Dynamic changes of myocardial inositoltrisphosphate and cyclic nucleotides: relationship to contractile response in the perfused working rat heart after adrenergic and muscarinic agonist stimulation

Initial and late effects by adrenergic and muscarinic agonists on inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate (IP₃) and cyclic nucleotide levels were determined and correlated to mechanical response in perfused rat hearts. Forty-three rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer in a modified Langendorff apparatus as a working preparation. The hearts were perfused as controls (n= 11), or with noradrenaline (10^-6 mol 1^-1) (n= 21), or with carbachol (3 × 10^-7 mol 1^-1) (n= 11) added to the perfusion buffer. The hearts were frozen at 20 s, 30 s and 40 min after addition of noradrenaline and at 20 s and 40 min after addition of carbachol, and after 5 and 45 min of control perfusion. cAMP and cGMP were determined by radioligand methods and IP₃ by a combined fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) - isotachophoretic method. cAMP increased by 36% within 20 s followed by a decrease (22%) during the 10 s following noradrenaline addition. After 40 min cAMP regained its value near that of 20 s. Noradrenaline perfusion did not influence IP₃ levels during the first 30 s although the value at 40 min was significantly higher (59%). IP₃ increased (42%) after 20 s of carbachol perfusion followed by a 25 % decrease at 40 min. Sustained stimulation of β-receptors (after 40 min in our model) resulted in a repeated increase in cAMP only, without an increase in contractility. Muscarinic receptor stimulation resulted in an early increase in IP₃ content without a change in mechanical function whereas a-adrenergic stimulation resulted in only a late increase in IP₃ content of isolated whole hearts still without any alteration in contractility.     

Carbachol-induced increase in inositol trisphosphate (IP3) content is attenuated by adrenergic stimulation in the isolated working rat heart

The interrelated responses of concomitant adrenergic and muscarinic receptor stimulation on second messengers and mechanical activity in the isolated perfused working rat heart were studied. The hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer in a modified Langendorff apparatus. The hearts were perfused with noradrenaline (10^-6 mol L^-1, n= 20), with carbachol (3 times 10^-7 mol L^-1n= 11) or with noradrenaline plus carbachol (n= 20) in the above-mentioned concentrations. The hearts were frozen at 20 s, 30 s and 40 min after addition of noradrenaline and noradrenaline plus carbachol and at 20 s and 40 min after addition of carbachol. Five hearts were freeze-clamped directly after preperfusion and another five hearts after 40 min of perfusion and used as controls. Myocardial cAMP increased at 20 s and 40 min after noradrenaline perfusion. In contrast to this cAMP was unchanged at 20 s and decreased at 40 min after perfusion with noradrenaline plus carbachol. IP₃ content increased after 20 s of carbachol- and after 40 min of noradrenaline perfusion (P < 0.05). However, noradrenaline plus carbachol did not induced any significant increase in IP₃ content after 20 s and 30 s, but after 40 min a decrease below basal level was found (P < 0.05). Noradrenaline stimulation attenuated muscarinic agonist induced IP₃ formation. A reciprocity existed in that noradrenaline induced IP₃ formation was attenuated by carbachol. No direct relationship was observed between the IP₃ response and contractility, also valid for cAMP. Hence, a significant increase in contractility was found in spite of a blunted cAMP response probably not accounted for by an an α₁-adrenergic effect alone.     

Cardiodepressant mediators are released after myocardial ischaemia: modulation by catecholamines and adenosine

The interaction of recently characterized cardiodepressant mediators with catecholamines and adenosine after myocardial ischaemia was investigated using a model of sequential perfusion of two isolated guinea-pig hearts. Sequential perfusion was initiated after 10, 20, and 30 min (group I, II, and III) of global ischaemia in the first heart. At the onset of sequential perfusion LVdP/dt_max and _min of Heart II decreased by 46 and 44% in group I, by 28 and 34% in group II, and increased by 60 and 24% in group III. Infusion of the β₁-receptor antagonist metoprolol (2.8 μmol L^–1) into Heart II did not modulate contractile changes after 10 min of ischaemia in Heart I, prevented the attenuation of the cardiodepressant effect after 20 min of ischaemia, and completely reversed the positive inotropic effect after 30 min of ischaemia. The A1- and A2-receptor antagonists DPCPX (2 μmol L^–1) and DMPX (20 μmol L^–1) enhanced the positive inotropic and lusitropic effects in Heart II (LVdP/dt_max +154%, LVdP/dt_min +71%) during sequential perfusion after 30 min of ischaemia in Heart I. It is concluded that the effects of cardiodepressant mediators released after myocardial ischaemia are counteracted by a time-dependent release of catecholamines. Endogenous cardiac adenosine, in turn, attenuates the modulatory effects of catecholamines.     

