Effects of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, on myocardial preconditioning in anesthetized rats

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, on ischemic preconditioning and carbachol preconditioning in anesthetized rats. The total number of ventricular ectopic beats was markedly augmented with fasudil at 0.3 mg/kg and depressed with fasudil at 10 mg/kg. Fasudil at 10 mg/kg also markedly decreased the ventricular tachycardia incidence. Ischemic preconditioning, induced by 5 min coronary artery occlusion and 5 min reperfusion, decreased the incidence of ventricular tachycardia and abolished the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation. The incidences of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation in the fasudil (10 mg/kg) + ischemic preconditioning group were found to be similar to the ischemic preconditioning group. However, low doses of fasudil (0.3 and 1 mg/kg) appeared to prevent the antiarrhythmic effects of ischemic preconditioning. Carbachol (4 microg/kg/min for 5 min) induced marked reductions in mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and abolished ventricular tachycardia. Marked reductions in ventricular ectopic beats and ventricular tachycardia were noted in the fasudil (10 mg/kg) + carbachol preconditioning group. Lactate levels were markedly reduced in the ischemic preconditioning group and this reduction was prominently inhibited with fasudil at 1 mg/kg. Ischemic preconditioning caused a marked decrease in plasma malondialdehyde levels. Fasudil (10 mg/kg), ischemic preconditioning and carbachol preconditioning each generated marked reductions in ischemic myocardial malondialdehyde levels. Decreases in infarct size were observed with fasudil (10 mg/kg) treatment, ischemic preconditioning and carbachol preconditioning when compared to control. These results suggest that low doses of fasudil (0.3 and 1 mg/kg) appeared to prevents the effects of ischemic preconditioning and carbachol preconditioning, but a high dose of fasudil (10 mg/kg) was able to produce cardioprotective effects on myocardium against arrhythmias, infarct size or biochemical parameters and mimic the effects of ischemic preconditioning in anesthetized rats.     

无创性延迟肢体缺血预适应对糖尿病大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注氧化损伤的影响

目的:观察无创性延迟肢体缺血预适应(NDLIP)对糖尿病(DM)大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注氧化损伤的保护作用。方法:尾静脉注射链脲佐菌素(STZ)制备DM大鼠模型。将DM大鼠随机分成心肌缺血再灌注(I/R)、心肌缺血预适应(MIP)、无创性延迟肢体缺血预适应(NDLIP)组。通过3个循环的左后肢5 min缺血/5 min再灌注,每天1次,连续3 d,建立NDLIP模型。心肌冠状动脉左前降支(LAD)实施3次5 min缺血/5 min再灌注建立MIP模型。各组实施LAD 30 min缺血/120 min再灌注复制I/R模型。用BL-420E生物机能实验系统连续监测心电图(ECG),记录缺血期间室性心律失常(VA)的发生情况。TTC染色测定大鼠心肌I/R后梗死面积(IS)。检测心肌组织中总-超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)、锰-超氧化物歧化酶(Mn-SOD)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果:与I/R组相比,MIP组和NDLIP组室性早搏(VPC)出现时间明显推迟(P<0.01),持续时间明显缩短(P<0.01),室性心动过速(VT)和心室纤颤(VF)发生率都明显降低(P<0.05),IS明显缩小,梗死面积/危险区(IS/A...     

R56865, a potent new antiarrhythmic agent, effective during ischemia and reperfusion in the rat heart.

