Functional state of mitochondria, myofibrils and creatine kinase associated with these organelles of the myocardium in hamsters with hereditary cardiomyopathy

Functional states of the cardiac contractile apparatus and mitochondria were studied in hamsters with hereditary cardiomyopathy using myocardial fibers with sarcolemma, which had been exposed to saponin. This provided an opportunity of examining the respiratory characteristics of a total mitochondrial population in the myocardium of the animals of two ages (75-100 and 175-200 days). A higher calcium sensitization of myofibrils was found in hamsters with cardiomyopathy. Examination of the rigor tension-MgATP relationship in the presence or absence of phosphocreatine revealed that the animals showed a slightly lower functional activity of myofibrillar creatine kinase. The findings indicate that the creatine kinase system of cardiomyocytes is involved in hereditary cardiomyopathy, mitochondria, in particular, exhibiting much more profound disturbances, in other respects, myofibrils and mitochondria retain their basic functional properties.     

Metabolic control of contractile performance in isolated perfused rat heart. Analysis of experimental data by reaction:diffusion mathematical model

The intracellular mechanisms of regulation of energy fluxes and respiration in contracting heart cells were studied. For this, we investigated the workload dependencies of the rate of oxygen consumption and metabolic parameters in Langendorff-perfused isolated rat hearts.(31)P NMR spectroscopy was used to study the metabolic changes during transition from perfusion with glucose to that with pyruvate with and without active creatine kinase system. The experimental results showed that transition from perfusion with glucose to that with pyruvate increased the phosphocreatine content and stability of its level at increased workloads. Inhibition of creatine kinase reaction by 15-min infusion of iodoacetamide decreased the maximal developed tension and respiration rates by a factor of two.(31)P NMR data were analyzed by a mathematical model of compartmentalized energy transfer, which is independent from the restrictions of the classical concept of creatine kinase equilibrium. The analysis of experimental data by this model shows that metabolic stability-constant levels of phosphocreatine, ATP and inorganic phosphate-at increased energy fluxes is an inherent property of the compartmentalized system. This explains the observed substrate specificity by changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. The decreased maximal respiration rate and maximal work output of the heart with inhibited creatine kinase is well explained by the rise in myoplasmic ADP concentration. This activates the adenylate kinase reaction in the myofibrillar space and in the mitochondria to fulfil the energy transfer and signal transmission functions, usually performed by creatine kinase. The activity of this system, however, is not sufficient to maintain high enough energy fluxes. Therefore, there is a kinetic explanation for the decreased maximal respiration rate of the heart with inhibited creatine kinase: i.e. a kinetically induced switch from an efficient energy transfer pathway (PCr-CK system) to a non-efficient one (myokinase pathway) within the energy transfer network of the cell under conditions of low apparent affinity of mitochondria to ADP in vivo. This may result in a significant decrease in the thermodynamic affinity of compartmentalized ATPase systems and finally in heart failure.     

The functional state of the creatine kinase system of myocardial mitochondria in alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

The authors studied the chronic effect of ethanol on the functional state of creatine kinase system in myocardial mitochondria of adult rats. Mitochondrial functions were determined in skinned fibres prepared according to Veksler without mitochondria isolation. Compared with control values, ethanol was found to decrease statistically significantly the velocity of creatine-stimulated mitochondrial respiration (Vcr) and that of maximum ADP-induced stimulation of mitochondrial respiration (Vmax). The chronic action of alcohol also reduces the respiratory activation by creatine (%Cr) which ranks among the most sensitive indicators of mitochondrial respiration regulation by creatine kinase. The authors have demonstrated that the function of the creatine kinase system of myocardial mitochondria is impaired in alcoholic cardiomyopathy in the adult rat.     

