Increase in Ca++ sensitivity of the contractile system by MCI-154, a novel cardiotonic agent, in chemically skinned fibers from the guinea pig papillary muscles

The effects of MCI-154, a novel cardiotonic agent, on the contractile protein system and the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were investigated by using thin bundles of chemically skinned fibers from the guinea pig papillary muscles. In the skinned muscle fibers treated with 50 micrograms/ml of saponin, MCI-154 shifted the -log[Ca++]M-tension relation curve to the left and upward in the concentration-dependent manner (10(-7) to 10(-4) M). This was confirmed also in the skinned muscle fibers treated with 250 micrograms/ml of saponin which destroyed not only the surface membrane but also the function of SR. Sulmazole (10(-4) M) shifted the -log[Ca++]M-tension relation curve to the left but the effect was about 100 times less potent than that of MCI-154. Unlike MCI-154, sulmazole had little effect on the maximum tension development induced by -log[Ca++]M 4.4. Milrinone did not affect the Ca++-induced tension development in the skinned cardiac fibers. Higher concentration of MCI-154 (10(-4) M) also increased amplitude of -log[Mg-ATP]M-tension-curve in the absence of free Ca++ ion (bell-shaped curve) to the upward. Initial rate and plateau phase of Ca++ uptake by the SR in the skinned fibers treated with 50 micrograms/ml of saponin was increased slightly by MCI-154 at the concentrations of 10(-6) and 10(-4) M. MCI-154 had no effect on the Ca++-induced Ca++ release mechanism in the SR. These results suggest that an increase in Ca++ sensitivity of the contractile protein system is responsible for, at least in part, the mechanism of the positive inotropic action of MCI-154.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

MCI-154, a novel cardiotonic agent, reverses the acidic pH-induced decrease in responses of cardiac myofilaments to Ca++: comparison with sulmazole and pimobendan

In the present study, we have examined the effects of decreasing pH from 7.0 to 6.6 on the tension developed by direct activation of the myofilaments in chemically skinned fibers from guinea pig papillary muscles. We then compared the effects of the novel inotropic agents MCI-154, pimobendan and sulmazole, which have direct action on cardiac myofilaments, on the acidic pH-induced changes in responses of the contractile system to Ca++. The reduction of pH from 7.0 to 6.8 shifted the pCa (-log[Ca++] M)-tension relation curve to the right with no change in maximum tension. However, the reduction of pH from 7.0 to 6.6 shifted the pCa tension relation curve to the right and also depressed maximum force development. These effects were reversible by returning to neutral pH (pH 7.0), but were not overcome by increasing the free [Ca++] (decreasing pCa from 4.4 to 4.0). The amplitude of pMg-ATP (-log[MgATP]M)-tension curve in the absence of free Ca++ (Ca++ less than 1 nM, bell-shaped curve) was shifted downward by reducing pH from 7.0 to 6.6. MCI-154 (1-100 microM) reversed the acidic pH-induced decrease of tension development which was activated by pCa 5.8 in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the acidosis induced reductions of maximum tension (pCa, 4.4) and pMgATP 6.0-activated tension (Ca++ less than 1 nM) were also reversed by MCI-154 (1-100 microM) in a concentration-dependent manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of MCI-154, a calcium sensitizer, on cardiac dysfunction in endotoxic shock in rabbits

This study was designed to observe the effects of MCI-154, a calcium sensitizer, on cardiac dysfunction after endotoxic shock in rabbits. Ten hours after the rabbits were given injection of 1.0 mg/kg endotoxin (Escherichia coli, O111:B4) via marginal ear veins, 0.1 mg/kg MCI-154 was injected intravenously and then 50 mL/kg normal saline (NS) + 0.1 mg/kg MCI-154 was infused continuously at a rate of 0.7 mL/min. During this process, the parameters of cardiac function were measured. It was found that 10 h after the endotoxin injection, heart rate (HR) was increased significantly while the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), isovolumetric pressure (IP), myocardial contractility (MC), and the area of p-dp/dt(max) vector loop (Lo) all were markedly decreased. Treatment with 50 mL/kg NS alone had slight effects on these parameters. On the contrary, LVSP, IP, MC, and Lo all were increased significantly while HR was not obviously changed and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was reduced remarkably following MCI-154 administration in endotoxic shock rabbits. The parameters of myocardial contractility were improved nearly to the values in sham shock group and were markedly higher than that in NS alone-treated group. It can be concluded that MCI-154 can exert significant therapeutic effects on cardiac dysfunction after endotoxic shock, for it improves cardiac function, dilates peripheral blood vessels, and slightly affects HR.     

