Relation between ischemic preconditioning and the duration of sustained ischemia.

It has been reported that repetitive brief periods of ischemia and reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning, IP) cause a significant reduction in the extent of myocardial necrosis or in the incidence of reperfusion arrhythmias in rat heart. However, recent reports have stated that IP effect is diminished or lost in the canine or bovine heart if ischemia (mostly regional) is sustained for 40 min or longer. The main objective of this study is to assess whether IP provides myocardial protection in prolonged sustained ischemia under the condition of global ischemia in isolated rabbit heart. The hearts were subjected to 10-60 min sustained ischemia (SI) followed by 60 min reperfusion with (IP heart) or without IP (ISCH heart). IP was induced by 4 cycles of 5 min global ischemia and 5 min reperfusion. Left ventricular function (LVF), extent of infarction (EI) and ultrastructural changes were examined. As a whole, the LVF began to recover on reperfusion but there was no significant difference in the functional parameters. However, extracellular Ca2+ concentration was lower in the ISCH hearts (p < 0.05) and the EI was significantly different between the hearts which had received 60 min SI (67% in the ISCH versus 32% in the IP heart, p < 0.01). Ultrastructural changes were homogeneous in the ISCH hearts and became irreversible in accordance with increase of the duration of ischemia, while these changes were heterogeneous and restricted in the IP heart. These results suggest that IP does not attenuate the postischemic dysfunction in prolonged ischemia but it can provide an infarct size-limiting effect and delay ultrastructural changes. This cardioprotective effect may be related to calcium homeostasis.     

地塞米松预处理减轻大鼠再灌注性心律失常的实验研究

目的： 探讨地塞米松预处理对大鼠再灌注性心律失常的作用及机制。方法: SD大鼠随机分成地塞米松组、对照组，分别予地塞米松和生理盐水预处理。预处理后构建缺血再灌注损伤动物模型，观察再灌注期间心律失常的发生；Western blotting法和免疫组化法观察心肌HSP72表达变化；测定心肌MDA、SOD、CAT、GSH-Px水平及心肌细胞膜Na+-K+-ATP酶、Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP酶活性。结果: 与对照组相比，地塞米松组室性心律失常的积分减少（P<0.01）、持续时间缩短（P<0.05）；HSP72的表达增加（P<0.05）；MDA降低（P<0.01），SOD、CAT、GSH-Px均升高（P<0.05）；Na+-K+-ATP酶增加（P<0.01），Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP酶无明显变化（P>0.05）。结论: 地塞米松预处理减少再灌注室性心律失常，其机制可能与其上调HSP72、Na+-K+-ATP酶、抗氧化酶的表达及抑制脂质过氧化反应有关。     

Evidence of protein kinase C translocation by ischemic preconditioning in global ischemia model.

We tested recent evidence that ischemic preconditioning (PC) involves in translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) from the cytosol to myocyte membrane. Isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts (n=96) were subjected to 60 or 45 min of ischemia (I) and 120 min of reperfusion (R) with or without PC (4 cycles of 5 min I and 5 min R; or single dose of 5 min I and 10 min R), respectively. Left ventricular function and infarct size (IS) were measured; myocardial cytosolic and membrane PKC activity were determined by 32P-gamma-ATP incorporation into PKC-specific peptide. PC enhanced improvement of functional recovery and reduced IS (26.9+/-1.4% versus 15.3+/-1.9%, p<0.01, in 60 min of I; 18.3+/-2.6% versus 8.6+/-2.5%, p<0.05, in 45 min of I); cytosolic PKC activity decreased 74% of total activity (p<0.05) both in 60 and 45 min of I; membrane PKC activity increased (1.7-fold of baseline, p<0.01, in 60 min of I; 1.8-fold, p<0.01, in 45 min of I; 1.5-fold, p<0.05, in 60 of min I and 120 min of R). From these results, it is concluded that translocation of PKC from the cytosol to myocyte membranes is an important mechanism responsible for PC effect.     

