Effects of fasting and exogenous glucose delivery on cardiac tolerance to low-flow ischemia in adult and senescent rats

Metabolic disorders due to changes in cytosolic glucose utilisation are suspected to be involved in the increased sensitivity of the aged myocardium to ischemia. This study presents the first direct measurement of glucose utilisation in hearts from senescent rats during low-flow ischemia under different conditions of substrate delivery and glycogen stores. Isolated hearts from young adult (4-months-old) and senescent (24-months-old) rats were subjected to 30 min coronary flow restriction (residual flow rate=2% of control flows). Experiments were performed using glucose-free or glucose-enriched (11 mmol/L) perfusion media. The effects of increased glycogen stores were assessed after 24-h fasting in both age groups. Ischemic contracture was measured via a left-ventricular balloon. Ageing increased ischemic contracture under both conditions of substrate delivery in fed rat hearts. The increase in ischemic tolerance induced by fasting in senescent rat hearts was less than that seen in young rat hearts. Moreover, fasting decreased glucose utilisation in hearts from young rats, an effect which was not found in hearts from old rats. Furthermore, myocardial glycogen utilisation was increased in all groups of aged rats compared with that of young adults, particularly under fasting conditions. It is concluded that fasting is less detrimental to the aged myocardium during low-flow ischemia than to the young myocardium because it does not further reduce exogenous glucose utilisation, and it stimulates glycogen consumption. Moreover, a reduction in exogenous glucose utilisation, which is only partly compensated for by increased glycogenolytic flux could be, at least in part, responsible for the increased ischemic contracture in hearts from old fed rats. Finally, our glucose-free experiments suggest that residual oxidative phosphorylation during low-flow ischemia might be less relevant in hearts from senescent rats than in those from young adults.     

Effects of volatile anesthetic preconditioning on expression of NFκB-regulated genes in aged rat myocardium

Volatile anesthetic preconditioning has been shown to be a potent way to provide myocardium protection against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury; however, this cardioprotection is lost in senescent animal models and elderly patients. NFκB-regulated genes have been linked to myocardial I/R injury and anesthetic preconditioning. Here, we investigated NFκB activation related to anesthetic preconditioning in aging rat myocardium. Isolated, Langendorff perfused rat hearts from Fischer 344 male rats, 24 months old, were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The hearts of the control group were perfused with physiologic solution without any intervention. The hearts in the I/R group were subjected to 25 minutes ischemia and followed by 60 minutes reperfusion. The hearts in the treatment group were subjected to 10 minutes 2.5% sevoflurane, followed by 20 minutes washout and by 25 minutes ischemia and 60 minutes of reperfusion, respectively. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and left ventricular enddiastolic pressure (LVEDP) were measured. Western blot analysis was used to measure inhibitor of κB (IκB) and antiapoptotic genes: A1, ILP, c-IAP-2, Bcl-2, caspase 8 and caspase 9. Ischemia and reperfusion significantly decreased LVDP and increased LVEDP in aged rat hearts. Anesthetic preconditioning with sevoflurane did not change the effects I/R on LVDP and LVEDP, despite the fact that after treatment with anesthetic preconditioning, the levels of IκB, A1, ILP, caspase 8 and caspase 9 were significantly different compared to those of the control hearts. In conclusion, anesthetic preconditioning with sevoflurane does not improve myocardial systolic and diastolic functions. Our results suggest that the activation of NFκB regulated genes is different in the senescent myocardium and could account for loss of cardioprotection with aging.     

Cardioprotection of SM-15681, an Na+/H+ exchange inhibitor in ischemic and hypoxic isolated perfused rat hearts

We investigated the effects of SM-15681 (N-(aminoiminomethyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-2-carboxamide monohydrochloride) on Na+/H+ exchange activity in the myocardium and in ischemic and hypoxic injury in isolated perfused rat hearts. These effects were compared with those of ethylisopropyl amiloride (EIPA). Na+/H+ exchange activity was studied with a NH4Cl prepulse technique under HCO3(-)-free conditions. SM-15681 (10(-8)-10(-7) M) inhibited pH recovery of acidosis in the rat myocardium in a concentration-dependent manner and the IC50 value of SM-15681 (80 nM) was similar to that of EIPA. In perfused rat hearts, SM-15681 (10(-6) M) and EIPA (10(-6) M) significantly improved cardiac functions and prevented enzyme release and abnormal elevation of tissue Ca2+ content during 20 min of reperfusion after 40 min of ischemia and 20 min of reoxygenation after 30 min of hypoxia. We conclude that an Na+/H+ exchange inhibitor, SM-15681, shows cardioprotective effects on ischemia/reperfusion and hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Our results also support the hypothesis that Na+/H+ exchange contributes to the pathophysiology of cardiac ischemic reperfusion injury.     

