Various appearances of Rabi oscillations for 2 pi -pulse excitation in a semiconductor.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Knorr.
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Both genetically determined and artificially-induced hypertension lead to cardiac hypertrophy and shift the myosin heavy chain (MHC) expression to the beta-MHC form. The cause of this change in gene expression is unknown. To contribute to the understanding of this phenomenon, we correlated the MHC expression in the left ventricle with basal, Forskolin- and isoprenaline-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity (cAMP production of membrane fractions). We used two control rat strains [Wistar-Hagemann (WH), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY)] and several rat models of hypertension: one clip-one kidney (1C-1K), desoxycorticosterone-treated rats (DOCA), rats with reduced renal mass (RRM) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The level of hypertension correlated positively with the degree of cardiac hypertrophy (P < 0.01) and negatively (P < 0.05) with cAMP production, e.g. the higher the degree of hypertension, the lower both basal and stimulated cAMP levels. In addition we found that the lower the basal, isoprenaline- and Forskolin-stimulated cAMP production the lower was the expression of the alpha-MHC isoenzyme (P < 0.05). Thus, our data suggest that the decreased alpha-MHC expression upon hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy could be mediated via decreased adenylate cyclase activity and thus decreased intracellular cAMP production.
The effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on proliferation of aortic vascular smooth-muscle cells (VSMCs) from spontaneously hypertensive (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats was assessed by the measurement of [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA. ET-1 stimulated DNA synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Half-maximal stimulation occurred at a concentration of 7 x 10(-11) M. Three separate administrations of ET-1 to the cell cultures resulted in a half-maximal stimulation at 3 x 10(-12) M in of VSCMs from SHRs. VSMCs from SHRs responded to a far greater extent compared with WKY rats. The stimulatory effect of ET-1 was significantly attenuated by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Repeated administration of ANP led to exacerbation of the inhibitory effect. Serum-stimulated DNA synthesis was not influenced by ANP. The proliferative action of ET-1 and the inhibition by ANP are discussed with respect to the development of vascular disease in atherosclerosis and hypertension.
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BACKGROUND: The renin-angiotensin system with its renal-humoral and local myocardial components plays an important role in the development and progression of chronic heart failure. Whereas angiotensin receptors have been found in atrial and ventricular myocardium of different species including humans, its influence on myocardial contractility is not yet defined in human failing myocardium and especially in human nonfailing myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured force development of right atrial and right and left ventricular myocardial preparations of patients with a variety of cardiac diseases. To evaluate the physiological effects of angiotensin, experimental temperature and stimulation rates were 37 degrees C and 60 beats per minute, respectively. Angiotensin I and II increased peak developed force in atrial myocardial preparations obtained from patients without heart failure in a concentration-dependent manner. At optimal concentrations, peak developed force is increased from 10.2 +/- 1.8 to 12.3 +/- 1.9 mN/mm2 by angiotensin I (P < .05) and from 15.4 +/- 2.1 to 20.5 +/- 3.3 mN/mm2 by angiotensin II (P < .05). This effect was not influenced by pretreatment with propranolol (10(-6) mol/L) and prazosin (10(-5) mol/L) but was completely blocked by saralasin (10(-6) mol/L). The positive inotropic effect of angiotensin I could be blocked by enalaprilate (10(-5) mol/L). Neither angiotensin I nor angiotensin II had any effect in preparations of the left ventricle from patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, mitral valve stenosis, and incompetence or in patients with no significant heart disease. Additionally, no effect could be seen when angiotensin II was applied to right ventricular preparations from infants undergoing reconstructive heart surgery for tetralogy of Fallot. CONCLUSIONS: Angiotensin I and II exert positive inotropic effects via angiotensin receptors in atrial preparations but not in right or left ventricular preparations. Furthermore, the existence of a local myocardial angiotensin converting enzyme with functional importance is shown.
The present study investigated whether high salt intake (8%) in Dahl salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats with and without hypertension produces a heterologous desensitization of cardiac adenylyl cyclase as observed in various types of hypertension and human heart failure. In membranes from Dahl salt-sensitive rats on a high-salt diet (8%) basal, isoproterenol-, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate-, and forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase was reduced compared with the low-salt (0.4%) group and Dahl salt-resistant rats on either 0.4% or 8% sodium chloride. The activity of the catalyst was depressed, and the expression of the immunodetectable inhibitory G proteins Gi alpha was increased in Dahl salt-sensitive rats on 8% sodium chloride, whereas the density of beta-adrenergic receptors and the activity of the stimulatory G protein Gs alpha reconstituted into Gs alpha-deficient S49 cyc- mouse lymphoma cell membranes were unchanged in any condition studied. We conclude that high salt intake in salt-sensitive hypertensive Dahl rats produces hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and heterologous desensitization of cardiac adenylyl cyclase. The latter alteration is due to an increase of Gi alpha proteins and a depressed catalyst activity of adenylyl cyclase. The results demonstrate that heterologous adenylyl cyclase desensitization can precede the development of contractile dysfunction in later stages and can occur independently of changes in beta-adrenergic receptors.