Electroacupuncture reduces myocardial infarct size and improves post-ischemic recovery by invoking release of humoral, dialyzable, cardioprotective factors

Previous studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) can induce cardioprotection against ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury, but its mechanisms are incompletely understood. We have previously shown that several other forms of remote preconditioning of the heart work, at least in part, via the release of circulating cardioprotective factors into the bloodstream, that can be dialyzed and subsequently shown to reduce IR injury in isolated hearts. We used the same methods to assess whether EA leads to similar humoral cardioprotection. EA rabbits were subjected to 60 min of bilateral stimulation at the Neiguan point, following which their blood was drawn, dialyzed, and used to perfuse hearts in Langendorff preparation and subsequently subjected to 60 min of global ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion. Compared to controls, dialysate from EA animals led to significant reduction in infarct size and improved functional recovery. The degree of cardioprotection was no different to that seen in animals randomized to receive remote preconditioning using transient limb ischemia (4 cycles of 5 min ischemia/5 min reperfusion). These results suggest that EA recapitulates the cardioprotection achieved by remote preconditioning, by similarly leading to release of circulating cardioprotective factors.     

Ischemic preconditioning triggers nuclear translocation of thioredoxin and its interaction with Ref-1 potentiating a survival signal through the PI-3-kinase-Akt pathway

Thioredoxin (Trx-1), a key mediator of cellular redox homeostasis and cell survival, is implicated in redox signaling in the ischemic myocardium. To investigate further its mechanism of action, Trx expression in rat heart was suppressed by direct injection of small hairpin RNA against Trx-1 (shRNA-Trx-1). Forty-eight hours after treatment, hearts were excised for isolated working-heart preparation. A group of hearts was preconditioned (PC) by subjecting them to four cyclic episodes of 5-min ischemia, each followed by 10 min of reperfusion. All the hearts, PC or non-PC, were subjected to 30-min ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. As expected, the PC hearts exhibited improved ventricular function, reduced infarct size, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Also in PC hearts, an increase was noted in Trx-1 and other cardioprotective and redox-regulated proteins like Ref-1, phospho-Akt, and NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity. PC also caused nuclear translocation of Trx-1 and Ref-1 followed by their association. However, in hearts treated with shRNA-Trx 1, the cardioprotective effects of PC were abolished along with a concomitant decrease in nuclear localized Trx-1 and Ref-1, along with a decrease in phospho-Akt and NF-kappaB. These results demonstrate that PC triggers translocation of Trx-1 into the nucleus, where it becomes associated with Ref-1 and performs redox signaling through the activation of NF-kappaB and an increase in prosurvival signal inducer phospho-Akt.     

The impact of propylthiouracil therapy on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status parameters in hyperthyroid patients

This study was performed on 17 hyperthyroid patients and 15 healthy controls. The patients were under propylthiouracil (PTU) therapy at a dosage of 3 x 100 mg/day for one month. Blood samples, taken at the beginning and on the 30th day of therapy, were analyzed for hormonal parameters (T3, T4, TSH), lipid peroxidation endproduct [thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)] and antioxidant status parameters: glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD). Hyperthyroid patients were observed to have significantly higher TBARS, GSH and CuZn SOD levels than controls (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). PTU therapy caused a relief in oxidative stress as reflected by significantly decreased TBARS levels (P < 0.001) and a selective modification in the antioxidant status parameters: significant decreases in GSH and CuZn SOD levels (P < 0.001) and a significant increase in GSH Px (P < 0.01) activity. Our findings suggest a selective modification of the antioxidative profile in hyperthyroidism. PTU should also be considered as an in vivo antioxidant, in addition to its antithyroid action.     