An improved isolated, left ventricular ejecting, murine heart model

 An improved, isolated, left ventricular-ejecting, murine heart model is described and evaluated. Special attention was paid to the design and impedance characteristics of the artificial aortic outflow tract and perfusate composition, which contained glucose (10 mM plus insulin) and pyruvate (1.5 mM) as substrates. Temperature of the isolated perfused hearts was maintained at 38.5 °C. During antegrade perfusion (preload 10 mm Hg, afterload 50 mm Hg, 2.5 mM Ca²⁺) proper design of the aortic outflow tract provided baseline values for cardiac output (CO), left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and the maximum first derivative of left ventricular pressure (LV dP/dt _max) of 11.1±1.7 ml min^–1, 83±5 mm Hg and 6283±552 mm Hg s^–1, respectively, resembling findings in the intact mouse. During 100 min normoxic antegrade perfusion CO declined non-significantly by less than 10%. Varying pre- and afterloads resulted in typical Frank-Starling relationships with maximal CO values of 18.6±1.8 ml min^–1 at pre- and afterload pressures of 25 and 50 mm Hg, respectively. Left ventricular function curves were constructed at free [Ca²⁺] of 1.5 and 2.5 mM in the perfusion medium. Significantly higher values for CO, LVDP and LV dP/dt _max and LV dP/dt _min were obtained at 2.5 mM Ca²⁺ at all loading conditions investigated. Phosphocreatine and creatine levels remained stable throughout the perfusion period. Despite a small but significant decline in tissue ATP content, the sum of adenine nucleotides did not change during the normoxic perfusion period. The tissue content of glycogen increased significantly. Received: 28 April 1998 / Received after revision and accepted: 10 September 1998     

Role of aspirin in modulating myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury

The role of low-dose aspirin (3 mg/kg, i.v.) in attenuating ischemic reperfusion injury was studied in a canine model. Regional ischemia for 40 min was produced by temporary occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery and thereafter reperfusion instituted for 3 h. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), positive (+) LV dP/dt _max and negative (–) LV dP/dt _max were monitored alongwith myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate (CP), glycogen and lactate. Following reperfusion, there was a significant fall in (i) MAP, (ii) (+) LV dP/dt _max and (iii) (–) LV dP/dt _max. LVEDP was corrected after about 2h of reperfusion. Replenishment of only myocardial CP occurred, without any change in ATP and glycogen, although lactate accumulation was corrected.Aspirin administered 15 min before reperfusion (posttreatment) caused normalisation of LVEDP within 15 min and prevented any deterioration in (–) LV dP/dt _max, although it had no effect on MAP and (+) LV dP/dt _max. After 3h of reperfusion (post-treatment), myocardial ATP, CP, glycogen and lactate contents became normal. The number of premature ventricular complexes was significantly reduced after aspirin treatment. The present study indicates that low-dose aspirin post-treatment can ameliorate at least some of the deleterious consequences of reperfusion injury of the myocardium.     