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OBJECTIVE: The question of this study was whether alterations in the inhibitory guanine-nucleotide binding protein alpha-subunits (G(i)alpha) contribute to alterations in adenylate cyclase regulation in hypertensive cardiomyopathy of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). DESIGN AND METHODS: G(i)alpha was measured by pertussis toxin-catalysed 32P-adenosine 5'-pyrophosphate (ADP)-ribosylation and radioimmunochemically by competition of rat myocardial membrane extracts to DS 4 antiserum binding to the 125I-radiolabelled C terminus of retinal transducin alpha (125I-KENLKDCGLF). Cardiac beta-adrenoceptors, m-cholinoceptors as well as isoprenaline-, guanine-nucleotide [Gpp(NH)p]- and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and inotropic responses to isoprenaline and carbachol were studied in SHR and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY, control) rats. RESULTS: In native membranes of SHR there was an increase in pertussis toxin substrates, but a larger increase in the presence of non-ionic detergent Lubrol PX. The radioimmunological quantification of G(i)alpha revealed an increase in membrane extracts of SHR. In addition, myocardial beta-adrenoceptors and myocardial m-cholinoceptors were reduced in SHR compared with in WKY rats. Basal adenylate cyclase, isoprenaline-, Gpp(NH)p- and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were also reduced. However, in the presence of 5 mmol/l MnCl2 no differences in adenylate cyclase activities between SHR and WKY rats were detected under either condition. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that the amount of G(i)alpha-proteins and not only pertussis toxin substrates are increased in membranes of hypertrophic hearts from SHR without heart failure. The results obtained with pertussis-labelling depended strongly on the substrate quality of G(i)alpha. Increased G(i)alpha expression and reduced beta-adrenoceptor number might have functional relevance in the regulation of adenylate cyclase activity and force of contraction in SHR. An increase in G(i)alpha expression might play a pathophysiological role, not only in terminal heart failure, but also in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
The present study investigated whether reduced adenylate cyclase activity and an increase in inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding proteins (Gi alpha), which have been observed in the failing human heart, already occur in myocardial hypertrophy before the stage of heart failure. In membranes of hypertrophic hearts from rats with different forms of experimentally induced hypertension without heart failure (one-kidney, one clip rats, deoxycorticosterone-treated rats, and rats with reduced renal mass), basal as well as isoprenaline-, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate-, and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was reduced. The activity of the catalyst was depressed in deoxycorticosterone but unchanged in one-kidney, one clip and reduced renal mass compared with controls. The number of beta-adrenergic receptors was similar in all groups. Radioimmunological quantification of Gi alpha proteins revealed an increase by 73% in one-kidney, one clip, 67% in reduced renal mass, but only 20% in deoxycorticosterone compared with sham-operated, age-matched control rats. The increase of Gi alpha was accompanied by smaller changes of pertussis toxin-induced [32P]ADP-ribosylation of a 40-kd membrane protein. It is concluded that Gi alpha contributes to the reduced adenylate cyclase activity in cardiac hypertrophy in one-kidney, one clip and reduced renal mass and to a smaller extent in deoxycorticosterone. It is suggested that an enhanced expression of Gi alpha could occur not only in severe heart failure but also in cardiac hypertrophy and could, therefore, contribute to myocardial depression and progression of disease in heart failure. In addition, Gi alpha might represent an important regulatory mechanism for cardiac adenylate cyclase activity and thus, might play an important role in various cardiac diseases.
Data on the influence of antihypertensive drug treatment on mortality of hypertensive rats are reviewed. Dihydropyridine calcium antagonists, verapamil, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril, and a triple combination of reserpine, hydralazine, and chlorothiazide normalized or markedly prolonged survival. Captopril was less effective in sodium chloride-induced, low-renin Dahl rat hypertension. Dihydralazine prolonged but did not nearly normalize survival. The K(+)-channel activator minoxidil was relatively ineffective. Data on diuretics or beta-blockers are insufficient or unavailable. Calcium antagonists nitrendipine and nimodipine and the ACE inhibitor captopril improved survival and prevented vascular lesions and calcinosis even at doses that failed to achieve normotension. All drugs that normalized survival also reduced heart weights. Minoxidil invariably increased heart weights and failed to improve survival. (Di)hydralazine assumed an intermediate position.
The antihypertensive and tissue-protective effects of nitrendipine were studied after long-term treatment of rats with experimental hypertension. Nitrendipine had opposite effects in comparison with vasodilators like hydralazine or minoxidil. Nitrendipine lowered heart weights, plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels, and plasma renin activity, and was diuretic. Also, in spontaneously hypertensive rats that had been hypertensive for more than half of their life span prior to treatment, nitrendipine still had these effects. Nitrendipine prevented hypertension-induced mortality, even at subantihypertensive doses. Nitrendipine inhibited endothelin-1-induced DNA synthesis in isolated vascular smooth muscle cells as well as atherosclerotic plaque formation in cholesterol-fed rats.
