Triggering role of nitric oxide in the delayed protective effect of monophosphoryl lipid A in rat heart.

1. The main objective of the present study was to further evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in delayed cardiac protection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury induced by monophosphoryl lipid A (MLA). 2. For this purpose, rats were administered with either 0.5 or 2.5 mg kg(-1) MLA (i.p.). Eight or 24 h later, in vivo NO production in the heart was analysed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping technique. In parallel experiments, hearts were removed and perfused according to Langendorff. Functional ventricular parameters and incidence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) were determined after 30 min global ischaemic insult (37 degrees C) followed by 30 min reperfusion. Vascular reactivity of aortic rings was also assessed. 3. Hearts from rats pretreated with 2.5 mg kg(-1) MLA for 24 h (but not those from rats treated with 0.5 mg kg(-1) MLA for 8 and 24 h, or with 2.5 mg kg(-1) MLA for 8 h) exhibited preservation of ventricular function (LVDP, +/-dP/dtmax) and a reduced incidence of VF (25% vs 87.5% in vehicle control) during reperfusion. At the cardioprotective dose of 2.5 mg kg(-1) (for 8 or 24 h), MLA did not produce alterations of the contractile response of aortic rings to noradrenaline. 4. An increased formation of NO was detected in hearts removed from rats pretreated with 2.5 mg kg(-1) MLA for 8 h, but not in those from rats treated for 24 h (or with 0.5 mg kg(-1) MLA). 5. Pretreatment of the animals with the inhibitors of inducible NO-synthase, aminoguanidine (2x300 mg kg(-1)) or L-N6-(1-Iminoethyl)-lysine (L-NIL, 10 mg kg(-1)) abolished both MLA (2. 5 mg kg(-1))-induced rise of NO production (observed 8 h after MLA) and cardioprotection (observed 24 h after MLA). However MLA-induced cardioprotection was not attenuated when the hearts were perfused with aminoguanidine (150 microM) for 30 min before the ischaemic insult. 6. Altogether, the present data suggest that NO acts as a trigger rather then a direct mediator of the delayed cardioprotective effect of MLA in rat heart.     

血红素氧合酶—1介导单磷酰酯A诱导的心脏延迟保护

目的:研究血红素氧合酶-Ⅰ(HO-Ⅰ)是否参与单磷酰酯A诱导的心脏延迟保护作用.方法:在体大鼠心脏缺血-再灌损伤模型,缺血前24小时应用单磷酰酯A(500μg/kg,ip)诱导心脏延迟保护,观察单磷酰酯A对心肌梗死面积、肌酸激酶(CK)活性以及血清一氧化氮(NO)浓度的影响,并检测心脏HO-ⅠmRNA和蛋白的表达.结果:单磷酰酯A明显缩小心梗面积,减少CK释放以及显著升高血清NO浓度(P<0.01).这些作用可被预先给予一氧化氮合酶抑制剂L-亚硝基精氨酸甲酯(L-NAME,10mg/kg,ip)和血红素氧合酶抑制剂锌原叶啉LX(ZnPP-9,45μmol/kg,ip)所取消(P<0.01);单磷酰酯A明显增加心脏HO-ⅠmRNA和蛋白的表达,这一作用不被L-NAME所影响(P>0.05).结论:HO-Ⅰ/NO途径介导单磷酰酯A诱导的延迟心脏保护.     

The involvement of cytokines in the second window of ischaemic preconditioning

We utilized a rat model of myocardial infarction to investigate whether manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), an intrinsic radical scavenger, and tumour necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-alpha) and/or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) are involved in the late phase of ischaemic preconditioning (IP). IP was induced in anaesthetized rats by four 3-min left coronary artery (LCA) occlusions, each separated by 10 min of reperfusion. Twenty-four hours after the repetitive brief ischaemia, the LCA was occluded for 20 min followed by reperfusion for 48 h. IP reduced the infarct size by approximately 46% as determined after 48 h of reperfusion. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to Mn-SOD inhibited the increases in Mn-SOD content and activity, and abolished the expected decrease in myocardial infarct size. Sense or scrambled oligodeoxynucleotides did not abolish either Mn-SOD induction or tolerance to ischaemia/reperfusion. The simultaneous administration of the antibodies to TNF-alpha (0.5 ml) and IL-1beta (0.5 mg) prior to IP abolished the cardioprotection and the increase in Mn-SOD activity induced by IP. We conclude that the induction and activation of Mn-SOD, mediated by TNF-alpha and IL-1beta after IP, plays an important role in the acquisition of late-phase cardioprotection against ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rats.     