In vivo heat shock preconditioning mitigates calcium overload during ischaemia/reperfusion in the isolated, perfused rat heart

Heat shock (HS) pretreatment of the heart is effective in mitigating the deleterious effects of ischaemia/reperfusion. The main objective of this study was to determine whether the beneficial effect of HS is associated with the preservation of intracellular Ca²⁺ handling in the ischaemic/reperfused, isolated rat heart. Twenty-four hours after raising body core temperature to 42 °C for 15 min, rat hearts were perfused according to Langendorff and subjected to 30 min ischaemia followed by 20 min reperfusion. Cyclic changes of cytoplasmic calcium ion [Ca²⁺_i] levels were measured by surface fluorometry using Indo-1 AM. Reperfused HS hearts showed improved recovery of contractile function compared with control hearts: end-diastolic pressure: 45±11 vs. 64±22 mm Hg; developed pressure: 72±12 vs. 41±20 mm Hg; maximum rate of pressure increase (+dP/dt_max): 1,513±305 vs. 938±500 mm Hg/s; maximum rate of pressure decrease (–dP/dt_max): –1,354±304 vs. –806±403 mm Hg/s. HS hearts displayed a significantly lower end-diastolic cytosolic [Ca²⁺] ([Ca²⁺]_i) after reinstallation of flow. The dynamic parameters of the Ca²⁺_i transients, i.e. the maximum rate of increase/decrease (±dCa²⁺_i/dt_max) and amplitude, did not differ between reperfused control and HS hearts. The novel finding of this study is that improved performance of the HS-preconditioned heart after an ischaemic insult is associated with a reduced end-diastolic Ca²⁺_i load, and most likely, preserved Ca²⁺ sensitivity of the myocardial contractile machinery.     

β3‐Adrenoceptors modulate left ventricular relaxation in the rat heart via the NO‐cGMP‐PKG pathway

Aims: Using a model of isolated and Langendorff‐perfused rat heart we analysed whether activation of β₃‐adrenergic receptors (β₃‐ARs) influences ventricular lusitropic performance. We also focused on the NOS/NO/cGMP/PKG cascade as the signal transduction mechanism. Methods: Hearts were treated with increasing concentrations (from 10^?12 to 10^?6 m ) of BRL₃₇₃₄₄, a selective β₃‐AR agonist, and cardiac performance was evaluated by analysing both lusitropic parameters and coronary motility. Cardiac preparations were also perfused with BRL₃₇₃₄₄ in the presence of either isoproterenol (ISO) or nadolol, or pertussis toxin (PTx), or selective inhibitors of the NOS/NO/cGMP/PKG pathway. Results: BRL₃₇₃₄₄ caused a significant concentration‐dependent reduction in (LVdP/dt)_min, a decrease in half time relaxation significant starting from 10^?12 m , and an increase in (LVdP/dt)_max/(LVdP/dt)_min ratio (T/?t). BRL₃₇₃₄₄ abolished the ISO‐mediated positive lusitropism. β₃‐AR‐dependent effects on relaxation were insensitive to β₁/β₂‐AR inhibition by nadolol (100 nm ), and were abolished by G_i/o protein inhibition by PTx (0.01 nm ). NO scavenging by haemoglobin (10 μm ), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition by NG‐monomethyl‐l ‐arginine (10 μm ) revealed the involvement of NO signalling in BRL₃₇₃₄₄ response. Pre‐treatment with inhibitors of either soluble guanylate cyclase (ODQ; 10 μm ) or PKG (KT₅₈₂₃; 100 nm ) abolished β₃‐AR‐dependent negative lusitropism. In contrast, anantin (10 nm ), an inhibitor of particulate guanylate cyclase, did not modify the effect of BRL₃₇₃₄₄ on relaxation. Conclusion: Taken together, our findings provide functional evidence for β₃‐AR modulation of ventricular relaxation in the rat heart which involves PTx‐sensitive inhibitory Gi protein and occurs via an NO‐cGMP‐PKG cascade. Whether the effects of β₃‐AR stimulation on lusitropism are beneficial or detrimental remains to be established.     