Tissue-cultured heart cells from the cardiomyopathic hamster

Cultured embryonic heart cells of normal hamsters and of Syrian hamsters with hereditary idiopathic cardiomyopathy were studied. Phase contrast microscopy showed that the beat frequency decreased more rapidly and the regularity of the rhythm of the beating cells was lost sooner in the heart cells from cardiomyopathic hamsters than in control animals. Electron microscopic study of the cultured heart cells revealed a significant impediment in the maturation of the sarcomeric units in the cardiomyopathic hamsters compared to control animals. Relatively abundant corpuscles resembling neurosecretory granules were found in the paranuclear area of the cultured embryonic heart cells of the hamsters with hereditary idiopathic cardiomyopathy and it is suggested that the corpuscles might be related to a disturbed function in the cultured heart cell of the cardiomyopathic hamster.     

Energy levels at systole vs. diastole in normal hamster hearts vs. myopathic hamster hearts

The following studies were carried out to examine energy metabolites and cardiac performance of the failing heart (hereditary cardiomyopathy) of the Syrian hamster (strain UM-X7.1) perfused either by normal or stress conditions, and to determine whether cyclical changes in energy-related metabolites occurred in the glucose-perfused hearts of both normal and heart failure animals. Hamster hearts from 250-day-old animals with moderate heart failure were removed and perfused either as nonworking hearts (Langendorff method, an afterload pressure of 90 mm Hg and 2.5 mM calcium in the perfusate) or as working hearts with stress conditions [an afterload of 110 mm Hg, high calcium concentrations in the perfusate (3.5 mM), and 10(-8) M isoproterenol]. Mechanical parameters (developed pressure and max dP/dt) and measurements of oxygen consumption indicated that both contractility and oxygen consumption had fallen 50% in myopathic hearts, compared with those of normal hamsters perfused with either of the two conditions. By means of a specially designed stimulator-triggered freeze clamp, hearts were terminated at systole and diastole, and tissue content of ATP, ADP, AMP, adenosine, phosphocreatine, creatine, pyruvate, lactate, and inorganic phosphate were analyzed. A 50% reduction in cardiac performance of the cardiomyopathic hamster hearts was associated with a corresponding reduction in systolic ATP, adenosine, and phosphocreatine values, while inorganic phosphate and lactate increased. With glucose as the sole substrate, the high energy phosphates, ATP and phosphocreatine, reached maximum values during diastole and minimum values during systole.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in heart from stressed cardiomyopathic hamsters

Stress alone is generally not sufficient to produce serious disease, but stress imposed upon pre-existing disease can contribute to disease progression. To explore this phenomenon, cold-immobilization stress was imposed on young 12.5 month, necrotic phase with small vessel coronary spasm) and older (5 month, quiescent phase, between necrosis and heart failure) cardiomyopathic hamsters. Our hypothesis was that changes in mitochondrial energy processes are involved in stress induced pathology. Polarographic and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques were used to measure mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation and concentrations of phosphocreatine and adenylates, respectively, in hearts from young and old cardiomyopathic hamsters (stressed and unstressed). No significant differences were found between the young (2.5 month) and old (5 month) age groups in unstressed and stressed healthy hamsters and between young (2.5 month) and old (5 month) unstressed cardiomyopathic hamsters with respect to different parameters of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and with respect to concentration of bioenergetic metabolites, except that ADP concentration was higher in older cardiomyopathic hamsters. Application of stress uncovered differences between young and old cardiomyopathic hamsters: respiration control index was lower and State 4 respiration was higher in young compared to old cardiomyopathic hamsters; whereas the total concentration of ATP was decreased to the same level in both cardiomyopathic groups when compared to control. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in young cardiomyopathic hamsters was more sensitive to Ca2+, as evidenced by partial uncoupling of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation, than in older cardiomyopathic hamsters and controls. In conclusion, young cardiomyopathic hamsters, i.e. in the necrotic phase of disease, were more susceptible to stress induced changes in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation than older cardiomyopathic hamsters and controls.     