The antiarrhythmic effects of R56865 were characterized both in vivo and in vitro. Four groups (n = 12 per group) of anesthetized rats, subjected to 5- or 30-min coronary artery ligation and reperfusion, were studied: saline, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) carrier, and R56865 (0.5 or 2 mg/kg) were administered as an intravenous (i.v.) bolus before ligation. After 5 min of ischemia, the incidences of reperfusion-induced ventricular tachycardia (VT) and fibrillation (VF), which were high in the saline (100 and 75%, respectively) and DMSO (100 and 82%, respectively) control groups, were abolished with both doses of R56865. With 30 min of ischemia, R56865 (2 mg/kg) significantly reduced the incidences of ischemia-induced VT and VF (from 100 and greater than 50% to 25 and 8%, respectively). For in vitro studies, five groups (n = 12 per group) of isolated rat hearts subjected to 10- or 30-min coronary ligation and reperfusion were studied: unmodified buffer and buffer containing DMSO or R56865 (10(-7), 10(-8), 10(-9) M). After 10 min of ischemia, R56865 (10(-7) M) decreased reperfusion-induced VT and VF (from 100 and 75% in buffer controls to 42 and 8%, respectively) when administered throughout the experiment. With 30 min of ischemia, R5685 (10(-7) M) reduced the incidences of ischemia-induced VT and VF (from 75 and 67% in the buffer controls to 25 and 25%, respectively). Although reperfusion after 30 min of ischemia did not induce VF in any of the groups studied, VT and other arrhythmias did occur and their incidences were reduced significantly by R56865. To investigate whether calcium overload might mediate the effects of R56865, hearts were perfused aerobically with a high-calcium/low-sodium medium. VT and VF occurred in 80% of control hearts; R56865 (10(-7) M) did not prevent these arrhythmias. In conclusion, R56865 exerts a potent effect against ischemia- and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias through a mechanism which appears to operate during ischemia.     

Protective effects of poly (ADP-ribose) synthase inhibitors on digoxin-induced cardiotoxicity in guinea-pig isolated hearts.

Reactive oxygen species, generated and released during digoxin-induced cardiotoxicity, can produce an activation of poly (ADP-ribose) synthase (PARS). Our objective was to examine the effects of PARS inhibitors, 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB ) and nicotinamide, on digoxin-induced arrhythmias in guinea-pig isolated hearts. 3-AB (0.1-0.3 mM) and nicotinamide (0.3 mM) were added to the perfusion solution starting 10 min before digoxin infusion (8 microg x ml (-1)min (-1)reaching the heart) and maintained throughout the experiments. Electrocardiograms and coronary perfusion pressure were recorded continuously, and digoxin-induced arrhythmias were determined. Nicotinamide markedly inhibited ventricular tachycardia (VT) incidence (from 100%, n= 7, to 29%, n= 7), and abolished ventricular fibrillation (VF) incidence. 3-AB (0.1 mM, n= 9) significantly decreased VT incidence from 100% ( n= 7) to 22% ( n= 9) and VF incidence from 86% ( n= 7) to 11% ( n= 9). Both nicotinamide and 3-AB (0.1 mM) markedly decreased number of ventricular ectopic beats (VEBs) and arrhythmia score. 3-AB at 0.3 mM ( n= 8) appeared to decrease the VT (to 63%) and VF incidence (to 38%), but these reductions did not reach statistically significance levels. Moreover, 3-AB at high concentration (0.3 mM) did not significantly modify the number of VEBs and arrhythmia score. There were no significant changes in coronary perfusion pressure, heart rate or pressure rate index measured at certain time points throughout the experiment in all groups. Our results suggest that PARS activation plays a role in the digitalis-induced cardiotoxicity in guinea-pig isolated hearts.     

硝酸甘油与丁丙诺啡合用抗大鼠心肌缺血的药理性预适应研究:早期心脏保护作用

目的　研究硝酸甘油 (nitroglycerin ,NG)和丁丙诺啡(buprenorphine,BU)两药单用及合用抗心肌缺血的药理性预适应的早期保护作用。方法　♂Wistar大鼠分为 5组 ,行 30min冠脉结扎缺血 / 2h再灌。各组手术之前行不同处理 ,Sham组静注等容积NS ,早期预适应 (EIP)组行 3个循环5min缺血 / 5min再灌预处理 ,BU组静注盐酸丁丙诺啡 1 0mg·kg-1,NG组静注NG 0 3mg·kg-1,B +N组分别给上述剂量BU和NG。各组均于给药前、后及缺血和再灌期连续监测心率、血压、ST 段和心律失常情况 ;测定缺血 30min和再灌 2h血浆LDH、CK ;再灌 2h后行心肌HE染色与TTC染色定性和定量测定心肌坏死情况。结果　与Sham组比较 ,BU组明显推迟缺血期心律失常出现时间 ,缩短室早持续时间 (P <0 0 1) ,降低二联律和室速发生率 ;降低缺血期血LDH(P <0 0 5 )水平 ,缩小心肌坏死面积 (P <0 0 1) ,但未降低血CK水平和缺血期ST 段抬高。与Sham组比较 ,NG组明显降低缺血和再灌期ST段 (P <0 0 1)、降低缺血期血LDH(P <0 0 1)和CK(P <0 0 5 )水平 ,缩小心肌坏死面积 (P <0 0 1) ,减轻HE染色心肌坏死程度 ,缩短心律失常持续时间。药物合用后与Sham组比较 ,不仅明显降低缺血和再灌期ST段、血LDH和CK水平 ,缩小心肌坏死面积 (P <0 0 1) ,减轻HE     

