Biomedical subjects

C Inagaki

Publications and source records attributed to C Inagaki.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

[Molecular mechanism underlying epileptic seizure: forwards development of novel drugs for untreatable epilepsy].

For the development of new drugs for hitherto untreatable epilepsy, it is necessary to clarify the basic pathophysiology involved in such epileptic seizures and find the target site. This review focused on molecular events related to the expression and expansion of the epileptic focus which are the target of novel antiepileptics. Immediate early genes such as c-fos followed by expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been evidenced as initial important phenomena in the cascade of molecular systems that develop and complement the transient neuronal excitation to long-term neuronal plasticity. Non-receptor type tyrosine kinase Fyn in the Src family has been suggested to promote kindling development via tyrosine phosphorylation of the NMDA-receptor subunit, NR2B. The cause of abnormality in the inhibitory system is induced by lowering of glutamate-dependent GABA release in the epileptic focus within the hippocampus in human temporal epilepsy. This is probably attributed to a decrease in GABA transporters. Regarding abnormality of the excitatory system, there is an increase in glutamate release prior to convulsive seizures, an enhancement of NMDA receptor responsiveness and high levels of AMPA receptors related to convulsion after completion of kindling. In gene analysis of human familiar epilepsy, abnormalities and point mutations have recently been found in the following genes: KCNQ 2 and KCNQ3, coding for K+ channels; CHRNA4 of the nicotinic receptor subunit alpha 4; and the cystatin B gene. In epilepsy model mice, EL mice with several gene mutations known to be involved in the seizures, the El-1 gene contains an abnormality of the ceruloplasmin gene. SER (spontaneously epileptic rat: zi/zi, tm/tm), a double mutant, manifests a deletion of the region containing the aspartoacylase gene related to the tm gene. Since an increase in N-acetyl-L-aspartate (NAA) is observed in the SER brain, NAA may serve to evoke seizures.

Amidohydrolases↗

PubMed1999

Natriuretic peptide receptors, NPR-A and NPR-B, in cultured rabbit retinal pigment epithelium cells.

We tried to detect natriuretic peptide (NP) receptor (NPR-A and NPR-B) mRNAs in cultured rabbit retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and examined the regulation of their expression in relation to subretinal fluid absorption or RPE cell proliferation. RPE cells from 2-4 passages were grown to confluence on microporous membranes and analyzed for levels of expression of receptor mRNAs by quantitative RT-PCR and Northern blotting. The expression of NPR-B mRNA was approximately tenfold higher than that of NPR-A mRNA. The expression of NPR-A mRNA was not affected by treatments that may change subretinal fluid transport, while that of NPR-B mRNA was inhibited by transmitters involved in light- and dark-adaptation such as dopamine and melatonin. Expression of NPR-B mRNA was also suppressed by platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta. Furthermore, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), ligands for NPR-A and B, respectively, inhibited the proliferation of RPE cells, as analyzed by incorporation of [3H]thymidine. These findings suggest that ANP may be involved in constitutive absorption of subretinal fluid and that NPs form an important regulatory system of proliferation in RPE cells.

Acetazolamide↗

PubMed1999

Human lymphocytes express hGH-N gene transcripts of 22kDa, 20kDa and minor forms of GH, but not hGH-V gene.

Expression of human growth hormone (hGH) in lymphocytes was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in five normal subjects. Transcripts of hGH-N gene, but not hGH-V gene, were detected. Sequence analysis revealed four kinds of transcripts: 22kDa GH, 20kDa GH and two other forms of variant GH. The 20kDa GH transcript was generated by alternative splicing within exon 3, resulting in a 45bp deletion. One of the variant GH transcripts was also generated by alternative splicing within exon 3, but at a different site, resulting in a 73bp deletion. Because of a frameshift, this variant GH transcript may encode a 6.6kDa protein (truncated GH) that structurally differs from that of 22kDa GH after residue 31. In the other variant GH mRNA, exons 3 and 4 were completely skipped. The proportions of expression of 22kDa GH, 20kDa GH and the truncated GH were 60.9+/-13.6 (+/-S.D.)%, 32.7+/-14.1% and 6.4+/-1.1% (n=5), respectively, by comparative RT-PCR. We conclude that human lymphocytes, like the pituitary gland, express hGH-N gene transcripts of mainly 22kDa GH, but also 20kDa GH and minor variant forms of GH.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Antiserum against Cl- pump complex recognizes 51 kDa protein, a possible catalytic unit in the rat brain.