匹诺塞林对急性局灶性脑缺血大鼠脑线粒体功能的影响

目的考察匹诺塞林对大鼠急性局灶性脑缺血组织能量代谢及线粒体功能的影响。方法制备永久性大鼠大脑中动脉栓塞(pMCAO)模型,大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、匹诺塞林给药组(1、3、10 mg.kg-1)、尼莫地平给药组(3mg.kg-1)。给药组于手术后10 min、12 h分别给予静脉注射,假手术组与模型组给予生理盐水。于手术24 h应用生化方法检测脑组织中LDH的活性,HPLC法检测大鼠脑组织ATP、ADP、AMP、磷酸肌酸含量。通过检测线粒体超氧化物歧化酶(Mn-SOD)、线粒体Ca2+-ATP酶活性,超氧阴离子含量、线粒体膜肿胀度、线粒体钙离子含量综合评价线粒体功能。结果匹诺塞林(3、10 mg.kg-1)给药组大鼠缺血脑组织中乳酸脱氢酶活性降低,能量指数比模型组分别提高了34.6%和45.8%(P<0.05);匹诺塞林(10 mg.kg-1)组线粒体SOD活性提高了24.4%、Na+,K+-ATP酶、Ca2+-ATP酶活性分别升高了24.9%及34.0%,线粒体钙离子浓度降低了22.0%,与模型组相比差异均具有显著性(P<0.05)。匹诺塞林(3、10 mg.kg-1)组线粒体超氧阴离子水平分别降低了20.2%及30.6%、线粒体肿胀程度分别降低了26.1%及46.0%,与模型组相比差异均具有显著性(P<0.05)。结论匹诺塞林可减轻大鼠脑缺血后能量损伤,提高脑组织抗缺血缺氧能力,其对线粒体功能的保护作用可能是改善缺血脑组织能量代谢的重要机制。     

Delayed cardioprotection by intestinal preconditioning is mediated by calcitonin gene-related peptide

Previous studies have shown that nitric oxide and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are involved in mediation of the delayed cardioprotection of ischemic or pharmacological preconditioning, and nitric oxide can evoke the release of CGRP. In the present study, we examined the role of CGRP in nitric oxide-mediated delayed cardioprotection by brief intestinal ischemia in rats. The serum concentration of creatine kinase and infarct size were measured after 45-min coronary artery occlusion and 180-min reperfusion. Ischemic preconditioning was induced by six cycles of 4-min ischemia and 4-min reperfusion of the small intestine. Pretreatment with intestinal ischemic preconditioning for 24, 48, or 72 h significantly reduced infarct size and creatine kinase release, and the effects of ischemic preconditioning were completely abolished by L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, or by pretreatment with capsaicin (50 mg/kg, s.c.), which selectively depletes transmitters in capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves. Intestinal preconditioning caused a significant increase in plasma concentrations of CGRP, and the effect was also abolished by L-NAME or capsaicin. These results suggest that the delayed cardioprotection afforded by intestinal ischemic preconditioning is mediated by endogenous CGRP via the nitric oxide pathway.     

Pharmacology of a non-selective ETA and ETB receptor antagonist, TAK-044 and the inhibition of myocardial infarct size in rats.