Altered basal and adenosine-mediated protein flux from coronary arterioles isolated from exercise-trained pigs

Solute flux per unit surface area and concentration gradient, (J_S/SΔC), was quantified in arterioles isolated from hearts of sedentary (SED) and exercise-trained (EX) female Yucatan Miniature Swine. Apparent permeability (P_S) was assessed from measures of J_S/SΔC for two proteins, α-lactalbumin (α-lact) and porcine serum albumin (PSA), under basal conditions and following 5 min suffusion with 10^?5M adenosine (ADO). Both proteins were labelled with the fluorescent dye tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate. Basal P_s to α-lact differed with exercise training ((P^α-lact_s)_SED=5.2±1.8 (median±median absolute deviation (MAD), n=9 pigs) versus (P^α-lact_s)_EX=7.4±1.1×10^?7 cm s^?1, n=9, P<0.05). For the larger protein PSA, basal P_s did not change with training ((P^PSA_s)_SED=5.0±1.6, N=11 vs. (P^PSA_s)_EX=4.1±1.2×10^?7 cm s^?1, N=11). Suffusion of the arterioles (33±4 μm diameter, n=18 vessels) from SED hearts (n=14) with 10^?5M ADO decreased P^α-lact_s 15±8% relative to control and was without effect on P^PSA_s. By contrast, in arterioles (39±4 μm diameter, n=22 vessels) from EX hearts (n=14), ADO increased P^α-lact_s and P^PSA_s by 32 and 65% respectively, indicating that receptor-mediated changes in permeability were also sensitive to exercise training. These data demonstrate that, for coronary arterioles, permeability to macromolecules adapts to exercise training. The adaptive mechanisms may involve more than one structural component of the vessel wall as the changes in permeability were size-dependent.     

Reversal of α1-receptor mediated relaxation in intestinal smooth muscle

The α₁-receptor agonist phenylephrine relaxed longitudinal rabbit jejunal muscle contracted in vitro by low concentrations of barium ions (1 mM). When the Ba²⁺ concentration was increased to 10–15 mM the response to phenylephrine was a contraction, and at Ba²⁺ concentrations in between the high and low range this response was biphasic—a relaxation followed by a contractile phase. The α₂-receptor agonist clonidine did not affect the tone of the Ba²⁺ contracted preparation. When the muscle preparation was contracted by Sr²⁺ (1–20 mM) in the presence of Ca²⁺ (2.5 mM), phenylephrine relaxed it, and no contractile response to phenylephrine was observed. In the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, 5 mM Ba²⁺ caused a contraction. Under these conditions phenylephrine had no effect on the tissue tone. When Ca²⁺ was added in a low concentration (0.2-2 mM), phenylephrine elicited a gradually increasing contractile response. At 5 mM Ca²⁺ the contractile response was replaced by the normal relaxation. The contractile response to phenylephrine in the presence of 5 mM Ba²⁺ and 2.5 mM Ca²⁺ was partially blocked by low concentrations of verapamil. In higher concentrations verapamil abolished the tissue tonus completely. The contractile response to phenylephrine in the presence of 5 mM Ba²⁺ and 2.5 mM Ca²⁺ could be reverted to the normal relaxation by the addition of 20 mM Mg²⁺. Increasing the K⁺ concentration from the normal 5.9 to 62.9 mM blocked the phenylephrine-induced relaxation. No contractile response to phenylephrine occurred. It is concluded that Ba²⁺ could reverse the response of α₁ receptor stimulation in rabbit jejunum from a relaxation to a contraction and that this contractile response was dependent on the presence of Ca²⁺.     

Oocytes from Xenopus laevis contain an intrinsic σ2-like binding site

In preparation for expression studies for rat brain σ-binding sites, Xenopus oocytes were tested for the presence of [³H]di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG)-binding sites. Native oocytes were found to contain two intrinsic [³H]DTG-binding sites, a high-affinity site (K_d = 32 ± 6 nM, B_max of 45.7 ± 19 pmol/mg protein) and a low-affinity binding site (K_d = 1.3 ± 0.7 μM, B_max of 3.2 ± 0.7 nmol/mg protein). In a series of radioligand-binding-displacement studies, the high-affinity binding sites were found to have a binding profile which has a similar K_d to that of the mammalian σ₂-binding site (32 vs. 38 nM). Comparison of the IC₅₀ values for inhibition of [³H]DTG binding in rat liver and oocytes for DTG, haloperidol (HAL), (−)-pentazocine, (+)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-propylpiperidine hydrochloride ((+)-3-PPP), (+(-pentazocine and Zn²⁺, showed similarity in rank (r² = 0.913) but a 7-fold lower potency in oocytes. These results suggest that the high-affinity [³H]DTG-binding site in oocytes represents a σ₂-like binding site.     