Nitric oxide and peroxynitrite in postischemic myocardium

Alterations in the production of nitric oxide (NO.) are a critical factor in the injury that occurs in ischemic and reperfused myocardium; however, controversy remains regarding the alterations in NO. that occur and how these alterations cause tissue injury. As superoxide generation occurs during the early period of reperfusion, the cytotoxic oxidant peroxynitrite (ONOO-) could be formed; however, questions remain regarding ONOO- formation and its role in postischemic injury. Electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping studies, using the NO. trap Fe(2+)-N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (Fe-MGD), and chemiluminescence studies, using the enhancer luminol, have been performed to measure the magnitude and time course of NO. and ONOO- formation in the normal and postischemic heart. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to control perfusion, or ischemia followed by reperfusion in the presence of Fe-MGD with electron paramagnetic resonance measurements performed on the effluent from these hearts. Whereas only trace signals were present prior to ischemia, prominent NO. adduct signals were seen during the first 2 min of reflow. The reperfusion associated increase in these NO. signals was abolished by nitric oxide synthase inhibition. In hearts perfused with luminol to detect ONOO- formation, a similar marked increase was seen during the first 2 min of reperfusion that was blocked by nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and by superoxide dismutase. Either NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or superoxide dismutase treatment resulted in more than twofold higher recovery of contractile function than in untreated hearts. Immunohistology studies demonstrated that the ONOO(-)-mediated nitration product nitrotyrosine was formed in postischemic hearts, but not in normally perfused controls. Thus, NO. formation is increased during the early period of reperfusion and reacts with superoxide to form ONOO-, which results in protein nitration and myocardial injury.     

Antioxidants and ecto-5'-nucleotidase are not involved in the training-induced cardioprotection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury

Isolated Langendorff-perfused hearts from sedentary and prolonged (24 weeks) treadmill-trained rats were subjected to 30 min of normoxic perfusion either alone or followed by 20 min of global ischaemia, or by 20 min of global ischaemia and 15 min of normoxic reperfusion. Pre-ischaemic values of antioxidant enzyme activities and ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity were not different in sedentary and trained hearts but a 5-fold increase of 72-kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) levels was detected in trained myocardium. After ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R), metabolic recovery was better in trained than in sedentary hearts as indicated by higher ATP and creatine phosphate levels. However, antioxidant enzymatic activities, glutathione reductase, and total and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase decreased in trained rats after I/R, whereas they remained unchanged in the sedentary ones. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity was modified by I/R in sedentary as well as in trained hearts while HSP72 content did not change. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity and HSP72 content increased in parallel by the 30-min perfusion period. In conclusion, the cardioprotection induced by long-term training could be mediated by the exercise-induced increase in HSP72 levels and is not related to enhanced antioxidant systems or ecto-5'-NT activity.     

大鼠全脑缺血再灌后,丙二醛及超氧化物歧化酶活性的变化

大鼠全脑缺血30分钟再灌5分钟,脑组织丙二醛(MDA)含量显著高于对照组,再灌15分钟达高峰;同时脑组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性在全脑缺血期下降,提示脂质过氧化主要发生于全脑缺血再灌注早期。     

亚甲蓝减轻大鼠离体心脏缺血/再灌注引起的线粒体损伤

目的:探讨亚甲蓝(methylene blue,MB)对大鼠离体心脏缺血/再灌注(ischemia/reperfusion,I/R)线粒体损伤的作用。方法:将Spragure-Dawley大鼠随机分为对照组(control组)、I/R模型组和MB治疗组(I/R+MB组),建立Langendorff离体心脏灌注模型(n=6)。手术前2 h,MB组大鼠按2 mg/kg腹腔注射MB。对照组持续灌注K-H液110 min,I/R组与I/R+MB组平衡灌注20 min后停灌30 min,再灌注60 min。实时记录心率(HR)、左室发展压(LVDP)、左室最大压力变化速率(±dp/dt_(max))和左室舒张末压(LVEDP)。测定冠脉流出液中肌酸激酶MB同工酶(CK-MB)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性。测定心肌组织中活性氧簇(ROS)、丙二醛(MDA)和三磷酸腺苷(ATP)含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。苏木精-伊红染色观察组织病理学变化。分离心肌组织线粒体,测定线粒体肿胀程度和线粒体膜电位(MMP)。结果:与对照组相比,I/R组的心功能恶化,冠脉流出液中的CK-MB和LDH活性升高,心肌组织中的ROS和MDA增加,SOD活性降低,ATP减少,线粒体肿胀程度升高,MMP下降(P0.05);与I/R组相比,I/R+MB组的心功能改善,CK-MB和LDH的释放减少,组织中的ROS和MDA减少,SOD活性和ATP含量升高,线粒体肿胀程度降低,MMP升高(P0.05)。结论:MB通过减轻线粒体损伤对大鼠离体I/R心脏发挥保护作用。     