Aging exacerbates hydrogen peroxide-induced alteration of vascular reactivity in rats

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion (O2-*) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can be produced by vascular endothelium and smooth muscle cells under diverse physiological and pathophysiological situations. These species are known to exert various deleterious effects by which they might induce changes in vascular reactivity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the evolution of vascular susceptibility to H2O2 during aging in rats. Catalase activity was assessed in aortas from young adult (4 months) and aged (24 months) Wistar rats. In parallel experiments, isolated rings from both age groups were exposed to increasing doses of H2O2 (0, 0.1, 1, 5, or 10 mM) for 20 min and the residual vascular response to phenylephrine (PE = 10(-6) M) and acetylcholine (ACh = 10(-6) M) was evaluated. Our results indicate that aging increases aortic catalase activity (4 months: 0.20 +/- 0.02 IU/mg prot versus 24 months: 0.46 +/- 0.06 IU/mg prot, p < 0.001) while it exacerbates vascular sensitivity to H2O2. These results suggest that the observed increased H2O2-induced alterations of vascular reactivity during aging in rats might be due to increased sensitivity of the vasculature to ROS rather than to a decrease in the defense systems against these species.     

An essential role of the antioxidant gene Bcl-2 in myocardial adaptation to ischemia: an insight with antisense Bcl-2 therapy

Reperfusion of ischemic myocardium results in apoptotic cell death, which can be blocked by adapting the heart to ischemic stress induced by cyclic episodes of brief periods of ischemia and reperfusion. In concert, the antiapoptotic gene bcl-2 is decreased by ischemia/reperfusion, but increased in the ischemically adapted myocardium. To examine if bcl-2 plays a crucial role in cardioprotection, adaptive cardioprotection was further examined in the hearts treated with antisense bcl-2 oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN). Isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were divided into three groups: control (perfused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer for 210 min); 30-min ischemia followed by 2-h reperfusion; ischemic adaptation followed by 30-min ischemia and 2-h reperfusion. The last (adapted heart) group was subdivided into another two groups: one was transfected 48 h earlier with antisense bcl-2 ODN, whereas the other group was transfected with sense bcl-2 ODN. Cardioprotection was examined by determining cardiomyocyte death due to necrosis and apoptosis. Antisense gene therapy almost completely abolished bcl-2 protein expression in the hearts. Bcl-2 mRNA was down-regulated in the ischemic/reperfused heart, but up-regulated in the adapted myocardium. Adapted myocardium showed decreased infarct size and reduced number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes. Ischemia/reperfusion resulted in increased oxidative stress as evidenced by increased malonaldehyde formation. Adapted myocardium had a reduced amount of malonaldehyde. Antisense bcl-2 ODN completely abolished the cardioprotective effects of adaptation by eliminating the antideath signal of bcl-2. In concert, reduced oxidative stress in the adapted myocardium no longer persisted. The results suggest an antioxidant role of bcl-2 that appeared to be essential for the cardioprotection achieved by ischemic adaptation.     

Contractile and biochemical correlates of beta-adrenergic stimulation of the aged heart

The age dependence of contractile and associated biochemical parameters of basal- and catecholamine-stimulated myocardial contractile performance was investigated using isolated perfused septa from adult and senescent rats. Base-line maximum rate of force development (dF/dt), beta-receptor number and affinity, cAMP levels, and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity were not different in the two age groups. During maximal isoproterenol stimulation, the increase in dF/dt was 40% less in the senescent hearts, and the cAMP levels and cAMP activation of protein kinase increased two fold but to the same extent in both age groups. The maximum contractile response to dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP) in the senescent was half that observed in the adult hearts. However, adult and senescent septa responded equally to an increase in perfusate [Ca2+] to 1.0 mM, which enhanced contractility to the same extent as that obtained with isoproterenol and DBcAMP in adult septa. These data taken together suggest that the factors that limit the contractile response to catecholamines in the senescent heart act subsequent to protein kinase activation but proximal to the Ca2+-troponin interaction.     