Role of K+ channels in the regulation of electrical spontaneous activity of the mouse small intestine

The roles of K⁺ channels in the regulation of slow waves and pacemaker potentials recorded from mouse small intestine were investigated using intracellular recording techniques in the presence of nifedipine. Iberiotoxin (0.1 μM) and charybdotoxin (0.1 μM) had no effect on the generation of slow waves recorded from circular smooth muscle cells. Apamin (0.3 μM) depolarized the membrane and decreased the amplitude of early, rapid repolarization of slow waves, without altering the amplitude, frequency, duration, or maximum rate of rise of the initial upstroke phase (dV/dt _max). The early, rapid repolarization was enhanced by phenylephrine (15 μM). 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP, 5 mM) depolarized the membrane and increased the amplitude and dV/dt _max of slow waves. Both apamin and 4-AP depolarized the membrane and decreased the amplitude and dV/dt _max of pacemaker potentials recorded from interstitial cells of Cajal distributed in the myenteric region (ICC-MY). Membrane depolarization with a high-K⁺ solution decreased the amplitude and dV/dt _max of slow waves. These results suggest that apamin-sensitive K⁺ conductance and 4-AP-sensitive K⁺ conductance may contribute to the resting membrane potential of circular smooth muscle cells. The early, rapid repolarization of slow waves appears to result from the opening of apamin-sensitive K⁺ conductance. 4-AP-sensitive K⁺ conductance is likely to be activated in the initial upstroke component (primary component) of slow waves. In ICC-MY, membrane depolarization induced by apamin or 4-AP may result from electrotonic spread from smooth muscle cells.     

Inhibition of the sodium–calcium exchanger via SEA0400 altered manganese‐induced T1 changes in isolated perfused rat hearts

Manganese (Mn²⁺)‐enhanced MRI (MEMRI) provides the potential for the in vivo evaluation of calcium (Ca²⁺) uptake in the heart. Recent studies have also suggested the role of the sodium–calcium (Na⁺–Ca²⁺) exchanger (NCX) in Mn²⁺ retention, which may have an impact on MEMRI signals. In this study, we investigated whether MEMRI with fast T₁ mapping allowed the sensitive detection of changes in NCX activity. We quantified the dynamics of the Mn²⁺‐induced T₁ changes in isolated perfused rat hearts in response to SEA0400, an NCX inhibitor. The experimental protocol comprised 30 min of Mn²⁺ perfusion (wash‐in), followed by a 30‐min wash‐out period. There were three experimental groups: 1, NCX inhibition by 1 µ m SEA0400 during Mn²⁺ wash‐in only (SEAin, n = 6); 2, NCX inhibition by 1 µ m SEA0400 during Mn²⁺ wash‐out only (SEAout, n = 6); 3, no NCX inhibition during both wash‐in and wash‐out to serve as the control group (CNTL, n = 5). Rapid T₁ mapping at a temporal resolution of 3 min was performed throughout the perfusion protocol using a triggered saturation–recovery Look–Locker sequence. Our results showed that NCX inhibition during Mn²⁺ wash‐in caused a significant increase in relaxation rate (R₁) at the end of Mn²⁺ perfusion. During the wash‐out period, NCX inhibition led to less reduction in R₁. Further analysis of Mn²⁺ content in myocardium with flame atomic absorption spectroscopy was consistent with the MRI findings. These results suggest that Mn²⁺ accumulation and retention in rat hearts are, in part, dependent on NCX activity. Hence, MEMRI may provide an imaging method that is also sensitive to changes in NCX activity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The inotropic effect of atrial natriuretic factor in the anesthetized rabbit