Potent stimulation of myofilament force and adenosine triphosphatase activity of canine cardiac muscle through a direct enhancement of troponin C Ca++ binding by MCI-154, a novel cardiotonic agent

In the present study we have analyzed a likely biochemical mechanism underlying the Ca++-sensitizing action of MCI-154 (6-[4-(4'-pyridyl)aminophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-3(2H)-pyridazinone hydrochloride), a novel cardiotonic agent, on the contractile protein system. MCI-154 (10(-7) to 10(-4) M) enhanced the tension development induced by -log molar-free Ca++ concentration (pCa) 5.8 in chemically skinned fiber from the canine right ventricular muscle in a concentration-dependent manner. At pCa 7.0, MCI-154 (10(-7) to 10(-4) M) markedly increased adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities of canine myofibrils and reconstituted actomyosin. In myofibrils and reconstituted actomyosin, MCI-154 (10(-7) to 10(-4) M) caused a parallel shift of the pCa-ATPase activity relation curve to the left without affecting the maximum activity, suggesting an increase in Ca++ sensitivity. MCI-154 (10(-8) to 10(-4) M) had little effect on actin-activated, Mg++, Ca++ and (K+, EDTA)-ATPase activities of myosin. Ca++ binding to cardiac myofibrils or purified cardiac troponin was increased by 10(-4) M MCI-154. These results suggest that MCI-154 enhances Ca++ binding to cardiac troponin C to elevate the Ca++ sensitivity of myofilaments and thus may cause a positive inotropic action in cardiac muscle. MCI-154 may provide a valuable tool for studying the molecular mechanism by which Ca++ regulates the contractile system.     

Effects of Ca2+ sensitizers on contraction, [Ca2+]i transient and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in diabetic rat myocardium: potential usefulness as inotropic agents.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of Ca2+ sensitizers EMD 57033, MCI-154, and EGIS-9377 in cardiac preparations from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In enzymatically dissociated ventricular myocytes loaded with the Ca2+ probe indo 1, these Ca2+ sensitizers caused an increase in cell shortening without a significant effect on the intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) transient. The contractile responses were substantially similar in myocytes from diabetic and age-matched control rats. In contrast, the contractile and [Ca2+]i responses to pimobendan and isoproterenol were significantly less in diabetic myocytes. The Ca2+ sensitivity of tension in beta-escin-skinned trabeculae from diabetic hearts was not significantly different from that of controls. The effect of EMD 57033 on myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+ was identical in control and diabetic preparations. The slower time course of relaxation observed in diabetic papillary muscles was further prolonged in the presence of EMD 57033. However, the extent of the increase in relaxation produced by EMD 57033 did not differ between control and diabetic muscles, and the detrimental effect on resting tension was less pronounced in the two groups. In anesthetized rats, echocardiography showed that intra-duodenal administration of EMD 57033 increased left ventricular systolic function without affecting variables of diastolic filling in both groups. Taken together, the present results suggest that Ca2+ sensitizers, unlike conventional inotropic agents, have the potential to increase in force of contraction to the same extent in nondiabetic and diabetic myocardium, possibly without exaggerating extremely the impairment of diastolic function in diabetes.     

