 2 .4 )kPa ,均显著低于组Ⅱ ,Ⅳ (P <0 .0 5 )。组Ⅰ心肌Ca2 + ATP酶活力为 (5 .0 2± 0 .2 1)U·mg- 1,低于余 3组 (P <0 .0 5 )。组Ⅰ心、肺组织MDA含量和肺伊文氏兰含量显著高于余 3组。结论 :预适应能改善大鼠下肢缺血再灌注后心、肺组织和功能损伤     

Role of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase in ischaemic preconditioning in rat heart

1. Activation of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) has been implicated in the signalling cascade leading to protection by ischaemic preconditioning. This, however, is controversial and there is a plethora of conflicting data in the literature. Although many experimental differences may contribute to this, two in particular may be confounding: (i) the failure to account for p38-MAPK activation during aerobic perfusion; and (ii) the use of the anti-oxidant dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) as the vehicle for the commonly used p38-MAPK inhibitor SB203580. We have investigated the effects of aerobic perfusion, ischaemia and preconditioning on p38-MAPK activation. In addition, we have used water-soluble SB203580 hydrochloride (SB203580.HCl) and DMSO to probe the role of p38-MAPK in preconditioning and ischaemic injury. 2. Activation of p38-MAPK in rat isolated hearts was assessed using a dual phosphospecific antibody during cannulation, aerobic perfusion and index, autolytic and preconditioned ischaemia. The effect of SB203580.HCl (10 mmol/L) in ischaemic preconditioning and ischaemia/reperfusion was tested using recovery of function and tetrazolium (TTC) staining as end-points. 3. Aerobic perfusion induced rapid activation (34% of maximal ischaemia-induced increase; P < 0.05) of p38-MAPK after 2 min that returned to baseline after 30 min. Index, autolytic and preconditioned ischaemia activated p38-MAPK, with index ischaemia peaking after 15 min (520% of basal; P < 0.05) before declining. SB203580.HCl blocked p38-MAPK activity, but did not block ischaemic preconditioning when bracketing the trigger phase and was not protective when given during ischaemia. 4. In the rat isolated heart, activation of p38-MAPK is neither a unique feature of preconditioning nor a prerequisite. Previous studies using SB203580 may have been complicated by failure to account for the activation of p38-MAPK by the protocol itself and the anti-oxidant properties of the most commonly used vehicle DMSO.     

Acute but not chronic caffeine impairs functional responses to ischaemia-reperfusion in rat isolated perfused heart

1. The effect of acute (50 micromol/L) and chronic (0.06% in drinking water for 14 days) caffeine on the response to ischaemia-reperfusion was studied in Wistar rat isolated perfused hearts. 2. Neither acute nor chronic caffeine modified normoxic heart rate or left ventricular pressures. However, acute caffeine decreased coronary flow by up to 20%, while chronic caffeine consumption increased coronary flow by approximately 15% and abolished the vasoconstrictor effect of acute caffeine (P<0.05). 3. After 15 min global ischaemia, chronic caffeine treatment did not alter the recovery of left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP), end-diastolic pressure (EDP) or heart rate during reperfusion, but did enhance coronary flow rate (P<0.05). Acute caffeine inhibited the recovery of LVDP and elevated postischaemic EDP in both caffeine-naive and chronic caffeine-treated groups. Acute caffeine also significantly inhibited coronary reflow in naive but not chronic caffeine-treated groups and produced a transient tachycardia during reperfusion in hearts from chronic caffeine-treated rats. 4. The incidence of arrhythmias was unaltered by chronic caffeine treatment, but was increased by acute caffeine in both naive and chronic caffeine hearts. 5. In conclusion, chronic caffeine intake alone has no detrimental effects on recovery from ischaemia; however, acute caffeine worsens postischaemic contractile function in hearts from naive and chronic caffeine-treated rats.     