Hydrogen peroxide changes in ischemic and reperfused heart. Cytochemistry and biochemical and X-ray microanalysis.

Active oxygen species including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) play a major role in ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the present study, changes in myocardial H2O2 content as well as its subcellular distribution were examined in rat hearts subjected to ischemia-reperfusion. Isolated perfused rat hearts were made globally ischemic for 20 or 30 minutes and were reperfused for different durations. H2O2 content in these hearts was studied biochemically and changes were correlated with the recovery of function. These hearts were also analyzed for subcellular distribution of H2O2. Optimal conditions of tissue processing as well as incubation medium were established for reacting cerium chloride with H2O2 to form cerium perhydroxide, an insoluble electron-dense product. The chemical composition of these deposits was confirmed by x-ray micro-analysis. Global ischemia caused complete contractile failure in minutes and after 30 minutes of ischemia, these was a > 250% increase in the myocardial H2O2 content. Depressed contractile function recovery in the early phase of reperfusion was accompanied by approximately a 600% increase in the myocardial H2O2 content. Brief pre-fixation with low concentrations of glutaraldehyde, inhibition of alkaline phosphatase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, post-fixation but no post-osmication, and no counterstaining yielded the best cytochemical definition of H2O2. In normal hearts, extremely small amounts of cerium hydroperoxide precipitates were located on the endothelial cells. X-ray microanalysis confirmed the presence of cerium in the reaction product. Ischemia resulted in a stronger reaction, particularly on the sarcolemma as well as abluminal side of the endothelial cells; and upon reperfusion, cerium precipitate reaction at these sites was more intense. In the reperfused hearts, the reaction product also appeared within mitochondria between the cristae as well as on the myofibrils, but Z-lines were devoid of any precipitate. The data support a significant increase in myocardial H2O2 during both the phase of ischemia and the first few minutes of reperfusion. A stronger reaction on the sarcolemma and abluminal side of endothelial cells may also indicate enhanced H2O2 accumulation as well as vulnerability of these sites to oxidative stress injury.     

Moderation of postischemic damage to cardiomyocytic membranes with reperfusion solution

Isolated perfused hearts of Wistar rats subjected to total ischemia and reperfusion were used to examine the possibility of moderating damage to cardiomyocyte membranes with reperfusion solution containing l-aspartic acid, d-glucose, and d-mannitol. During the first 5 minutes of reperfusion, this solution significantly improved recovery of the pumping and contractile functions of the heart compared to the control and reduced the release of lactate dehydrogenase and systems generating short-living ROS into the effluent. To the end of reperfusion, the content of ATP and phosphocreatine was higher and the loss of total creatine was lower in hearts perfused with the test solution compared to the control. It is hypothesized that better integrity of the myocyte sarcolemma in hearts perfused with the test solution results from better preservation of macroergic phosphates and inhibition of ROS generation in this solution. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 1, pp. 20–22, January, 2007     

Effects of Prolonged Aerobic Exercise on Myocardial Responses to Ischaemia-Reperfusion in the Rat