Effects of pimobendan, a novel inotropic agent, on intracellular calcium and tension in isolated ferret ventricular muscle

1. In this study we have investigated the effects of a novel inotropic agent, pimobendan (UDCG 115-BS), on skinned and intact ventricular muscle from ferrets. 2. Pimobendan (20 or 100 mumol/l) increased tension at a given free [Ca2+] when applied to skinned ventricular muscle, i.e. it increased the Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofibrils. 3. Tension and intracellular free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) were measured simultaneously in intact papillary muscles using the aequorin technique. When 25 mumol/l pimobendan was added to the superfusing solution, a slowly developing positive ionotropic effect was produced, which was accompanied by an increase in the size of the systolic rise in [Ca2+]i (Ca2+ transients) with a similar time course. 4. In order to determine whether pimobendan increased the Ca2+ sensitivity of myofibrils in an intact papillary muscle, we compared the increase in Ca2+ transients and tension observed in response to changes in extracellular [Ca2+] with those observed in response to pimobendan. The result of this comparison was that in intact muscle pimobendan caused no apparent increase in myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity. 5. Pimobendan caused an abbreviation of the time course of the Ca2+ transients, but the twitch was slightly prolonged. 6. When isoprenaline was added to the superfusing solution, a positive inotropic effect was produced, which was accompanied by a marked increase in the size of the Ca2+ transients. Isoprenaline caused an abbreviation of the time course of both the Ca2+ transients and the twitch. When the Ca2+ sensitivity of the intact myofibrils was determined as described above, isoprenaline caused a desensitization. Pimobendan produced a sensitization when compared with isoprenaline. 7. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that pimobendan produces an inotropic effect in isolated cardiac muscle which is mediated both by an increase in Ca2+ sensitivity and by an increase in adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate due to its phosphodiesterase-inhibiting activity. Such a combination of activities may be particularly advantageous for an inotropic agent.     

Lymphatic hyporeactivity and calcium desensitization following hemorrhagic shock

The lymphatic circulation is an important component of the circulatory system. In preliminary studies, we found contractile activity of lymphatic vessels to be decreased during severe shock. In the present study, our aim was to observe changes in lymphatic reactivity to norepinephrine (NE) and to explore the mechanism of calcium sensitivity in rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock (HS). Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham and shock groups, and changes in lymphatic pressure and contractility of mesenteric lymphatics in response to NE were measured at different time points after shock. The results showed that NE-induced changes in lymphatic pressure were decreased at 1 h after shock and that hyporeactivity was maintained for 3 h after shock. The reactivity of mesenteric lymphatics to NE in the shock group at 1 to 2 h after shock was significantly lower than that of the sham group and before shock. The other 49 rats were divided into sham, shock 1 h, and shock 2 h groups for isolation thoracic duct rings. Forty-eight isolated lymphatics per group were used to assay lymphatic reactivity to NE and calcium sensitivity in an isolated vessel perfusion system. The NE concentration-response curves for postshock lymphatic rings (1 or 2 h) and calcium concentration-response curves after shock (2 h) were shifted to the right; isolated lymphatic reactivity to NE and contraction in response to calcium were markedly reduced in shock groups. Lymphatic reactivity to NE and calcium sensitivity were significantly increased in the 2-h shock group following incubation with the calcium sensitizer angiotensin II, and the lymphatic reactivity was reduced after incubation with the calcium sensitivity inhibitor insulin. In conclusion, lymphatic reactivity declines progressively during HS as a result of calcium desensitization. The results suggest that lymphatic hyporeactivity is one of the mechanisms of lymphatic hypocontraction in rats subjected to HS.     