Alpha1-receptor or adenosine A1-receptor dependent pathway alone is not sufficient but summation of these pathways is required to achieve an ischaemic preconditioning effect in rabbits

1. It is reported that alpha1-receptors and adenosine A1-receptors are involved in the ischaemic preconditioning (PC) effect on infarct size (IS). However, it is still unclear to what extent alpha1-receptors and adenosine A1-receptors contribute to the mechanism of PC. Therefore, we investigated the extent of the contribution of alpha1-receptors and adenosine A1 receptors to the PC effect on IS and examined the relationship between these receptors and protein kinase C. 2. Infarct size was measured in rabbits subjected to 30 min ischaemia and 48 h reperfusion. Tyramine (Tyr) was intravenously administered before 30 min ischaemia in the absence or presence of bunazosin (BN, alpha1-receptor blocker) and staurosporine (ST), a protein kinase C inhibitor, respectively. R(-)N6-(2-phenylisapropyl)-adenosine (PIA), a selective adenosine A1 agonist, was intravenously administered before 30 min ischaemia in the absence or presence of 8-p-sulphophenyltheophylline (8SPT), an adenosine blocker and ST, respectively. In the PC groups, BN, BN + PIA, 8SPT, 8SPT + Tyr or placebo saline was injected before or during PC. 3. Both Tyr and PIA reduced the IS, which was blocked by BN and 8SPT, respectively. The IS-reducing effect of Tyr or PIA was blocked by ST. The IS-reducing effect of PC was completely blocked by BN and 8SPT, respectively. The blocking effect of BN on the IS-reducing effect of PC was abolished by adding PIA during PC ischaemia. The blocking effect of 8SPT on the IS-reducing effect of PC was abolished by adding Tyr before PC ischaemia. 4. These data suggest that an alpha1-receptor dependent pathway exists and an adenosine A1-receptor dependent pathway, stimulation of both of which activates protein kinase C, then reduces the IS. However, exclusive stimulation of a single alpha1-receptor dependent pathway or a single adenosine A1-receptor dependent pathway alone is not sufficient but the summation of these pathways is required to achieve a PC effect on IS in rabbits.     

Reperfusion injury in the human forearm is mild and not attenuated by short-term ischaemic preconditioning

1. Ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is an important contributor to tissue damage and has been shown to be attenuated by preconditioning (PC) in some animal models. A recent report has suggested that the forearm can be used for the study of this phenomenon in humans. We aimed to reproduce and further characterize this model. 2. Healthy young adult volunteers (mean (+/-SEM) age 32+/-6 years) were studied on two occasions. During one visit, IR alone was induced by 10 min of upper arm cuff occlusion, whereas on another occasion a PC stimulus (three 3 min cuff inflations) preceded IR. Endothelial function in the ischaemic arm was assessed by measuring arterial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and by calculation of forearm blood flow at baseline and 15 and 60 min after IR. Systemic venous blood was sampled from the non-ischaemic arm at baseline, after PC and at 2, 15 and 30 min after IR to assess neutrophil/leucocyte (CD11b) and platelet (bound glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and fibrinogen) activation, as well as numbers of platelet-leucocyte complexes, which were determined by flow cytometry. Because of a lack of measurable effects, the IR experiment was repeated with 20 min ischaemia in six subjects. 3. Five females and eight males completed the study. Flow-mediated dilatation was significantly impaired 30 min after IR (4.1 vs 6.2% at baseline; P<0.05);however, this was not significantly attenuated by ischaemic PC (FMD reduction at 30 min compared with baseline was 2.1+/-0.5% with IR alone and 2.6+/-1.4% with IR after PC; NS). No significant effect was seen on the number of platelet-leucocyte aggregates or on white cell or platelet activation after IR alone or after IR with PC (P>0.6 for all comparisons). Similar results were obtained in six subjects studied subjected to 20 min ischaemia. 4. In conclusion, in healthy young adults, brief periods of skeletal muscle ischaemia lead to arterial endothelial dysfunction, but no significant platelet or white cell activation. Preconditioning does not attenuate this effect on the endothelium. Further experiments with longer ischaemia times and varying PC stimuli may be necessary to produce measurable effects; however, this may prove difficult in conscious human subjects.     