R-苯异丙基腺苷介导的心肌延迟预适应与核因子-κB的关系

目的:进一步验证腺苷A₁受体激动剂R-苯异丙基腺苷(R-PIA)能否使大鼠心脏产生延迟药理性预适应,以及核因子-kappaB和Mn-SOD在其发生机制中的作用。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠,随机分为3组(n=12):生理盐水组、R-PIA组、R-PIA+DPCPX(特异性腺苷A₁受体阻滞剂)组。各组4只大鼠在用药24h,杀鼠获取左室心肌样品,待测心肌NF-κB结合活性(EMSA法)及Mn-SOD含量(ELISA法)。其余8只大鼠在给药24h,开胸结扎左冠状动脉前降支30min、再灌注120min,摘取心脏,用于梗塞范围测定(TTC染色法)。结果:R-PIA组心肌梗塞范围显著小于生理盐水组(P＜0.01),而R-PIA+DPCPX组与生理盐水组比较无显著性差异(P＞0.05)。R-PIA组心肌NF-κB结合活性与生理盐水组比较明显增强,其Mn-SOD的含量也显著高于生理盐水组(P＜0.01)。R-PIA+DPCPX组心肌NF-κB结合活性和Mn-SOD含量与生理盐水组比较无显著差异(P＞0.05)。结论:本研究提示R-PIA药理性延迟预适应与心肌NF-κB激活、Mn-SOD表达增加之间具有一定的关联性。     

肢体缺血再灌注损伤对大鼠肠系膜微循环和血液流变性的变化及意义

目的研究大鼠肢体缺血再灌注损伤时肠系膜微循环和血液流变性的变化，并探讨其意义。方法用BI-2000医学图像分析系统对肢体缺血再灌注大鼠的肠系膜微循环进行观察，大鼠随机分为6组（每组10只），在肢体缺血前（Control组），缺血4h（Ⅰ组），再灌注20min（IP,．20组），再灌注60min（IR60组），再灌注120min（IR120组），再灌注200min（IR200组）时观察和记录肠系膜微循环改变，并测定血液流变学指标并于上述各时间点分别测定各组动物血液流变学指标及前列环素（Pros—tacyclin，PGI2）水平、血栓素A2（Thromboxane A2，TXA2）水平、前列环素／血栓素A2比值（PG12／TXA2）。结果①与Control组比较，IR20组、IR60组大鼠肠系膜微动脉和微静脉管径缩小（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）；IR120组、IR200组大鼠肠系膜微动脉和微静脉管径扩大（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）；Ⅰ组变化差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。②与Control组比较，IR20组、IR60组、IR120组、IR200组大鼠肠系膜微动脉和微静脉血流速度依次减慢（P〈0．01）；Ⅰ组变化差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。③再灌注期，白细胞黏附聚集、白微栓及管周出血增多；血浆黏度、全血低切还原黏度（1s^-1）、全血高切还原黏度（200s^-1）、红细胞比容、红细胞聚集指数、血沉方程K值、红细胞刚性指数等指标增高，红细胞变形指数降低。血浆中PGI2、TXA2含量均于再灌注期先升高后降低，但PGI2／TXA2比值减小。结论大鼠肢体IR损伤时存在肠系膜微循环障碍和血液流变性异常，其发生可能与血管内皮的功能受损，PGI2／TXA2水平的平衡失调有重要关系。     

A preliminary study on the cardioprotection of acupuncture pretreatment in rats with ischemia and reperfusion: involvement of cardiac beta-adrenoceptors