The radiation response of normal lung tissue was studied in 99 young pigs. Five fractions of Co-60-photons and of neutrons with an average energy of 6.2 MeV were applied during overall treatment times of five and 35 days respectively. The irradiation field comprised the whole of the right lung. At eight to ten weeks and at eight to 13 months animals were sacrificed and the removed lungs were investigated histopathologically and biochemically. Radiation induced fibrosis was evaluated by determining the ratio of hydroxyproline concentration of irradiated and non-irradiated lung in the same animal. Above a threshold there was a significant increase of the hydroxyproline ratio with increasing doses. Histopathological findings and hydroxyproline ratio were in close agreement. RBE values between 3.8 and 4.5 were calculated in accordance with the results using the other criteria of lung damage in our studies on pigs.
The influence of long-term treatment with parathyroid hormone (PTH) on blood pressure (BP) development in stroke prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR/SP) was investigated. Acute i.v. administration of PTH decreased BP dose dependently. Long-term treatment of SHR/SP with 300 IU PTH s.c. per day clearly attenuated the BP increase. Treatment with PTH was associated with marked hypercalcemia, increased urinary excretion of calcium and cAMP.
In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), enhanced responsiveness of phospholipase C has been reported in various cells and tissues. In SHR and in some patients with essential hypertension particularly, the increased phospholipase C responsiveness of platelets has been described as involved in the hyperreactivity to thrombin. To determine the relation between such an enzymic abnormality and hypertension, the platelet phospholipase C activity was investigated in various models of experimental hypertension (i.e., in the Dahl salt-resistant and salt-sensitive strains inbred by John Rapp at Toledo, Ohio, SR/Jr and SS/Jr, respectively) fed either on a low or a high NaCl-containing diet, and in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. In phosphorus-32-prelabeled platelets, phospholipase C was determined by measurement of the thrombin-induced [32P]phosphatidic acid formation; the labeling of the P47 protein with 32P was also measured. In parallel experiments, the platelet reactivity was assessed by measurement of the thrombin-induced serotonin release. Under thrombin (0.05-0.5 units/ml) stimulation, phospholipase C activity, [32P]P47 labeling, and serotonin release were significantly increased in SS/Jr rats fed a high NaCl diet compared with SS/Jr rats fed a low NaCl diet. NaCl-rich diet did not modify phospholipase C in SR/Jr rats. Platelet reactivity and phospholipase C responsiveness were also normal in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) on the proliferation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was assessed by the measurement of (3H)-thymidine incorporation into DNA. ET-1 and ET-3 stimulated the DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. ET-3 was less potent than ET-1 in its stimulatory activity. The increase in (3H)-thymidine incorporation is clearly attenuated by Atriopeptin III (ANP 5-28). Atriopeptin I (ANP 5-25), a ANP fragment with the reduced biological activity compared to ANP 5-28, has no effect on the endothelin mediated stimulation of DNA-synthesis.
To test the radiogenic reaction of normal lung tissue experiments were done in 99 young pigs altogether. The radiation field included the total right lobe of the lung, 5 fractions of photons or neutrons (mean energy 6.2 MeV) were applied in a total treatment of 5 or 35 days. After killing the animals and taking the lungs the examination of tissue samples and others has been done for contents of hydroxyproline (HP) that has been used to register radiogenic injuries where the relation of irradiated and non-irradiated half of the same animal was estimated as measuring value. Above a limit of 1.13 for the HP-quotient (estimated in non-irradiated controls) there was a significant correlation with dose. Between the results of HP-quotients and histopathological findings a very good correlation was found. Calculation of RBE was done from relation of the dose values of photons and neutrons on base of the same level of injuries. In the tested total dose limit (photons: 14.25-38 Gy, neutrons 3.0-8.5 Gy) RBE-values of 3.8-4.5 were reached that correlates well with other tested criteria of the study in young pigs.
Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that platelets from both spontaneously hypertensive rats and essential hypertensive patients exhibited an increased thrombin-triggered phospholipase C activity compared with normotensive subjects. In order to determine the relationship between phospholipase C and hypertension we investigated this enzymatic activity in Dahl salt-resistant (Dahl R/Jr) and salt-sensitive (Dahl S/Jr) rats fed either a low- or a high-NaCl diet, and in DOCA-NaCl hypertensive rats. Phospholipase C activity was increased in the Dahl S/Jr rats fed a high-NaCl diet compared to a low-NaCl diet. This difference was not observed in the Dahl R/Jr rats, irrespective of diet. Likewise, phospholipase C activity was similar in the DOCA-NaCl hypertensive rats compared with their controls. Our results indicate that the increased platelet phospholipase C activity was not a consequence of either the blood pressure elevation or the high NaCl intake and was probably of genetic origin. While the increased phospholipase C activity was not correlated with blood pressure, the enhanced enzymatic activity in Dahl S/Jr hypertensive rats may be involved in the elevation of blood pressure and may be NaCl-regulated.