Xestoquinone, a novel cardiotonic agent activates actomyosin ATPase to enhance contractility of skinned cardiac or skeletal muscle fibers

Xestoquinone (XQN), a novel cardiotonic principle from the sea sponge Xestospongia sapra, enhanced Ca+(+)-induced tension development of chemically skinned fibers from guinea pig cardiac muscle, even at both free Ca++ concentrations as low as -log molar free Ca++ (pCa) 9 to 8. In skinned fibers from guinea pig skeletal muscle, XQN (10 microM) also increased developed tension with a similar Ca++ dependence to that for cardiac fibers. In contrast to the unique Ca+(+)-dependence of XQN effects, the reference drug sulmazole enhanced Ca+(+)-induced tension development of skinned cardiac fibers at pCa 6.6 but did not affect it at pCa 8. In natural actomyosin from canine cardiac muscle, as well as in that from rabbit skeletal muscle, XQN (1-30 microM) enhanced the rate and extent of superprecipitation. Moreover, XQN produced a concentration-dependent increase in the myofibrillar ATPase activity of canine cardiac muscle, even at very low free Ca++ concentrations below the normal threshold for ATPase activation (pCa 9-8). The natural actomyosin ATPase activity of chicken smooth muscle was not influenced by XQN (up to 30 microM). In cardiac myofibrils, no significant difference was observed between the bound 45Ca+(+)-pCa relationship curves in the presence and absence of XQN (10 microM). Furthermore, XQN (30 microM) did not cause or potentiate Ca+(+)-induced Ca++ release from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. These observations suggest that XQN directly activates actomyosin ATPase activity of cardiac and skeletal myofibrils, thus producing an enhanced superprecipitation activity as well as an increase in skinned fiber contractility.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sex differences in the response of rat heart ventricle to calcium

Calcium (Ca2+) is a key mediator of myocardial function. Calcium regulates contraction, and disruption of myocellular Ca2+ handling plays a role in cardiac pathologies such as arrhythmias and heart failure. This investigation examines sex differences in sensitivity of the contractile proteins to Ca2+ and myofibrillar Ca2+ delivery in the ventricular myocardium. Sensitivity of contractile proteins to Ca2+ was measured in weight-matched male and female Sprague-Dawley rats using the skinned ventricular papillary muscle fiber and Ca(2+)-stimulated Mg(2+)-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity methodologies. Calcium delivery was examined by measuring the contractile response to a range of extracellular Ca2+ concentrations in isolated ventricular myocytes, papillary muscle, and the isolated perfused whole heart. Findings from studies in the whole heart suggest that at a fixed preload, the male left ventricle generates more pressure than a female ventricle over a range of extracellular Ca2+ concentrations. In contrast, results from myocyte and papillary muscle studies suggest that females require less extracellular Ca2+ to elicit a similar contractile response. Results obtained from the 2 methods used to determine sex differences in Ca2+ sensitivity were equivocal. Further studies are required to elucidate sex differences in myocardial Ca2+ handling and the reasons for disparate results in different heart muscle preparations. The results of these studies will lead to the design of sex-optimized therapeutic interventions for cardiac disease.     

钙失敏在大鼠失血性休克血管低反应性中的作用

目的观察血管平滑肌钙失敏在大鼠失血性休克(HS)血管低反应性中的作用。方法 取失血 性休克大鼠肠系膜上动脉(SMA),利用离体血管环张力测定技术,以血管环对梯度浓度去甲肾上腺素(NE) 的收缩力反映血管反应性,用去极化状态下(120 mmol／L K+)血管环对梯度浓度Ca2+的收缩力反映血管的 钙敏感性,观察失血性休克低反应血管是否存在钙敏感性降低以及钙敏感性调节剂血管紧张素Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)、 胰岛素以及Rho-激酶特异性抑制剂Fasudil是否可以通过调节钙敏感性来调节血管反应性。结果 失血性 休克后SMA对NE的反应性和钙敏感性均显著下降,表现为NE的量-效曲线明显右移,NE的最大收缩力 (Emax)和-lg[EC50](pD2)降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);Ca2+的量一效曲线明显右移,Ca2+的Emax和pD2降低 (P<0.05或P<0.01)。具有钙敏感性增强作用的Ang Ⅱ(10-9mol／L)可使NE和Ca2+的量-效曲线左移,使 NE和Ca2+的Emax增高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。而具有钙敏感性抑制作用的胰岛素(100 nmol／L)可使NE 和Ca2+的量-效曲线右移,NE和Ca2+的Emax降低(P<0.05或P<0.01).Fasudil预处理可消除Ang Ⅱ对 NE诱导的血管收缩反应的增强效果,降低钙敏感性。结论 失血性休克血管平滑肌细胞存在钙敏感性降低. 血管平滑肌细胞钙敏感性降低在失血性休克血管低反应性的     

