Biomedical subjects

D Lamontagne

Publications and source records attributed to D Lamontagne.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Contribution of prostaglandins in hypoxia-induced vasodilation in isolated rabbit hearts. Relation to adenosine and KATP channels.

The mechanism of hypoxia-induced coronary vasodilation was studied in isolated, saline-perfused rabbit hearts under constant flow conditions. Reduction in the perfusion solution PO2 (from 520 +/- 6 to 103 +/- 9 mm Hg) under control conditions halved the coronary resistance and was accompanied by a significant release of the prostaglandin (PG) 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (from 1.8 +/- 0.3 to a maximum of 4.4 +/- 0.9 pmol min-1 g-1). The cyclooxygenase inhibitor, diclofenac (1 microM), blocked the release of PGI2 and reduced hypoxia-induced vasodilation (from 47 +/- 8% to 25 +/- 5%, P < 0.05). The relative contribution of adenosine, prostaglandins, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ channel (KATP channel) activation in hypoxia-induced vasodilation was assessed by comparing the differential change (control response minus response after treatment) in coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) during infusion of 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT), diclofenac, and glibenclamide, respectively. The differential change in CPP with 8-PT and diclofenac given together (-48 +/- 7%) was found to be equivalent to the sum of their respective effects (-24 +/- 7 and -19 +/- 4%, respectively). Glibenclamide (0.3 microM) reduced significantly hypoxia-induced vasodilation (differential change in CPP of -27 +/- 6%) as well as the dilator response to 10 microM adenosine and to the stable PGI2-analogue, iloprost. Forskolin-induced coronary vasodilation in arrested hearts was slightly, but significantly, reduced by glibenclamide. Our results suggest that both cyclooxygenase products and adenosine, acting independently, and concomitantly, contribute to the dilator response of coronary resistance vessels to hypoxia, in part through the activation of KATP channels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine↗

PubMed1994

Attenuation of coronary autoregulation in the isolated rabbit heart by endothelium derived nitric oxide.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the role of endothelium derived nitric oxide (EDNO/EDRF) in the control of coronary autoregulation. METHODS: In isolated saline perfused rabbit hearts coronary flow responses to stepwise increases in perfusion pressure were studied under control conditions, during maximum dilatation with sodium nitroprusside, and in the presence of the inhibitor of EDNO synthesis, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), or the vasoconstrictors endothelin-1 and arginine vasopressin. RESULTS: At a constant perfusion pressure of 60 mm Hg, infusion of L-NNA (30 microM), but not D-NNA, reduced the coronary flow from 24.7(SEM 2) to 13.6(2.2) ml.min-1 and abolished flow increases induced by the EDRF stimulator acetylcholine. Under these conditions, pressure induced coronary flow increases were reduced (p < 0.05 compared to control) over the whole range of perfusion pressures studied (45 to 120 mm Hg). Arginine vasopressin [2(0.6) nM] and endothelin-1 [1.5(1) nM] induced similar reductions of coronary resting flow but the pressure induced flow increases were significantly greater than in the presence of L-NNA. Moreover, inhibition of EDRF synthesis reduced the peak reactive hyperaemia after a 30 s interruption of coronary flow from 47(2) to 32(2) ml.min-1. These changes occurred in spite of a decrease in the myocardial oxygen uptake from 5.1(0.6) to 3.4(0.5) ml.100 g-1.min-1 (p < 0.01) and a concomitant increase in the lactate release from 46(7) to 95(54) mumol.min.100 g-1 (p < 0.01), indicating myocardial ischaemia. CONCLUSIONS: EDNO attenuates coronary autoregulatory responses which, if unopposed, potentially impair a functionally adequate myocardial perfusion. It is suggested that the modulator role of EDNO is, at least in part, specific and most likely to be due to shear dependent alterations of EDNO release.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1994