The purpose of this study was to determine the cardioprotective effects of the repetitive pretreatment of acupuncture in rats with myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (MIR). Experimental MIR was produced by ligating and reperfusing the left anterior descending coronary artery in the rats. The elevated ST segments of electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac arrhythmias, and ratio of infarct size/risk zone were compared among the normal control (NC), ischemia and reperfusion (IR), electro-acupuncture (EA), electro-acupuncture plus propranolol (EAP), and EA at nonacupoint (EAN) groups. Before the experiment, EA was applied at bilateral Neiguan acupoints (PC6) in the forelimbs in EA and EAP groups for 30 min once a day for 3 consecutive days. In the EAN group, the same EA treatment was administered at bilateral nonacupoints in the hind limbs. In the EAP group, propranolol, a nonspecific antagonist of beta-adrenoceptors, was administered intraperitoneally 15 min before each EA pretreatment. The results showed that the elevated ST segment of ECG, cardiac arrhythmia score, and ratio of infarct size/risk zone were significantly attenuated in the EA group when compared with those in the IR group (P < 0.05), indicating a cardioprotection of EA pretreatment. When propranolol was given before each EA pretreatment in the EAP group, the cardioprotective effect of EA pretreatment was abolished, showing an involvement of beta-adrenoceptors in mediating the effect of EA pretreatment. There was no significant cardioprotective effect observed in the EAN group. The results suggest that pretreatment may be a better way to apply acupuncture in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease.     

Dehydroepiandrosterone improves hepatic antioxidant systems after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits

This study evaluated the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the oxidant [malondialdehyde (MDA)] and antioxidant [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH)] systems in liver after renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rabbits. Thirty rabbits were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 10: group I (sham operation), group II (renal IR group), and group III (DHEA, 25 mg/kg, s.c., 15 min pre-ischemia). Renal IR injury in group II caused a decrease of SOD (25%), GPx (36%), and CAT (26%) activities and GSH levels (32%), and increases of MDA (30%) in liver and of ALT and AST activities in serum, compared to group I. DHEA administration decreased the hepatic MDA level (19%) and serum ALT activity (30%) (p <0.01 and p <0.05, respectively), and considerably increased hepatic GSH levels and GPx activities (p <0.01 for both) in group III, compared to group II. These results suggest that DHEA treatment has beneficial effects on antioxidant defenses against hepatic injury after renal IR in rabbits, possibly by augmenting GSH levels and lowering MDA production.     

大鼠在体心肌缺血再灌注损伤细胞膜钙转运通道蛋白mRNA的表达变化

目的 探讨大鼠心肌在体缺血再灌注(IR)损伤后细胞膜钙转运通道蛋白的mRNA变化对钙超载的作用。方法 12只SD大鼠按随机数字法分为IR组和对照组。IR组通过结扎（缺血20 min）后松解(再灌注60 min)前降支造成心肌IR,对照组则免除结扎松解前降支。应用生理记录仪连续监测两组大鼠缺血开始前及再灌注60 min后心率、平均动脉压等血流动力学指标。全自动生化仪检测缺血前及再灌注60 min后两组大鼠血钙及肌钙蛋白T(cTnT)的水平。荧光定量PCR检测再灌注60 min后两组大鼠左心室缺血区和右心室心肌细胞膜钙转运通道蛋白即心肌细胞膜钠钙交换器1(NCX1),L型钙通道(LVDCC)α-1C和胞膜钙转运ATP酶1(PMCA1 )mRNA的表达。结果两组大鼠缺血前的心率、平均动脉压均高于再灌注60 min后,而两组间缺血前和再灌注60 min后的心率、平均动脉压差异则无统计学意义。两组血浆Ca2+浓度在缺血前与再灌注60 min后差异无统计学意义,同时间点两组之间的差异也没有统计学意义。缺血前IR组与对照组血浆cTnT浓度水平相近,缺血60 min后IR组血浆cTnT浓度较对照组升高[(4.29±2.22) μg/L比(1.62±0.60)μg/L,P=0.031];两组血浆cTnT浓度在缺血前与再灌注60 min后差异也有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。NCX1,LVDCCα-1C和PMCA1的mRNA表达在再灌注60 min后同心室两组间和同组内左右心室之间的差异均无统计学意义（NCX1：对照组左心室为50±4,右心室为47±9;IR组左心室为55±6,右心室为53±11;LVDCCα-1C:对照组左心室为33±7,右心室为30±7;IR组左心室为28±3,右心室为37±5;PMCA1,对照组左心室为70±10,右心室为53±11;IR组左心室为66±12,右心室为78±8;均P＞0.05）。结论 大鼠在体心肌缺血20 min再灌注60 min后,NCX1、LVDCCα-1C和PMCA1的mRNA表达水平均无显著改变,提示钙超载并非由细胞膜钙转运通道蛋白数量改变引起。     

