Regional distribution of citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in the bovine heart

Gradients of oxidative and glycolytic enzyme activities in the heart were studied by comparing samples taken from 10 locations from each of six bull hearts, within 30 min after slaughter. Citrate synthase (CS) was used as a marker of the oxidative potential and the lactate dehydrogenase (LD) subunits II and M as markers of aerobic glycolytic and anaerobic glycolytic potential respectively. CS activity in the ventricular tissue was greater than that of the right atrium, and no difference was found between the right and left ventricles. The left ventricular free wall had higher CS activity at the base than at the apex of the heart. Both the H and M subunit activities of LD increased in the following order: right atrium, right ventricle, ventricular septum, left ventricle. The left ventricular free wall showed higher H and M subunit activities at the base than at the apex. Within the left ventricular wall at the base, subendocardium had higher H and M subunit activities than subepicardium. The M subunit constituted the highest fraction of LD in the subendocardium and in the papillary muscle of the left ventricle. In conclusion, this study suggests that there are metabolic differences along both the radial and the longitudinal axes of the left ventricle and across the ventricular septum. These differences indicate that the greatest cellular stress, both aerobic glycolytic and anaerobic glycolytic in nature, occurs within the subendocardium at the base of the left ventricle and in the left ventricular papillary muscle.     

Collagen remodeling after myocardial infarction in the rat heart.

In this study changes in the amount and distribution of types I and III collagen mRNA and protein were investigated in the rat heart after induction of a left ventricular myocardial infarction (MI). Sham operated rats served as controls. The animals were sacrificed at different time intervals after operation. Northern blotting of cardiac RNA and hybridization with cDNA probes for types I and III procollagen revealed a 5- to 15-fold increase in the infarcted left ventricle. Type III procollagen mRNA levels were already increased at day 2 after MI, whereas type I procollagen mRNA followed this response at day 4 after MI. This increase was sustained for at least 21 days in the infarcted left ventricle for type III procollagen mRNA, whereas type 1 procollagen mRNA levels were still elevated at 90 days after MI. In the noninfarcted right ventricle a 5- to 7-fold increase was observed for both type I and type III procollagen mRNA levels, but only at day 4 after MI. In the non-infarcted septum a transient increase was observed for type I procollagen mRNA from day 7-21 (4- to 5-fold increase) and a decline to sham levels thereafter. In the septum type III procollagen mRNA levels were only elevated at 7 days after MI (4- to 5-fold increase) compared with sham operated controls. In situ hybridization with the same types I and III procollagen probes showed procollagen mRNA-producing cells in the infarcted area around necrotic cardiomyocytes, and in the interstitial cells in the non-infarcted part of the myocardium. No labeling was detected above cardiomyocytes. Combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed that the collagen mRNA producing cells have a myofibroblast-like phenotype in the infarcted myocardium and are fibroblasts in the noninfarcted septum and right ventricle. The increase in types I and III procollagen mRNA in both infarcted and non-infarcted myocardium was followed by an increased collagen deposition, measured by computerized morphometry on sirius red-stained tissue sections as well as by the hydroxyproline assay. In the non-infarcted septum and right ventricle the collagen-positive area was maximal at day 14 (3- to 5-fold increase compared with sham operated controls) and slightly declined at day 21. In the infarcted myocardium the collagen-positive area was 57 +/- 10% at day 14 after MI. Hydroxyproline contents were significantly increased in the noninfarcted septum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

鸡胚心室小梁发育与肌性室间隔的形成

用显微解剖术和扫描电镜方法观察第２０－２９期鸡胚心室小梁的发育及肌性室间隔的形成过程。心脏外部观，原始心室左右部无明显的囊袋样扩张。在原始心室内部，小梁完全形成后即呈出出左右部分的形态差异。小梁在原始心室中线偏右处开始聚集，随后渐融合在一起，形成肌性室间隔。本研究表明，心室小染不仅是一种有规律排列的结构，而且与肌性室间隔的形成有关。     

Extracellular matrix proteins and matrix metalloproteinases differ between various right and left ventricular sites in end-stage cardiomyopathies

This study was undertaken to investigate whether there might be differences in the distribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), depending on their specific sites within the heart. We investigated 33 explanted human hearts, 15 with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 18 with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Transmural samples from the right ventricle, the interventricular septum and the left ventricle, either from near the apex or from near the base were taken from every heart. Frozen sections were processed for connective tissue staining and immunohistochemistry for collagens type I, III, IV, laminin and fibronectin, as well as MMP-1, -2 and -9. Volume densities of laminin in ICM as well as of fibronectin and collagen types I and IV in DCM showed significant differences between right and left ventricular sites. The volume densities of matrix proteins usually did not reveal significant differences among the three left ventricular sites tested in both DCM and ICM. MMPs partly showed differences between the right and the left ventricular myocardium. These results suggest that the distributions of ECM proteins and MMPs differ between the two ventricles in both end-stage DCM and ICM. This gives rise to the hypothesis that a specific pattern of ECM degradation exists in the right and left ventricular myocardium.     

Compensatory cardiac mechanisms evoked by acute occlusion of the right coronary artery in dogs

The cardiac response to intermittent occlusion of the right coronary artery was examined in anesthetized open-chest dogs at different levels of blood volume. The reduction in stroke volume averaged 15 +/- 2% and was related to the extent of the ischemic area (r = 0.72), which comprised 45-70% of the free wall of the right ventricle. Ultrasonic recordings of segment lengths showed end-diastolic distention and activation of the Frank-Starling mechanism in the uninjured parts of the free wall. The transseptal end-diastolic pressure difference was abolished, suggesting movement of the interventricular septum to the left. Nevertheless, the relationship between stroke volume and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (left ventricular function curve) as well as the relationship between stroke volume and the end-diastolic segment length of the left ventricular free wall were unaltered. Comparisons of data obtained at similar stroke volume showed activation of the Frank-Starling mechanism in the interventricular septum which may compensate for the negative effect of a change in its position.     

核纤层蛋白A、转录因子TBX3、缝隙连接蛋白43表达与小鼠胚胎心发育

目的 探讨小鼠胚胎心脏工作心肌和传导系心肌在形态发生和分化过程中核纤层蛋白A（lamin A）、转录因子TBX3、缝隙连接蛋白43（Cx43）的表达特点。
方法 用抗α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）、抗心肌肌球蛋白重链（MHC）、抗α-横纹肌肌动蛋白（α-SCA）、抗胰岛因子1（ISL-1）、抗Cx43、抗lamin A和抗转录因子TBX3,对46只胚龄8～15d小鼠胚胎心脏连续石蜡切片进行免疫组织化学及免疫荧光染色。 结果 胚龄9d,TBX3在原始心管的表达集中在房室管壁。10d始,TBX3阳性的表达逐渐从房室管壁沿着静脉瓣延续至窦房结、右心房背侧壁和房间隔。胚龄12～13d,TBX3阳性表达结构构成了中枢传导系雏形,包括窦房结、左右静脉瓣、房间隔、房室管、房室结和房室束。Cx43首先在胚龄9d的左心室腹侧壁和部分小梁心肌出现弱阳性表达,随着发育,Cx43逐渐在TBX3阴性的心房、心室工作心肌表达。Lamin A首先出现在10d房室管心内膜垫间充质细胞和左心室部分小梁心肌,随后在右心室小梁心肌出现,至胚龄15d,心室和心房小梁心肌及房室瓣均可见lamin A阳性表达,但致密心肌和中枢传导系心肌持续呈阴性表达。 结论 中枢传导系统雏形在小鼠胚龄13d形成,呈TBX3阳性,Cx43阴性的互补性表达。致密心肌和中枢传导系心肌在15d仍为lamin A表达阴性,说明此部分心肌分化成熟较晚。     

胎心不同部位心肌酶的分布

目的：探讨人胎心各腔壁的某些酶的含量及其在胚胎发育过程中的变化规律。方法：用组织化学方法和组织扫描光度测定法,观察了胎儿和成人心脏的5种酶。结果：乳酸脱氧酶（LDH）、琥珀酸脱氢酶（SDH）、6-磷酸葡萄糖脱氢酶（G-6-PDH）、细胞色素氧化酶（CCO）在心室壁的含量均明显大于心房壁,且右心大于左心;三磷酸腺苷酸酶（ATPase）在心房的含量略大于右心室,心房和右心室明显大于左心事。结论：人体胎心各腔壁内某些酶的含量存在差别,这种差别可能与相应的结构和功能相关。     

胎儿心脏连接蛋白43的表达

目的:研究胎儿心脏不同部位连接蛋白43(Cx43)的表达。方法：应用SP免疫组化方法和图像处理系统，分析和比较胎儿心脏不同腔室心肌细胞Cx43的表达。结果：(1)胎儿心脏Cx43的蛋白表达在心脏4个腔均有，呈斑点状遍布于整个心房肌和心室肌的细胞质内和细胞膜表面，少数位于闰盘处。(2)Cx43主要在心室肌表达，心房较少。左、右心房肌和房间隔之间及左、右心室肌和室间隔之间的分布相似。结论：胎儿心脏Cx43蛋白表达主要分布于心肌细胞质内和细胞表面。心室表达多于心房，这种差异可能与胎儿期心房和心室之间功能差异有关。     

Coenzyme Q10: clinical benefits with biochemical correlates suggesting a scientific breakthrough in the management of chronic heart failure

There are obviously several causes of myocardial dysfunction but energy deficiency of the myocytes may play a significant role and probably is a common mechanism during the progression of myocardial failure. Theoretically, a poor utilization efficiency of oxygen may be due to exhaustion of the myocardial stores of bioenergetics. In this report the authors review their biochemical results from measurements of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels in blood and human endomyocardial biopsies using an HPLC method from patients with suspected myocardial disease (n = 45). The levels of CoQ10, which has a key role in the respiratory chain and the synthesis of ATP, was found to be significantly decreased in various groups of patients with myocardial failure (dilated and restrictive cardiomyopathy and alcoholic heart disease) as compared to "normal" myocardium (0.42 +/- 0.04 micrograms/mg dry weight). The deficiency of CoQ10 was more pronounced with increasing symptoms; e.g. patients with dilated cardiomyopathy in NYHA Classes III and IV had lower tissue CoQ10 content than those of Classes I and II (0.28 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.37 +/- 0.06 micrograms/mg, p less than 0.001). Nearly two thirds of a series of 40 patients in severe heart failure (Classes III and IV) treated with CoQ10, 100 mg daily, in an open, controlled design showed subjective and objective improvement. Clinical responders were 69% and 43% of patients with cardiomyopathy and ischaemic heart disease, respectively. The results suggest that CoQ10 is a novel and effective breakthrough in heart-failure therapy and it appears safe, as no adverse reactions were registered. The through in heart-failure therapy and it appears safe, as no adverse reactions were registered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Decreased level of cardiac antioxidants in endurance-trained rats

Han-Wistar rats were exposed to a 194-200 h swimming protocol which caused a significant increase in the cardiac weight. The levels of various tissue antioxidants were assayed from the myocardium of the right ventricle and from the left ventricle (subendo- and subepimyocardium). This endurance training decreased the activities of catalase in the right ventricle and in the subendo- and subepimyocardium and Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase in the subendomyocardium as well as the concentration of vitamin E in the right ventricle and in the subendomyocardium. Also, the activity of thioredoxin reductase decreased in each part of myocardium and that of glutathione reductase in the right ventricle and in the subepimyocardium. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase increased in the right ventricle and in the subepimyocardium. The activity of glutathione peroxidase and the total tissue contents of carnosine and anserine and tissue sulphydryl groups remained unchanged as compared to the control group. The endurance training caused only minor changes in the regional distribution of antioxidants. The major findings were the disappearance of the difference in the activity of catalase between the right and the left ventricle and the increase in the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as compared to that of the left ventricle. The results show that endurance training by swimming decreases the level of cardiac antioxidants. This decrease may be due to the increased oxygen metabolism and the subsequent increase in the formation of oxygen free radicals, which could deplete the antioxidant pool.     

Coenzyme Q10 in dilated cardiomyopathy

The authors have tried to study the therapeutic efficacy of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In fact, CoQ10 has been shown to be deficient in myocardial tissue biopsies taken from DCM hearts, compared to normal hearts. Thirty patients with histological diagnosis of DCM were orally treated with CoQ10 (100 mg/die) for 2 months. Before and after treatment a clinical examination with determination of NYHA class and an echocardiographic examination with determination of ejection fraction (EF) and of telediastolic (TDV) and telesystolic (TSV) volumes were performed, and blood was drawn for plasma CoQ10 determination. In seven patients the pretreatment endomyocardial level of CoQ10 was also assayed. Seven patients left the study because of poor therapeutic compliance. In 47% of patients the clinical symptomatology regressed, with improvement of NYHA class. The EF improved from 0.31 +/- 0.09 to 0.37 +/- 0.11 (p less than 0.001). The TDV passed from 262.2 +/- 85 ml to 203.3 +/- 83 ml (p less than 0.05), and the TSV from 166.13 +/- 75 ml to 126.9 +/- 56 ml (ns). The CoQ10 plasmatic levels improved in 95% of the patients: from 0.74 +/- 0.37 micrograms/ml to 2.27 +/- 0.99 micrograms/ml (p +/- 0.0001). The CoQ10 myocardial levels did not show univocal values, but the patients with lower myocardial levels seemed to have a better therapeutic response. These data suggest that the CoQ10 deficiency in DCM may be reversible and that the therapeutic effects depend on the basal plasmatic and myocardial levels. Therapy with coenzyme Q10 may be considered to be an efficacious aid in the traditional treatment of chronic cardiac failure.     

Pathomorphology of myocardial circulation: Comparative study in increased left or right ventricle afterload

Comparative study of pathomorphology of myocardial circulation under conditions of increased afterload of the left or right ventricles showed similar changes. All compartments of the coronary bed were plethoric, capillary blood stasis and perivascular edema, more pronounced in arterial vessels, were detected in both cases. These changes equally involved both ventricles and the ventricular septum. Significant differences consisted in local increase in the density of functioning capillaries. The increase was the maximum in hemodynamically overloaded ventricle and ventricular septum, presumably due to increase of their contractile activity. The density of functioning capillaries in the intact (vs. pressure overloaded) ventricle also increased, but to a lesser degree, which could be due to systemic neurohumoral effects. If increased afterload was complicated by the development of heart failure, circulatory disorders in the myocardium progressed. Significant increase in the density of functioning capillaries in all cardiac compartments indicated decreased vascular tone and exhaustion of coronary reserve. This was paralleled by a sharp arterial plethora in case of increased afterload of the left ventricle and sharp blood stasis in the microcirculatory bed in case of increased right ventricle afterload. Reduction of effective perfusion pressure in the presence of coronary dystonia can cause coronary insufficiency and myocardial ischemia in case of increased right ventricle afterload. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 3, pp. 352–356, March, 2008     

Effects of right and left vagal stimulation on left ventricular acetylcholine levels in the cat.

To test the effectiveness of, and the interactions between, right and left vagal stimulation on left ventricular acetylcholine (ACh) levels, we applied the dialysis technique to the heart of anaesthetized cats. Dialysis probes were implanted in the left ventricular myocardium and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing eserine. Dialysate ACh content was measured as an index of ACh release from post-ganglionic vagal nerve terminals in the left ventricular myocardium. We electrically stimulated the right and left cervical vagal nerves separately or together and investigated the dialysate ACh response. In two different regions of the left ventricle, substantial dialysate ACh responses were observed by the stimulation (20 Hz) of both right and left cervical vagal nerves. At stimulation frequencies of both 10 and 20 Hz, the dialysate ACh response to the bilateral vagal stimulation was almost algebraically the calculated sum of the individual dialysate ACh responses to unilateral vagal stimulation. In conclusion, ACh levels in the left ventricle are affected by both right and left vagal nerves and show little evidence of interactions between right and left vagal nerves at the level of the cardiac ganglia.     

Effects of right and left vagal stimulation on left ventricular acetylcholine levels in the cat

To test the effectiveness of, and the interactions between, right and left vagal stimulation on left ventricular acetylcholine (ACh) levels, we applied the dialysis technique to the heart of anaesthetized cats. Dialysis probes were implanted in the left ventricular myocardium and perfused with Krebs–Henseleit buffer containing eserine. Dialysate ACh content was measured as an index of ACh release from post‐ganglionic vagal nerve terminals in the left ventricular myocardium. We electrically stimulated the right and left cervical vagal nerves separately or together and investigated the dialysate ACh response. In two different regions of the left ventricle, substantial dialysate ACh responses were observed by the stimulation (20 Hz) of both right and left cervical vagal nerves. At stimulation frequencies of both 10 and 20 Hz, the dialysate ACh response to the bilateral vagal stimulation was almost algebraically the calculated sum of the individual dialysate ACh responses to unilateral vagal stimulation. In conclusion, ACh levels in the left ventricle are affected by both right and left vagal nerves and show little evidence of interactions between right and left vagal nerves at the level of the cardiac ganglia.     

Relationship between left and right ventricular function in experimental acute focal ischemia]

Experiments were conducted on rats to record the parameters characterizing the real and maximally accessible function of the left and right ventricles in acute focal ischemia of the myocardium of these parts 5, 20, 40, and 60 minutes after ligation of the corresponding coronary artery. It was established that disorders of synchronism in heart activity are greater in injury to the right than in those to the left ventricle.     

Distribution of potassium and sodium in the heart of various animals

Summary The total potassium and sodium content was studied in various portions and tissues of the heart of 25 frogs, 40 rats, 26 rabbits, 3 cats, 2 dogs and 18 oxen. The myocardium of different portions of the heart may be placed in the following order according to the rise of the potassium content: the right and left auricle, the right and left ventricle. The sodium content in these portions decreases in reverse order to the potassium. Level K/Na coefficient for auricular myocardium approaches 1, and for ventricular myocardium, 2. In specific muscles of the ox heart the content of potassium is lower than in the myocardium and increases from the sinus and atriventricular nodes to the bundle of His and the fasciculi of the bundle of His. The sodium content therein has a reverse distribution gradient. Their K/Na coefficients are correspondingly 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8. The sum of potassium and sodium content in the myocardium of auricles and ventricles is the same. The sinus and atrioventricular nodes are characterized by the highest sum of potassium and sodium level as compared with other portions of the conduction system and myocardium.(Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR, V. V. Parin) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 54, No. 11, pp. 58–62, November, 1962     

骨形态发生蛋白-2在小鼠胚胎心流出道发育中的作用

目的 探讨骨形态发生蛋白-2(BMP-2)在小鼠胚胎心流出道发育过程中的作用。 方法 对胚龄9d(E9) ～E15（各胚龄取3～7只）小鼠心连续石蜡切片,用抗α-横纹肌肌动蛋白(α-SCA)抗体、抗胰岛素增强子结合蛋白(ISL-1)抗体、抗增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)抗体、抗BMP-2抗体进行免疫组织化学染色。结果 E9,流出道心胶质内无细胞,心肌增殖活性低,BMP-2弱表达于流出道心肌、心内膜及心包腔背侧壁。E9～11,流出道增长,心包腔背侧壁ISL-1阳性细胞至流出道远端分化为心肌细胞后增殖逐渐减弱。E10～11,流出道嵴内间充质细胞逐渐增加,可见BMP-2、PCNA阳性细胞;流出道BMP-2表达逐渐增强达高峰,向两端延伸逐渐减弱,动脉端可及心包反折处。E12,流出道缩短,BMP-2表达减弱。E13～15,流出道隔逐渐肌化,BMP-2在心脏近大血管部心肌呈较弱表达。E10～13,流出道远段心肌呈低增殖活性,近段及右心室心肌增殖成小梁致右心室形成及扩大。结论 BMP-2诱导第二生心区(SHF)细胞分化为心肌细胞添加至心动脉端,参与心流出道嵴的发育。BMP-2抑制流出道心肌增殖,流出道近段BMP 2表达减弱重启了心肌细胞增殖,致右心室形成及流出道缩短。低水平的BMP 2可能诱导流出道隔间充质细胞向心肌分化。     

Effects of dopamine and sodium nitroprusside on myocytes of regional arteries and veins during whole-body hypothermia and hypoxia

Effects of repeated treatment (5 times) with L-NAME, a NO synthase (eNOS) inhibitor on DNA synthesis in various zones of the heart in newborn albino rats was studied using ³H-thymidine autoradiography. This compound decreased (by 1.22-1.59 times) the count of labeled cardiomyocyte nuclei in various myocardial zones, particularly, in the myocardium of the left atrium, left ventricle, and interventricular septum. Changes in tissue proliferative activity were accompanied by activation of lipid peroxidation and inhibition of the antioxidant system in the myocardium.