Evidence that prostaglandins I2, E2, and D2 may activate ATP sensitive potassium channels in the isolated rat heart.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the contribution of ATP sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) in the coronary vasodilatation produced by prostaglandins I2, E2, and D2 in rats. METHODS: Isolated Langendorff rat hearts, perfused under constant flow conditions, and rat aortic rings were used. Dose-response curves to PGE2, PGD2, and iloprost, a PGI2 analogue, were performed before and during KATP channel blockade with glibenclamide. Arachidonic acid was used to increase the formation of endogenous PGI2. RESULTS: Infusions of PGE2, PGD2, and iloprost in isolated hearts induced marked vasodilatation, as reflected by the reduction in coronary perfusion pressure of 27(SEM 7), 30(6), and 43(6)%, for 0.1 microM PGE2, PGD2, and iloprost, respectively. Infusion of glibenclamide (0.3 microM) was accompanied by a 23(3)% increase in coronary perfusion pressure. The vasodilatation induced by levcromakalim (0.1 microM) was completely inhibited in the presence of glibenclamide, whereas that of papaverine (30 microM) was unaffected. Glibenclamide significantly reduced the vasodilatation induced by iloprost (at 3 to 100 nM), PGE2 (30 and 100 nM), and PGD2 (30 and 100 nM), at all concentrations studied. In contrast, glibenclamide (1 microM) had no effect on iloprost induced relaxation of aortic rings. Arachidonic acid infusion (from 0.1 to 3 microM) in isolated hearts induced a pronounced vasodilatation and a significant release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha into the coronary effluent in a dose dependent fashion. Both responses to arachidonic acid were significantly reduced in the presence of the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor diclofenac (1 microM). In an additional experimental series, the vasodilatation induced by arachidonic acid infusions was found to be significantly reduced in the presence of glibenclamide. CONCLUSIONS: Glibenclamide is a potent inhibitor of the coronary dilator action of prostaglandins I2, E2, and D2. This observation suggests that these prostaglandins may cause vasodilatation by opening KATP channels.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1994

Norepinephrine and dihydroxyphenylglycol effluxes from sympathetic nerve endings during hypoxia and reoxygenation in the isolated rat heart.

The present experiments were carried out in isolated rat hearts perfused according to the Langendorff method at a constant pressure of 10 kPa. The aim was to measure norepinephrine (NE) overflow and its deaminated metabolite dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) by changing the composition of the buffer perfusing the heart to simulate hypoxia. When aerobic and glycolytic pathways were simultaneously reduced, NE and DOPEG overflow increased 711 and 145%, respectively, after 30 min, compared with control values of 0.45 +/- 0.06 and 0.66 +/- 0.7 ng.min-1.g-1 of heart (n = 8, p < 0.05). Whereas NE leakage decreased sharply after reoxygenation and glucose addition, DOPEG continued to increase up to 260% after 5 min of normal reperfusion. This mechanism was calcium independent and inhibited by 80% with desipramine (1 microM), confirming the role of the uptake I carrier, which reversed its normal transport direction. Neuropeptide Y, a marker of exocytotic release, did not increase in the perfusate with the progression of hypoxia, which supports the hypothesis of a nonexocytotic release. Tyramine (1 microM) significantly enhanced NE outflow by displacing the amine from its storage vesicles through a calcium-independent mechanism, indicating that a pool of NE was still available. In the presence of 1 microM clorgyline (a monoamine oxidase A inhibitor) but not deprenyl (a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor), NE outflow increased 934% and DOPEG only 40% at 30 min (n = 6, p < 0.05 versus control hearts).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Mediation by B1 and B2 receptors of vasodepressor responses to intravenously administered kinins in anaesthetized dogs.