1. The aims of the present study were to characterize the pharmacological profile of a new endothelin (ET) receptor antagonist, TAK-044 and to consider whether it limits the extension of myocardial infarct size in rats. 2. Binding of [125I]-ET-1 to ET receptors on rabbit ventricular and cerebellar membrane fractions was inhibited by TAK-044 with IC50 values of 3.8 nM and 130 nM, respectively. 3. It inhibited ET-1, ET-2 and ET-3-induced vasoconstriction of porcine isolated coronary arteries in a competitive (ET-1, ET-2) and a non-competitive (ET-3) manner. 4. In the rat in vivo, the ET-1-induced blood pressure changes including transient hypotension followed by sustained hypertension, were inhibited by TAK-044 (0.1-10 mg kg-1, i.v.) in a dose-dependent manner. 5. Acute myocardial infarction induced by 1 h coronary occlusion followed by 24 h reperfusion in rats caused an infarct size of 60 +/- 2% (n = 12) of the area-at-risk by weight. 6. Intravenous injection of TAK-044 10 min before coronary occlusion reduced the infarct size in a dose-dependent manner: 32% and 54% reductions at 1 and 3 mg kg-1, respectively. 7. TAK-044 administered 10 min before or 1 h after reperfusion (1 mg kg-1, i.v.) showed similar inhibitory effects: 34% and 23% reductions, respectively. 8. We conclude that TAK-044 is an ETA/ETB receptor antagonist which shows strong inhibitory effects on the extension of myocardial infarct size after coronary artery occlusion-reperfusion in rats.     

油酰乙醇胺对小鼠局灶性脑缺血的保护作用

目的观察新型PPARα激动剂油酰乙醇胺(oleoyleth-anolamide,OEA)对小鼠局灶性脑缺血损伤的保护作用及特点。方法线栓法制备小鼠大脑中动脉栓塞模型诱导脑缺血。OEA(10、20、40mg·kg-1)在术前3d开始每天灌胃给药1次;或在缺血前0.5h、1h、再灌注同时、再灌后1h,各单次灌胃给予OEA40mg·kg-1。脑缺血1.5h,再灌注24h后,测定小鼠神经功能缺失评分、脑梗死体积、脑水肿等评定脑缺血损伤的指标。结果OEA(20、40mg·kg-1)术前多次给药及OEA(40mg·kg-1)缺血前0.5h或再灌注同时单次给药可明显改善小鼠神经功能损伤,减小脑梗死体积和减轻脑水肿程度,且以再灌注同时单次给药效果最为明显。结论OEA剂量及时间依赖性的保护小鼠局灶性脑缺血急性损伤,有效剂量为20mg·kg-1和40mg·kg-1,最佳治疗时间点为再灌注同时。     

Different effect of acute treatment with rosiglitazone on rat myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by administration method

The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonist, using different administration methods, on rat myocardial infarct size induced by 30 min of ischemia followed by 4 h of reperfusion. The infarct size was significantly reduced by the continuous infusion of rosiglitazone (0.5 mg/kg/h) from 30 min before occlusion for 2 h. On the other hand, limitation of the infarct size was shown by a bolus injection of 0.75 mg/kg at 5 min before reperfusion, but not by a bolus injection of 1 mg at 30 min before occlusion. The protective effect of rosiglitazone by the bolus injection before occlusion was obtained when an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine, was concomitantly administered. The cardioprotection by rosiglitazone was associated with the inhibition of increased myeloperoxidase activity, tumor necrosis factor-alpha content and phosphorylation of inhibitor kappaB in the myocardium. The present study demonstrated that the protective effect of rosiglitazone on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury occurred most likely by inhibition of the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway through PPAR-gamma activation. However, acute treatment with rosiglitazone is harmful if its concentration is high during ischemia.     

Involvement of alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide in monophosphoryl lipid A-induced delayed preconditioning in rat hearts

Recent study has shown that monophosphoryl lipid A-induced delayed preconditioning enhanced preservation with cardioplegia and that the protective effects of monophosphoryl lipid A were related to stimulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether the elevated release of CGRP induced by monophosphoryl lipid A is secondary to stimulation of CGRP synthesis via the nitric oxide (NO) pathway and to characterize the isoform of CGRP. Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with monophosphoryl lipid A 24 h before the experiment, and then the left main coronary artery of rat hearts was subjected to 1 h occlusion followed by 3 h reperfusion. Infarct size, plasma creatine kinase activity, the plasma level of CGRP, and the expression of CGRP isoforms (alpha- and beta-CGRP) mRNA in lumbar dorsal root ganglia were measured. Pretreatment with monophosphoryl lipid A (500 microg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced infarct size and creatine kinase release. Monophosphoryl lipid A caused a significant increase in the expression of alpha-CGRP mRNA, but not of beta-CGRP mRNA, concomitantly with an increase in plasma concentrations of CGRP, and the increased level of CGRP expression happened before stimulation of CGRP release. The effect of monophosphoryl lipid A was completely abolished by pretreatment with L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of NO synthase or capsaicin (50 mg/kg, s.c.), which selectively depletes transmitters in capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves. The results suggest that the delayed cardioprotection afforded by monophosphoryl lipid A involves the synthesis and release of CGRP via the NO pathway, and that the protection is mainly mediated by the alpha-CGRP isoform.     