Effects of diacetyl monoxime on cardiac excitation-contraction coupling

Diacetyl monoxime (DAM) is a negative inotropic agent. To identify the mechanism of its actions, electrical and mechanical studies with various cardiac tissues were carried out. DAM (0.2-20 mM) inhibited the contractile force in both normal and 22 mM KCl-depolarized (in presence of 10(-6) M isoproterenol) guinea-pig papillary muscles in a concentration-dependent manner. In general, there was a lack of major effects of DAM on sarcolemmal electrical properties. The fast action potentials were somewhat depressed and the slow action potentials were slightly enhanced. In chemically skinned pig ventricular muscles, the myofibrillar contraction induced in 6.25 pCa was inhibited by DAM in a similar concentration range. DAM also produced an apparent decrease in sensitivity toward Ca++ in this preparation. Myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase assay showed similar results as in the skinned muscles. All DAM effects were reversible upon washout and could be partially antagonized by raising [Ca++]. Taken together, the negative inotropic effect of DAM cannot be ascribed to an inhibitory effect on the slow inward current, as suggested previously. An inhibitory effect at the myofibril level is a distinct possibility. Additional effects of DAM on the sarcoplasmic reticulum cannot be ruled out.     

Pharmacological characterization of a new Ca(2+) sensitizer

The benzimidazole molecule was modified to synthesize a Ca(2+) sensitizer devoid of additional effects associated with Ca(2+) overload. Newly synthesized compounds, termed 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, were evaluated in spontaneously beating and electrically driven atria from reserpine-treated guinea pigs. Compound 3 resulted as the most effective positive inotropic agent, and experiments were performed to study its mechanism of action. In spontaneously beating atria, the inotropic effect of 3 was concentration-dependent (3.0 microM-0.3 mM). Compound 3 was more potent and more active than the structurally related Ca(2+) sensitizers sulmazole and caffeine, but unlike them it did not increase the heart rate. In electrically driven atria, the inotropic activity of 3 was well preserved and it was not inhibited by propranolol, prazosin, ranitidine, pyrilamine, carbachol, adenosine deaminase, or ruthenium red. At high concentrations (0.1-1.0 mM) 3 inhibited phosphodiesterase-III, whereas it did not affect Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, sarcolemmal Ca(2+)-ATPase, Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange carrier, or sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pump activities of guinea pig heart. In skinned fibers obtained from guinea pig papillary muscle and skeletal soleus muscle, compound 3 (0.1 mM, 1 mM) shifted the pCa/tension relation curve to the left, with no effect on maximal tension and no signs of toxicity. Compound 3 did not influence the basal or raised tone of guinea pig isolated aorta rings, whose cells do not contain the contractile protein troponin. The present results indicate that the inotropic effect of compound 3 seems to be primarily sustained by sensitization of the contractile proteins to Ca(2+).     

大黄抗内毒素性休克大鼠炎性介质作用的实验研究

目的：研究大黄对内毒素性休克大鼠炎性介质作用的机制。方法：选用大鼠内毒素性休克模型。随机分为６组：单纯手术组、内毒素组、大黄预防用药组（１５０ｍｇ／ｋｇ组和７５０ｍｇ／ｋｇ组）和大黄治疗组（１５０ｍｇ／ｋｇ组和７５０ｍｇ／ｋｇ组）。检测磷脂酶Ａ２（ＰＬＡ２）和血小板活化因子（ＰＡＦ）的活性。结果：内毒素注射前６组大鼠平均动脉压（ＭＡＰ）无显著性差异；注射内毒素后４小时ＭＡＰ明显降低；大黄预防用药组和大黄治疗组ＭＡＰ则与注射内毒素前及单纯手术组比较均无明显变化，并均显著高于内毒素组注射内毒素４小时后。注射内毒素后４小时，血清和小肠组织中ＰＬＡ２活性及ＰＡＦ含量均明显增高；与内毒素组注射内毒素后４小时比较，大黄预防组和治疗组则血清和小肠组织中ＰＬＡ２活性和ＰＡＦ含量显著降低。结论：大黄对内毒素性休克所致炎症反应有明显的预防和治疗作用     