This study was designed to investigate whether atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) administered over the physiological, pathological and pharmacological range has a negative inotropic action on the heart. Anesthetized rabbits were infused with increasing doses of ANF (0.05, 0.25 and 0.5g kg^–1min^–1), while measuring hemodynamic variables including the maximum rate of change of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt _max) as an index of inotropic state. Plasma levels of immunoreactive ANF (iANF) were measured to relate the hemodynamic changes to actual plasma levels of the peptide. Administration of ANF was associated with decreases in blood pressure, left ventricular pressure and dP/dt _max so that after 0.5 g kg^–1 min^–1 infusion, these variables had decreased by 21±2 mmHg, 21±5.3 mmHg and 925±175 mmHg/s, respectively (P<0.01). There were no significant changes in right atrial pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure or heart rate. Since dP/dt _max can be influenced by changing hemodynamic variables and baroreflex changes, a second group of rabbits was studied in which afterload and heart rate were held artificially constant. Again, in this group of rabbits, infusions of ANF led to decreasing inotropic state, so that at the highest infusion rate, a 14% decrease in dP/dt _max was observed (P<0.05). By comparison, hydralazine, a drug which causes active vasodilatation but no direct inotropic action, significantly (P<0.01) decreased blood pressure, left ventricular pressure and dP/dt _max when infused at a rate of 10 g kg^–1 min^–1. However, in animals in which afterload was controlled, hydralazine did not affect any of the variables measured. The results indicate that ANF does have a negative inotropic action in the anesthetized rabbit.     

Duodenal intraepithelial γ/δ T cells and soluble CD8, neopterin,and β2-microglobulin in serum of IgA-deficient subjects with or without IgG subclass deficiency

Expression of the γ/δ T cell receptor (TCR) on CD3⁺ intracpithclial lymphocytes (IELs) was studied by two-colour immunofluorescence in duodenal tissue sections from healthy (n= 6) or infection-prone (n = 7) subjects with selective IgA deficiency (IgAD), and subjects (n= 4) with combined IgAD and IgG subclass deficiency. TCRγ/δ⁺ IEL proportions in selective IgAD subjects (median 6.3%, range 1.0–41%) and in those with combined deficiency (median 4.5%, range 1±2.33%) were well within the range (0.3.38%) for histologically normal controls (n= 11), but the healthy IgAD subgroup tended to show raised TCRγ/δ⁺ IEL proportions (median 13.6%) compared with the other two subgroups. Also the number of TCRγ/δ⁺ IELs per intestinal length unit was relatively high (median 13.9/mm) in the healthy IgAD subjects, and significantly raised (P < 0.03) compared with controls (median 3.2/mm). Paired staining revealed that most TCRγ/δ⁺ IELs in both selective IgAD (98%) and combined deficiency (99%) were CD8, and a large fraction (median 84% and 63%, respectively) expressed the Vδ1/Jδ1-encoded epitope. The total number of CD3’ IELs (mostly CD8⁺) was similar to controls. IgAD subjects, and especially the healthy subgroup, had significantly increased serum concentrations of soluble CD8 (P < 0.0002), neopterin (P < 0.005), and β₂-microglobulin (P < 0.007). which was similar to our previous observations in common variable immunodeficiency, and probably reflected stimulation of cell-mediated immunity. In addition, the increased TCRγ/δ⁺ IELs might reflect a component of compensatory surface protection in the healthy IgAD subgroup.     

Comparative effects of the α-adrenoceptor agonists noradrenaline,phenylephrine and clonidine in the human saphenous vein in vivo and in vitro

The α-adrenoceptor-mediated contractile effects of noradrenaline (α_l+α₂), phenylephrine (α_l) and clonidine (α₂) on human saphenous veins were investigated in vivo and in vitro. By infusion (0.3 ml min^-1) of the drugs (increasing concentrations in the infused solution) into distended (40 mmHg) saphenous veins in six healthy subjects, local vasoconstriction was induced, measured by a photo-electric device. The drugs induced dose-dependent contractions in all subjects, and dose-response curves were constructed. These were compared with concentration-response curves based on in-vitro results. Macroscopically normal saphenous veins, taken at saphenousectomies, were used, and the preparations were contracted isometrically in organ baths by the agonists. From the curves obtained in vivo and in vitro, the relative potencies of phenylephrine and clonidine (in relation to noradrenaline) were calculated and compared. The relative potencies of phenylephrine in vivo (76%) and in vitro (82%) did not differ significantly. However, the relative potency of clonidine was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in vivo (90%) than in vitro (99%). Thus, it is concluded that there are differences between the results obtained in vivo and in vitro, stressing the importance of comparative in vivo-in vitro studies.     