Delayed protection against ischaemia-induced ventricular arrhythmias and infarct size limitation by the prior administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin.

1. Bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide derived from Escherichia coli) was injected intraperitoneally in conscious rats in doses ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 mg kg-1. At various times afterwards the animals were anaesthetized and subjected to a 30 min period of left coronary artery occlusion. 2. Under these conditions the severity of ventricular arrhythmias was markedly suppressed, in comparison with saline-injected controls, but this was particularly marked with the higher doses (1.5 and 2.5 mg kg-1); the number of ventricular premature beats was reduced from 1687 +/- 227 over the 0.5 h coronary artery occlusion period to 190 +/- 46 in those rats administered 2.5 mg kg-1 endotoxin 8 h previously (P < 0.05). The duration of ventricular tachycardia was also significantly reduced (138 +/- 26 s to 8.9 +/- 4.2 s; P < 0.01) and there was a reduction in the incidence of ventricular fibrillation (from 56% to 10%). 3. The time course of this protection was studied following the administration of a single dose of 2.5 mg kg-1 of endotoxin by anaesthetizing rats 4, 8 or 24 h later. Protection was apparent at each time but was particularly marked at 8 h. 4. No rat given the highest dose of endotoxin (32 in all) died as a result of ventricular fibrillation, or from any other cause, during an occlusion, in contrast to a 26% mortality in the controls (P < 0.01). 5. Infarct size, measured following a 30 min period of coronary artery occlusion followed by a 3 h reperfusion period, was reduced both 8 and 24 h after the administration of 2.5 mg kg-1 endotoxin (reductions of 24.3 and 23.1% respectively; P < 0.05). Endotoxin had no significant effect on the area at risk. 6. The beneficial effects of endotoxin on infarct size and on ventricular arrhythmias were markedly attenuated by the prior administration of dexamethasone, 3 mg kg-1 given 1 h prior to endotoxin administration. Dexamethasone itself reduced infarct size (P < 0.05) but had no direct effect on arrhythmia severity following coronary artery occlusion. 7. The mechanisms of this "cross-tolerance' induced by bacterial endotoxin against ischaemia-reperfusion injury remain to be elucidated but the most likely mechanisms appear to be the induction of protective enzymes or proteins (e.g. nitric oxide synthase, cyclo-oxygenase (COX) 2) probably mediated by cytokine release.     

Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthetase prevent castor-oil-induced diarrhoea in the rat.

1. Castor oil (2 ml orally) produced copious diarrhoea in rats 3 h after its administration. 2. Pretreatment (intraperitoneal, i.p.) of rats with the NO synthesis inhibitors NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 1-25 mg kg-1) and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 2.5-100 mg kg-1) inhibited or prevented castor-oil-induced diarrhoea. L-Arginine (150-600 mg kg-1, i.p.) administered to rats pretreated with L-NAME 10 mg kg-1, drastically reduced the antidiarrhoeal activity of L-NAME in a dose-related manner. D-Arginine (900 mg kg-1) did not modify the protection by L-NAME. 3. Pretreatment (i.p.) of rats with L-NAME (2.5-25 mg kg-1) decreased the intestinal fluid accumulation and Na+ secretion induced by castor oil. L-Arginine (600 mg kg-1) but not D-arginine (900 mg kg-1) counteracted the inhibitory effect of L-NAME (10 mg kg-1). 4. L-NAME (10 and 25 mg kg-1) had no significant effect on the intestinal transit in normal rats or those given castor oil. 5. These results provide evidence that nitric oxide (NO) could play an important role in castor-oil-induced diarrhoea.     

氟比洛芬酯预处理对大鼠全脑缺血/再灌注时脑组织TXA_2/PGI_2的影响

目的探讨氟比洛芬酯预处理对大鼠全脑缺血/再灌注损伤的影响。方法72只♂SD大鼠,体重250～350g,随机分为4组(n=18):假手术组(SH组)、模型组(Model组)、氟比洛芬酯5mg·kg-1组(F5组)和氟比洛芬酯10mg·kg-1组(F10组)。采用夹闭双侧颈总动脉20min合并低血压法建立全脑缺血/再灌注(I/R)模型。F5组和F10组分别于缺血前15min静注氟比洛芬酯5mg·kg-1+空白乳剂0.5ml.kg-1、氟比洛芬酯10mg·kg-1。于再灌注6、24、72h时行神经功能缺陷评分(NDS)、HE染色观察海马CA1区细胞损伤情况、放射免疫法测定额区皮质血栓素A2(TXA2)和前列环素(PGI2)含量。结果氟比洛芬酯5mg·kg-1组(F5组)或氟比洛芬酯10mg·kg-1组(F10组)预处理可明显减轻大鼠全脑缺血/再灌注后海马CA1区损伤,提高神经功能缺陷评分(NDS),降低脑组织中TXA2含量和TXA2/PGI2值,且F10组较F5组海马CA1区损伤更轻。结论氟比洛芬酯预处理可减轻全脑缺血/再灌注损伤,其机制可能与降低TXA2值和TXA2/PGI2值有关。     

辣椒辣素对大鼠再灌注损伤的心肌早期和延迟保护作用

AIM: To study early or delayed cardioprotection afforded by pretreatment with capsaicin. METHODS: The isolated rat heart was perfused in a Langendorff model. Heart rate, coronary flow, left ventricular pressure, and its first derivative (+/- dp/dtmax) were recorded, and the calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) and the release of creatine kinase (CK) were measured. RESULTS: Capsaicin (50 mg.kg-1, s.c.) improved the recovery of cardiac function and decreased the release of CK. CK was (2.12 +/- 0.40) and (0.26 +/- 0.04) u.min-1.g-1(wet wt) for ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) and capsaicin + I/R, respectively (P < 0.05). Capsaicin treatment caused an increase in the concentration of CGRP-LI in plasma. CGRP-LI was (135 +/- 12) and (304 +/- 45) ng.L-1 for vehicle + I/R and capsaicin + I/R, respectively (P < 0.05). After pretreatment with capsaicin to deplete the sensory nerve transmitter content, the cardioprotection and the increased level of CGRP by capsaicin were abolished. A delayed protection was shown in the hearts obtained from the rats pretreated with capsaicin 24 h or 48 h before the experiments. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with capsaicin induces the early and delayed cardioprotection, which may be related to stimulation of CGRP release in the rat.     

Effects of alterations in sympathetic nervous activity on the severity of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in anaesthetised rats

The effects of a number of interventions influencing sympathetic nervous activity on the severity of coronary artery reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in anaesthetised rats have been examined. Noradrenaline (0.1 microgram kg-1 min-1) reduced the mortality that usually occurred as a consequence of ventricular fibrillation. Isoprenaline (5 micrograms kg-1) did not significantly affect the severity of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias, although arrhythmias occurring during the 5-min period of ischaemia were exacerbated. The alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist nicergoline (0.25 and 0.5 mg kg-1 min-1) markedly suppressed both the ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation occurring upon release of the occlusion, whereas prazosin (1.0 mg kg-1) only slightly reduced the incidence of ventricular tachycardia. The beta-adrenoceptor antagonists atenolol and timolol did not significantly modify the severity of these reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. Pretreatment with reserpine (0.1 mg kg-1) or 6-hydroxydopamine (20 mg kg-1), which depleted myocardial catecholamine concentrations by 90%, had no effect on the indices of arrhythmic activity. Similarly, administration of L-thyroxine (1 mg kg-1) or propylthiouracil (50 mg kg-1) on 7 consecutive days prior to coronary artery occlusion did not alter the incidence of arrhythmias occurring upon reperfusion. Taken as a whole, these results do not suggest an important role for sympathetic nervous activity in the genesis of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in anaesthetised rats.     

番茄红素的抗大鼠脑缺血活性及线粒体保护作用

目的:考察番茄红素的抗大鼠脑缺血活性,探讨其线粒体作用机制。方法:100只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、番茄红素低、中、高剂量组(50,100和200 mg.kg-1),各组均在缺血前1 h灌胃给药。采用Longa线栓法造成大鼠大脑中动脉阻断后再灌注模型,缺血2 h,再灌注24 h,观察大鼠神经行为学表现、脑组织梗死率以及脑组织水肿程度的改变;同时检测缺血侧(损侧)脑组织ATP含量、线粒体膜电位水平及线粒体呼吸链复合酶IV活性。结果:番茄红素能明显改善脑缺血再灌注引起的神经行为学评分降低,显著降低脑组织梗死率和水肿程度。番茄红素能增加缺血脑组织的ATP含量,提高线粒体膜电位水平,增强呼吸链复合酶IV活性。结论:番茄红素对大鼠的脑缺血再灌注损伤有明显保护作用,其机制可能与保护和改善细胞能量代谢和线粒体功能有关。     

Effects of Org 7797 on early, late and inducible arrhythmias following coronary artery occlusion in rats and dogs.

1. The class Ic steroidal antiarrhythmic agent, Org 7797, was compared with two other Ic agents, flecainide and propafenone for intravenous activity against ischaemia-related cardiac arrhythmias and for electrophysiological actions in vivo. In addition the haemodynamic effects of Org 7797 were assessed in greyhounds. 2. Org 7797 (0.5 mg kg-1) significantly reduced the expected incidence of early ischaemia-induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) in rats and greyhound dogs and at doses of 0.5-1.0 mg kg-1 antagonized reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. Comparative studies in rats showed Org 7797 to be 2-4 times more potent than flecainide or propafenone. 3. Org 7797 (0.5 mg kg-1) slowed intracardiac conduction in anaesthetized beagles and again was at least 2-4 times more potent than flecainide or propafenone. 4. Org 7797 (0.5 and 2.0 mg kg-1), flecainide (1.0 and 2.0 mg kg-1) or propafenone (0.5 and 2.0 mg kg-1), did not significantly prevent induction of tachyarrhythmias (VT) in dogs with 5-6 day old myocardial infarcts although all 3 drugs appeared to prevent induced VF. All 3 drugs (notably flecainide) did however reduce the VT rate. 5. All 3 drugs (1-2 mg kg-1) suppressed spontaneous tachyarrhythmias in conscious beagle dogs with 1-2 day old infarcts. Propafenone was the least effective. 6. In an antifibrillatory dose (0.5 mg kg-1), the major haemodynamic effect of Org 7797 was a 10% increase in peripheral vascular resistance. Stroke volume, cardiac output and coronary blood flow were unchanged. In therapeutic doses, Org 7797 was also less negatively chronotropic than flecainide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Myocardial protection after monophosphoryl lipid A: studies of delayed anti-ischaemic properties in rabbit heart.

1. Monophosphoryl lipid A (MLA) is a non-pyrogenic derivative of Salmonella lipopolysaccharide. Administration of this agent at high doses to rats and at low doses to dogs was previously shown to confer marked protection against ischaemia-reperfusion 24 h later, although the cellular mechanisms of this delayed protection are obscure. We hypothesized that MLA pretreatment causes the induction of the 70 kDa cytoprotective stress protein HSP70i in the myocardium. If this were the case, protection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury would be observed both in vitro and in vivo. 2. Rabbits were pretreated with MLA 0.035 mg kg-1, i.v. or vehicle solution. For the in vitro study, hearts were isolated 24 h later and Langendorff-perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 37 degrees C. Global ischaemia was induced for 20 min followed by 120 min reperfusion. Recovery of post-ischaemic left ventricular function and lactate dehydrogenase efflux was similar in MLA and vehicle pretreated hearts and there was no significant difference in the percentage of infarction of the left ventricle determined by triphenyltetrazolium staining (MLA 22.4 +/- 5.2%, vehicle 24.8 +/- 5.1%). 3. When 30 min regional ischaemia and 120 min reperfusion was instituted in pentobarbitone-anaesthetized rabbits 24 h after pretreatment with MLA or vehicle, the percentage infarction within the risk zone was reduced from 42.6 +/- 5.7% in vehicle pretreated animals to 19.6 +/- 4.4% in MLA pretreated animals (P < 0.01). 4. Determination of myocardial HSP70i content by Western blot analysis showed that MLA treatment did not increase HSP70i immunoreactivity. 5. We conclude that MLA at this dose confers protection only against ischaemia-reperfusion injury in vivo and that this protection is not related to induction of HSP70i. Because protection was observed only in vivo it seems possible that the delayed protection conferred by MLA is mediated by effects on humoral or blood-borne factors.     

REPERFUSION ARRHYTHMIAS IN CLOSED-CHEST RATS: THE EFFECT OF MYOCARDIAL NORADRENALINE DEPLETION AND Ca2+-ANTAGONISM

1. The influence of myocardial noradrenaline depletion on the incidence and severity of reperfusion arrhythmias in closed-chest anaesthetized rats was investigated. Five-minute left coronary artery occlusion was carried out via an implanted occluder. Four groups of rats were studied: controls, rats treated with reserpine (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) 24 h before occlusion, and rats receiving 0.2 mg/kg gallopamil intravenously 5 min before occlusion either with or without reserpine pretreatment. 2. In the control group all animals had ventricular tachycardia (VT) and fibrillation (VF) immediately after reperfusion. Gallopamil reduced VT to 50% and VF to 25% (P less than 0.05 versus control). In the reserpine group all had VT, and 67% had VF, this being not significantly different from controls. Additional treatment with gallopamil markedly reduced VT and totally prevented VF (P less than 0.05 versus control). 3. Thus, total depletion of myocardial noradrenaline stores neither prevented the occurrence nor reduced the severity of reperfusion arrhythmia in rats, while gallopamil treatment was effective.     

Involvement of alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide in heat stress-induced delayed preconditioning in rat hearts

1. Previous studies have shown that hyperthermia is capable of activating capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves and stimulating the release of neurotransmitters from their peripheral terminals. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has recently been found to participate in delayed cardioprotection in rat isolated hearts. 2. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether the delayed cardioprotection by heat stress in vivo involves the expression and release of CGRP. 3. Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with whole-body hyperthermia (rectal 42 degrees C) for 15 min, 24 h before the experiments and then the left main coronary artery of rat hearts was subjected to a 45 min occlusion followed by 3 h reperfusion. The degree of myocardial injury was evaluated by measurement of infarct size and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity. The plasma levels of CGRP and expression of CGRP (alpha and beta isoforms) mRNA in lumbar dorsal root ganglia at 4, 8, 16 or 24 h after heat stress treatment were measured. 4. Pretreatment with hyperthermia significantly reduced infarct size and CK release. Heat stress also significantly increased plasma concentrations of CGRP and the expression of alpha-CGRP mRNA, but not beta-CGRP mRNA. The effect of heat stress was completely abolished by pretreatment with capsaicin (50 mg/kg, s.c.), which selectively depletes transmitters in capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves. 5. In summary, the results suggest that the delayed cardioprotection by heat stress involves the synthesis and release of CGRP and that the protection is mainly mediated by the alpha-CGRP isoform.     

Effect of azapropazone and allopurinol on myocardial infarct size in rats

The effect of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol and the non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent azapropazone on infarct size in rats, subjected to 48 h of occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, were studied. Allopurinol (50 mg/kg i.p., twice daily from 24 h before to 48 h after LAD occlusion) and azapropazone (100 mg/kg i.p twice daily from 24 h before to 48 h after LAD occlusion) significantly reduced infarct size when compared to saline-treated rats. These data point towards involvement of xanthine oxidase derived free radicals in evolving myocardial infarction in rats; beneficial effect of azapropazone in this model may be related to the drug's ability to inhibit xanthine oxidase as well as various key neutrophil functions.