Differential effects of 4-chloro-m-cresol and caffeine on skinned fibers from rat fast and slow skeletal muscles

Contractile responses to 4-chloro-m-cresol (4-CmC) were tested in saponin- and Triton X-100-skinned fibers from soleus and edl (extensor digitorum longus) muscles of adult rats and compared with those to caffeine. The testing of different concentrations of 4-CmC on saponin-skinned fibers showed that 4-CmC induced a dose-dependent caffeine-like transient contractile response in edl and soleus due to an activation of the ryanodine receptor. Both types of skeletal muscles showed a 10 to 20 times lower 4-CmC threshold concentration and EC(50) value (concentration providing 50% of the maximal 4-CmC contracture) than for caffeine. The results indicate that edl is more sensitive than soleus to 4-CmC and that this difference in sensitivity is more marked than with caffeine. Furthermore, an increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) activity induced a more marked shift of dose-response curves toward lower concentrations for 4-CmC than caffeine. Experiments conducted on Triton X-100-skinned fibers showed that in both muscles, 4-CmC decreased in a dose-dependent manner the Ca(2+)-activated force of contractile apparatus, particularly in edl. Furthermore, the tension pCa curves indicated that 4-CmC induced a dose-dependent sensitizing (soleus) or desensitizing (edl) effect on the Ca(2+) sensitivity of myofibrils. These results indicate that edl and soleus contractile responses can be discriminated with 4-CmC instead of caffeine and that care must be taken in interpreting results because muscular pathology could be due in part to an increase in intracellular Ca(2+).     

Differential effects of d- and l-pimobendan on cardiac myofilament calcium sensitivity

The effects is of the optical isomers of pimobendan (UD-CG 115 BS), an inotropic agent, were studied on the electrical and mechanical activity of intact and detergent-skinned preparations of cardiac muscle from guinea pig and dog. Racemic pimobendan has been shown to increase contractile force and to potentiate slow action potentials (AP) induced by stimulation of papillary muscle partially depolarized with 25 mM [K]o. These effects are shown in this study to be mainly due to the l-optical isomer of pimobendan. When slow APs were maximally stimulated by 1 microM isoproterenol, addition of either the d- or l-isomer of pimobendan did not affect the slow AP parameters. However, under these conditions, contractile force was significantly increased to 124% of control by the d-isomer and to 184% of control by the l-isomer. These results suggest that pimobendan may have direct effects on the myofilaments and that these effects are dependent on the optical isomer of the compound. To test this directly, the effects of d- and l-pimobendan were compared on Ca++-activated force developed by detergent-skinned heart muscle fibers. Submaximal force developed at constant Ca++ was increased by both optical isomers, but the l-isomer had a significantly greater Ca++-sensitizing effect. For example at pCa 6.75 force was 270% of control in the presence of the d-isomer and 400% of control in the presence of the l-isomer. At pCa 5, there was no effect of either isomer on force developed by the skinned fiber preparations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Beneficial effect of MCI-154, a cardiotonic agent, on ischemic contractile failure and myocardial acidosis of dog hearts: comparison with dobutamine, milrinone and pimobendan.