Impairment of mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic reticular functions during the development of heart failure in cardiomyopathic (UM-X7.1) hamsters

The oxidative phosphorylation as well as calcium transporting properties of heart mitochondria and calcium transport activities of the fragments of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (microsomes) were studied during the life span of cardiomyopathic hamsters (UM-X7.1). Control healthy hamsters of the same age group were used for comparison. No changes in the oxidative phosphorylation ability of cardiomyopathic mitochondria were seen at early and moderate stages of heart failure; however, at severe stages, mitochondrial respiratory functions, but not the ADP:0 ratio, were impaired. Both creatine phosphate and ATP contents were decreased without any significant changes in the ATPase activities of myofibrils from the failing hearts. Heart mitochondria from cardiomyopathic animals at severe stages of failure exhibited less calcium binding and uptake activities in comparison with the control values whereas no changes in the mitochondrial calcium binding and uptake were seen in cardiomyopathic hamsters which showed no clinical signs of heart failure. Although mitochondrial calcium binding in cardiomyopathic hearts at early and moderate stages of failure was decreased, mitochondrial calcium uptake was not significantly different from the control. Microsomal calcium binding activity, unlike calcium uptake activity, was decreased in the hearts of cardiomyopathic hamsters without any signs of heart failure. Both calcium binding and calcium uptake activities of microsomes from animals with early, moderate and severe heart failure were less in comparison with the control values but were not associated with any changes in the Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity. These results suggest that changes in the process of mitochondrial energy production and mitochondrial Ca2+-transport may be secondary to other factors whereas alterations in the sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+-transport may lead to the development of heart failure in the cardiomyopathic hamsters.     

Cellular mechanisms of impaired cardiac energetics in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: decrease in mitochondrial respiration and creatine kinase expression]

The mitochondrial functional characteristics were assessed in the biopsy specimens from patients with various Functional Classes dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP). The assessment was made by using endomyocardial biopsy specimens weighing 2-4 mg which had been taken from 39 patients aged 19-64 years during coronary ventriculography and cardiac transplantation. The status of mitochondria and the efficiency of mitochondrial creatine kinase functioning were evaluated by recording the respiration of saponin-skinned muscular fibers. The maximum mitochondrial respiration rate calculated on a dry weight basis was not substantially different in all functional classes of DCMP, while the acceptor control index (Vmax/V0) and the level of creatine-activated respiration decreased with an increase in the functional class of DCMP. The findings show a good positive correlation between ejection fraction and creatine-stimulated respiration values and a linear negative correlation between this parameter and end-diastolic pressures. Thus, the respiratory parameters of mitochondria in the endomyocardial biopsy specimens may be used to assess the severity of cardias lesions.     

Heart failure and Ca++ activation of the cardiac contractile system: hereditary cardiomyopathy in hamsters (BIO 14.6), isoprenaline overload and the effect of APP 201-533

In the present paper, two experimental models of heart failure, namely hereditary cardiomyopathy in hamsters (BIO 14.6) and cardiac insufficiency due to mild (0.06 microM) isoprenaline overload of rabbit isolated perfused hearts, were compared in terms of resulting alterations at the level of the functionally isolated contractile system of detergent/glycerol treated skinned cardiac fibres. As the main features of Ca activation of tension in these models, the following were found: 1. Within the same species (RB hamsters, BIO 14.6 hamsters or rabbits), the Ca sensitivity, measured as pCa for half maximal Ca activation, was invariably higher in left than in right ventricular skinned fibres. 2. During the development of hereditary cardiomyopathy (BIO 14.6), maximum Ca-activated tension, measured per unit cross-sectional area, was reduced in an age-dependent manner, without any significant reduction in Ca sensitivity. This effect appeared to be more pronounced in left than in right ventricles. 3. In skinned fibres from right or left ventricular papillary muscles from in vitro isoprenaline pretreated rabbit hearts, no significant alteration in the maximum Ca-activated tension (per unit area) was observed in comparison to non-pretreated control hearts, whereas the Ca sensitivity was reduced. Treatment of control or failing heart skinned fibres with cAMP showed no additivity to the Ca desensitization induced by isoprenaline pretreatment. 4. Skinned fibres from isoprenaline pretreated left ventricular rabbit hearts showed a higher susceptibility to the Ca sensitizing effect of APP 201-533 than fibres from unpretreated control hearts. Mild isoprenaline overload and hereditary cardiomyopathy both are forms of heart failure which are presumably not associated with a lack of activator Ca. It is concluded that cardiotonic agents increasing the cardiac myofibrillar sensitivity to Ca ions would be beneficial in both cases, representing a phenomenologically causative treatment in hearts failing due to isoprenaline pretreatment. A main advantage over "classical" cardiotonic agents like cardiac glycosides, beta adrenergic stimulants or phosphodiesterase inhibitors would be the absence of the risk of drug-induced Ca overload.     