Rho-kinase expression and its contribution to the control of perfusion pressure in the isolated rat mesenteric vascular bed

Rho-kinase expression was investigated in the rat mesenteric artery and the effects of its inhibitors, (+)-(R)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride monohydrate (Y-27632) and fasudil (HA-1077), were examined on the increase in perfusion pressure induced by two different receptor agonists, namely the alpha-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine and, the endothelin ET(A) and ET(B) receptor agonist, endothelin-1. Y-27632 and fasudil produced a concentration-dependent decrease in perfusion pressure. There was no difference between the concentration-response lines of these two inhibitors. The maximum decrease in the perfusion pressure induced by 10(-5) M Y-27632 was 85.8+/-3.7% when the tone was increased by phenylephrine. However, it was 48.1+/-5.4% (P<0.001) when the perfusion pressure was elevated by endothelin-1. Saponin perfusion (100 mg l(-1), for 10 min), which abolished acetylcholine-induced relaxation, did not significantly modify the Y-27632-elicited relaxation. Western blot analysis revealed that rat mesenteric artery expresses Rho-kinase protein with a molecular weight of approximately 160 kDa. These results show that Rho-kinase enzyme is expressed in rat mesenteric artery and that it contributes to the control of vascular resistance. Moreover, endothelium removal had no marked effect on the vasodilatation induced by Y-27632. In addition, the endothelin-1-induced vasoconstriction was more resistant to the Rho-kinase inhibitors than was that induced by phenylephrine, probably because excitatory endothelin receptors are associated with this signal transduction pathway at a different level from that of alpha-adrenoceptors.     

Combined pharmacological preconditioning with a G-protein-coupled receptor agonist,a mitochondrial KATP channel opener and a nitric oxide donor mimics ischaemic preconditioning

1. Although pharmacological preconditioning (PPC) has emerged as an alternative to ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) in cardioprotection, the efficacy of PPC compared with IPC has not been investigated. Because IPC is mediated by complex signalling cascades arising from multiple triggers, we have hypothesized that combined PPC is necessary to mimic IPC. 2. Isolated and perfused rat hearts underwent IPC by three cycles of 5 min ischaemia and 5 min reperfusion before 30 min global ischaemia followed by 120 min reperfusion. Adenosine (30 micromol/L), diazoxide (50 micromol/L) and s-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; 50 micromol/L) were added for 25 min just before (pretreatment modality) or 45 min before (PPC modality) the index ischaemia. 3. Ischaemic preconditioning significantly improved isovolumic left ventricular (LV) function and reduced infarct size. Although pretreatment with adenosine, diazoxide or SNAP alone was capable of reducing infarct size, PPC with each drug alone or in a combination of two drugs except for diazoxide plus SNAP failed to reduce infarct size. In contrast, PPC in combination with adenosine, diazoxide and SNAP (triple combination PPC) conferred significant improvement of LV function and reduction of infarct size that was as effective as IPC. 4. Cardioprotection afforded by triple combination PPC was abolished by the Gi/o-protein inhibitor pertussis toxin, the mitochondiral KATP channel inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate or the nitric oxide (NO) scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl imidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO). 5. Protein kinase C (PKC)-epsilon in the particulate fraction was activated throughout preconditioning ischaemia and reperfusion. Although PKC-epsilon was activated during treatment with adenosine, diazoxide or SNAP alone, it was inactivated after washout. In contrast, PKC-epsilon remained activated after triple combination PPC. The PKC inhibitor chelerythrine abolished activation of PKC-epsilon and cardioprotection afforded by IPC and triple combination PPC. 6. These results demonstrate that combined PPC with a G-protein-coupled receptor agonist, a mitochondrial KATP channel opener and an NO donor is necessary to mimic IPC and such synergistic cardioprotection is associated with enhanced and sustained activation of PKC-epsilon.     