The effects of MCI-154, a cardiotonic agent with Ca++ sensitizing actions, on the ischemic contractile failure and myocardial acidosis were studied in the dog heart, in which the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was partially occluded for 90 min, and compared with those of dobutamine, milrinone, pimobendan and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN). Partial occlusion of LAD decreased segment shortening (measured by sonomicrometry) and myocardial pH (assessed by a micro glass pH electrode) in the ischemic myocardium. MCI-154, when administered i.v. 30 min after ischemia, improved the segment shortening in the ischemic zone, whereas dobutamine, milrinone and pimobendan failed to improve it when the drugs increased peak positive left ventricular dP/dt. Among the cardiotonic agents tested only MCI-154 attenuated myocardial acidosis during ischemia. The degree of the attenuation of acidosis by MCI-154 was equivalent with that by ISDN. However, the improvement of the ischemic zone segment shortening by MCI-154 was more pronounced than that by ISDN. These results suggest that in addition to the attenuation of myocardial acidosis the positive inotropic action of MCI-154, presumably increasing the responses of myofilaments to Ca++, may be possibly responsible for the improvement of regional contractile function in the ischemic myocardium. Thus, MCI-154 may be useful in the management of ischemic heart failure.     

Reversal of isoflurane-induced depression of myocardial contraction by nitroxyl via myofilament sensitization to Ca2+

Isoflurane (ISO) is known to depress cardiac contraction. Here, we hypothesized that decreasing myofilament Ca(2+) responsiveness is central to ISO-induced reduction in cardiac force development. Moreover, we also tested whether the nitroxyl (HNO) donor 1-nitrosocyclohexyl acetate (NCA), acting as a myofilament Ca(2+) sensitizer, restores force in the presence of ISO. Trabeculae from the right ventricles of LBN/F1 rats were superfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution at room temperature, and force and intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) were measured. Steady-state activations were achieved by stimulating the muscles at 10 Hz in the presence of ryanodine. The same muscles were chemically skinned with 1% Triton X-100, and the force-Ca(2+) relation measurements were repeated. ISO depressed force in a dose-dependent manner without significantly altering [Ca(2+)](i). At 1.5%, force was reduced over 50%, whereas [Ca(2+)](i) remained unaffected. At 3%, contraction was decreased by ～75% with [Ca(2+)](i) reduced by only 15%. During steady-state activation, 1.5% ISO depressed maximal Ca(2+)-activated force (F(max)) and increased the [Ca(2+)](i) required for 50% activation (Ca(50)) without affecting the Hill coefficient. After skinning, the same muscles showed similar decreases in F(max) and increases in Ca(50) in the presence of ISO. NCA restored force in the presence of ISO without affecting [Ca(2+)](i). These results show that 1) ISO depresses cardiac force development by decreasing myofilament Ca(2+) responsiveness, and 2) myofilament Ca(2+) sensitization by NCA can effectively restore force development without further increases in [Ca(2+)](i). The present findings have potential translational value because of the efficiency and efficacy of HNO on ISO-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction.     

The role of calcium desensitization in vascular hyporeactivity and its regulation after hemorrhagic shock in the rat

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the role of calcium desensitization in vascular hyporeactivity, and the regulatory effects of Rho-kinase, protein kinase C (PKC), and protein kinase G (PKG) on calcium sensitivity. The vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity with superior mesenteric artery (SMA) from hemorrhagic shock rat were observed by measuring the contraction initiated by norepinephrine (NE) and Ca2+ under depolarizing conditions (120 mmol/L K) in an isolated organ perfusion system. Angiotensin II (Ang-II) and Fasudil, the Rho-kinase agonist and inhibitor, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and staurosporine, the PKC agonist and inhibitor, 8Br-cGMP and KT-5823, the PKG agonist and inhibitor, and Calyculin A, myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) inhibitor were used as tool agents. The results indicated that vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity were decreased after hemorrhagic shock. The cumulative dose-response curve of SMA to NE and Ca2+ after shock was shifted to the right. Ang-II (10 mol/L) could improve the decreased vascular reactivity by increasing the calcium sensitivity of SMA, and insulin (100 nmol/L) could further decrease the vascular reactivity by decreasing the calcium sensitivity of SMA. These results suggested that the vasculature after shock was desensitized to calcium, which played an important role in the onset of vascular hyporeactivity after shock. PMA and KT-5823 could increase the sensitivity of SMA to Ca2+ and made the cumulative dose-response curve shift to the left. In contrast, Fasudil, staurosporine, and 8Br-cGMP decreased the sensitivity of SMA to Ca2+ and made the cumulative dose-response curve of Ca2+ shift to the right. Calyculin A (10 mol/L) pretreatment further enhanced Ang-II, and PMA induced increase of calcium sensitivity, yet weakened the 8Br-cGMP-induced decrease of calcium sensitivity. Taken together, the data suggest that Rho-kinase, PKC, and PKG are involved in the regulation of calcium sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle after hemorrhagic shock, and their regulatory effects on calcium sensitivity of vasculature are possibly related to MLCP.     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后脑细胞内游离钙变化的影响