The effects of low-intensity, prolonged swimming on functional recovery of the rat heart (Langendorff preparations) from ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) were investigated. Three groups of rats (120 days old) were used: sedentary rats (S) and rats exercised by a single bout of swimming lasting 5 (E5) or 8 h (E8), respectively. The effect of exercise on the response to I/R was related to an index of oxidative damage such as lipid peroxidation, as well as to the tissue antioxidant capacity and the response of heart tissue to in vitro oxidative stress. The intrinsic performance of E5 Langendorff preparations paced at 220 beats x min(-1) was also determined. A group of sedentary animals was used for H2O2-treated preparations. The effect of antioxidant treatment on inotropic recovery during reperfusion was studied on preparations from 5 or 8 h swimming vitamin E-treated (EVT5 and EVT8 and 5 or 8 h swimming untreated (EVU5 and EVU8) rats. Hearts from exercised animals displayed a reduced preischaemic inotropism, which in E5 rats was accompanied by an increase in the intrinsic heart rate. The lower intrinsic cardiac inotropism of E5 animals was confirmed in the paced preparations. The reduced contractility found in control hearts after addition of H2O2 to perfusion medium suggested that the low inotropism of E5 and E8 hearts was due to an exercise-induced increase in reactive oxygen species. Inotropic recovery during reperfusion was low in the S hearts, was significantly increased in the E5 hearts, and was again reduced to the S level in the E8 hearts. In the E8 hearts the indexes of cellular damage (LDH release) and oxidative stress increased, and antioxidant capacity decreased, while in E5 hearts there was no evidence of significant changes in such parameters. Performance and reperfusion recovery of hearts from 5 h swimming rats was not affected by vitamin E treatment, while those of hearts from 8 h swimming rats was the highest observed. We suggest that the higher inotropic recovery during reperfusion in the hearts from the E5 rats is related to the negative inotropic effect of exercise. The fall in recovery following the 8 h exercise was instead related to the increased oxidative stress.     

The Effects of Age and Hindlimb Supension on the Levels of Expression of the Myogenic Regulatory Factors Myod and Myogenin in Rat Fast and Slow Skeletal Muscles

In this study we tested the hypothesis that, compared to young adult rats, senescent rats have a reduced ability to respond to muscle unloading. Unloading of the muscles was induced by hindlimb suspension (HS) of young adult and senescent rats for 21 days. Plantaris muscles from young adult rats had significantly higher levels of myogenin mRNA and protein (890 % and 314 %, respectively, P < 0.05) than plantaris muscles from senescent rats and also a higher MyoD mRNA level (280 %, P < 0.05), but ageing did not increase MyoD protein levels. Although HS did not increase plantaris mRNA or protein levels of myogenin or MyoD in senescent rats (P = 0.22), myogenin mRNA and protein levels increased by 850 % and 580 % respectively, and MyoD mRNA and protein levels by 235 % and 1600 %, respectively in young adult rats (P < 0.05). Soleus muscles from senescent rats had 150 % and 85 % greater myogenin and MyoD mRNA levels, respectively (P < 0.05), than soleus muscles from young adult rats, whereas protein levels of myogenin were similar (P > 0.05) and MyoD protein levels were 60 % lower in the muscle of senescent rats (P < 0.05). In young rats, soleus muscle mRNA levels of myogenin and MyoD were not altered by HS but myogenin protein levels decreased by 57 % (P < 0.05) whereas MyoD protein levels increased by 187 % (P < 0.05). In senescent rats, HS decreased soleus muscle myogenin mRNA and protein levels by 42 % and 26 % respectively (P < 0.05), but MyoD protein and mRNA levels were not changed. MRF4 levels were not affected by ageing in either muscle. These data suggest that ageing reduces the ability of fast muscles to increase myogenin protein levels, and prevents both fast and slow muscles from increasing MyoD protein levels during muscle unloading. Experimental Physiology (2001) 86.4, 509-517.     

Ca2+ sensitivity of stunned myocardium after skinning using retrograde infusion of detergent

Myofilament Ca2+ desensitization contributes to the contractile dysfunction of ischemic/reperfused ("stunned") myocardium. We examined the presence of reduced Ca2+ sensitivity of isometric force in chemically skinned fibers obtained from stunned myocardium using different modes of applying the detergent Triton X-100. Langendorff-perfused rat hearts underwent 20 min ischemia/20 min reperfusion, which caused a 35 +/- 3% decrease in left ventricular developed pressure, compared to continuously perfused control hearts. Stunned and control hearts were randomly allocated to two different permeabilization protocols: In group A, trabeculae were dissected and immersed in skinning solution containing 1% Triton X-100 for 20 min. Group B hearts remained fixed to the aortic cannula and skinning solution was infused retrogradely for 6 min prior to dissection of trabeculae. Extraction of cytosolic marker proteins was more complete in group-B than in group-A preparations. Group-A preparations from stunned hearts exhibited significant Ca2+ desensitization (pCa50 = 5.07 and 5.15 in stunned and control myocardium, respectively). In group B no such difference was observed, all preparations showing higher Ca2+ sensitivity and maximum force than group-A preparations (pCa50 = 5.32 in stunned versus 5.33 in control hearts). Prolonging group-A skinning to 150 min also abolished the difference in Ca2+ sensitivity between stunned and control myocardium. In conclusion, compared to a conventional protocol, skinning by perfusion results in more complete permeabilization and better preservation of myocardial contractile function. Ischemia/reperfusion at this moderate degree of contractile dysfunction induces Ca2+ desensitization at least partially by factors that can be extracted by thorough skinning.     