Rho-kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, has an antinociceptive effect in mice

The possible antinociceptive effect of a Rho-kinase inhibitor, (+)-(R)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride monohydrate (Y-27632), was investigated in mice by using the hot-plate and abdominal constriction response (writhing) tests. In addition, the expression of Rho-kinase protein (ROCK-2) was studied in the mouse brain and spinal cord by Western blotting. Male balb/c mice (n=8, for each group) were used in the experiment. Hot-plate latency and the number of writhes were recorded in control and in Y-27632-treated (1-5 mg/kg, i.p.) groups. Y-27632 (1 mg/kg) did not affect hot-plate latency; however, it considerably diminished the number of writhes, from 89+/-12 in control to 30+/-6 in the mice treated with 1 mg/kg Y-27632 (P=0.001). At a higher dose (5 mg/kg), Y-27632 prolonged the hot-plate latency from 8.7+/-1.0 s to 14.4+/-1.7 s (P=0.005) and decreased the number of writhes from 80+/-8 to 24+/-7 (P=0.002). Western blot analysis revealed that mouse spinal cord and brain homogenates expressed ROCK-2 protein. These results indicate that Rho-kinase may be involved in nociception and that its inhibitors, such as Y-27632, may represent a new type of antinociceptive drug.     

Constitutional rho-kinase regulates atrioventricular nodal conduction and ventricular repolarization of the canine heart

Given the limited information, physiological roles of Rho-kinase in the cardiac conduction system and ventricular repolarization process were assessed in comparison with those in the coronary vascular tone. A specific Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 was administered to the nutrient coronary artery of the canine isolated, blood-perfused atrioventricular node preparation under the monitoring of the ventricular monophasic action potentials. Administration of Y-27632 moderately suppressed the atrioventricular nodal conduction, slightly but significantly accelerated the repolarization process, and potently increased the coronary blood flow, whereas it hardly affected the intraventricular conduction. The estimated concentrations of Y-27632 causing the currently observed effects were enough to inhibit Rho-kinase. These results suggest that constitutional Rho-kinase functions to moderately facilitate the atrioventricular nodal conduction, slightly delay ventricular repolarization process, and significantly increase the coronary vascular tone.     

线粒体Cx43参与Heptanol保护兔心肌缺血/再灌注损伤

目的探讨线粒体Cx43和线粒体ATP敏感性钾通道(mitoKA+TP)在Heptanol保护兔心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的作用。方法兔80只,建立心肌缺血/再灌注模型,随机分5组,每组16只:假手术组(sham组)、缺血/再灌注组(IR组)、缺血预处理组(IP组)、Heptanol预处理(HT组)和5-羟葵酸加heptanol预处理组(HT+5-HD组)。测定血浆磷酸肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB),肌钙蛋白(cTnI)含量以及心肌梗死面积,采用电子显微镜(电镜)观测心肌线粒体结构变化,应用Westernblot检测线粒体Cx43蛋白含量。结果再灌注4h末血浆CK-MB与cTnI活性及心肌梗死面积,IP组和HT组明显低于IR组和HT+5-HD组(P<0.01)。电镜检测线粒体发现,与sham组比较,其他各组均损伤明显(P<0.01);与IR组比较,HT组、IP组(P<0.01)和HT+5-HD组(P<0.05)明显减轻;与HT+5-HD组比较,HT组和IP组损伤明显减轻(P<0.01)。Western blot检测线粒体Cx43蛋白发现,与sham组比较,HT+5-HD组和IR组线粒体Cx43蛋白明显下降(P<0.01);与IR组比较,HT组、IP组(P<0.01)和HT+5-HD组(P<0.05)心肌线粒体Cx43明显升高;与HT+5-HD组比较,HT组和IP组心肌线粒体Cx43升高(P<0.01)。结论线粒体Cx43可能参与Hep-tanol预处理的心肌保护作用,其机制可能与mitoKA+TP有关。     

Evaluation of Y-27632, a rho-kinase inhibitor, as a bronchodilator in guinea pigs