背景:碱性成纤维细胞生长因子可促进体外培养的神经元存活及突起生长,拮抗兴奋性氨基酸毒性,对中枢神经系统功能恢复起重要作用,能否通过影响脑细胞内游离钙离子浓度对缺血脑组织起保护作用.目的:从细胞水平探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤时神经细胞内游离Ca2+浓度变化的影响.设计:完全随机对照实验.单位:郑州大学第二附属医院神经内科.材料:实验于2003-08/12在郑州大学第二附属医院神经内科实验室完成.24只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、缺血再灌注组和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子治疗组,每组8只.方法:缺血再灌注组及碱性成纤维细胞生长因子治疗组采用线栓法建立大脑中动脉闭塞模型;假手术组除不插线外,余同其他两组.碱性成纤维细胞生长因子治疗组于缺血后即刻腹腔注射10μg/kg碱性成纤维细胞生长因子,其余两组腹腔注射等量生理盐水.各组大鼠于缺血再灌注24 h检测脑细胞游离钙浓度.主要观察指标:各组大鼠缺血再灌注24 h脑细胞游离钙浓度.结果:24只大鼠全部进入结果分析.缺血再灌注组明显高于假手术组[(673.46±18.44),(224.71±10.58)nmol/L,(F=1 329.06,P＜0.01)],碱性成纤维细胞生长因子治疗组明显低于缺血再灌注组[(378.37±21.08),(673.46±18.44)nmol/L(F=1 329.06,P＜0.01)].结论:碱性成纤维细胞生长因子能明显抑制大鼠缺血再灌注后脑组织内游离钙水平,起到稳定细胞膜,防止细胞内钙超载的作用.     

Agonist actions of Bay K 8644, a dihydropyridine derivative, on the voltage-dependent calcium influx in smooth muscle cells of the rabbit mesenteric artery

Actions of methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2- trifluoromethylphenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylate (Bay K 8644) on the mechanical response evoked in intact and skinned mesenteric artery of the rabbit were investigated. The data were compared to that of nisoldipine, another dihydropyridine derivative Bay K 8644 increased the amplitudes of both the phasic and tonic components of the K+-induced contraction which is due to an increase in the voltage-dependent influx of Ca ion. Bay K 8644 antagonized competitively the actions of nisoldipine (a Ca antagonist) on the tonic but not on the phasic component of the K+-induced contraction. The contractions caused by high concentrations of norepinephrine were enhanced to a greater extent by Bay K 8644 than that evoked by lower concentrations of norepinephrine. Bay K 8644 had no effect on Ca++ extrusion from cells, which was estimated from the change in amplitudes of the norepinephrine-induced contractions in Na+- and Ca++-free solutions. This agent had no effect on the contractile proteins and Ca storage sites, as estimated from the Ca++- or caffeine-induced contraction observed in skinned muscles. The results suggested that Bay K 8644 acts primarily on the voltage-dependent Ca++ channel, presumably the same site at which other dihydropyridine derivatives (Ca antagonists) act, and that the influx of Ca++ is accelerated.