β-Adrenergic and muscarinic receptor mRNA accumulation in the sinoatrial node area of adult and senescent rat hearts

The sinoatrial (SA) node is the cardiac pacemaker and changes in its adrenergic-muscarinic phenotype have been postulated as a determinant of age-associated modifications in heart rate variability. To address this question, right atria were microdissected, the SA node area was identified by acetylcholinesterase staining, and, using a RT-PCR method, the accumulation of mRNA molecules encoding β₁- and β₂-adrenergic (β₁- and β₂-AR) and muscarinic (M₂-R) receptor was quantified to define the proportion between β-AR and M₂-R mRNAs within the sinoatrial area of adult (3 months) and senescent (24 months) individual rat hearts. In adult hearts, the highest M₂-R/β-AR mRNA ratio was observed within the sinoatrial area compared with adjacent atrial myocardium, while in the senescent hearts, no difference was observed between sinoatrial and adjacent areas. This change was specific of the sinoatrial area since adult and senescent whole atrial or ventricular myocardium did not differ in their M₂-R/β-AR mRNA ratio, and was associated with a fragmentation of acetylcholinesterase staining of the senescent SA node. Quantitative changes in the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in heart rate regulation specifically affect the sinoatrial area of the senescent heart.     

Myocardial contracture and accumulation of mitochondrial calcium in ischemic rabbit heart

The relationship between myocardial contracture and cell calcium was studied in electrically paced, isolated perfused rabbit hearts. Isovolumic left ventricular dP/dt and end-diastolic pressure were utilized as indexes of contractility and ventricular stiffness. After 60 min of low flow (ischemia) without or with reperfusion at high flow for 10 min, calcium was measured in the mitochondrial fraction and used as an indicator of intracellular calcium. Low flow led to ventricular standstill and contracture, and reperfusion produced partial mechanical recovery with end-diastolic pressure remaining markedly elevated. Nifedipine (10(-7) M), an antagonist of myocardial calcium uptake, prevented contracture and permitted nearly complete mechanical recovery without elevation in diastolic pressure. Increases in mitochondrial calcium paralleled the severity of contracture and the lack of diastolic relaxation after reperfusion. Mitochondrial calcium did not increase in hearts protected by nifedipine. Results demonstrate a close relationship between mechanical changes induced by ischemia and accumulation of intracellular calcium.     

Modification of caffeine-induced injury in Ca2+-free perfused rat hearts. Relationship to the calcium paradox.

The pathogenesis of the calcium paradox has not been established. In calcium-free perfused hearts, caffeine, which releases calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, causes severe myocardial injury, with creatine kinase (CK) release and contraction band necrosis similar in many respects to the calcium paradox. It has been postulated that contracture, initiated by a small rise in intracellular calcium, may cause sarcolemmal injury in both the calcium paradox and caffeine-induced myocardial injury. The present study was initiated to determine whether interventions which modulate caffeine-induced contracture will also correspondingly alter cellular injury. The effects of caffeine dose, procaine, extended calcium-free perfusion, elevated potassium, temperature, and increasing intracellular sodium on caffeine-induced contracture were examined in Langendorff-perfused adult rat hearts. Caffeine-induced contracture at 22 C increased over a dose range of 5-40 mM caffeine. Procaine, which inhibits caffeine-induced calcium release at doses between 5 and 20 mM, progressively reduced contracture caused by addition of 20 mM caffeine at 22 C. Hearts perfused with calcium-free solution containing 16 mM K+ showed a reduction in caffeine-induced contracture. Extended calcium-free perfusion (20 minutes) at temperatures from 18 to 37 C resulted in a progressive reduction of caffeine-induced contracture. Each of these interventions was also found to inhibit caffeine-induced injury at 37 C. Low temperature was found to have complex effects. Hypothermia enhanced caffeine contractures but also protected hearts from cell separations and CK release. Increasing intracellular sodium was found to enhance caffeine-induced contracture at 37 C. There was a direct correlation between measured intracellular sodium levels and the magnitude and duration of caffeine-induced contracture. These results demonstrate a direct correlation between the magnitude of contracture and myocardial injury in calcium-free hearts. It is proposed that contracture is the primary mediator of sarcolemmal membrane injury in hearts with intercalated disks weakened by prior calcium-free perfusion.     