Effects of halothane on contractile properties of skinned fibers from cardiomyopathic animals

The effects of clinical concentrations of halothane (1 and 2% v/v) on detergent treated cardiac fibers were studied in two different models of cardiomyopathic animals, the Syrian hamster UM-X7.1, and the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. The changes of contractile properties in cardiac muscle observed on cardiomyopathic animals, although of moderate importance, were different in these two models. The cardiomyopathic hamsters exhibited macroscopic structural changes in cardiac muscle responsible for a significant decrease in maximal activated tension, but myocardial calcium sensitivity was unchanged. On the other hand, in diabetic rats, maximal activated tension was unchanged, while a slight but significant increase in myocardial calcium sensitivity was observed. Addition of halothane produced a similar dose-dependent decrease in myocardial calcium sensitivity, in both the controls and the two groups of cardiomyopathic animals. Halothane exposure was also associated with a dose-dependent decrease in maximal calcium activated tension in all groups, an effect that was more pronounced in cardiomyopathic hamsters than in their control at the lowest anesthetic concentration. These results indicate that the negative inotropic effects of halothane are additive to the myocardial depression observed in these cardiomyopathies.     

Glycolysis supports calcium uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skinned ventricular fibres of mice deficient in mitochondrial and cytosolic creatine kinase

Several works have shown the importance of the creatine kinase (CK) system for cardiac energetics and Ca2+ homeostasis. Nevertheless, CK-deficient mice have cardiac function close to normal, at least under conditions of low or moderate workload. To characterize possible adaptive changes of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and potential role of glycolytic support in cardiac contractility we used the skinned fibre technique to study properties of the SR and myofibrils, in control and muscle-type homodimer (MM-/mitochondrial-CK)-deficient mice. In control fibres, SR Ca2+ loading with ATP and phosphocreatine (solution PL) was significantly better than loading with ATP alone (solution AL), as determined by analysis of caffeine-induced tension transients. Loading in the presence of ATP and glycolytic intermediates (solution GL) was not significantly different from solution PL. These data indicate that Ca2+ uptake by the SR in situ depends on a local ATP:ADP ratio that is controlled by both CK and glycolytic enzymes. In CK-deficient mice, Ca2+ loading was impaired in solution PL due to the absence of CK. In solution GL, loading was significantly increased, such that calculated Ca2+ release parameters were normalized to those in control fibres in solution PL. In CK-deficient mice, fibre kinetic parameters of tension recovery were impaired after quick stretch in solution PL and were not improved in solution GL. These results show that in CK-deficient mice, at least under basal conditions, glycolysis can replace the CK system in fueling the SR Ca2+ ATPase, but not the myosin ATPase, and may in part explain the limited phenotypic alterations seen in the hearts of these mice.     

Intracellular Energetic Units regulate metabolism in cardiac cells

This review describes developments in historical perspective as well as recent results of investigations of cellular mechanisms of regulation of energy fluxes and mitochondrial respiration by cardiac work - the metabolic aspect of the Frank-Starling law of the heart. A Systems Biology solution to this problem needs the integration of physiological and biochemical mechanisms that take into account intracellular interactions of mitochondria with other cellular systems, in particular with cytoskeleton components. Recent data show that different tubulin isotypes are involved in the regular arrangement exhibited by mitochondria and ATP-consuming systems into Intracellular Energetic Units (ICEUs). Beta II tubulin association with the mitochondrial outer membrane, when co-expressed with mitochondrial creatine kinase (MtCK) specifically limits the permeability of voltage-dependent anion channel for adenine nucleotides. In the MtCK reaction this interaction changes the regulatory kinetics of respiration through a decrease in the affinity for adenine nucleotides and an increase in the affinity for creatine. Metabolic Control Analysis of the coupled MtCK-ATP Synthasome in permeabilized cardiomyocytes showed a significant increase in flux control by steps involved in ADP recycling. Mathematical modeling of compartmentalized energy transfer represented by ICEUs shows that cyclic changes in local ADP, Pi, phosphocreatine and creatine concentrations during contraction cycle represent effective metabolic feedback signals when amplified in the coupled non-equilibrium MtCK-ATP Synthasome reactions in mitochondria. This mechanism explains the regulation of respiration on beat to beat basis during workload changes under conditions of metabolic stability. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Local Signaling in Myocytes."     