Mice overexpressing extracellular superoxide dismutase have increased resistance to focal cerebral ischemia

Transgenic mice, which had been transfected with the human extracellular superoxide dismutase gene, causing an approximate five-fold increase in brain parenchymal extracellular superoxide dismutase activity, were used to investigate the role of extracellular superoxide dismutase in ischemic brain injury. Transgenic (n = 21) and wild-type (n = 19) mice underwent 90 min of intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion and 24 h of reperfusion. Severity of resultant hemiparesis and cerebral infarct size were measured. Wild-type mice had larger infarcts (cortex: wild type =37+/-14 mm3, transgenic = 27+/-13 mm3, P=0.03; subcortex: wild type = 33+/-14 mm3, transgenic = 23+/-10 mm3, P = 0.02). Neurological scores, however, were similar (P = 0.29). Other mice underwent autoradiographic determination of intra-ischemic cerebral blood flow. The volume of tissue at risk of infarction (defined as volume of tissue where blood flow was <25 ml/100g/min) was similar between groups (cortex: wild type = 51+/-15 mm3, transgenic = 47+/-9 mm3, P=0.65; subcortex: wild type = 39+/-16 mm3, transgenic= 37+/-17 mm3, P=0.81). These results indicate that antioxidant scavenging of free radicals by extracellular superoxide dismutase plays an important role in the histological response to a focal ischemic brain insult.     

An Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, zofenopril, prevents renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Zofenopril ameliorates experimental cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury in animal models and exhibits beneficial cardiovascular effects in patients with myocardial infarction. The objective of the present research was to investigate whether zofenopril can protect against renal IR injury. Rats were divided into 4 experimental groups: (a) control, (b) IR (60 min of ischemia followed by 24 hr of reperfusion), (c) zofenopril (15 mg/kg/day for 2 days), and (d) zofenopril+IR. All of the rats underwent right nephrectomy, and the rats in the IR and zofenopril+IR groups also underwent IR.then the left kidneys were removed for biochemical analyses and microscopic examination. There were no abnormalities in the biochemical and microscopic findings in the preoperative right kidneys. The lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and nitric oxide levels as well as xanthine oxidase and myeloperoxidase activities were increased and the catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were decreased in the IR group; zofenopril treatment prevented these changes (p <0.05). In the IR group, the kidney sections showed severe acute tubular damage including brush border loss, nuclear condensation, cytoplasmic swelling, and loss of nuclei; in the zofenopril+IR group, the normal glomerular morphology was preserved and there was slight edema of the tubular cells. The renal damage score was significantly reduced in the zofenopril+IR group vs the IR group (p <0.05).In conclusion, IR injury caused oxidative damage in renal tissue and zofenopril prevented this IR injury.     