To evaluate (+)-(R)-trans-4-(l-Aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride, monohydrate (Y-27632), a selective Rho-kinase inhibitor, as a novel bronchodilator in vivo and in vitro, we investigated the effect of Y-27632 on the acetylcholine- or ovalbumin-induced increase in lung resistance (R(L)) in non-sensitized or passively sensitized guinea pigs, and the relaxant effects of salbutamol, Y-27632 and theophylline on acetylcholine- or ovalbumin-induced contraction of isolated trachea. Y-27632 inhalation (1 mM, 2 min) inhibited acetylcholine- or ovalbumin-induced increase in R(L) without changes in mean blood pressure, and the effect persisted for at least 3 h. Salbutamol, Y-27632 and theophylline each completely reversed the acetylcholine- or ovalbumin-induced contraction of isolated trachea with rank order of potency, salbutamol>Y-27632>theophylline. The relaxant effect of Y-27632 was not affected by propranolol. We conclude that, although Y-27632 is not as potent as a beta-adrenoceptor agonist, Y-27632 may become an alternative inhaled bronchodilator, because Y-27632 is more potent than theophylline, and the relaxant effect is independent of beta-adrenoceptors.     

Effects of captopril and losartan on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion induced arrhythmias and necrosis in rats.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II type 1 (AT (1)) receptor blockers improve ischemia-reperfusion induced arrhythmias and infarct size in several animal models. However, the effects of pretreatment with ACEIs or AT (1) receptor blockers on acute myocardial infarct size and arrhythmias are controversial. Thus, we sought to assess the comparative effects of pretreatment with ACEI captopril and AT (1)-receptor blocker losartan on myocardial infarct size and arrhythmias in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion. We randomly assigned 92 male Wistar rats for arrhythmias ( n= 60) and necrosis ( n= 32) experiments. To produce arrhythmia, the left main coronary artery was occluded for 7 min, followed by 7 min of reperfusion and to produce necrosis, the the left main coronary artery was occluded for 30 min, followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Captopril (3 mg kg (-1)) and losartan (0.2 and 2 mg kg (-1)) were given intravenously 10 min before occlusion. Captopril reduced the incidences of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and mortality associated with irreversible VF, whereas the studied doses of losartan did not. Captopril also decreased the number of ventricular beats on reperfusion. Losartan 2 mg kg (-1) reduced both the number of ventricular premature beats and the incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) on reperfusion, while losartan at dose of 0.2 mg kg (-1) had no effect on these arrhythmias. Compared to the control group, both captopril and losartan reduced myocardial infarct size in the rat model of ischemia-reperfusion, but this was statistically significant for captopril only. In this experimental model, although captopril did not reduce the incidence of reperfusion-induced VT, it was more effective than the AT (1)-receptor blocker losartan at preventing mortality associated with irreversible VF and to reduce myocardial infarct size in rat model of ischemia-reperfusion.     

Rho-kinase (ROCK-1 and ROCK-2) upregulation in oleic acid-induced lung injury and its restoration by Y-27632

The possible contribution of Rho/Rho-kinase signalling in oleic acid (100 mg kg-1, i.v., for 4 h)-induced lung injury was investigated in rats. Furthermore, the possible protective effect of the administration of a Rho-kinase inhibitor, (+)-(R)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride monohydrate (Y-27632, 0.5-5 mg kg-1, i.v., 15 min before the administration of oleic acid), was also examined. Western blot analysis as well as histopathological examination revealed that Rho-kinase (ROCK-1 and ROCK-2) was upregulated in lungs obtained from oleic acid-administrated rats. In addition, the markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress, i.e., malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, 3-nitro-L-tyrosine and nitrite/nitrate, in serum and lung tissue were also increased in the injury group. Treatment of rats with 5 mg kg-1 Y-27632 reversed the oleic acid-induced lung damage, which was demonstrated by histopathological assessment and confirmed in Western blot experiments: ROCK-blots were more intense in the oleic acid group than in control and Y-27632 treatment reversed ROCK upregulation. In addition, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, 3-nitro-L-tyrosine and nitrite/nitrate were also normalized after the administration of Y-27632 (0.5 mg kg-1 and 5 mg kg-1). These findings suggest that ROCK-1 and ROCK-2 are involved in oleic acid-induced lung damage in rats, and that inhibition of this enzyme by Y-27632 may have a protective effect against such damage. Consequently, Rho kinase inhibitors may be potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).     