ATP-sensitive potassium channel activation mimics the protective effect of ischaemic preconditioning in the rat isolated working heart after prolonged hypothermic storage

1. Ischaemic preconditioning (IP) can significantly reduce the extent of infarct size, contractile dysfunction and necrosis in hearts from a number of animal species. Activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels has been implicated in this process. The aims of the present study were to determine the extent to which IP preserves haemodynamic function in the rat isolated working heart model after prolonged hypothermic storage and to examine the involvement of activation of potassium channels in this process. 2. Hearts from Wistar rats were perfused on a Langendorff apparatus. After stabilization in working mode, baseline measurements of heart rate, aortic flow, coronary flow and cardiac output were performed. Hearts were randomized to one of six treatment groups: (i) untreated control; (ii) IP; (iii) 3 min perfusion with 200 mumol/L pinacidil; (iv) pinacidil vehicle; (v) 3 min perfusion with 10 mumol/L glibenclamide before IP; and (vi) 3 min perfusion with glibenclamide then pinacidil. Hearts were stored in an extracellular-based preservation solution for 6 or 12 h at 2-3 degrees C, remounted on the perfusion apparatus, stabilized as before and then haemodynamic measurements were repeated, after which time heart water contents were determined. 3. Recovery of haemodynamic function was markedly enhanced in the IP and pinacidil-treated groups compared with untreated and vehicle controls. These beneficial effects were completely blocked by glibenclamide. These results suggest that strategies for activating potassium channels in donor hearts may protect organs during hypothermic storage prior to transplantation.     

Adenosine receptor interactions alter cardiac contractility in rat heart

1. The effect of the adenosine A₂ receptor (AdoA₂R) agonist N⁶‐[2‐(3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐2‐(2‐methylphenyl)‐ethyl]adenosine (DPMA) on adenosine A₁ receptor (AdoA₁R)‐mediated negative inotropic responses was investigated in rat heart. 2. Hearts from male Wistar rats (250–350 g) were perfused with Krebs’–Henseleit solution at constant flow in non‐recirculating Langendorff mode. Hearts were paced at 5 Hz (5 ms duration, supramaximal voltage) via ventricular electrodes. After 30 min equilibration, (R)‐N⁶‐phenylisopropyl adenosine (R‐PIA) concentration–response curves were constructed in the absence or presence of DPMA. 3. In paced hearts, R‐PIA induced concentration‐dependent decreases in triple product (heart rate × peak systolic developed pressure × dP / dt_max), which were significantly attenuated by 1 nmol / L DPMA with a shift in pEC₅₀ from 8.0 ± 0.5 (n = 9) in control hearts to 6.63 ± 1.03 (n = 5) in treated tissues (P < 0.05). The AdoA_2AR antagonist 8‐(3‐chlorostyryl)caffeine (1 μmol / L) and the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor cis‐N‐(2‐phenylcyclopentyl)‐azacyclotridec‐1‐en‐2‐amine hydrochloride (MDL12330A; 100 nmol / L) reversed the effects of DPMA on AdoA₁R‐mediated negative inotropic actions, whereas the AdoA_2BR antagonist alloxazine (3 μmol / L) had no effect on DPMA activity. 4. The results of the present study show that stimulation of the AdoA₂R attenuates AdoA₁R‐dependent reductions in inotropic state. The receptor involved appears to be the AdoA_2AR and its action involves stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity.     

Remote ischaemic preconditioning modifies serum apolipoprotein D,met‐enkephalin,adenosine, and nitric oxide in healthy young adults

Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been employed as a non‐invasive protective intervention against myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury in animal studies. However, the underlying mechanisms are incompletely defined in humans and its clinical efficacy has been inconclusive. As advanced age, disease, and drugs may confound RIPC mechanisms in patients, our aim is to measure whether RIPC evokes release of adenosine, bradykinin, met‐enkephalin, nitric oxide, and apolipoproteins in healthy young adults. Healthy subjects (n = 18, 9 males, 23 ± 1.5 years old; 9 females, 23 ± 1.8 years old) participated after informed consent. RIPC was applied using a blood pressure cuff to the dominant arms for four cycles of 5‐minute cuff inflation (ischaemia) and 5‐minute cuff deflation (reperfusion). Blood was sampled at baseline and immediately after the final cuff deflation (Post‐RIPC). Baseline and Post‐RIPC plasma levels of adenosine, bradykinin, met‐enkephalin, apolipoprotein A‐1 (ApoA‐1), apolipoprotein D (ApoD), and nitric oxide (as nitrite) were measured via ELISA and high‐performance liquid chromatography. Mean (±SD) baseline levels of adenosine, bradykinin, met‐enkephalin, ApoA‐1, ApoD, and nitrite in healthy young adults were 13.8 ± 6.5 ng/mL, 2.6 ± 1.9 μg/mL, 594.1 ± 197.4 pg/mL, 3.0 ± 0.7 mg/mL, 22.2 ± 4.0 μg/mL, and 49.8 ± 13.4 nmol/L, respectively. Post‐RIPC adenosine and nitrite levels increased (59.5 ± 37.9%, P < .0001; 32.2 ± 19.5%, P < .0001), whereas met‐enkephalin and ApoD levels marginally decreased (5.3 ± 14.0%, P = .04; 10.8 ± 20.5%, P = .04). Post‐RIPC levels were not influenced by sex, age, blood pressure, waist circumference, or BMI. RIPC produces increased levels of adenosine and nitrites, and decreased met‐enkephalin and ApoD in the plasma of young healthy adults.     

内源性阿片肽介导大鼠后肢缺血预适应的保护作用

研究了内源性阿片肽介导大鼠后肢缺血预适应的保护作用. 后肢缺血2 h，乙酰胆碱（ACh）诱导的血管内皮依赖性舒张性反应明显下降. 缺血预适应（缺血5 min，再灌5 min，重复3 次）能显著减弱长时间缺血对ACh舒血管效应的抑制作用，这种保护作用可被纳洛酮（3 mg·kg^-1）取消. 预先给予吗啡（300 μg·kg^-1）也能产生与缺血预适应相同的血管内皮保护作用. 然而，预先用辣椒素（50 mg·kg^-1）耗竭降钙素基因相关肽后，吗啡的保护作用被取消. 结果提示，内源性阿片肽介导大鼠后肢缺血预适应的血管保护作用，其机理可能涉及内源性降钙素基因相关肽.     

L-glutamate and glutamine improve haemodynamic function and restore myocardial glycogen content during postischaemic reperfusion: A radioactive tracer study in the rat isolated heart

1. L-Glutamate and glutamine have been suggested to have cardioprotective effects. However, the issue is controversial and the metabolic mechanisms underlying a beneficial effect are not well understood. 2. In the present study we investigated the effects of L-glutamate and glutamine on haemodynamic recovery, the rate of de novo glycogen synthesis and myocardial glucose uptake during postischaemic reperfusion. 3. Hearts from male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were divided into three groups as follows: (i) control (n = 12); (ii) L-glutamate (n = 12); and (iii) glutamine (n = 12). Hearts were mounted in a Langendorff preparation and perfused with oxygenated Krebs'-Henseleit solution at 80 mmHg and 37C. Global ischaemia for 20 min was followed by 15 min reperfusion, during which L-glutamate (50 mmol/L) or glutamine (20 mmol/L) were administered. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), de novo synthesis of glycogen using [14C]-glucose and myocardial glucose uptake using D-[2-3H]-glucose were measured. 4. L-Glutamate and glutamine increased postischaemic LVDP (P < 0.01 vs control hearts for both). L-Glutamate and glutamine increased de novo glycogen synthesis by 78% (P < 0.001) and 55% (P < 0.01), respectively. At the end of reperfusion, total myocardial glycogen content was increased by both L-glutamate and glutamine (5.7 +/- 0.3 and 6.2 +/- 0.7 micromol/g wet weight, respectively; P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively) compared with that in control hearts (3.6 +/- 0.4 micromol/g wet weight). Neither L-glutamate nor glutamine affected myocardial glucose uptake during reperfusion. 5. Improved postischaemic haemodynamic recovery after L-glutamate and glutamine supplementation during reperfusion is associated with increased de novo glycogen synthesis, suggesting a favourable modulation of intracellular myocardial carbohydrate metabolism.