iNOS is a mediator of the heat stress-induced preconditioning against myocardial infarction in vivo in the rat

OBJECTIVE: The inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is known to be a trigger of the heat stress (HS)-induced cardioprotection. Since iNOS also appears to mediate various forms of myocardial preconditioning, the goal of this study was to investigate its role as a mediator of the HS response. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male Wistar rats were divided in six groups, subjected or not to HS (42 degrees C internal temperature, for 15 min). Twenty-four hours later, they were treated or not with either L-NAME, a non-selective inhibitor of NO synthase isoforms, or 1400W, a selective iNOS inhibitor, 10 min before being subjected to a 30-min left coronary artery occlusion followed by a 120-min reperfusion, in vivo. The infarct size (tetrazolium staining) reducing effect conferred by heat stress (from 46.0+/-1.4% in sham to 26.8+/-3.8% in HS groups) was completely abolished by both L-NAME (53.9+/-3.1%) and 1400W (51.8+/-3.3%). Additional studies using Western blot analysis demonstrated a 3.8-fold increase in myocardial iNOS protein expression 24 h after HS. CONCLUSION: These results suggest an involvement of iNOS as a mediator of the protection conferred by heat stress against myocardial ischaemia.     

Heat stress fails to protect myocardium of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats against infarction

OBJECTIVE: Protection conferred by heat stress (HS) against ischaemia-reperfusion injury, in term of mechanical function and myocardial necrosis, has been extensively studied. In contrast, the effects of disease states on this HS-induced cytoprotective response are less known. Therefore, we investigated the effects of prior heat stress on the infarct size in the isolated heart and on the myocardial heat stress protein (HSP) 72 synthesis, in a model of insulin-dependent diabetic rats. METHODS: Three groups of animals were studied: D rats were rendered diabetic by 55 mg/kg streptozotocin i.v. injection. DI rats received the same treatment plus a daily injection of insulin started 2 weeks after and V rats received the vehicle of streptozotocin plus a daily injection of saline. Eight weeks later, D, DI and V rats were either heat-stressed (42 degrees C for 15 min) or sham-anaesthetised. Twenty-four hours later, their hearts were isolated, perfused using the Langendorff technique, and subjected to a 30 min occlusion of the left coronary artery followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Myocardial HSP72 content was measured 24 h after HS or sham treatment using an electrophoresis coupled with a Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Infarct-to-risk ratio (I/R) was significantly reduced in hearts from heat-stressed (11.7 +/- 2.0%) compared to sham (30.0 +/- 3.2%) V rats. This cardioprotection was not observed in hearts from D (I/R: 31.4 +/- 3.3 vs. 34.3 +/- 3.5%) and DI (I/R: 28.7 +/- 1.6 vs. 30.3 +/- 1.6%) rats. Risk zones were similar between all experimental groups. The incidence of ventricular arrhythmias during ischaemia and reperfusion periods was not different between the six experimental groups. Western blot analysis of the myocardial HSP72 content showed a comparable heat stress-induced increase of this protein, in V, D and DI animals. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that myocardial protective effect induced by heat stress could not extend to a pathological animal model like the diabetic rat and seems to be unrelated to the HSP72 level. Further investigations are required to elucidate the precise role of the heat stress proteins in this adaptive response.     

Involvement of p38 MAPK and JNK in heat stress-induced cardioprotection

The present study investigated whether heat stress-induced cardioprotection involves alterations in the pattern of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and c-Jun NH2 - terminal kinase (JNK) activation during ischaemia - reperfusion in a model of isolated perfused rat heart. Wistar rats were subjected to whole-body hyperthermia at 42 degrees C for 15 min (HS), while untreated animals served as controls (CON). Twenty four hours later, CON and HS isolated hearts were perfused in a Langendorff mode and subjected to 20 min of zero-.ow global ischaemia followed by 45 min of reperfusion. Postischaemic recovery of left ventricular developed pressure at 45 min of reperfusion was expressed as % of the initial value (LVDP%). Activation of p38 MAPK and JNK was assessed by standard Western blotting techniques using a dual phospho-p38 MAPK and phospho-p46 JNK and p54 JNK antibodies. The levels of phospho-p38 MAPK at the end of reperfusion were not different in HS as compared to CON hearts. The levels of phospho-p46 JNK and p54 JNK were 1.4- and 1.6-fold less in HS than in CON hearts respectively, p < 0.05. LVDP% was 60.3 (s.e.m., 6.3) for HS and 42.9 (4.1) for CON, p < 0.05. In summary, heat stress pretreatment improves postischaemic recovery of function in isolated rat hearts and this is associated with suppressed JNK activation in response to ischaemia-reperfusion.     

The cardioprotective and mitochondrial depolarising properties of exogenous nitric oxide in mouse heart

OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide (NO) is reported to be both protective and detrimental in models of myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury, which may be concentration dependent. Our objective was to characterise this dichotomy using the nitric oxide donor, S-nitroso N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) in isolated perfused mouse heart and isolated mouse cardiac mitochondria. METHODS: To determine the effect of nitric oxide concentration on myocardial viability, isolated mouse hearts were subjected to 35 min global ischaemia and 30 min reperfusion in the presence of SNAP (0.02-20 microM). To determine whether NO mediated protection was via opening of the putative mitochondrial K(ATP) channel and/or free radical synthesis, SNAP perfused hearts were also treated with the mitochondrial K(ATP) channel blocker, 5-hydroxy decanoate (5-HD) and the free-radical scavenger, N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (MPG). This data was correlated with mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)), measured with the potentiometric dye, tetra-methyl rhodium methyl ester (TMRM), in isolated mitochondria,by flow cytometry. RESULTS: SNAP dose-dependently attenuated infarct size, with maximal protection observed at 2 microM (17+/-4% versus controls 32+/-3%, P<0.01). At greater concentrations however, protection was lost with infarct sizes tending towards control at 20 microM (29+/-3%). These results were paralleled by changes in Delta Psi(m) in the isolated mitochondria: Delta Psi(m) depolarisation peaking with 1 microM SNAP (26+/-4% shift in TMRM fluorescence, P<0.01); at greater concentrations, this relationship was lost. The mitochondrial K(ATP) channel blocker, 5-HD, resulted in both abrogation of SNAP infarct size reduction and concomitant loss of Delta Psi(m) depolarisation in the mitochondria. MPG however did not influence the cardioprotective properties of SNAP. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that nitric oxide can mediate cardioprotection in a dose-dependent fashion by an effect that may be related to Delta Psi(m). Both cardioprotection and Delta Psi(m) changes are sensitive to 5-HD and the cardioprotection appears independent of free-radical synthesis.     

Postconditioning the Isolated Working Rat Heart

PURPOSE: Despite the attention focussed on postconditioning (postC; brief cycles of reperfusion/ischaemia at the onset of reperfusion, conferring cardioprotection against reperfusion injury), an infarct sparing effect for postC in the isolated working heart model has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to develop a cardioprotective postC protocol in this model. METHODS: Hearts from male Wistar rats (210-350 g) were perfused either retrogradely (Langendorff) or in the working mode. For functional studies 30 or 35 min global ischaemia (GI) and 20 or 25 min GI were applied in the Langendorff and working heart models respectively. Infarct size was measured after 35 min regional ischaemia (RI) in both models. In the latter studies hearts were subdivided into low (36.5 degrees C) and high (37 degrees C) temperature groups (during both ischaemia and initial reperfusion). In all groups hearts were either freely reperfused (nonPostC) or postconditioned (postC) by 6 x 10 s ischaemia/reperfusion cycles. RESULTS: In both perfusion modes postC only elicited an infarct sparing effect after a slight elevation in temperature to 37 degrees C (Langendorff: L-nonPostC = 47.99 +/- 3.31% vs. L-postC = 27.81 +/- 2.49%, p < 0.0001; and work = W-nonPostC: 35.81 +/- 3.67% vs. W-postC = 17.74 +/- 2.72%, p < 0.001). However, only in the Langendorff group could postC conserve post-ischaemic function, while no significant recoveries were seen in the working hearts. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated an infarct sparing effect for postC in the working heart model, which unlike the Langendorff model, was not associated with functional preservation. The infarct sparing effect of postC in both models was however extremely sensitive to even slight fluctuations in temperature.     

Whole body heat stress fails to limit infarct size in the reperfused rabbit heart.

OBJECTIVE: It has recently been shown that induction of heat stress proteins by whole body heat stress confers myocardial protection in the isolated in vitro rat and rabbit heart. This study extends the above studies by examining the effects of stress protein synthesis on the limitation of infarct size in the in vivo rabbit heart model. METHODS: 30 male New Zealand white rabbits were used. Six rabbits were used for measurement of heat stress protein; 10 were used for infarct size determination in a heat stress group (HS); 14 were used for infarct size determination in a control group. There were 10 exclusions. Under anaesthesia, body temperature was raised to 42 degrees C for 15 min in the HS group. Following 24 hours of recovery rabbits were reanaesthetised and the hearts subjected to a 45 min period of regional ischaemia followed by 3 h reperfusion. The risk zone was defined with fluorescent particles and the infarct area determined by tetrazolium staining. Western blotting showed an increase in the 72 KD heat stress protein in hearts in the HS group. RESULTS: Infarct size as a percent of risk area was 61.4 (SEM 6.4)% (n = 14) in control hearts and 71.8(7.3)% (n = 10) in the HS hearts. These results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: No protective effect of heat stress could be seen when infarct size was used as the end point. Either the protection seen in earlier studies using the Krebs perfused isolated heart model does not accurately reflect protection against myocardial infarction, or heat stress itself may induce injurious factors in the blood which will negate any direct protective effect to the myocardium in this model.     

Infarct size limitation by adrenomedullin: protein kinase A but not PI3-kinase is linked to mitochondrial KCa channels

AIM: Adrenomedullin (ADM) has been shown to protect the heart against ischaemic injury, but little is known of the underlying mechanism. Mitochondrial Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (mitoK(Ca)) channels play a key role in cardioprotection. This study examined whether mitoK(Ca) channel is involved in the protection afforded by ADM. METHODS: Flavoprotein fluorescence in rabbit ventricular myocytes was measured to assay mitoK(Ca) channel activity. Infarct size in the isolated perfused rabbit hearts subjected to 30-min global ischaemia and 120-min reperfusion was determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. RESULTS: The mitoK(Ca) channel opener NS1619 (30 microM) partially oxidized flavoprotein. ADM (10 nM) augmented the NS1619-induced flavoprotein oxidation when applied after the effect of NS1619 had reached steady state. This potentiating effect of ADM was prevented by the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor KT5720 (200 nM), but not by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor LY294002 (5 microM). The mitoK(Ca) channel blocker paxilline (PX, 2 microM) completely blocked the oxidative effects of NS1619 in the presence of ADM. Treatment with ADM for 10 min before ischaemia significantly reduced infarct size after ischaemia/reperfusion from 63 +/- 3% in controls to 32 +/- 4% (P < 0.01). This infarct size-limiting effect of ADM was abolished by PX (61 +/- 2%), as well as by KT5720 (62 +/- 3%). ADM treatment for the first 10 min of reperfusion significantly reduced infarct size compared with controls (42 +/- 3%, P < 0.01). This cardioprotective effect of ADM was unaffected by PX (38 +/- 4%), but was abolished by LY294002 (60 +/- 4%). CONCLUSIONS: ADM augments the opening of mitoK(Ca) channels by PKA activation, but not by PI3-K activation. ADM treatment prior to ischaemia reduces infarct size via PKA-mediated activation of mitoK(Ca) channels. On the other hand, ADM treatment upon reperfusion reduces infarct size via a PI3-K-mediated pathway without activating mitoK(Ca) channels.     

Myocardial release of nitric oxide during ischaemia and reperfusion: effects of L-arginine and hypercholesterolaemia

AIMS: Nitric oxide (NO) may modulate myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, but effects of hypercholesterolaemia on myocardial NO release during I/R are unknown. METHODS: A NO-specific carbon fibre electrode continuously measured coronary sinus [NO] during 60 min low-flow ischaemia (1 ml/min) and 60 min free reperfusion (I/R) in isolated rabbit hearts. Experimental groups (n=7 per group) were control, L-arginine supplement (200 microM), N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) treatment (8 microM) and hypercholesterolaemic. RESULTS: During early I, NO release decreased markedly in control (-1356+/-286 pmol/min/g) and L-arginine (-1972+/-172) groups, but less in L-NAME (-441+/-89) and hypercholesterolaemic (-602+/-164) groups (both p<0.01 vs. controls). No increase in NO release during I was seen in any group. After R, NO release increased above baseline in control (+2333+/-591 pmol/min/g) and L-arginine (+1048+/-278) groups and hypercholesterolaemic (+1100+/-478) (p<0.05 vs. pre-ischaemia each group). There was little increase in NO release in the L-NAME group (+436+/-247 pmol/min/g, p<0.05 vs. controls). In each group, myocardial NO release declined towards pre-ischaemic levels during 60 min R. Hearts treated with L-arginine had similar NO release but better functional recovery than controls (p<0.01). Treatment with L-NAME was also associated with better functional recovery than in controls or hypercholesterolaemic hearts. CONCLUSION: Myocardial NO release declines rapidly during ischaemia, but increases above baseline during early reperfusion. Improved function after L-arginine treatment appears to be independent of effects upon NO release. Hypercholesterolaemia is associated with reduced myocardial NO release, under both baseline conditions and during ischaemia and reperfusion.     

Ischemic preconditioning: Infarct size is a more reliable endpoint than functional recovery

The search for the mechanism of preconditioning-induced cardioprotection has been hampered by controversial results obtained by workers using different animal species, experimental models, protocols and endpoints. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the perfusion model (retrograde vs working), the infarct size and severity of ischaemia (regional vs global) as well as the endpoint (functional recovery vs infarct size) in preconditioning. The isolated perfused rat heart was preconditioned by 3 × 5 min global ischaemia, followed by different periods of regional or global ischaemia and reperfusion. Ischaemic preconditioning of working hearts resulted in increased functional recovery after 25–35 min global ischaemia, while retrogradely perfused hearts showed no significant improvement (except after 30 min global ischaemia). In addition, the percentage reduction in functional performance during reperfusion observed in the latter group was signicantly less than in working hearts. Hearts were also subjected to regional ischaemia, perfused in either retrograde or working mode and infarct size determined. Regionally ischaemic working as well as retrogradely perfused hearts when preconditioned showed a signicant increase in functional recovery after 35 min ischaemia only. In contrast to global ischaemia, the percentage recovery in mechanical performance of regionally ischaemic hearts was not affected by the mode of perfusion. Preconditioning of working hearts caused a signicant reduction in infarct size after both 30 and 35 min ischaemia. However, preconditioned retrogradely perfused hearts showed a signicant decline in infarct size after 35 min regional ischaemia only. In conclusion, the effect of the perfusion mode on functional recovery is dependent on the size and severity of ischaemia. It also affects the ischaemic time at which infarct size reduction by prior preconditioning occurs in the retrogradely perfused heart.     

Classic ischemic but not pharmacologic preconditioning is abrogated following genetic ablation of the TNFalpha gene

OBJECTIVE: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is known to mimic ischemic preconditioning (IP). However, it is not known whether TNFalpha-preconditioning is mediated by 'established' preconditioning signaling or via novel signaling cascades. Moreover, whether TNFalpha is required to induce the ischemic preconditioning phenotype has not been determined. METHODS: To evaluate the role of TNFalpha, we determined the infarct-sparing effect of IP comparing TNFalpha null (TNFalpha-/-) and wild-type mice. The IP protocol included 4x5 min ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) prior to the index 35 min of global ischemia followed by 45 min of reperfusion in isolated perfused murine hearts. Infarct size was measured as a percentage of cardiac volume. To evoke particular signaling pathways numerous pharmacologic studies were performed. RESULTS: Following IP, infarct size was significantly reduced by 43% in wild-type mice. In contrast, infarct size was not attenuated by IP in the TNFalpha-/- group versus I/R controls (Infarct size-36+/-3%). Interestingly, pharmacologic preconditioning with adenosine (100 microM) and diazoxide (30 microM) mimicked IP in both the wild-type (infarct size-11+/-4% and 18+/-2%) and in TNFalpha-/- mice (infarct size-15+/-4% and 23+/-3%) versus respective I/R controls. Recombinant TNFalpha (0.5 ng/ml) administered for 7 min followed by a 10-min washout mimicked IP in wild-type mice but not in the TNFalpha deficient mouse hearts. The cardioprotective effects of IP, adenosine and TNFalpha were abolished by the co-administration of the putative mitochondrial K(ATP) blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that cardiac TNFalpha production is required for ischemic preconditioning-induced cardioprotection but not necessary in pharmacologic preconditioning with adenosine or diazoxide in TNFalpha-/- mice. Moreover, TNFalpha administration is sufficient to activate preconditioning in wild-type mice. Finally, as 5-hydroxydecanoate abrogates ischemic, adenosine and TNFalpha induced preconditioning, this suggests that diverse signaling pathways converge at the level of mitochondrial K(ATP) channel activation to mediate this cardioprotection.     

Nitric oxide as a mediator of delayed pharmacological (A(1) receptor triggered) preconditioning; is eNOS masquerading as iNOS?

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO), synthesised from the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), is implicated in mediating second window of protection (SWOP)/delayed ischemic preconditioning. However the role of NO and iNOS in delayed pharmacological protection remains unclear and is the subject of this investigation. METHODS: To test the hypothesis that iNOS is necessary for delayed pharmacological preconditioning, the adenosine A(1) receptor agonist, 2-chloro N(6) cyclopentyl adenosine (CCPA) (25 microg/kg i.v.) or saline was administered to wild type (WT) or iNOS gene knockout mice (KO). Twenty-four hours later, the hearts were isolated, Langendorff perfused and subjected to 35 min ischemia/30 min reperfusion prior to infarct size determination. RESULTS: WT and KO control hearts had identical infarct sizes of 37 +/- 3% and 37 +/- 2%, respectively. CCPA significantly reduced infarct size in WT hearts to 22 +/- 2% and also, unexpectedly, in KO hearts (27 +/- 2%). This protection was abrogated with the non-specific NOS inhibitor, N(omega) nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM), and could be mimicked in na?ve hearts with the NO donor, donor S-nitroso N-acetyl DL penicillamine (SNAP, 1 microM). Delayed protection appeared to be mediated by NO synthesis in both WT and KO hearts. Additional studies using Western blot analysis demonstrated endothelial NOS (eNOS) upregulation and increased NO(x) release in both WT and KO hearts. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate a role for eNOS in delayed A(1) receptor triggered (pharmacological) preconditioning, potentially representing a new pharmacological target for protecting the ischemic heart.     

Melatonin receptor-mediated protection against myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury: role of its anti-adrenergic actions

Melatonin has potent cardioprotective properties. These actions have been attributed to its free radical scavenging and anti-oxidant actions, but may also be receptor mediated. Melatonin also exerts powerful anti-adrenergic actions based on its effects on contractility of isolated papillary muscles. The aims of this study were to determine whether melatonin also has anti-adrenergic effects on the isolated perfused rat heart, to determine the mechanism thereof and to establish whether these actions contribute to protection of the heart during ischaemia/reperfusion. The results showed that melatonin (50 microM) caused a significant reduction in both isoproterenol (10(-7) M) and forskolin (10(-6) M) induced cAMP production and that both these responses were melatonin receptor dependent, since the blocker, luzindole (5 x 10(-6) M) abolished this effect. Nitric oxide (NO), as well as guanylyl cyclase are involved, as L-NAME (50 microM), an NO synthase inhibitor and ODQ (20 microM), a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, significantly counteracted the effects of melatonin. Protein kinase C (PKC), as indicated by the use of the inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide (50 microM), also play a role in melatonin's anti-adrenergic actions. These actions of melatonin are involved in its cardioprotection: simultaneous administration of L-NAME or ODQ with melatonin, before and after 35 min regional ischaemia, completely abolished its cardioprotection. PKC, on the other hand, had no effect on the melatonin-induced reduction in infarct size. Cardioprotection by melatonin was associated with a significant activation of PKB/Akt and attenuated activation of the pro-apoptotic kinase, p38MAPK during early reperfusion. In summary, the results show that melatonin-induced cardioprotection may be receptor dependent, and that its anti-adrenergic actions, mediated by NOS and guanylyl cyclase activation, are important contributors.     

Inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening at reperfusion protects against ischaemia-reperfusion injury

OBJECTIVE: The opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) in the first few minutes of post-ischaemic reperfusion is a critical determinant of reperfusion-induced cell death. We hypothesised that the novel immunosuppressant, sanglifehrin-A (SFA), given at the time of reperfusion, protects the myocardium from ischaemia-reperfusion injury, by suppressing mPTP opening. METHODS: Isolated perfused rat hearts were subjected to 35 min ischaemia/120 min reperfusion, and were treated with (1) SFA (1.0 microM) or (2) DMSO vehicle for the first 15 min of reperfusion or (3) SFA (1.0 microM) after the first 15 min of reperfusion. We examined the effect of SFA on mPTP opening directly, using a myocyte model of oxidative stress. Laser illumination of adult rat myocytes loaded with the fluorophore, TMRM, generates oxidative stress, which induces mPTP opening (represented by mitochondrial membrane depolarisation) followed by rigour contracture. RESULTS: In the isolated perfused heart model, SFA, given during the first 15 min of post-ischaemic reperfusion, reduced the infarct-risk volume ratio from 43.9+/-2.5% in the control group to 23.8+/-4.2% with SFA (p=0.001). However, when SFA was given after the first 15 min of reperfusion, there was no change in infarct size (43.8+/-5.7% with SFA vs. 43.9+/-2.5% in control; p=NS), suggesting that SFA has to be present during the first 15 min of reperfusion to induce protection. In the isolated adult myocyte model, SFA was shown to inhibit mPTP opening in the setting of oxidative stress, represented by an increase in the ROS threshold required to induce: mitochondrial membrane depolarisation (from 269+/-21 to 777+/-100 s; p<0.001) and rigour contracture (from 613+/-14 to 1329+/-129 s; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Inhibiting mPTP opening during the first few minutes of reperfusion, using sanglifehrin-A, limits infarct size and protects myocytes from oxidative stress.     

Preischemic infusion of alpha-human atrial natriuretic peptide elicits myoprotection through a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism

OBJECTIVES: Alpha-human atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha-hANP) has been used to treat patients with heart failure due to its natriuretic and vasodilatory activities. Recent reports have suggested that alpha-hANP generates nitric oxide (NO) that is known to be involved in myoprotective mechanisms. In this study, the effects of preischemic infusion of alpha-hANP against reperfusion injury were evaluated. METHODS: Isolated rat (Sprague-Dawley rat, age 8-10 weeks, weight 260-340 g) hearts were subjected to Langendorff perfusion with buffered Krebs-Henseleit solution and were divided into three groups: Six hearts were treated with 0.1 microM of alpha-hANP for 10 min (Group H), six hearts with 1 mM of a NO synthetase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) for 5 min before alpha-hANP (Group L), and six hearts served as the controls with no interventions (Group C). All groups were then subjected to 20 min of global ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Left ventricular pressures and coronary flow were measured throughout the experiment and infarct size was evaluated at the end of the experiments. RESULTS: Treatment with alpha-hANP significantly reduced infarct size as compared to control hearts whereas pretreatment with L-NAME almost reversed the preventive effect (Group C = 42.7 +/- 2.3%, Group H = 26.1 +/- 2.8% *, Group L = 39.0 +/- 1.6%; * p < 0.01 vs Group C). There were no significant differences in left ventricular pressure and coronary flow between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preischemic infusion of alpha-hANP may provide myoprotective effects against postischemic reperfusion, possibly through a NO-dependent mechanism.     

The protective role of heat stress in the ischaemic and reperfused rabbit myocardium.

Cells subjected to increases in temperature induce the expression of several proteins known as heat shock or stress proteins. This process enhances the cell's ability to overcome the effects of further stress. In this respect, the effects of heat stress have been reported to protect the hearts of rats following ischaemia and reperfusion. We have confirmed and extended this observation, not only using different indices of myocardial injury but also in another species, namely the rabbit. Animals were anaesthetized and the body temperature raised to 42 degrees C for a 15-min period. Controls were treated in the same way but without heating. Twenty-four hours later the rabbits were re-anaesthetized and the hearts removed for either heat stress protein analysis or perfusion with Krebs buffer using an isolated perfused heart apparatus. Hearts were subjected to 60 min of low flow (1 ml/min) ischaemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion. All hearts subjected to heat stress showed an enhanced recovery of function upon reperfusion as measured by improvements in developed pressure (27.3 +/- 3.6 vs 16.3 +/- 3.0 mmHg) and diastolic pressure (37.3 +/- 7.4 vs 54.7 +/- 3.1 mmHg). In addition, creatine kinase release, associated with reperfusion, was significantly reduced in the heat-stressed hearts (532 +/- 102 vs 1138 +/- 73 mU/min/g wet wt). Myocardial accumulation and release of oxidized glutathione, an index of oxidative stress, was significantly reduced in the heat-stressed group (0.003 +/- 0.003 vs 0.376 +/- 0.113 nmol/min/g wet wt). The improved metabolic status of the reperfused heat-stressed hearts was further demonstrated by a significant conservation in the levels of ATP (6.1 +/- 0.9 vs 2.8 +/- 0.8 mumol/g dry wt) and CP (36.9 +/- 6.4 vs 16.4 +/- 5.1 mumol/g dry wt). Finally, isolated mitochondrial function in terms of respiratory control index (RCI) was maintained in the heat-stressed hearts (9.2 +/- 0.9 vs 5.7 +/- 0.2) and overloading with calcium was reduced. These data extend the hypothesis that heat stress protects the heart following ischaemia and reperfusion in this in vitro model, in a way as yet undetermined.     

Effects of N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine on mitochondrial function in ischemic-reperfused heart

OBJECTIVE: A possible mechanism for N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (MPG) underlying the improvement of contractile function and mitochondrial activity of ischemic-reperfused rat hearts was examined. METHODS: Isolated, perfused hearts were subjected to 35 min ischemia-60 min reperfusion. At the end of ischemia or reperfusion, myocardial Na(+) content and mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were examined. The perfused heart was treated with 0.1-1 mM MPG for 30 min prior to ischemia or for the first 30 min of reperfusion. RESULTS: Ischemia increased myocardial Na(+) content (sodium overload) and decreased mitochondrial OCR. The left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) of the untreated heart recovered to 19.8+/-3.8% of the preischemic value and the infarct area amounted to 23.3+/-1.7% of the left ventricle. The thiobarbiturate-reacting substance (TRS) was also increased in the reperfused, but not ischemic, myocardium. Pretreatment of the perfused heart with 0.3-1 mM MPG attenuated the ischemia-induced sodium overload and decrease in the OCR. Pretreatment with the agent also enhanced the postischemic recovery of LVDP, attenuated reperfusion-induced increase in TRS, and reduced the infarct area. Although the postischemic treatment with MPG suppressed the increase in TRS in the reperfused myocardium, a LVDP recovery of reperfused hearts was not observed. Cardiac mitochondria were isolated and examined for the direct effect of MPG on their function. Incubation with either 12.5 mM sodium lactate or 1 microM phenylarsine oxide neither altered the mitochondrial membrane potential nor induced mitochondrial swelling, whereas incubation with a combination of these agents elicited the membrane potential depolarization and swelling. Incubation of mitochondria with 1 mM MPG attenuated these events. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that both attenuation of sodium overload and preservation of the mitochondrial function may largely contribute to cardioprotection of MPG in the ischemic-reperfused heart.     

Naloxone blocks transferred preconditioning in isolated rabbit hearts

We have shown that the cardioprotective benefits of ischemic preconditioning (PC) can be transferred from PC to virgin acceptor hearts via coronary effluent transfusion, implicating the presence of hormonal preconditioning factor(s). Using isolated buffer-perfused rabbit hearts, our aims were to: (1) determine whether the protective factor(s) could be concentrated and recovered by reverse phase chromatography and (2) whether opioid receptor activation contributes to this transferred cardioprotection. Material released into the coronary effluent during PC ischemia/reperfusion or normoxic perfusion was concentrated by reverse phase chromatography. In phase one, hearts received no intervention (controls), PC ischemia, concentrate generated from normoxic hearts (normoxic acceptors) or concentrate from PC hearts (PC acceptors). All hearts underwent 40 min of global ischemia, and area of necrosis (AN) was delineated by tetrazolium staining. In phase two, three additional groups of hearts (control, PC and PC acceptors) received the opioid antagonist naloxone (2 microM) throughout the intervention phase. Treatment with normoxic concentrate had no effect on infarct size: (AN: normoxic acceptors 39+/-8%; control 42+/-8%). In contrast, treatment with PC concentrate evoked cardioprotection equivalent to that afforded by conventional PC (AN 19+/-5% and 21+/-6% respectively P<0.05 v control). Naloxone had no effect on infarct size in controls, and did not inhibit preconditioning. However, naloxone abrogated the protection achieved by transfer of PC concentrate (AN: 44+/-7%). These results indicate that PC concentrate evokes a cardioprotective effect via a mechanism requiring an intact opioid receptor system.     

COX-2: an in vivo evidence of its participation in heat stress-induced myocardial preconditioning

OBJECTIVE: Heat stress (HS) is known to induce delayed protection against myocardial infarction. We have previously shown that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), was involved in mediating this form of preconditioning. Since iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) are co-induced in various cell types, the goal of this study was to investigate whether COX-2 could also participate to the HS-induced cardioprotection. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 78 male Wistar rats, subjected to either heat stress (42 degrees C for 15 min) or sham anaesthesia were used for this study. Twenty-four hours later, they were treated or not with a selective COX-2 inhibitor, either celecoxib (3 mg kg(-1), i.p.) or NS-398 (5 mg kg(-1), i.p.), 30 min before being subjected to a 30-min occlusion of the left coronary artery followed by a 120-min reperfusion, in vivo. HS resulted in a marked increase in myocardial COX-2 protein expression at 24 h, associated with a significant protection against infarction (46.0+/-1.4% in sham vs. 26.8+/-3.8% in HS group) (P相似文献   

SB 203580, a Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Inhibitor, Abolishes Resistance to Myocardial Infarction Induced by Heat Stress

Heat stress (HS) is known to confer protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury, including mechanical dysfunction and myocardial necrosis. However, the mechanisms involved in this cardioprotection are yet to be elucidated. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades have been demonstrated to be involved in cellular response to different stresses. In particular, p38 MAP kinase is known to be activated by HS. Therefore, we investigated the implication of this kinase in HS-induced resistance to myocardial infarction, in the isolated rat heart model, using SB 203580 (SB) to selectively inhibit p38 MAP kinase. Rats were treated with SB (2.83 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (1% DMSO in saline, i.p.) before they were either heat stressed (42°C for 15 minutes) or sham anesthetized. Their hearts were isolated 24 hours later, retrogradely perfused, and subjected to a 35-minute occlusion of the left coronary artery followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion. The infarct-to-risk ratio was significantly reduced in HS (16.9 ± 2.0%) compared with sham (41.6 ± 2.5%) hearts. This reduction in infarct size was abolished in the SB 203580–treated group (37.8 ± 1.9% in HS + SB vs. 42.0 ± 1.9% in sham + SB). Risk zones were similar between experimental groups. Western blot analysis of the myocardial HSP72 showed an HS-induced increase of this protein, which was not modified by the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, SB 203580. We conclude that activation of p38 MAP kinase appears to play a role in the functional cardioprotection associated with the heat stress response, which seems to be unrelated to the HSP72 level. Further investigations are required to elucidate the precise role of the p38 MAP kinase and heat stress proteins in this adaptative response.     

Is a functional sarcoplasmic reticulum necessary for preconditioning?

Several studies have shown that the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning (PC) is associated with decreased calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). However, no study has yet demonstrated whether these changes are essential in the mechanism of PC. In order to investigate whether a functional SR was necessary for PC, we manipulated SR calcium handling using (i) 0.1microM ryanodine (RY), a concentration known to lock the SR calcium release channel in the open state and (ii) 50microM cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), a specific inhibitor of the SR calcium ATPase. Initial experiments confirmed that both RY and CPA eliminated the ability of the SR to accumulate calcium. Isolated rat hearts (n=6-7/group) were perfused normoxically for 30 min prior to either a further 40 min of perfusion [control (C)] or 4x[5 min ischemia (I) + 5 min reperfusion (R)] (PC). All hearts were then subjected to a further 40 min I + 40 min R. The C and PC protocols were then repeated in the presence of RY or CPA, introduced after 10 min of perfusion.(31)P-NMR was used to measure ATP, PCr, P(i)and intracellular pH. RY and CPA decreased developed pressure (DP) by 75% and 59%, respectively. Percentage recovery of LVDP was significantly higher in PC (72+/-8%), PC+RY (72+/-7%) and PC+CPA (49+/-7%) groups compared with their respective controls (43+/-7%, 47+/-7% and 10+/-4%) (P<0.05). Thus, PC remains protective in the presence of a SR unable to accumulate calcium, suggesting that the changes in SR calcium release are not essential in the mechanism of preconditioning.