1. Vasodepressor responses to intravenous (i.v.) injection of bradykinin (BK) and des-Arg9-BK, a selective B1 kinin receptor agonist, were characterized following i.v. pretreatment with selective B1 ([Leu8]-des-Arg9-BK) and B2 (Hoe 140) kinin receptor antagonists in anaesthetized dogs. 2. Des-Arg9-BK (0.05-3.3 nmol kg-1) produced dose-dependent decreases in mean arterial blood pressure with a ED50 0.4 nmol kg-1. The vasodepressor effects evoked by des-Arg9-BK (0.6 nmol kg-1) and BK (0.2 nmol kg-1) were greater after i.v. and i.a. injections, respectively. 3. The vasodepressor response to BK (0.6 nmol kg-1) but not to des-Arg9-BK (0.6 nmol kg-1) was significantly (P < 0.001) blocked by pretreatment with the B2 receptor antagonist, Hoe 140. 4. The vasodepressor response to des-Arg9-BK (0.6 nmol kg-1) but not to BK (0.6 nmol kg-1) was significantly (P < 0.001) reduced by pretreatment with the selective B1 receptor antagonist, [Leu8]-des-Arg9-BK. Although both B1 and B2 receptor antagonists caused a transient fall in blood pressure, their inhibitory action was unlikely to be related to a desensitization mechanism. 5. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with indomethacin prevented the vasodepressor response induced by arachidonic acid (1 mg kg-1, i.v.) but not that to BK or des-Arg9-BK (0.6 nmol kg-1). 6. These results suggest, firstly, that the vasodepressor responses to i.v. BK and des-Arg9-BK are mediated by the activation of B2 and B1 receptors, respectively; secondly, that prostaglandins are not involved in the vasodepressor responses to kinins.These findings provide pharmacological evidence for the existence of functionally active B1 receptors in canine cardiovascular homeostasis.

Anesthesia↗

PubMed1993

Adenosine contributes to hypoxia-induced vasodilation through ATP-sensitive K+ channel activation.

the relative contribution of adenosine and ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in hypoxia-induced vasodilation was studied in isolated, saline-perfused rabbit hearts under constant flow conditions. Adenosine infusion induced a dose-dependent reduction in coronary perfusion pressure. Inhibition of KATP-channels with glibenclamide (0.3 microM) significantly reduced the dilator response to adenosine (-26 +/- 6 ys. -6 +/- 2% at 1 microM), whereas those of 1 microM acetylcholine or 10 microM papaverine were unaffected. The dilator responses to the A1-receptor selective agonist, N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), and the mixed A1- and A2-receptor agonist, 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido) adenosine (NECA), were comparable to that of adenosine. Treatment with glibenclamide reduced partially but significantly the NECA-induced vasodilation (-28 +/- 4 vs. -17 +/- 4%) and changed the CPA dilator response to a significant vasoconstriction. Both the nonselective adenosine-receptor antagonist, 8-phenyltheophylline (10 microM), and glibenclamide blocked the dilator response to adenosine and significantly reduced the hypoxia-induced vasodilation to the same extent. In conclusion, we suggest that the activation of KATP channels plays a major role in hypoxia-induced vasodilation. A major part of this activation results from the action of adenosine on receptors closely related to the A1 type.

Adenosine↗

PubMed1992

Prostacyclin and nitric oxide contribute to the vasodilator action of acetylcholine and bradykinin in the intact rabbit coronary bed.

The relative contribution of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclo-oxygenase products in the dilator response to equieffective doses of acetylcholine (ACh) and bradykinin (Bk) was studied in the isolated, saline-perfused rabbit heart under constant flow conditions. ACh (1 microM) and Bk (10 nM) induced a similar vasodilation, with a maximum reduction in coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) of 27 +/- 2%. The vasodilation induced by both agonists was associated with an enhanced release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha from the coronary bed, with the Bk-induced increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha being threefold greater than that induced by ACh. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor ramiprilat (0.3 microM) selectively enhanced both the 6-keto-PGF1 alpha outflow and the dilator response to Bk. The B2-receptor antagonist Hoe 140 (0.1 microM) blocked both Bk effects. The cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor diclofenac (1 microM) halved the dilator response to Bk, but did not affect the vasodilation to ACh. Both agonists induced the release of NO, as assessed by the increase in cyclic GMP content of platelets passing through the vascular bed. However, ACh induced a 2.5-fold greater increase in platelet cyclic GMP content, compared to Bk. Treatment of hearts with NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 30 microM) halved the ACh- and Bk-induced maximum reduction in CPP. Combined infusion of L-NNA and diclofenac completely blocked the dilator response to Bk, and inhibited the vasodilation to ACh more efficiently than L-NNA alone. We conclude that both NO and PGI2 contribute to the coronary dilator response to Bk and ACh in the rabbit Langendorff heart.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