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidative vitamins under extreme endurance stress*

The aim of this study was to examine whether extreme endurance stress of trained athletes can influence lipid peroxidation and muscle enzymes. A randomized and placebo-controlled study was carried out on 24 trained long-distance runners who were substituted with α-tocopherol (400 I.U. d^-1) and ascorbic acid (200 mg d^-1) during 4.5 weeks prior to a marathon race. The serum concentrations of retinol, ascorbic acid, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, malondialdehyde (TBARS) and uric acid as well as gluthation peroxidase (GSH Px) and catalase were measured 4.5 weeks before (A), immediately before (B), immediately after (C) and 24 h after (D) the course. After competition (C) TBARS serum concentrations of the athletes (n= 22) decreased in both groups (P < 0.0001). The ascorbic acid serum concentration increased significantly in the supplemented group from (A) to (B) (P < 0.01), from (B) to (C) (P < 0.001) and in the placebo group a significant increase from (B) to (C) (P < 0.01) was observed. The α-tocopherol serum concentration increased significantly in the supplemented group from (A) to (B) (P < 0.001) and from (B) to (C) (P < 0.05). The enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px) and catalase measured in erythrocytes as well as the serum selenium levels did not show significant differences at any time. A significant increase of CK concentration was observed from (C) to (D) in the supplemented group (P < 0.01) and in the placebo group (P < 0.001). The increase of CK serum concentration is remarkably lower in the supplemented group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.01). It is concluded that endurance training coupled with antioxidant vitamin supplementation reduces blood CK increase under exercise stress.     

Urinary excretion of prostaglandin F2α and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α during volume expansion in man

Renal function and the urinary excretion of immunoreactive prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α (6-keto-PGF_1α) were investigated during volume expansion (VE) in 9 healthy young adults. The studies were started after at least 17 h of food and fluid deprivation. Volume expansion (3% of body weight) was achieved by a continuous infusion of Ringer's solution (0.22 ml/kg/min). This increased the urinary excretion of sodium from 195±25 to 714±55 μmol/min/1.73 m²(mean ± S.E.) and decreased the excretion of potassium by 24% and plasma renin activity by 60% (P<0.01). The clearance of inulin increased slightly (from 102.4±3.7 to 114.5±6.2 ml/min/1.73 m², P<0.025), whüe clearance of PAH did not change. The excretion of immunoreactive PGF_2α decreased in 8 out of 9 individuals during VE, from 1.58±0.15 to 0.97±0.10 ng/min/1.73 m²(P<0.01). In contrast, excretion of immunoreactive 6-keto-PGF_1α increased in 8 out of 9 subjects, from 2.32±0.20 to 3.47±0.48 ng/min/1.73 m²(P<0.05). Urinary excretion of PGF_2α and 6-keto-PGF_1α may reflect renal synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) and prostacyclin (PGI₂), respectively. The results indicate that synthesis of PGs is decreased and that of PGI₂ is increased during VE in man. However, no simple relationship could be found between the prostaglandins and the renal functional parameters.     

Relationship between ischaemic time and ischaemia/reperfusion injury in isolated Langendorff‐perfused mouse hearts

Myocardial functional recovery and creatine kinase (CK) release following various periods of ischaemia were investigated in isolated mouse hearts. The hearts were perfused in the Langendorff mode with pyruvate‐containing Krebs–Hensleit (KH) buffer under a constant perfusion pressure of 80 mmHg, and were subjected to either continuous perfusion or to 5, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45 or 60 min of global ischaemia followed by 45 min of reperfusion. In hearts subjected to ischaemic periods of 5, 15 or 20 min, there was a transient reduction in the left ventricular (LV) dP/dt max during the early phase of reperfusion, while the recovery at the end of reperfusion reached a level similar to that in hearts subjected to continuous perfusion. In hearts subjected to longer ischaemic periods, i.e. 25, 30, 45 or 60 min, the decrease in the cardiac performance was more pronounced and persistent, with significantly lower recovery in LV dP/dt max and higher LV end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) at the end of reperfusion than in the non‐ischaemic hearts. There were no significant differences in the recoveries in coronary flow or in heart rate (HR) between groups. Similarly to the functional recovery, the release of CK showed a clear ischaemic length‐related increase. In conclusion, the Langendorff‐perfused isolated mouse heart could be a valuable model for studies of myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Future studies using gene‐targeted mice would add valuable knowledge to the understanding of myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury.     