奎尼丁、蝙蝠葛碱、粉防己碱对大鼠复灌所致心律失常的影响

阻断麻醉大鼠冠脉血流5min后复灌所致的心律失常发生快、持续时间短。室速(VT)及室颤(VF)的发生率分别为100％及72%。奎尼丁及蝙蝠葛碱可显著降低VT的发生率对严重程度,消除VF的发生;粉防已碱能显著降低VF的发生率,但对VT的发生率无显著影响。     

异甜菊醇对大鼠在体心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的在大鼠在体心肌缺血再灌注模型上进一步证实异甜菊醇对缺血再灌损伤心肌的保护作用。方法麻醉大鼠结扎左冠状动脉30min后再灌注90min。结扎前10min静脉注射异甜菊醇。心电图连续观察大鼠心室纤颤(VF)和室性心动过速(VT)的发生率;全自动生化分析仪测定血清乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和肌酸激酶(CK)活性;测定心肌梗死范围;光学显微镜和电镜观察心肌组织学和超微结构改变。结果异甜菊醇0.5～2.0mg·kg-1有效减少大鼠心肌缺血再灌期VF和VT发生率,减少心肌梗死范围,降低血清LDH和CK活性。光镜及电镜观察可见异甜菊醇处理组心肌组织形态学及超微结构损伤明显轻于缺血再灌对照组。结论异甜菊醇对大鼠缺血再灌注损伤心肌有保护作用。     

Expression of Rho-kinase and its functional role in the contractile activity of the mouse vas deferens

The effects of two Rho-kinase inhibitors, Y-27632 and fasudil, were investigated on the contractions produced by electrical field stimulation (EFS, 40 V, 1 mS, 2, 4, 8 and 16 Hz, for 20 s), KCl (30 - 60 mm), phenylephrine (Phe) (10-5 - 10-4 m), adenosine-3', 5'-triphosphate (ATP) (10-4 - 10-3 m) and alpha,beta-methylene ATP (10-5 m). EFS produced frequency-dependent reproducible contractile activity, which was almost abolished by guanethidine (10-5 m, for 1 h). This contraction consisted of two components (a phasic initial contraction followed by a tonic one), and it was inhibited by Y-27632 and fasudil (both at 10-5 m). However, these inhibitors had no effect on resting tension of the tissue. Contractions elicited by KCl (30 - 60 mm) were insensitive to guanethidine (10-5 m, for 1 h), but suppressed by Y-27632 (10-5 m) and fasudil (10-5 m). In addition, the contractions induced by Phe (an alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist) and ATP (a purinergic agent) were inhibited significantly by Y-27632 (10-5 m). Phasic contractions evoked by the selective P2X purinoceptor agonist alpha,beta-methylene ATP were also suppressed by Y-27632 (10-5 m). Western blot analysis revealed that the mouse vas deferens expresses Rho-kinase (ROKalpha, ROCK-2 isoform) protein with a molecular weight of approximately 160 kDa. As a positive control, the presence of this protein was also shown in homogenates of smooth muscle from the rat mesenteric artery. In conclusion, Rho-kinase protein is expressed in the mouse vas deferens, and it mediates neurogenic contractile activity as well as the contractions induced by KCl, Phe, ATP and alpha,beta-methylene ATP. Owing to the suppressive effects of Rho-kinase inhibitors on the contractile activity of the vas deferens, the possibility that these compounds might impair ejaculation must be taken into account when considering them as potential agents in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.     

Effects of trimetazidine on myocardial preconditioning in anesthetized rats

Trimetazidine is a widely used anti-ischemic agent, but its effect on myocardial preconditioning in anesthetized animals has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of trimetazidine on ischemic preconditioning and carbachol preconditioning in anesthetized rats. Ischemic preconditioning, induced by 5-min coronary artery occlusion and 5-min reperfusion, decreased the incidence of ventricular tachycardia and abolished the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation during 30-min ischemia. Trimetazidine (10 mg/kg, i.v.) alone attenuated these parameters of arrhythmia. Carbachol infusion induced preconditioning with a marked depression of mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and ventricular tachycardia. The marked reductions in parameters of arrhythmia induced by ischemic preconditioning and carbachol preconditioning were preserved in the presence of trimetazidine. Arrhythmia scores and myocardial infarct size were significantly reduced with ischemic preconditioning or carbachol preconditioning and were not inhibited by trimetazidine. These results show that trimetazidine protects the heart against ischemia-induced arrhythmias, reduces myocardial infarct size, preserves the effects of ischemic preconditioning and pharmacological preconditioning, and is able to mimic ischemic preconditioning in anesthetized rats.     