线粒体ATP敏感性钾通道参与超极化停搏的心肌保护作用

目的：探讨线粒体ATP敏感性钾通道（mitoKATP）开放在超极化停搏心肌保护中的作用机制。方法:将SD大鼠随机分为对照组（Control）、去极化停搏组（D）、超极化停搏组（H）、5-羟葵酸(5-HD) +去极化停搏组（5HD+D）、5-HD+超极化停搏组（5HD+H），每组8例。建立Langendorff灌注模型，平衡20 min，以不同方式停搏40 min，再灌注30 min，对比观察：(1)不同时间血流动力学变化；(2)再灌注末取心肌并分离、制备线粒体，电镜观察超微结构的变化。(3)平衡末、再灌注末线粒体活性氧的产生。结果: (1)各组再灌注末大鼠心脏功能明显低于平衡末, 心肌线粒体超微结构均遭受不同程度损伤，左室发展压（LVDP）、左室舒张末压（LVEDP）、率压双乘积（DP）、冠脉流量（CF）有显著差异（P<0.01）；（2）超极化停博组再灌注末心脏功能指标LVDP、LVEDP、DP、CF明显优于去极化停博组、5-HD+超极化停搏组、5-HD+去极化停搏组、对照组（P<0.01），电镜示：心肌、线粒体超微结构遭受的损伤较轻; (3)超极化停博组再灌注末心肌线粒体活性氧产生率低于对照组与其它3组（P<0.01）。结论:(1)超极化停搏能明显改善再灌注后心功能，保护心肌、线粒体超微结构，减少活性氧生成；(2)mitoKATP的早期开放参与超极化停搏，其作用可能通过保护再灌注后的线粒体呼吸功能，减轻线粒体的氧化损伤，为再灌注心肌提供较好的能量供应，从而使缺血再灌注后的心脏收缩功能得到一定恢复。     

金属硫蛋白对离体大鼠心脏缺钙—复钙损伤的防治作用

本工作观察到短时间无钙液灌流的心脏恢复钙灌流时发生严重的钙反常损伤,而在复钙液内加入10~(-5)mol/LMT,显著减轻钙反常损伤。预先注射小剂量ZnSO_4诱导内源性MT合成,显著增强心脏对钙反常损伤的抵抗能力。     

Reactive oxygen species and inflammatory mediators enhance muscle spindles mechanosensitivity in rats

We tested the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory mediators affect transduction properties of muscle spindles. In rats, muscle spindles response to high-frequency vibration (HFV) was recorded before and after (1) injection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in control rats and animals pre-treated with diclofenac (anti-inflammatory substance), (2) injection of bradykinin and (3) fatigue induced by muscle stimulation (MS) in control rats and rats receiving diclofenac, superoxide dismutase (SOD) or H2O2. Muscular oxidative stress and inflammation induced by H2O2 or MS were assessed by measurements of isoprostanes and IL-6 levels. In control rats, H2O2, bradykinin and MS significantly enhanced the HFV response. Pre-treatment with SOD abolished the post-MS-enhanced HFV response whereas diclofenac lowered the peak HFV response to MS and H2O2. H2O2 injection and MS elicited significant and similar increases in isoprostanes and IL-6. We report a direct modulation of muscle spindles mechanosensitivity by ROS and inflammatory mediators.     

非创伤性预处理在离体心脏抗再灌注损伤中作用机制的探讨

目的:观察非创伤性肢体缺血预处理对大鼠离体再灌注心肌是否有保护作用。方法:实验采用体重(250±30)gSD雄性大鼠25只随机分成3组,在Langendorff装置上对大鼠离体心脏进行灌流。对照组(C,n=8):在灌注全程均用富氧K-H液(充以95%O₂+5%CO₂),在恒压(8.33kPa)、恒温(37℃)条件下灌注;缺氧/复氧组(A,n=8):预灌15min后,灌注心脏先全心缺血缺氧15min,随后15min复氧再灌注(37℃);非创伤性肢体缺血预处理组(N-WIP,n=9):先将大鼠双后肢捆绑5min,松开5min,反复4次后,随后的方法同R组。在相应时点分别测定冠脉流出液和心肌匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATP酶活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量,同时记录心肌细胞的单相动作电位(MAP)和心肌收缩张力曲线。结果:非创伤性肢体缺血预处理能使再灌注心律失常发生率显著低于A组;心肌组织中MDA含量显著低于A组,心肌组织中SOD活性显著高于A组,心肌细胞的膜电位、Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATP酶活性及肌张力较稳定。结论:非创伤性肢体缺血预处理对大鼠离体再灌注心肌有明显的保护作用,可能是通过增强心肌的抗氧化能力、稳定心肌Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATP酶活性和膜相结构等途径,提高心肌细胞对再灌注损伤的抵抗力。     

Optical mapping of myocardial reactive oxygen species production throughout the reperfusion of global ischemia

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are short-lived, highly reactive chemical entities that play significant roles in all levels of biology. However, their measurement requires destructive preparation, thereby limiting the continuous measurement of ROS in a living tissue. We develop an optical mapping system to visualize ROS production in an isolated and perfused rat heart. By staining the heart with dihydroethidium (DHE), a 532-nm laser beam is directed to the epicardial surface, where we collect the red fluorescence (>600 nm) for semiquantitative analysis. With this system, ROS production as well as ventricular pressure and ECG in isolated perfused rat hearts are monitored throughout the reperfusion of global ischemia. Ischemia would decrease myocardial ROS production, while reperfusion would immediately result in sustained ROS overproduction. Optical mapping would provide information regarding the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of myocardial ROS production, which would enhance knowledge of the role of free radicals in cardiovascular biology.     

缺血后处理对离体大鼠心肌线粒体功能的影响

目的：建立离体大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤模型,观察缺血后处理对大鼠心肌线粒体功能的影响,并探讨线粒体ATP敏感性钾通道（mitoK_ATP）在缺血后处理心肌保护中的作用。方法：采用Langendorff装置建立离体大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤模型。将SD大鼠随机分为对照组（C）、模型组（M）、缺血后处理组（IPO）、5-羟癸酸拮抗缺血后处理组（5-HD+IPO）,每组8只。各组均先灌注平衡20 min,C组：续灌70 min;M组：缺血前灌注4 ℃ St.Thomas停跳液（10 mL/kg）,全心缺血40 min,复灌30 min;IPO组：全心缺血40 min,复灌前先开放10 s,缺血10 s,反复6次,时间为2 min,复灌28 min;5-HD+IPO组：缺血后处理前给予含5-羟癸酸（100 μmol/L）的K-H液灌注5 min,余同IPO组,复灌23 min。观察各组平衡末与再灌注末心肌线粒体膜电位、氧自由基及呼吸功能的变化。结果：(1) 各组再灌注末心肌线粒体膜电位较平衡末显著降低,而C组显著高于其它3组,IPO组明显高于5-HD+IPO与M组,5-HD +IPO组高于M组。(2) 各组再灌注末与平衡末比较,心肌线粒体氧自由基含量显著升高,其中M组显著高于其它3组,5-HD +IPO组高于IPO及C组,IPO组高于C组。(3) 各组再灌注末较平衡末线粒体呼吸功能明显受损,且C组优于其它3组,IPO组优于5-HD+IPO与M组,5-HD +IPO组优于M组。结论：(1) 缺血后处理通过维护线粒体膜电位稳定、减少线粒体氧自由基的产生、保护线粒体呼吸链及功能,减轻心肌的再灌注损伤。(2) 5-HD不能完全阻断缺血后处理的心肌保护作用。(3) 缺血后处理的心肌保护效应可通过激活心肌mitoK_ATP实现,同时还有其它因素参与了缺血后处理的心肌保护。