PubMed1992

Mechanical deformation of vessel wall and shear stress determine the basal release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in the intact rabbit coronary vascular bed.

We investigated the mechanisms that are responsible for the basal release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), which is likely to be identical with nitric oxide, in the intact coronary circulation. The increase in cGMP content of platelets passing through the coronary bed of the isolated rabbit heart was used as an index of EDRF release. Platelet cGMP content after passage through the heart under control conditions (flow rate of 20 ml/min) amounted to 0.50 +/- 0.10 pmol/mg protein. Inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis by 30 microM NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) reduced this amount by more than 60%. Increasing flow rate from 20 ml/min to 40 and 60 ml/min led to flow-dependent dilation as reflected by the subsequent drop in perfusion pressure after an initial rise. The flow-dependent dilation was associated with a significant increase in the normalized platelet cGMP content. L-NNA abolished completely both the flow-dependent dilation and the increase in platelet cGMP content. Increasing shear stress by a strong vasoconstriction (1 nM endothelin-1) at constant flow was also accompanied by a 2.5-fold increase in platelet cGMP content. To investigate whether mechanical forces applied to the vascular wall by the myocardial contraction cycle were also a stimulus for EDRF release, cardiac arrest was induced by a continuous infusion of mepivacaine (final concentration, 0.02%). Under these conditions, a decrease in platelet cGMP content comparable to that after nitric oxide synthesis inhibition was observed in the arrested heart.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Impaired tissue perfusion after inhibition of endothelium-derived nitric oxide.

The effects of a blockade of the action or synthesis of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDRF) on vascular resistance and reactivity, platelet cGMP and tissue oxygenation were studied. Experiments were performed in isolated perfused rabbit hearts as well as in rabbit hindlimbs in vivo. In isolated hearts, perfusion with hemoglobin (6 microM) or NG-nitro-L-arginine (30 microM) significantly increased vascular resistance. The cGMP level in platelets passing through the coronary bed was found to be more than 50% lower than with intact EDRF production. EDRF inhibition also resulted in a reduced peak reactive hyperemia, an enhanced reactive vasoconstriction after a rapid increase in perfusion pressure (myogenic response), and in abolition of flow-dependent dilation of coronary resistance vessels. In rabbit hindlimbs, local blockade of EDRF-mediated dilations by gossypol resulted also in an increased vascular resistance and abolition of the increase in platelet cGMP induced by intraarterial infusion of acetylcholine. In addition, the oxygen uptake of the hindlimb (-46%) and the skeletal muscle pO2 were significantly reduced. It is concluded that continuously released EDRF has a functional role in maintaining adequate tissue perfusion and oxygen supply. Furthermore, the adaption of the vascular bed to rapid changes in flow and pressure is impaired after inhibition of EDRF.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1991

Endothelium-derived bradykinin is responsible for the increase in calcium produced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in human endothelial cells.

The effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were examined under resting conditions and after stimulation with bradykinin in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The ACE inhibitors ramiprilat and enalaprilat (0.3 microM) enhanced the increase in [Ca2+]i elicited by bradykinin (3 nM) and also caused an increase in resting [Ca2+]i when given alone. This increase in resting [Ca2+]i was long-lasting and accompanied by an increased formation of nitric oxide, as assessed by a NG-nitro-L-arginine-sensitive cyclic GMP accumulation in the cells. Both increases in resting [Ca2+]i and nitric oxide production by ACE inhibitors were inhibited by preincubation of the cells with the B2-receptor antagonist Hoe 140. These data indicate that ACE inhibitors are able to unmask a release of bradykinin from cultured human endothelial cells. This endothelium-derived bradykinin can exert an autocrine function by stimulating endothelial B2-receptors with a subsequent increase in [Ca2+]i and nitric oxide formation.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

PubMed1991

NG-nitro-L-arginine antagonizes endothelium-dependent dilator responses by inhibiting endothelium-derived relaxing factor release in the isolated rabbit heart.

The effects of a recently described inhibitor of endothelial NO synthesis, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), on the vasomotor responses to endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilators, and on the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), were studied in the isolated saline-perfused rabbit heart. Infusion of L-NNA (30 microM) resulted in a 52 +/- 12% increase in basal coronary perfusion pressure. The vasomotor responses to 1 microM acetylcholine (ACh) and serotonin after L-NNA became biphasic, showing a small transient dilation followed by a pronounced vasoconstriction. In contrast, the dilation observed with sodium nitroprusside was not affected by L-NNA. None of the above-mentioned effects was elicited by the stereo-isomer D-NNA. Similarly, an increase in the basal coronary perfusion pressure by endothelin-1 (0.3 nM) to the same level as observed with L-NNA did not alter the vasomotor responses to ACh and sodium nitroprusside. The increase in cyclic GMP (cGMP) in platelets passing through the coronary vascular bed was used as an index of EDRF release. Platelet cGMP amounted to 0.50 +/- 0.10 pmol/mg protein after passage through the coronary bed of the unstimulated heart. When platelets were injected during an ACh infusion (1 microM), a 2.7 fold increase in cGMP was observed (P less than 0.01). After a 30-min infusion with L-NNA, the cGMP content of platelets passing through the unstimulated heart was reduced by 62%. Likewise, the ACh-induced increase in platelet cGMP was totally blocked. These results show that L-NNA inhibits EDRF release, and is thus a potent and selective inhibitor of EDRF-mediated dilation in the isolated rabbit heart.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1991

Reduction of tissue noradrenaline content in the isolated perfused rat heart during ischemia: importance of monoamine oxidation.

The effect of ischemia on myocardial noradrenaline concentration and endogenous noradrenaline output was studied in the isolated perfused rat heart. Following a 15-min stabilization period, regional ischemia was produced by coronary artery ligation. After 60 min of ischemia, noradrenaline concentrations were significantly reduced in the interventricular septum and left ventricle but not in the right ventricle. The reduction in tissue noradrenaline concentration was not prevented when the 60-min ischemia was replaced by a 10-min ischemia followed by a 50-min perfusion. No modification in noradrenaline output was observed during a 60-min ischemia. In contrast, reperfusion was accompanied by a washout of noradrenaline in the coronary effluent, corresponding to only 2% of the amount lost by the tissue. The effect of monoamine oxidase inhibition during the whole ischemic period was studied by perfusing the preparation with pargyline starting 10 min before the artery ligation. Although the administration of pargyline did not alter the noradrenaline output, it did prevent a reduction in myocardial noradrenaline concentration. It was concluded that monoamine oxidase may contribute to the elimination of the noradrenaline lost by the cardiac tissue during ischemia.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Potent effects of AP3A and AP4A on coronary resistance and autacoid release of intact rabbit hearts.