硝酸甘油与丁丙诺啡合用抗大鼠心肌缺血的药理性预适应研究

目的　研究硝酸甘油 (nitroglycerin ,NG)和丁丙诺啡(buprenorphine ,BU)两药单用及合用抗心肌缺血的药理性预适应的延迟相保护作用。方法　♂大鼠分为 5组 ,Sham组静注等容积NS ,DIP组行肠系膜上动脉结扎 10min处理 ,BU组静注盐酸丁丙诺啡 1 0mg·kg- 1,NG组静注NG 0 3mg·kg- 1,B +N组分别给上述剂量BU和NG。 2 4h后各组行 3 0min冠脉结扎缺血 /2h再灌。各组均于术后 15min、缺血期和再灌期连续监测心率、血压、ST 段和心律失常情况 ;测定缺血 3 0min和再灌 2h血浆LDH、CK ;再灌 2h后行HE染色与TTC染色定性和定量测定心肌坏死情况。结果　与Sham组比较 ,DIP组可降低心脏缺血期ST段抬高幅度 (P <0 0 1) ,推迟VPC出现时间 ,缩短持续时间 (P <0 0 5) ,降低二联律发生率 ,降低缺血期血浆LDH水平 (P <0 0 5) ,缩小心肌坏死面积 (P <0 0 5)。BU组可降低心脏缺血期ST段抬高幅度 (P <0 0 1) ,推迟VPC出现时间 ,缩短持续时间 (P <0 0 5) ,降低二联律和室颤的发生率 (P <0 0 5) ,降低缺血期血浆LDH水平 ,缩小心肌坏死面积 (P <0 0 5)。NG组可降低ST段抬高幅度 (P <0 0 1) ,缩短VPC持续时间 (P <0 0 1) ,降低二联律、室速和室颤的发生率 (P<0 0 1) ,明显缩小心肌坏死面积 (P <0 0 1) ,减轻心肌坏死?     

The role of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels in antiarrhythmic effects of ischaemic preconditioning in dogs

1. In the canine a single brief (5 min) coronary artery occlusion protects the myocardium against the severe ventricular arrhythmias and reduces the ischaemic changes that result from a subsequent, more prolonged (25 min) occlusion. The main purpose of the present study was to examine whether mitochondrial K(ATP) channels are involved in this protection. 2. In chloralose-urethane anaesthetized dogs, preconditioning (PC) was induced by a single 5 min period occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, 20 min prior to a 25 min occlusion of the same artery. In some of these PC dogs 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD; 150 micro g kg(-1) min(-1) by intracoronary infusion) was given over a period of 30 min either before, or after PC. In other dogs the mitochondrial K(ATP) channel opener diazoxide (1 mg kg(-1); i.c.) was given, either alone or in the presence of 5-HD. Control dogs (infused with saline) were simply subjected to a 25 min occlusion and reperfusion. 3. Compared to controls, both PC and diazoxide significantly reduced the number of ventricular premature beats (VPBs; 295+/-67 to 89+/-28 and 19+/-11, respectively; P<0.05), the number of episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT; 8.3+/-4.2 to 1.6+/-0.9 and 0.2+/-0.1; P<0.05) and the incidences of VT (100 to 43 and 33%; P<0.05) and ventricular fibrilation (VF; 60 to 0 and 17%; P<0.05) during the 25 min occlusion of the LAD. Further, 43% of the PC dogs and 58% of the diazoxide treated dogs survived the combined ischaemia-reperfusion insult (cp. 0% in the controls; P<0.05). The protection afforded by PC and diazoxide was abolished by 5-HD, especially when it was given prior to the PC occlusion. In the presence of 5-HD, three out of 10 dogs fibrillated during the PC occlusion and another three dogs died following reperfusion. Furthermore, there were no survivors in this group from the prolonged ischaemia/reperfusion insult. 5-HD given after PC only attenuated the antiarrhythmic protection. 4. Opening of mitoK(ATP) channels prior to ischaemia by preconditioning and diazoxide protects the myocardium against ischaemia and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. This protection is abolished if the opening of these channels is prevented by the prior administration of 5-HD but only attenuated if 5-HD is given after preconditioning. The results indicate that opening of mitoK(ATP) channels prior to ischaemia is mandatory for protection against ischaemia and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias.