Protection of the reperfused ischemic isolated rat heart by phosphatidylcholine.

We examined phosphatidylcholine (PC) effects on the isolated rat heart subjected to low- or zero-flow ischemia followed by reperfusion. Untreated hearts subjected to 30 min of low-flow ischemia recovered 15% contractility following reperfusion compared to time-control hearts. Phosphatidylcholine (0.005%) addition either 10 or 20 min before ischemia significantly enhanced recovery to approximately 61% and reduced the incidence of arrhythmias during ischemia and reperfusion. Contracture during ischemia and reperfusion was significantly reduced when PC was added 20 min before ischemia. Phosphatidylcholine was ineffective when administered at the time of reperfusion except for a moderate reduction in arrhythmia development. Phosphatidylcholine also produced a salutary effect when added 20 min prior to zero-flow ischemia. Subsarcolemmal mitochondria (SLM) and, to a much lesser degree, interfibrillar mitochondria (IFM) of untreated hearts subjected to low-flow ischemia and reperfusion exhibited depressed oxidative phosphorylation which was prevented by PC. Both mitochondrial populations exhibited a marked depression in ADP/ATP translocase activity; however, this was generally unaffected by PC. Subsarcolemmal mitochondria but not IFM of zero-flow ischemic reperfused hearts also exhibited significantly depressed oxidative phosphorylation, which was unaffected by PC. Zero-flow ischemia produced a rapid and total cessation of contractility. Both populations exhibited a substantial PC-insensitive reduction in translocase activity. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, a protection by PC on the reperfused ischemic heart. The PC-induced protection following low-flow but not zero-flow ischemia is associated with improved SLM oxidative phosphorylation suggesting dissimilar contribution of mitochondria to reperfusion-associated myocardial injury.     

Salicylate reduces ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmias during reperfusion in isolated rat hearts.

Recent studies have shown the ability of salicylic acid (SA) to trap hydroxyl radicals (OH.) generated during reperfusion in ischemic myocardium. Since OH. is implicated in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury, we examined the effect of SA on reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and postischemic ventricular dysfunction. Isolated rat hearts perfused by the Langendorff technique were preperfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing SA for 10 min. Hearts were then made ischemic for 30 min, followed by 30 min of reperfusion. In a separate group, SA was administered only at the onset of reperfusion. The left ventricular contractile functions, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and its first derivative (LV dP/dt), coronary flow (CF), and creatine kinase (CK) release were determined before and after ischemia. Epicardial electrocardiogram (ECG) was also recorded to analyze the incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). SA improved LVDP, LV dp/dt, and CF recovery and reduced CK release compared to the control group. The incidence of VT and VF during reperfusion was also significantly reduced by SA. Analysis of tissue thiobarbituric acid-reactive products indicates that SA decreased oxidative stress during reperfusion. In conclusion, these results suggest that SA reduces myocardial reperfusion injury and attenuates ventricular arrhythmias by trapping OH. radicals upon reperfusion in isolated rat hearts.     

Effect of inosine in the normal and reperfused rat heart.

Inosine is a positive inotropic agent and dilates coronary blood vessels. During ischemia, inosine infusion increases blood flow, resulting in decreased myocardial damage. We wished (a) to determine inosine's effect in isolated rat hearts and (b) to determine if inosine attenuates myocardial dysfunction after transient global ischemia. Developed left ventricular pressure (LVP), LV dP/dt, and coronary perfusion pressure were monitored in hearts receiving Krebs-Henseleit buffer (KHB) (n = 10) or KHB + 2 mM inosine (n = 4). KHB + 2 mM inosine significantly reduced coronary perfusion pressure by 21% but had no effect on developed LVP or LV dP/dt. Hearts receiving KHB (n = 6) or KHB + 2 mM inosine (n = 5) were subjected to 15-min global ischemia followed by 30-min reperfusion with KHB. Recovery of LVP, LV dP/dt, the incidence of arrhythmias, and the time to peak recovery of developed LVP was not different between groups. In two additional hearts, KHB + 2 mM inosine administered during reperfusion had no effect on developed LVP, LV dP/dt, or coronary perfusion pressure. Thus, unlike other preparations, inosine pretreatment did not significantly affect the time course of postischemic functional recovery of rat myocardium.     

Preconditioning prevents the negative inotropic action of phenylephrine in rat isolated stunned papillary muscle.

The aim of the present study was to establish a model of ischemic preconditioning of rat isolated papillary muscle and to investigate its effect on the simulated ischemia-induced disturbances in contractility and responsiveness to isoproterenol and phenylephrine. Experiments were performed in rat left ventricle papillary muscle. The following parameters were measured: force of contraction (Fc), velocity of contraction (+dF/dt), velocity of relaxation (-dF/dt), time to peak contraction (ttp), and relaxation time at the level of 10% of total amplitude (tt10). After 60 min of simulated ischemia induced by the perfusion of isolated tissues with no-substrate solution aerated by 95% N2/5% CO2, all of the measured parameters were markedly decreased. There was not complete recovery of Fc, +dF/dt and -dF/dt after 60 min of reperfusion. Positive inotropic action of isoproterenol does not differ before and after simulated ischemia. In contrast, phenylephrine induces a positive inotropic action in non-treated, but a significant negative one in simulated ischaemia/reperfusion treated preparations. The latter effect of phenylephrine was reversed by chloroethylclonidine (CEC), a selective blocker of alpha1b-adrenoceptor, but not by WB-4101, a selective blocker of alpha1a-adrenoceptor. Ischemic preconditioning of rat isolated cardiac tissue induced by the 5 min perfusion with no-substrate solution, aerated by 95% N2/ 5% CO2, in the presence of fast electrical pacing (BCL shortened from 2000 ms to 700 ms) and 10 min reperfusion, significantly improves a recovery of the contractility and prevents phenylephrine negative inotropic action.     

Na+/H+ exchange inhibitors reverse lactate-induced depression in postischaemic ventricular recovery.

1. By use of pharmacological approaches, the present study examined the hypothesis that the deleterious effect of lactate on postischaemic ventricular recovery may be mediated, at least in part, by enhanced activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger at the time of reperfusion. 2. Spontaneously beating isolated hearts of the rat were subjected to 15 min zero-flow global ischaemia followed by 30 min reperfusion. The effects of lactate (10, 20 or 40 mM) were studied by adding it 20 min before ischaemia whereas reperfusion was carried out with lactate-free buffer. 3. Pretreatment with 20 or 40 mM lactate significantly reduced postischaemic recovery of developed force to 17 +/- 3% and 16 +/- 4% of preischaemic values (P < 0.05) compared to a 78 +/- 4% recovery in control hearts. Similarly, recovery in ventricular rate was significantly reduced to 34 +/- 7.6% and 38 +/- 12% with 20 and 40 mM lactate, respectively compared to 97.5 +/- 6.4% recovery in control hearts. At a concentration of 10 mM, lactate was without effect on either force or ventricular rate recovery. 4. Coadministration of either of two Na+/H+ exchange inhibitors, amiloride (174 microM) or 5-N,N-hexamethylene amiloride (HMA, 1 microM) with lactate and inclusion of the two drugs during the first 5 min of reperfusion resulted in reversal of lactate-induced inhibition of force recovery with observed recoveries of 69 +/- 6.7% and 64 +/- 5% with amiloride and HMA, respectively. Similarly, recovery in ventricular rate was significantly enhanced to 92 +/- 10% and 89 +/- 6% with amiloride and HMA, respectively compared to 38 +/- 12% recovery in control hearts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

七氟烷后处理对大鼠离体心脏缺血/再灌注损伤心功能和线粒体的影响

目的探讨七氟烷后处理对大鼠离体心脏缺血/再灌注的保护作用。方法48只SD大鼠,随机分为4组(n=12):假手术组(Sham),缺血/再灌注组(I/R)缺血后处理组(Post),七氟烷后处理组(Sevo)。采用Langendroff离体心脏灌注模型。除Sham组其余各组均平衡灌注30min,全心缺血30min,再灌注90min,Post组在再灌注即刻给予4个循环复灌20s/缺血20s,Sevo组在再灌注开始给予含1.5MAC(2.57V/V)七氟烷的K-H液灌注5min,再用K-H液冲洗10min,纪录平衡灌注末,再灌注30min、60min、90min时左室舒张末压(LVEDP)、左室发展压(LVDP)、左室内压上升最大速率(+dp/dt)、左室内压下降最大速率(-dp/dt)、心率(HR)、冠脉血流量(CF),再灌注90min时,计算心肌梗死面积百分比,电子显微镜观察线粒体的损伤程度,Westernblot半定量测定胞质和线粒体、细胞色素C的水平。结果平衡灌注末各组间心功能指标(基础值)差异未见统计学意义(P>0.05)。七氟烷后处理组和缺血后处理组可改善再灌注损伤心功能的各项指标(P<0.05)。复灌90min,Sevo组和Post组心肌梗死面积显著低于I/R组(P<0.05)。与I/R组比较,Sevo组和Post组胞质细胞色素C的含量明显减少(P<0.05),同时伴随线粒体细胞色素C的含量明显增多(P<0.05)。电子显微镜观察线粒体形态,Sevo组和Post组的损伤程度比I/R组明显减轻。结论七氟烷后处理对大鼠离体心脏再灌注损伤有明显的保护作用,其保护强度与缺血后处理相当,机制可能与减轻线粒体的损伤,抑制细胞色素C的释放有关系。     

Effect of D,L-carnitine on the response of the isolated heart of the rat to ischaemia and reperfusion: relation to mitochondrial function.

1. The effect of 100 microM (20 micrograms ml-1) of D,L-carnitine was studied on the isolated heart of the rat subjected to 30 min of low flow ischaemia followed by reperfusion. 2. In untreated hearts (n = 30) ischaemia produced an almost total loss of contractility (P less than 0.05 compared with non-ischaemic time control) which was accompanied by an increase in resting tension of approximately 235% (P less than 0.05). Ventricular arrhythmias developed during ischaemia in 100% (P less than 0.05) of untreated hearts studied. Following reperfusion, untreated hearts recovered 16.3% of contractile function and demonstrated a 60% elevation in resting tension. The incidence of reperfusion-associated ventricular fibrillation was 60%. 3. Carnitine treatment produced no effect on either the contractile depression or the elevation in resting tension during ischaemia but did significantly decrease the incidence of arrythmias at the termination of ischaemia to 63.3% (n = 30, P less than 0.05). In the presence of carnitine, contractile recovery at the end of reperfusion was significantly increased to 30.2% (n = 10, P less than 0.05) and the elevation in resting tension was decreased to 30% (n = 10, P greater than 0.05). The incidence of ventricular arrhythmias during reperfusion was significantly reduced by carnitine. 4. Two populations of mitochondria, subsarcolemmal (SLM) and interfibrillar (IFM) isolated at the end of the ischaemic period exhibited an overall increase in oxidative phosphorylation rates as well as uncoupled oxygen consumption; both phenomena were more pronounced with IFM. Carnitine generally potentiated this response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists on cardiac function in ischemic-reperfused myocardium of the isolated working rabbit heart

The effects of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (dl-nebivolol, atenolol and propranolol) and of 1-nebivolol on cardiodynamics and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation were studied in the isolated working rabbit heart subjected to normothermic global ischemia, followed, in some cases, by reperfusion. The hearts were pretreated with the different drugs (0.32 mg/l) 30 min before the start of ischemia, dl-Nebivolol and propranolol provided protection for both cardiodynamic and mitochondrial functions, as did l-nebivolol, which lacks beta-adrenoceptor blocking properties, while atenolol failed to protect mechanical activity and cardiac mitochondria against the effects of ischemia and post-ischemic reperfusion. Catecholamine depletion with reserpine did not have a beneficial effect on the recovery of cardiodynamic and mitochondrial function during post-ischemic reperfusion. It is concluded that the beneficial effects of beta-blockers on the ischemic and reperfused myocardium can not be explained by a specific beta-blocking action alone.     

Effects of the blockade of cardiac sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive potassium channels on arrhythmias and coronary flow in ischemia-reperfusion model in isolated rat hearts

Activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels (K ATP) during ischemia leads to arrhythmias and blockade of these channels exert antiarrhythmic action. In this study, we investigated the effects of HMR1098, a sarcolemmal K ATP channel blocker and 5-hydroxydeconoate (5-HD), a mitochondrial K ATP channel blocker on cardiac function and arrhythmias in isolated rat hearts. The hearts were subjected to 30 min coronary occlusion, followed by 30 min reperfusion. In the preischemic period, both HMR 1098 and 5-HD slightly increased coronary perfusion pressure. Coronary occlusion increased the perfusion pressure and decreased the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) in both control and drug-treated hearts. However, inhibition of LVDP was greater and recovery of the perfusion pressure was lower in 30 micromol/l HMR1098 and 100 micromol/l 5-HD-treated hearts compared to control (P < 0.05). HMR1098, at 3 micromol/l, but not at 30 micromol/l, significantly reduced the ratio of bigeminis, couplets and salvos (P < 0.05). Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation were not prevented by HMR1098, at both concentrations, and with 5-HD (100 micromol/l). These results suggest that blockade of sarcK ATP and mitoK ATP channels exert weak antiarrhythmic action, but reduce the recovery of coronary perfusion and contractile force, implying that both types of K(ATP) channels have beneficial role in the recovery of ischemic rat myocardium.     

Nicorandil preserves mitochondrial function during ischemia in perfused rat heart

A possible mechanism for the action of nicorandil on the improvement of energy metabolism of ischemic/reperfused hearts was examined. Perfused rat hearts were subjected to 35-min ischemia/60-min reperfusion. The heart was treated with nicorandil at concentrations of 10 to 100 microM for the last 30-min of pre-ischemia. Nicorandil preserved the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate during ischemia and attenuated the decrease in mitochondrial function during reperfusion in association with the enhanced post-ischemic recovery of the left ventricular developed pressure. To assess the direct effect on mitochondria, myocardial saponin-skinned bundles were incubated under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Hypoxia-induced decrease in the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate was attenuated by treatment of the bundles with 100 microM nicorandil. This attenuation was abolished by the combined treatment with the K(ATP) channel blocker, 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD). These results suggest that nicorandil is capable of attenuating ischemia/reperfusion injury of isolated perfused hearts through preservation of mitochondrial function during ischemia.     

Reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and free radicals: studies in the rat heart with DMPO

We have shown that the free radical spin trap DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide) reduces reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in a dose-dependent manner in the isolated perfused rat heart subjected to 10 min regional ischemia and 3 min reperfusion. At its optimal concentration (1,000 mumol/L) DMPO, added to the perfusate 5 min prior to ischemia, reduced (p less than 0.05) the incidence of reperfusion-induced irreversible ventricular fibrillation from 83 (10 of 12) to 33% (4 of 12). When hearts were subjected to ischemia (10 min) and reperfusion, with DMPO (1,000 mumol/L) added to the perfusion fluid only 2 min before reperfusion, comparable protection was observed. To ascertain whether or not DMPO achieved an absolute reduction in vulnerability to arrhythmias irrespective of the duration of ischemia, hearts (12 for each group) were also subjected to 5, 10, 20, 30, or 40 min of ischemia; DMPO (1,000 mumol/L) was added to the perfusate either 5 min before ischemia or 2 min before reperfusion. In each instance a bell-shaped time-response profile was obtained. In the DMPO-free controls this gave a maximal vulnerability to arrhythmias after 10 min of ischemia. In the DMPO-treated hearts this curve was shifted to the right, with a peak vulnerability at 20 min. These results indicate that the primary action of DMPO is to exert a delaying effect which extends the duration of ischemia that can be tolerated before the heart becomes vulnerable to reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. However, this effect is achieved during the reperfusion period and not during the preceding period of ischemia. The precise mechanism by which this free radical spin trapping agent achieves this unusual effect remains to be resolved, but in studies with light-inactivated DMPO, this protective effect was lost, indicating that its ability to be oxidized, possibly by superoxide or hydroxyl radicals, may be critical to its mechanism of action.     

Effects of sasanquasaponin on ischemia and reperfusion injury in mouse hearts

We investigated effects of sasanquasaponin (SQS), a traditional Chinese herb's effective component, on ischemia and reperfusion injury in mouse hearts and the possible role of intracellular Cl- homeostasis on SQS's protective effects during ischemia and reperfusion. An in vivo experimental ischemia model was made in mice (weight 27-45 g) using ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery, and in vitro models were made in perfused hearts by stopping flow or in isolated ventricular myocytes by hypoxia. The in vivo results showed that SQS inhibited cardiac arrhythmias during ischemia and reperfusion. Incidence of arrhythmias during ischemia and reperfusion, including ventricular premature beats and ventricular fibrillation, was significantly decreased in the SQS-pretreated group (P<0.05). Results in perfused hearts showed that SQS suppressed the arrhythmias, prevented against ischemia-induced decrease in contract force and promoted the force recovery from reperfusion. Furthermore, intracellular Cl- concentrations ([Cl-]i) were measured using a MQAE fluorescence method in isolated ventricular myocytes in vitro. SQS slightly decreased [Cl-]i in non-hypoxic myocytes and delayed the hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced increase in [Cl-]i during ischemia and reperfusion (P<0.05). Our results showed that SQS protected against ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac injury in mouse hearts and that modulation of intracellular Cl- homeostasis by SQS would play a role in its anti-arrhythmia effects during ischemia and reperfusion.     

The lazaroid U74006F, a 21-aminosteroid inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, attenuates myocardial injury from ischemia and reperfusion.

U74006F, a novel new 21-aminosteroid inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, has been effective in preventing free-radical-mediated injury in central nervous system models. To assess its ability to diminish myocardial injury due to ischemia and reperfusion, U74006F (n = 11) or its vehicle (n = 11) were administered intravenously to New Zealand white rabbits. After allowing for distribution, the hearts were excised and exposed to 30 min of stop-flow ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion on a nonrecirculating Langendorf apparatus. There was diminished creatine phosphokinase release; improved peak positive dP/dt, developed pressure, and peak negative dP/dt; and diminished diastolic pressure in the group treated with U74006F. Thus, pretreatment with U74006F diminished myocardial injury and enhanced systolic and diastolic functional recovery, probably by protecting the lipid component of cell membranes from peroxidation by reactive oxygen metabolites.     

Isoflurane preconditioning protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury partly by attenuating cytochrome c release from subsarcolemmal mitochondria in isolated rat hearts

AIM: To examine if isoflurane preconditioning can attenuate ischemia/reperfusion injury by reducing cytochrome c release from inner mitochondrial membrane. METHODS: Isolated hearts of Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused on Langendorff apparatus. Hearts were randomly assigned to a non-treated group (CON group, n=12) or three isoflurane preconditioning groups (0.5% ISC group, 1.0% ISC group, and 2.0% ISC group; n=12). In the latter three groups, isoflurane was given at concentrations of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% for 15 min with 15-min washout before 30-min ischemia. Subsarcolemmal mitochondria of the myocardium were isolated after 60-min reperfusion. Hemodynamics of the each heart was recorded, infarct size of the hearts and contents of cytosolic cytochrome or mitochondrial cytochrome c were measured at the end of reperfusion. Morphology of isolated mitochondria in the four groups was evaluated, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the CON group, cytosolic cytochrome c in 0.5% ISC group, 1.0% ISC group, and 2.0% ISC group were significantly decreased along with a significant increase of mitochondrial cytochrome c. Infarct size of the hearts in the four groups were 56%+/-12%, 41%+/-12%, 32%+/-7% and 33%+/-11%, respectively. The values of the three isoflurane preconditioning groups were significantly lower than that of the CON group (P<0.05). Isoflurane exposure before ischemia can attenuate the change of morphology of mitochondria after reperfusion. The effects of 2.0% isoflurane on reducing cytochrome c release were more remarkable than 0.5% and 1.0% concentrations of isoflurane. CONCLUSION: Myocardioprotective effects of isoflurane preconditioning were associated with attenuation of cytochrome c loss from the inner membrane of subsarcolemmal mitochondria.     

Postconditioning modulates ischemia-damaged mitochondria during reperfusion

Cardiac ischemia damages the mitochondrial electron transport chain and the damage persists during reperfusion. Ischemic postconditioning (PC), applied during early reperfusion, decreases cardiac injury. This finding suggests that the ischemia-damaged mitochondria can be regulated to decrease cardiac injury. The reversible blockade of electron transport during ischemia prevents damage to mitochondria. We propose that the targets of PC cytoprotective signaling are mitochondria damaged by ischemia. Thus, if ischemia-mediated mitochondrial damage is prevented, PC at the onset of reperfusion will not result in additional protection. Isolated, Langendorff-perfused adult rat hearts underwent 25-minute global ischemia and 30-minute reperfusion. Amobarbital (2.5 mM) was used to reversibly inhibit electron transport during ischemia. PC (6 cycles of 10-second ischemia-reperfusion) was applied at the onset of reperfusion. Subsarcolemmal and interfibrillar mitochondria were isolated after reperfusion. Blockade of electron transport with amobarbital only during ischemia preserved oxidative phosphorylation and decreased myocardial injury. PC, after untreated ischemia, decreased cardiac injury without improvement of oxidative phosphorylation. Blockade of electron transport during ischemia or PC improved calcium tolerance and inner membrane potential in subsarcolemmal mitochondria after reperfusion. In hearts treated with amobarbital before ischemia, PC did not provide further protection. Thus, PC protects myocardium via the regulation of ischemia-damaged mitochondria during early reperfusion.     

Delay of occurrence of reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation in the isolated rat heart with superoxide dismutase.

The effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation (R-VF) were determined in isolated, perfused rat hearts with reperfusion after durations of regional myocardial ischemia ranging from 5 to 37.5 min. SOD (100 U/ml) was perfused during both ischemia and reperfusion periods. Regional myocardial ischemia was produced by acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Reperfusion after a brief period of ischemia (8 min) resulted in R-VF in 33% of SOD-perfused hearts as compared with 100% of control hearts that exhibited this arrhythmia (p less than 0.05). The incidence of R-VF was not affected by SOD with intermediate duration of ischemia of 10, 15, and 22.5 min. Reperfusion after a relatively long 30-min period of ischemia did not result in R-VF in control hearts, but 87% of SOD-treated hearts still exhibited this arrhythmia (p less than 0.05). No hearts exhibited R-VF with reperfusion after 37.5 min of ischemia. Thus, SOD shifted the occurrence of R-VF to longer durations of ischemia without affecting the peak incidence of this arrhythmia. In contrast to effects of SOD on incidence of R-VF, SOD had no effect on onset times of this arrhythmia. Nor did SOD affect reperfusion-induced ventricular tachycardia (VT), heart rate (HR), or coronary flow. These results suggest that SOD may have delayed onset of electrophysiologic derangements that were specifically responsible for R-VF. SOD may be classified as a modulator of R-VF.     

R56865, a potent new antiarrhythmic agent, effective during ischemia and reperfusion in the rat heart.

The antiarrhythmic effects of R56865 were characterized both in vivo and in vitro. Four groups (n = 12 per group) of anesthetized rats, subjected to 5- or 30-min coronary artery ligation and reperfusion, were studied: saline, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) carrier, and R56865 (0.5 or 2 mg/kg) were administered as an intravenous (i.v.) bolus before ligation. After 5 min of ischemia, the incidences of reperfusion-induced ventricular tachycardia (VT) and fibrillation (VF), which were high in the saline (100 and 75%, respectively) and DMSO (100 and 82%, respectively) control groups, were abolished with both doses of R56865. With 30 min of ischemia, R56865 (2 mg/kg) significantly reduced the incidences of ischemia-induced VT and VF (from 100 and greater than 50% to 25 and 8%, respectively). For in vitro studies, five groups (n = 12 per group) of isolated rat hearts subjected to 10- or 30-min coronary ligation and reperfusion were studied: unmodified buffer and buffer containing DMSO or R56865 (10(-7), 10(-8), 10(-9) M). After 10 min of ischemia, R56865 (10(-7) M) decreased reperfusion-induced VT and VF (from 100 and 75% in buffer controls to 42 and 8%, respectively) when administered throughout the experiment. With 30 min of ischemia, R5685 (10(-7) M) reduced the incidences of ischemia-induced VT and VF (from 75 and 67% in the buffer controls to 25 and 25%, respectively). Although reperfusion after 30 min of ischemia did not induce VF in any of the groups studied, VT and other arrhythmias did occur and their incidences were reduced significantly by R56865. To investigate whether calcium overload might mediate the effects of R56865, hearts were perfused aerobically with a high-calcium/low-sodium medium. VT and VF occurred in 80% of control hearts; R56865 (10(-7) M) did not prevent these arrhythmias. In conclusion, R56865 exerts a potent effect against ischemia- and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias through a mechanism which appears to operate during ischemia.     

Calpain inhibitor (BSF 409425) diminishes ischemia/reperfusion-induced damage of rabbit heart mitochondria

Calpains are involved in ischemia/reperfusion-induced changes of myocard. To obtain information on the action of calpain on mitochondria, the effect of a new developed calpain inhibitor (CI) BSF 409425 on the ischemia/reperfusion-induced damage of rabbit heart mitochondria was investigated. Rabbit hearts were subjected to 45 min of global ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion in the presence or absence of 10nM CI. Mitochondrial properties were characterized by skinned fiber technique with pyruvate+malate as substrates. In the presence of CI, the decrease of state 3 respiration and the increase of state 4 respiration after ischemia and reperfusion were clearly smaller than without CI resulting in significantly smaller changes of respiratory control index, too. Ischemia/reperfusion-caused leaks in mitochondrial inner and outer membranes were diminished by CI. It is concluded that mitochondria are a target of calpain which reinforces the damage of oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial membranes during ischemia/reperfusion.     

Sodium hydrosulfide improves the protective potential of the cardioplegic histidine buffer solution

Since H₂S has an emerging role as a cardioprotector, we hypothesized that NaHS addition to the new cardioplegic histidine buffer solution (HBS) could improve its cardioprotective potential. Male Wistar–Han rat hearts were divided in 4 groups: i) control, ii) perfusion control (perfusion only), iii) 6 h ischemia in HBS or in a modified-HBS with 100 μM of NaHS, a H₂S donor, (HBSM) and iv) as iii followed by 30 min reperfusion. During ischemia, aliquots of the cardioplegic solution were collected for NMR analysis. Heart mitochondria respiration and transmembrane potential were measured after ischemia or after ischemia followed by reperfusion. Proteins involved in the apoptotic signaling pathway were also quantified in both mitochondrial and tissue samples. Cardiac mechanic performance was evaluated by measuring the heart rate and the left ventricular pressure. In HBSM-preserved hearts, a) glucose consumption increased as well as lactate and alanine production during ischemia, b) heart mitochondria presented an improved phosphorylative efficiency, including decreased phosphorylative lag phase for complex I and complex II substrates, c) mitochondrial and tissue p53, Bax and caspase-9 were lower and d) there was a more positive atrial chronotropic response than in HBS-preserved hearts. We concluded that the addition of NaHS to HBS enhances glycolysis during ischemia, decreases mitochondrial dysfunction, especially by preserving the phosphorylative system, prevents apoptosis and during ischemia/reperfusion.     

Protective effect of Na+ /H+ exchange inhibitor, SM-20550, on impaired mitochondrial respiratory function and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload in ischemic/reperfused rat hearts

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a selective Na+/H+ exchange inhibitor, SM-20550, can modulate the mitochondrial respiratory function and mitochondrial Ca2+ content in isolated rat hearts subjected to 40 min of ischemia and 20 min of reperfusion. SM-20550 (10, 100 nM) was administered for 5 min prior to ischemia and for 20 min during the reperfusion period. At 20 min after reperfusion, treatment with SM-20550 (10, 100 nM) improved the recovery of left ventricular developed pressure and suppressed the rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Mitochondrial function, assessed by the state 3 oxygen respiration rate, respiratory control index, and oxidative phosphorylation rate, was significantly impaired after ischemia/reperfusion. Administration with SM-20550 (10, 100 nM) attenuated the impaired mitochondrial function, improving the state 3 respiration rate, respiratory control index, and oxidative phosphorylation rate. The mitochondrial Ca2+ content was significantly increased after ischemia/reperfusion but was suppressed by treatment with SM-20550 (10, 100 nM). A significant linear correlation was observed between the respiratory control index and mitochondrial Ca2+ content in the ischemic/reperfused hearts. In conclusion, SM-20550 improved the postischemic recovery of left ventricular function and concurrently protected mitochondrial function mediated by preventing mitochondrial Ca2+ overload.