Miniature Ca2+ channels in excised plasma-membrane patches: activation by IP3

 In the present work, we characterized the receptor properties and the conductive features of the inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate (IP₃)-activated Ca²⁺ channels present in excised plasma-membrane patches obtained from mouse macrophages and A431 cells. We found that the receptor properties of the channels tested were similar to those of the IP₃ receptor (IP₃R) expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. These properties include activation by IP₃, inhibition by heparin, time-dependent inactivation by high IP₃ concentrations, activation by guanosine 5′o-thiotriphosphate and regulation by arachidonic acid. On the other hand, in terms of conductive properties, the channel closely resembles Ca²⁺-release-activated Ca²⁺ channels (I _crac). These conductive properties include extremely low conductance (≈1 pS), very high selectivity for Ca²⁺ over K⁺ (P _Ca/P _K>1000), inactivation by high intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration and, importantly, strong inward rectification. Notably, the same channel was activated by: (1) agonists in the cell-attached mode of channel recording, and (2) cytosolic IP₃ after patch excision. Although the possibility cannot be completely excluded that a novel type of IP₃R is expressed exclusively in the plasma membrane, in their entirety our findings suggest that the plasma membrane of mouse macrophages and A431 cells contains I _crac-like Ca²⁺ channels coupled to an IP₃-responsive protein which displays properties similar to those of the IP₃R expressed in the ER membrane. Received: 16 June 1998 / Received after revision: / 24 August 1998 / Accepted: 1 September 1998     

Properties of the luminal membrane of isolated perfused rat pancreatic ducts

The aim of the present study was to investigate by what transport mechanism does HCO ₃ ^– cross the luminal membrane of pancreatic duct cells, and how do the cells respond to stimulation with dibytyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP). For this purpose a newly developed preparation of isolated and perfused intra-and interlobular ducts of rat pancreas was used. Responses of the epithelium to inhibitors and agonists were monitored by electrophysiological techniques. Addition of HCO ₃ ^– /CO₂ to the bath side of nonstimulated ducts depolarized the PD across the basolateral membrane (PD_bl) by about 9mV, as also observed in a previous study [21]. This HCO ₃ ^– effect was abolished by Cl^– channel blockers or SITS infused into the lumen of the duct: i. e. 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB, 10^–5 M) hyperpolarized PD_bl by 8.2±1.6 mV (n=13); 3,5-dichlorodiphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (DCl-DPC, 10^–5 M) hyperpolarized PD_bl by 10.3±1.7 mV (n=10); and SITS hyperpolarized PD_bl by 7.8±0.9 mV (n=4). Stimulation of the ducts with dbcAMP in the presence of bath HCO ₃ ^– /CO₂ resulted in depolarization of PD_bl, the ductal lumen became more negative and the fractional resistance of the luminal membrane decreased. Together with forskolin (10^–6 M), db-cAMP (10^–4 M) caused a fast depolarization of PD_bl by 33.8±2.5 mV (n=6). When db-cAMP (5×10^–4 M) was given alone in the presence of bath HCO ₃ ^– /CO₂, PD_bl depolarized by 25.3±4.2 mV (n=10). In the absence of exogenous HCO ₃ ^– , db-cAMP also depolarized PD_bl by 24.7±3.0 mV (n=10). The present data suggest that in the luminal membrane of pancreatic duct cells there is a Cl^– conductance in parallel with a Cl^–/HCO ₃ ^– antiport. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP increases the Cl^– conductance of the luminal membrane. Taking together our present results, and the recent data obtained for the basolateral membrane [21], a tentative model for pancreatic HCO ₃ ^– transport is proposed.Parts of this study have been presented at the Scandinavian Physiological Society Meeting in Copenhagen 1986 and 64th Meeting of the German Physiological Society in Homburg/Saar