The role of epidermal growth factor in prevention of oxidative injury and apoptosis induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rats

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion is a major problem which may lead to multiorgan failure and death. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on apoptosis, cell proliferation, oxidative stress and the antioxidant system in intestinal injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion in rats and to determine if EGF can ameliorate these toxic effects. Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury was produced by causing complete occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 60 min followed by a 60-min reperfusion period. Animals received intraperitoneal injections of 150 μg/kg human recombinant EGF 30 min prior to the mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion. Mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion caused degeneration of the intestinal mucosa, inhibition of cell proliferation, stimulation of apoptosis and oxidative stress in the small intestine of rats. In the ischemia/reperfusion group, lipid peroxidation was stimulated accompanied by increased intestinal catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, however, glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activities were markedly decreased. EGF treatment to rats with ischemia/reperfusion prevented the ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative injury by reducing apoptosis and lipid peroxidation, and by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities. These results demonstrate that EGF has beneficial antiapoptotic and antioxidant effects on intestinal injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion in rats.     

Endogenous nitric oxide attenuates hypoxic vasoconstriction of small pulmonary arteries and veins in anaesthetized cats

Ischaemic preconditioning has cardioprotective effects. Reactive oxygen species may be possible mediators. The present study investigated whether low doses of exogenous hydrogen peroxide could mimic preconditioning in isolated, Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. Hearts were subjected to two episodes of 3 min global ischaemia and 5 min reperfusion (n = 17), or were given 10 (n=15), 20 (n=10), 30 (n=20), 40 (n=18), 80 (n=17) or 160 μM (n=10) hydrogen peroxide for 10 min, followed by 10 min recovery, before 25 min global ischaemia and 60 min reperfusion, and compared with ischaemic controls of matching perfusion time (n=17 and n=23). Cardiac performance was assessed by heart rate, left ventricular systolic, end-diastolic and developed pressures, and coronary flow. Severe reperfusion arrhythmias occurred frequently in control hearts, and was attenuated by ischaemic preconditioning. All hearts pretreated with 160 μM hydrogen peroxide had severe arrhythmias throughout reperfusion, while these were not seen in any heart perfused with 20 μM hydrogen peroxide (P< 0.01 compared to controls). Ischaemia and reperfusion induced a minor decrease in heart rate, left ventricular systolic and developed pressures, and increased end-diastolic pressure. Ischaemic preconditioning attenuated the decrease of heart rate and the increase of end-diastolic pressure, and increased coronary flow, while hydrogen peroxide did not significantly attenuate these changes. In conclusion, a low dose of exogenous hydrogen peroxide before global ischaemia inhibited severe reperfusion arrhythmias, but had no other protective effects. The present work does not suggest that reactive oxygen species are important mediators of the preconditioning effects on stunning and arrhythmias in the rat heart.     

Cardioprotective activity of endogenous and exogenous nitric oxide on ischaemia reperfusion injury in isolated guinea pig hearts

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the contribution of endogenous and exogenous nitric oxide (NO) in ischaemia reperfusion (IR) injury and histamine release in the isolated guinea pig heart. METHODS: Ischaemia reperfusion was performed in isolated Langendorff perfused guinea pig heart throughout the ligature of the left anterior descending coronary (LAD) artery for 20 min, and following the release of the ligature for a further 20 min. RESULTS: IR promoted a linear release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and a preferential release of histamine in the reperfusion phase. The amount of nitrite (NO2-, one of the breakdown products of NO) released during IR was significantly lower than in the control hearts. These effects were accompanied by an increase in calcium levels and malonyl-dialdehyde (MDA) production in the left ventricle and by a decrease in cardiac mast cell metachromasia. Perfusion of the hearts with two inhibitors of the nitric oxide synthase pathway, namely N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 10(-4) M) or nitroarginine methylester (L-NAME, 10(-5) M) significantly enhanced histamine and LDH release; these effects were attenuated by co-infusion with L-arginine (10(-4) M) but not D-arginine (10(-4) M), while L-arginine (10(-4) M) alone had no effect. Perfusion of the heart with sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), all at 10(-5) M, reduced histamine release, LDH release, calcium overload and MDA production induced by IR. These effects were amplified by concomitant perfusion with superoxide dismutase (SOD, 50 IU/ml). CONCLUSION: The endogenous production of NO provides significant myocardial protection from IR injury and histamine release. These effects were mimicked by various NO donors.