Evaluation of the hereditary Syrian hamster cardiomyopathy by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy: improvement after acute verapamil therapy

The relation between metabolic and functional derangement in various cardiomyopathies has not been well characterized. This information was specifically sought in a spontaneous cardiomyopathic model. Metabolic and hemodynamic parameters were obtained in glucose-perfused beating hearts of 180-200-day-old cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters and age-matched healthy animals. This period in the cardiomyopathic hamster lifetime is intermediary between the necrotic phase and the appearance of heart failure. We used 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to analyze energy metabolites and intracellular pH. Cardiomyopathic hamsters had significantly higher mole fraction values for inorganic phosphate, lower phosphocreatine mole fraction as well as lower phosphocreatine/inorganic phosphate and adenosine triphosphate/inorganic phosphate ratios. Analysis of pH indicated the presence of regions of increased acidity within the heart of myopathic hamsters. Cardiomyopathic hamsters also had significantly lower left ventricular pressure, coronary flow, and myocardial oxygen consumption. Separate groups of normal and myopathic hamsters were given verapamil for 24 hours (one injection of 4 mg/kg s.c. followed by 1.2 g/l in drinking water). Verapamil-treated myopathic hamsters had evidence of markedly improved mitochondrial function when compared with untreated animals. Left ventricular pressure and coronary flow rose to normal levels. Replacing glucose by pyruvate in the perfusate of myopathic hamsters results in a marked increase in left ventricular pressure, coronary flow, and oxygen consumption with a moderate rise in phosphocreatine. Thus, 180-200-day-old cardiomyopathic hamster heart is characterized by evidence of decreased mitochondrial function, by areas of increased acidity within the heart, and by reduced left ventricular function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cardioprotection by ischemic preconditioning preserves mitochondrial function and functional coupling between adenine nucleotide translocase and creatine kinase

M. N. Laclau, S. Boudina, J. B. Thambo, L. Tariosse, G. Gouverneur, S. Bonoron-Adèle, V. A. Saks, K. D. Garlid and P. Dos Santos. Cardioprotection by Ischemic Preconditioning Preserves Mitochondrial Function and Functional Coupling Between Adenine Nucleotide Translocase and Creatine Kinase. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (2001) 33, 947-956. This study investigates the effect of ischemic preconditioning on mitochondrial function, including functional coupling between the adenine nucleotide translocase and mitochondrial creatine kinase, which is among the first reactions to be altered in ischemia. Three groups of Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were studied: a control group, a group subjected to 30 min ischemia followed by 15 min reperfusion, and a group subjected to ischemic preconditioning prior to 30 min ischemia and 15 min reperfusion. Ischemic preconditioning significantly delayed the onset and amplitude of contracture during ischemia, decreased enzymatic release, and improved the recovery of heart contractile function after reperfusion. Mitochondrial function was assessed in permeabilized skinned fibers. The protective effect of preconditioning was associated with preservation of mitochondrial function, as evidenced by maintenance of the high K(1/2)for ADP in regulation of mitochondrial respiration and V(max)of respiration, the near absence of respiratory stimulation by exogenous cytochrome c, and preservation of functional coupling between mitochondrial creatine kinase and adenine nucleotide translocase. These data suggest that ischemic preconditioning preserves the structure-function of the intermembrane space, perhaps by opening the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+)channel. The consequence is preservation of energy transfer processes from mitochondria to ATP-utilizing sites in the cytosol. Both of these factors may contribute to cardioprotection and better functional recovery of preconditioned hearts.     