We purified Cl- pump in the rat brain and obtained 520 or 580 kDa protein complexes which consisted of 62, 60, 55 and 51 kDa proteins. An antiserum against 520 kDa protein complex recognized 51 kDa protein in both 520 and 580 kDa complexes, and reduced both Cl(-)-ATPase and Cl(-) pump activities. Such an immunoreactive 51 kDa protein was found in the brain, spinal cord and kidney. When incubated with [gamma-(32)P]ATP, the protein complex yielded phosphorylated 51 kDa protein, the label being hydroxylamine-sensitive and increased in the presence of Cl- and/or an inhibitor of Cl- pump, ethacrynic acid. Thus, the antibody appears to recognize a possible catalytic subunit of Cl- pump, 51 kDa protein, in the rat.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed1998

CI-ATPase and Na+/K(+)-ATPase activities in Alzheimer's disease brains.

The enzyme activities and the protein levels of Cl(-)-ATPase and Na+/K(+)-ATPase were examined in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. Cl(-)-ATPase and Na+/K(+)-ATPase activities in AD brains (n = 13) were significantly lower than those in age-matched control brains (n = 12). In contrast, there was no significant difference in anion-insensitive Mg2(+)-ATPase activity between the two groups. Western blot analysis revealed that the protein levels of Cl(-)-ATPase, Na+/K(+)-ATPase and neuron specific Na+/K(+)-ATPase alpha3 isoform were also significantly reduced in AD brains, while the amount of protein disulfide isomerase, one of the house keeping membrane proteins, was not different between the two groups. The data first demonstrated that Cl(-)-ATPase and Na+/K(+)-ATPase are selectively impaired in AD brains, which may reduce the gradients of Na(+), K(+) and Cl(-) across the cell membranes to cause excitotoxic cellular response and the resulting neuronal death.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed1998

Chloride concentration in cultured hippocampal neurons increases during long-term exposure to ammonia through enhanced expression of an anion exchanger.

The effects of long-term exposure to ammonia on [Cl-]i in cultured hippocampal neurons were examined. Ammonia increased the [Cl-]i time- (>/=24 h) and concentration- (>/=2 mM) dependently, resulting in a depolarizing shift of the equilibrium potential of the GABAA receptor-Cl- channel opening (EGABA). Such an effect of ammonia was diminished by the inhibitors of Cl-/HCO3- exchangers, 0.1 mM 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS) and 0.1 mM 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), and a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, 2 mM acetazolamide, but not by a Na+/K+/2Cl-cotransport inhibitor, 50 microM bumetanide, suggesting an enhanced Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity by ammonia. The ammonia-induced increase in [Cl-]i was also abolished by the inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), 0.1 microM calphostin C and 10 microM 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7), and of transcription and de novo protein synthesis, 1 microM actinomycin D and 0.5 microg/ml cycloheximide, while a PKC activator, 0.1 h microM phorbor 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), increased the [Cl-]i. The mRNA level of the AE3 Cl-/HCO3- exchanger was increased by ammonia in a calphostin C- and H-7-sensitive manner. The AE3-like immunoreactivity was also increased by ammonia. These findings suggest that long-term exposure to ammonia increases the expression of AE3 through the activation of PKC, resulting in an increase in [Cl-]i in neurons and a reduction of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

PubMed1998

Effects of protein kinase and phosphatase inhibitors on slow shortening of guinea pig cochlear outer hair cells.

The intracellular mechanisms of slow shortening in isolated guinea pig cochlear outer hair cells were investigated using inhibitors and/or an activator of protein kinases and protein phosphatases. The slow shortening was induced by tetanic electrical field stimulation, and changes in the cell length, volume and intracellular Cl- concentration were microscopically monitored using a chloride-sensitive fluorescent dye. The slow shortening was inhibited by a calmodulin inhibitor, W-7, and a calcium calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor, KN-62. The inhibition by W-7 or KN-62, was abolished by the supplemented conductance of K+ with valinomycin. Among the protein phosphatase inhibitors tested, a type 1 and 2A protein phosphatase inhibitor, calyculin A, inhibited the slow shortening. The inhibition by calyculin A was abolished by the increased Cl- permeability, but neither by the increased K+ conductance with valinomycin nor by the increased Ca2+ conductance with A23187. A protein serine/threonine phosphatase activator, N-acetylsphingosine, inhibited the shortening, which was abolished by either valinomycin or a type 2A protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, but not by calyculin A. These findings suggest the following signaling mechanisms in the slow shortening of outer hair cells; the K+ channel opening is facilitated through protein phosphorylation by CaMKII and suppressed via okadaic acid-sensitive dephosphorylation, and the Cl- channel opening depends on calyculin A-sensitive protein phosphatase activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Immunological aspects of human growth hormone and prolactin.

We demonstrated that human lymphocytes secrete growth hormone and that the secretion is regulated in a different manner from that in the endocrine system. We could also show that some patients with hyperprolactinemia, especially asymptomatic type, have anti-prolactin autoantibody, which may be a novel case of hyperprolactinemia.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Structural analysis of gene marker loci on chromosomes 10 and 11 in primary and secondary uraemic hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: The genetic molecular anomalies in patients with primary (I degree) and secondary (II degree) hyperparathyroidism (HPTH) are still largely unknown. In particular, the changes underlying monoclonal growth in the parathyroids of patients with II degree HPTH are not well understood. METHODS: We screened genomic DNA from a total of 30 patients with I degree HPTH and 29 patients with II degree uraemic HPTH for possible rearrangements or allelic losses of several gene markers located on chromosome 11p near the PTH gene, namely Ha-ras, IGF-2, WT1, and the PTH gene itself. In addition, two other gene markers, PRAD1 (localized on 11q13) and RET (localized on 10q11) were examined for possible structural alterations. Moreover, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) which is another technique to detect numerical alterations of chromosome 11. RESULTS: The results show that one of 13 patients with I degree HPTH (8%) exhibited a rearrangement for the PRAD-1 gene. Loss of heterozygosity of Ha-ras locus was observed in one of 11 uraemic patients with II degree HPTH (9%). Three of 10 patients with I degree HPTH (30%) and one of 7 patients with II degree HPTH (14%) showed an allelic loss of the WT1 gene. No evidence of rearrangement or allelic loss was detected for the IGF-2, PTH or RET genes respectively. Using FISH method, three normal parathyroid gland, six I degree HPTH adenomas and eight II degree HPTH hyperplastic glands from uraemic patients were studied with centromeric probe for chromosome 11. Monosomy 11 was observed in one case of I degree HPTH and in one other case of II degree HPTH. CONCLUSION: Evidence of loss of heterozygosity for several genes located on human chromosome 11p has been found in a series of parathyroid glands from several patients with I degree and II degree uraemic HPTH, corresponding to monosomy of chromosome 11 in some cases.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Anti-prolactin (PRL) autoantibodies cause asymptomatic hyperprolactinemia: bioassay and clearance studies of PRL-immunoglobulin G complex.

The causes of hyperprolactinemia are varied, but some cases are classified as "idiopathic" because of unknown causes. We examined whether anti-prolactin (PRL) autoantibodies can cause hyperprolactinemia, especially the asymptomatic type. Serum PRL in four women with anti-PRL autoantibodies and five control patients with prolactinoma was characterized by a sensitive enzyme immunoassay, Nb2-bioassay, gel chromatography, affinity chromatography for immunoglobulin G (IgG), sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under nonreducing conditions, and clearance studies using anesthetized rats. In four women with anti-PRL autoantibodies, serum immunoreactive PRL concentrations were elevated (326 +/- 216 micrograms/L, normal < 30 micrograms/L), and PRL (84 +/- 5.5%) mostly consisted of the large molecular form in which a significant amount of 23 kDa PRL (60.6 +/- 14.7%) was noncovalently bound to IgG. Although three of the four women lacked clinical symptoms of hyperprolactinemia such as amenorrhea and galactorrhea, the IgG-bound PRL was fully bioactive in vitro. It was cleared more slowly from circulation than free PRL. The data suggest that PRL forms a complex with IgG, and this probably results in delayed clearance of PRL and leads to hyperprolactinemia in women with anti-PRL autoantibodies.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced oxyradical production in rheumatoid synovial cells.

We successfully detected the oxyradical production in human synovial A (macrophage-like) and B (fibroblast-like) cells by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) using the luminol-chemiluminescence method. The PMA (0.1 microgram/ml)-induced photon generation was abolished by an O2- scavenger, superoxide dismutase, and an H2O2 scavenger, catalase, suggesting that the stimulus produced oxyradicals in synovial cells. Both of these responses were abolished by a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, calphostine C, but unaffected by an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, BAPTA-AM, and Ca2+ removal from the extracellular medium. These findings suggest that synovial A and B cells produce oxyradicals through PKC-mediated and [Ca2+]i-independent mechanisms, probably through the activation of NADPH oxidase.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed1997

[Involvement of enhanced glutamate release in halogenated volatile anesthetic-induced excitation in mouse brain].

The present experiments aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of excitatory effects of volatile anesthetics. In ddN mice, enflurane (2% in air), sevoflurane (2%) or isoflurane (1.2%) induced opisthotonus. In ddY mice, a halogenated ethane, tetrachlorodifluoroethane (CCl2FCCl2F:DF-112, 2%) induced tonic-clonic convulsion. These CNS excitatory effects were suppressed by pretreatment with an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, MK-801 (0.5mg.kg-1). Halogenated volatile anesthetics (enflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane and halothane) increased glutamate release from synaptosomes of the mouse cerebral cortex at concentrations corresponding to those used clinically. The convulsive gas, DF-112, released glutamate more potently than the anesthetics. These data suggest the involvement of enhanced glutamate release in the mechanisms of excitatory effects of halogenated volatile anesthetics.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗

PubMed1996

Inhibitory effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide on substance-P-induced superoxide production in human neutrophils.

We examined the mechanisms of the inhibitory effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on substance-P-induced superoxide anion (O2-) production in human neutrophils. Substance P (30 microM) caused O2- production associated with an inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-induced transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i). CGRP (10 microM) significantly inhibited substance-P-induced O2- production and transient increase in [Ca2+]i, but it only slightly suppressed IP3 formation. In addition, CGRP inhibited IP3-induced O2- production and transient increase in [Ca2+]i, caused by exogenous addition of IP3 in saponin-permeabilized neutrophils. These findings suggest that CGRP inhibits the response of neutrophils to substance P through the inhibition of IP3-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. The inhibitory effects of CGRP on substance P- or IP3-induced O2- production and increases in [Ca2+]i were abolished by pretreating the neutrophils with a CGRP receptor antagonist, CGRP-(8 - 37), or cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase inhibitors, N-[2-(methylamino) ethyl]-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide dihydrochloride (H-8) and 9-n-hexyl ester derivative of K-572a (8R, 9S, 11 S)-(--)-9-hydroxy-9-methoxycarbonyl-8-methyl-8-methyl-2,3,9,10- tetrahydro-8,11-epoxy-1H,8H, 11 H-2,7b,11a-triazadibenzo (a,g)cycloocta(cde)trinden-1-one (KT5720). We concluded that CGRP receptor stimulation reduces substance-P-induced O2- production by the inhibition of IP3-induced transient increase in [Ca2+]i, probably via the phosphorylation of IP3 receptor by cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide↗

PubMed1996

A Cl- pump in rat brain neurons.

Cl(-)-stimulated and ethacrynic acid-sensitive ATPase (Cl(-)-ATPase) of plasma membrane origin in the rat brain is a candidate for an active outwardly directed Cl- translocating system. Biochemistry of Cl(-)-ATPase and ATP-dependent Cl- transport (Km values for ATP and Cl-, nucleotide specificity, pH dependency, and sensitivity to ethacrynic acid) suggested that Cl(-)-ATPase is an ATP-driven Cl- pump. Activity of the reconstituted Cl(-)-ATPase/pump increased in the presence of phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate, and this pump activity further increased at an inside-positive membrane potential or in the presence of a protonophore, suggesting that the Cl(-)-ATPase/pump is an electrogenic Cl- transporter, probably regulated by phosphoinositide turnover in vivo. In cultured hippocampal pyramidal cell-like neurons from embryonic rat brain, ethacrynic acid and ATP-consuming treatment increased, but furosemide, an inhibitor of Na+/K+/Cl- cotransporter, decreased, [Cl-]i when monitored using Cl(-)-sensitive fluorescent probes. The stationary levels of [Cl-]i were lower and the effects of ethacrynic acid were more prominent in perikarya than in dendrites, while the effects of furosemide were more obvious in dendrites than in perikarya. The lower perikaryonic [Cl-]i and the marked effects of ethacrynic acid were observed in the later stage rather than in the early stage of culture. Thus, region-specific localization and developmental changes in the activities of Cl- transporters probably result in uneven and age-dependent distribution of Cl- in the neurons.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed1996

Intracellular signaling pathway of substance P-induced superoxide production in human neutrophils.

We examined the intracellular mechanisms of substance P-induced superoxide anion (O2-) production in human neutrophils. Addition of substance P (30 microM) caused O2- production and biphasic increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) (early transient and subsequent sustained components) associated with the formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). O2- and [Ca2+]i were assayed by using ferricytochrome C and fura 2-AM, respectively. These responses were abolished by tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists, [D- Pro9[spiro-gamma-lactam],Leu10,Trp11]physalaemin-(1-11) (GR82334) or [D-Arg1,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]substance P (spantide), and an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA-AM). Inhibition of IP3 formation by GTP-binding protein (G-protein) inactivators such as guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S) and islet-activating protein (IAP), or a phospholipase C inhibitor, 1-[6-[[17 beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)- trien-17-yl]amino]hexyl]1 H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U-73122), blocked the substance P-induced O2- production and biphasic increases in [Ca2+]i. An IP3 receptor antagonist, heparin, reduced both the substance P-induced O2- production and the transient increase in [Ca2+]i without any significant effects on the sustained increase in [Ca2+]i. Protein kinase C inhibitors, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7) and calphostin C, only slightly suppressed O2- production, and abolished the sustained increase in [Ca2+]i without any significant effects on the transient increase in [Ca2+]i. A Ca2+ entry blocker, nicardipine, completely inhibited the sustained increase in [Ca2+]i without affecting O2- production and the transient increase in [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that the tachykinin NK1 receptor/G-protein-linked IP3 formation with the resulting IP3-induced transient increase in [Ca2+]i is the main signal transduction pathway for substance P-stimulated O2- production in neutrophils.

Calcium↗

PubMed1996

Mechanisms of oxyradical production in substance P stimulated rheumatoid synovial cells.

We examined the intracellular mechanisms of substance P induced oxyradical production in rheumatoid synovial cells by the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence method. After stimulation with substance P (30 microM), single synovial A (macrophage-like) or B (fibroblast-like) cells released oxyradicals such as superoxide anions (O2-) and/or hypochlorous anions (OCl-) under a microscope equipped with an ultrasensitive photonic image intensifier. The substance P induced oxyradical production was blocked by a tachykinin NK1 (NK1) receptor antagonist, GR82334, GTP-binding protein (G-protein) inactivators, GDP beta S and islet-activating protein (IAP), and a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, U-73122. Substance P (30 microM) also induced a transient increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in both synovial A and B cells as measured by a Ca2+ indicator, fura 2, BAPTA-AM and an inositol-1,4-5-triphosphate (IP3) receptor antagonist, heparin, inhibited the substance P induced increase in [Ca2+]i, but they had no effects on oxyradical production. In contrast to the effects of BAPTA-AM and heparin, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, H-7 and calphostin C, completely inhibited substance P induced oxyradical production without any significant effects on [Ca2+]i increase. These findings suggest that the NK1 receptor/PLC-linked diacylglycerol (DAG) formation with the resulting activation of PKC is the main signal transduction pathway for substance P stimulated oxyradical production in synovial cells.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed1995

Distribution of neurone-specific clathrin light chain b between clathrin-coated vesicle subclasses.

The clathrin light chains (LCs) may serve to introduce diversity into the structure and/or function of clathrin-coated vesicles (CVs). To understand such involvement of LCs, it is advantageous to study the distribution of various LC subclasses among CV populations with specified structure and/or function. We have previously separated three populations of CV from rat brain, the small- and medium-sized populations originated from neurones and large-sized one from glial cells. In the present study, we examined whether the neurone-specific LCb is localized in either or both of those neuronal CV populations by immunogold electron microscopy, and showed the distribution of the LCb between both CVs. These findings suggest that the neurone-specific LC subclass does not specify morphologically distinct subtype of neuronal CVs but plays a role in constructing the CVs generally smaller than those from other tissues and/or in neurone-specific mechanisms associated with both of the neuronal CVs.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Role of sodium pump activity in warm induction of cardioplegia combined with reperfusion of oxygenated cardioplegic solution.

Na+/K+ adenosinetriphosphatase (sodium pump) may play a key role in the prevention of reperfusion injury caused by Ca2+ overload. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of sodium pump activity in warm induction of cardioplegia combined with reperfusion of oxygenated cardioplegic solution. Isolated and perfused rat hearts were subjected to 15 minutes of normothermic ischemia to produce a model of severely failing heart. The hearts then received myocardial preservation. Warm (37 degrees C) or cold (4 degrees C) oxygenated modified St. Thomas' Hospital solution was given for 5 minutes before and after 120 minutes of hypothermic cardioplegic arrest. Reduced myocardial pH during normothermic ischemia was adjusted toward the baseline level by administration of cold or warm oxygenated cardioplegic solution without a significant intergroup difference. Myocardial adenosine triphosphate levels decreased to less than 30% of the preischemic level during 15 minutes of normothermic ischemia, but were increased partly by induction of cold or warm oxygenated cardioplegia. Thus these metabolic indices failed to demonstrate the superiority of warm over cold oxygenated cardioplegia. Na+/K+ adenosinetriphosphatase activity in the membrane fraction was significantly stimulated by a cardioplegic dose of K+ with maximum activity at 16 mEq/L. The enzyme activity of the heart measured after normothermic ischemia was reduced to less than 50% of that in the nonischemic heart. Although warm induction of cardioplegia and reperfusion of oxygenated cardioplegic solution maintained Na+/K+ adenosinetriphosphatase activity at the preischemic level, the enzyme activity was abolished at 4 degrees C, which is the temperature used in cold cardioplegia. A subtoxic dose of ouabain (0.1 mmol/L) inhibited the enzyme activity of the heart undergoing this preservation regimen to approximately 50%. Warm induction and reperfusion of oxygenated cardioplegic solution showed significantly better recovery of isovolumic left ventricular function during reperfusion compared with that obtained with cold oxygenated cardioplegia. However, the beneficial effect of warm oxygenated cardioplegia on left ventricular function was compromised by inclusion of 0.1 mmol/L ouabain without a significant effect on myocardial metabolic parameters. These results suggest that stimulation of Na+ pump activity may account for the beneficial effect of warm induction and reperfusion of oxygenated cardioplegic solution in the energy-depleted heart.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