Changes in sarcolemma; and sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase activities with age in the cardiomyopathic syrian hamster.

Sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic reticular ATPase activities have been studied in normal hamsters and in those with hereditary cardiomyopathy. These animals were studied at 30, 60, 120 and 200 days of age. Sarcoplasmic reticular ATPase activity in the normal hamster declined by 50% between 30 and 60 days of age, but in cardiomyopathic animals this fall was not seen until after 60 days of age. The final levels reached were identical in control and experimental animals. Sarcolemmal ATPase activity was constant at all ages studied in control animals, but was increased 2-fold between 60 and 120 days of age in cardiomyopathic animals and remained elevated at 200 days of age. This divergence in ATPase activity was interpreted as a functional dilution of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiomyopathic hearts. This could be responsible for an imbalance of excitation and coupling, thus resulting in alterations in myocardial contractility.     

Cellular oncogene expression in the idiopathic cardiomyopathic hamster heart during the growing process

The expression of various proto-oncogenes was evaluated in the Syrian hamster with hereditary idiopathic cardiomyopathy. mRNA from the heart and aorta of controls (BIO-RB) and cardiomyopathic hamsters (UM-X7.1 strain, BIO 14.6 line) was tested using RNA hybridization techniques. Of the 19 different v-oncogene probes used in the study, only the v-myc probe revealed a substantially greater expression of oncogene in the 30th day of cardiomyopathic hamster heart than in control hamster heart. The amplified expression of c-myc was also observed in the heart of 1-year-old, but not of 7-day-old cardiomyopathic hamster. Overexpression of c-myc, otherwise associated with the regulation of cell differentiation or rapid growth, may relate to the pathological state or pathogenesis of the hereditary cardiomyopathy.     

Improvement in myocardial performance without a decrease in high-energy phosphate metabolites after isoproterenol in Syrian cardiomyopathic hamsters

To determine the effect of isoproterenol on cardiac energetics and function in an animal preparation of cardiomyopathy, we studied Langendorff perfused hearts from Syrian cardiomyopathic hamsters. High-energy phosphate metabolites (phosphocreatine [PCr], ATP, inorganic phosphate [Pi]) and intracellular pH (pHi) were measured by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and correlated with left ventricular developed pressure, coronary flow, and O2 consumption before and during a 10(-6)M infusion of isoproterenol. Total intracellular calcium was also determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy with the use of potassium ethylenediamine tetra-acetate cobaltate as a marker for extracellular space. In cardiomyopathic hamsters, isoproterenol infusion increased mean developed pressure by 300% (p less than .005 compared with control; n = 5), O2 consumption eightfold (p less than .0005), and PCr by 40% (p less than .05). PCr/Pi ratio, which is analogous to phosphorylation potential, improved 100% (p = .05). In normal hamsters, isoproterenol infusion resulted in an 83% increase in developed pressure (p less than .001) and a 25% increase in O2 consumption (NS). However, mean PCr and PCr/Pi decreased by 30% and 50%, respectively (p less than .05 for both), during isoproterenol infusion. pHi decreased in normal animals (p less than .01), but tended to improve in diseased animals (NS) during isoproterenol infusion. Freeze-clamp measurements of phosphate metabolites correlated well with the nuclear magnetic resonance data. Intracellular calcium increased from 0.0102 +/- 0.002 to 0.144 +/- 0.030 mumol/ml heart water in normal hamsters during isoproterenol infusion. Cardiomyopathic hamsters had a markedly elevated baseline calcium content of 60.82 +/- 5.85 mumol/ml heart water due to the presence of dystrophic calcification.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Does an impaired adenosine mediated feedback control play a role in the development of hereditary dystrophic cardiomyopathy?

A study was carried out to investigate whether or not an impairment of the adenosine mediated negative inotropic effect in the presence of beta adrenoceptor stimulation plays a role in the pathogenesis of the hereditary cardiomyopathy of the Syrian hamster. In electrically driven papillary muscles isolated from the hearts of cardiomyopathic (strain BIO 8262) and age matched healthy control Syrian hamsters the effects of isoprenaline, adenosine, and adenosine in the presence of isoprenaline were studied within the first 30 days of life (the prenecrotic stage of the disorder). In both cardiomyopathic and control hamsters adenosine antagonised the positive inotropic effect of isoprenaline, whereas adenosine alone had no or, only a weak, inhibitory effect on the force of contraction. The effects in both groups were similar. The effect of isoprenaline on the force of contraction also did not differ in the two groups. The data show that in both cardiomyopathic and control hamsters adenosine reduces the force of contraction during beta adrenergic stimulation. The potency or efficacy of adenosine did not differ in the two groups. An impaired adenosine mediated feedback control of the heart does not therefore seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of the hereditary dystrophic cardiomyopathy of the Syrian hamster.     

Increased left ventricular diastolic stiffness in the early phase of hereditary cardiomyopathy

Isolated hearts from normal and cardiomyopathic hamsters (160 to 180 days of age) were perfused through the aorta and assessed by echocardiographic and 31P-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) techniques. A decreased left ventricular systolic pressure in cardiomyopathic hamsters was associated with diminished cardiac size and left ventricular wall thickness. However, the ratio of inner/outer cross-sectional area and estimated left ventricular volume at any given left ventricular weight was significantly higher, indicating relative left ventricular chamber enlargement in cardiomyopathic hamsters. Left ventricular volumes were increased with an intraventricular balloon. Gradual inflation of the balloon resulted in increments of left ventricular systolic and developed stress that rose to the same values in both groups. At this point, the normalized stress-strain relationship was approximately two times steeper for cardiomyopathic hamsters, while at lower strain values the diastolic stress in cardiomyopathic hamsters was less than in controls, possibly due to cardiac dilatation. Almost the same degree of dilatation was induced in control hearts by the acute addition of 1% alcohol, but it was not followed by increased diastolic stiffness. Examination of hearts by 31P-NMR techniques revealed a decreased phosphocreatine/inorganic phosphate (PCr/Pi) ratio in the cardiomyopathic hamsters that progressed further with balloon inflation and was associated with a relative fall in PCr and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. Results suggest increased diastolic stiffness in cardiomyopathic hamsters, which was not seen in acute cardiac depression with alcohol. Diastolic volume overload with increased wall stress is probably the major factor contributing to increased diastolic stiffness early in the cardiomyopathy.     

Angiogenesis and antifibrotic action by hepatocyte growth factor in cardiomyopathy

Impairment of cardiac function in cardiomyopathy has been postulated to be related to decreased blood blow and increased collagen synthesis. Therefore, a therapeutic approach to alter the blood flow or fibrosis directly by means of growth factors may open a new therapeutic concept in dilated cardiomyopathy. From this viewpoint, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a unique growth factor with antifibrosis and angiogenesis effects. Using the hereditary cardiomyopathic Syrian hamster as a model of genetically determined cardiomyopathy and heart failure, the effects of overexpression of HGF on fibrosis and microvascular dysfunction were examined. HGF gene or control vector was injected by the Hemagglutinating Virus of Japan-liposome method into the anterior heart of cardiomyopathic hamsters (Bio 14.6) under echocardiography once a week, from 12 to 20 weeks of age (total, 8 times). Blood flow, as assessed by a laser Doppler imager score, and the capillary density in hearts, as assessed by alkaline phosphatase staining, were significantly increased in hamsters transfected with HGF gene compared with control-vector-transfected hamsters (P<0.01). In contrast, the fibrotic area was significantly decreased in hamsters transfected with HGF gene compared with control (P<0.01). Overall, in vivo experiments demonstrated that transfection of HGF gene into the myocardium of cardiomyopathic hamsters stimulated blood flow through the induction of angiogenesis and reduction of fibrosis. These results suggest that HGF gene transfer may be useful to protect against myocardial injury in cardiomyopathy through its cardioprotective effects such as antifibrosis and angiogenesis actions.