We investigated effects of platelet-derived dinucleotides diadenosine 5',5"'-P1,P3-triphosphate (AP3A) and diadenosine 5',5"'-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (AP4A) on coronary vasculature. In isolated rabbit hearts, saline perfused at constant flow (36 +/- 3 ml/min), AP3A and AP4A induced dose-dependent decreases in coronary perfusion pressure. Dose-effect curves of AP3A [-log M mean effective concentration (EC50) 6.2 +/- 0.1] and AP4A (EC50 6.4 +/- 0.2) were identical and not significantly different from those of adenosine, ADP, and ATP (n = 4-8). There were, however, distinct differences between both dinucleotides: pretreatment with endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF)-inhibitors oxyhemoglobin (6 microM, n = 6) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (30 microM, n = 6) significantly reduced AP4A-induced dilation by 44 and 42% but did not affect vasomotor effects of AP3A or of sodium nitroprusside, adenosine, ATP, and ADP. Concentration of the stable hydrolysis product of prostaglandin (PG)I2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, increased by 173 +/- 25% in coronary effluent (n = 23) during infusion of AP3A (1 microM). This increase was significantly higher than during infusion of equimolar concentrations of AP4A (38 +/- 10%), ATP (23 +/- 5%), adenosine (20 +/- 10%), or an equimolar combination of AMP and ADP (52 +/- 25%), the hydrolysis products of AP3A. Luminometric and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed a nearly complete (94 +/- 3%) degradation of ATP during passage through the coronary bed while significant amounts of AP3A (31 +/- 5%) and AP4A (33 +/- 6%) remained uncleaved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1990

Occlusion time dependency of regional noradrenaline release and cardiac arrhythmias during reperfusion of acutely ischaemic heart in the dog in vivo.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the occlusion time dependency of reperfusion induced increases in regional cardiac noradrenaline release from the ischaemic area in relation to the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. DESIGN: The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated for 15, 30 and 60 min in three separate groups of dogs (n = 10 per group). Each occlusion period was followed by a 30 min reperfusion period. The coronary sinus and the epicardial vein running in parallel with the left anterior descending coronary artery were cannulated for measurement of noradrenaline and lactate. EXPERIMENTAL MATERIAL: 30 adult mongrel dogs, 22.5(SEM 1.1) kg, were used for the study. The animals were anaesthetised with sodium pentobarbitone. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During occlusion, epicardial venous blood noradrenaline concentrations remained unchanged up to 30 min, but increased from 0.133(0.027) ng.ml-1 to 0.289(0.069) ng.ml-1 after 60 min of occlusion (p less than 0.05). However, epicardial venous blood lactate concentrations increased immediately upon occlusion, and remained elevated (p less than 0.05) during the whole period of occlusion in all groups. Neither noradrenaline nor lactate concentrations in coronary sinus blood increased during occlusion. During reperfusion, nine dogs showed early ventricular fibrillation. The highest incidence of fibrillation (n = 5/10) was found in the 15 min occlusion group, but the difference was not significant between groups. Epicardial venous blood noradrenaline concentrations increased to 0.371(0.076) ng.ml-1, 0.470(0.178) ng.ml-1, and 1.824(0.713) ng.ml-1 upon reperfusion following 15, 30 and 60 min occlusion, respectively (each p less than 0.05). Maximum increases in epicardial venous blood noradrenaline concentrations during reperfusion were correlated with duration of preceding occlusion (r = 0.60, n = 21, p less than 0.01). Maximum increases in mean arrhythmic ratios observed during the first 10 min of reperfusion were proportionally related to mean epicardial venous blood noradrenaline concentrations. The increases in epicardial venous blood noradrenaline concentrations and the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in the 60 min occlusion group were greater (p less than 0.05) than in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that noradrenaline is released progressively from the ischaemic area during occlusion for 60 min. The amount of noradrenaline washed out upon reperfusion and the incidence of reperfusion ventricular arrhythmias both appear to be dependent upon duration of preceding occlusion. The results suggest that cardiac noradrenaline released locally from the ischaemic region may contribute to the genesis of reperfusion ventricular arrhythmias, but not to that of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Absence of prejunctional sympathetic effect of amiodarone in hearts of open-chest anesthetized dogs.

The effect of amiodarone (30 mg/kg p.o. each day for 3 weeks) on noradrenaline (NA) overflow into coronary sinus (CS) blood during left stellate stimulation (15 V, 2-ms square waves, 30 s duration at 1, 2, 4, and 8 Hz in random order) was investigated in an open-chest dog preparation. CS blood samples were taken before and during the stimulation period for plasma NA and hematocrit determinations. CS blood flow was monitored (extracorporal circulation with an electromagnetic flow meter) and used for NA output computation. The right atrium was paced throughout the experimental period. However, because AV block occurred at a high pacing rate in some amiodarone-treated dogs, pacing rate was lower in that group than in control dogs (132 +/- 13 vs. 161 +/- 10 min-1, ns). Mean arterial pressure was also lower in the treated group (95 +/- 9 vs. 110 +/- 13 mmHg, but increased in every dog upon stimulation (p less than 0.05). Basal left ventricular dP/dtmax was comparable in the two groups of dogs and increased in a similar fashion upon stimulation (p less than 0.05). The increase in plasma NA concentration upon stimulation was comparable between the control and the amiodarone-treated group (0.38 +/- 0.08 vs 0.40 +/- 0.12 ng/mL at 1 Hz and 12.7 +/- 3.1 vs 11.3 +/- 2.3 ng/mL at 8 Hz, ns). The increase in NA output was also comparable (7.0 +/- 1.6 vs. 10.7 +/- 5.4 ng/min at 1 Hz and 356 +/- 124 vs. 334 +/- 102 ng/min at 8 Hz, ns). Amiodarone did not alter the myocardial NA content. We conclude that amiodarone, administered orally for 3 weeks, does not interfere with neural NA release, or with the positive inotropic response, following sympathetic nerve stimulation in dogs.

Amiodarone↗

PubMed1989

Effect of sotalol against reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats.

The effect of (+/-)-sotalol (a beta-blocker with class III antiarrhythmic activity) against reperfusion-induced arrhythmias was studied in artificially ventilated, open-chest, Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats. Coronary artery occlusion was produced for 5 min and reperfusion allowed for 10 min. A somewhat different arrhythmic profile was observed between saline-treated rats of the 2 strains studied, with more Sprague-Dawley rats experiencing an irreversible ventricular fibrillation (VF) upon reperfusion, compared to Wistar rats, in whom a combination of reversible ventricular tachycardia (VT) and VF was more frequently observed. No difference in action potential characteristics and ventricular effective refractory period determined in vitro, nor in myocardial noradrenaline content, was found between the 2 strains of rats. (+/-)-Sotalol (5 and 10 mg/kg, IV) showed marked beta-blocking activity and reduced the mean duration of VT-VF in both strains studied. It also produced similar increases in action potential duration and refractory period in vitro in these 2 strains. In a different series of experiments, the antiarrhythmic action of the racemic form was compared to that of (+)-sotalol using Wistar rats. (+)-Sotalol had much less beta-blocking activity, and was found to be similarly effective against reperfusion-induced VT-VF. It is concluded that the antiarrhythmic effect of sotalol against reperfusion-induced arrhythmias may not be related to beta-adrenergic blockade but probably to class III type activity. Despite differences in the profile of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias between Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats, both strains were sensitive to the antiarrhythmic action of (+/-)-sotalol.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Coronary sinus norepinephrine concentrations during ventricular tachycardia induced by left stellate ganglion stimulation in dogs.

Coronary sinus catecholamine overflow was measured in open-chest dogs, anesthetized with sodium thiopental and alpha-chloralose, during left sympathetic stimulation. Uniform ventricular tachycardias were induced in 9 out of 16 dogs during either left stellate ganglion or left ventrolateral cardiac nerve stimulations. Significant increases in norepinephrine (8.1 ng/mL, plasma) and epinephrine (0.19 ng/mL, plasma) overflows were obtained after 30 and 90 s of stimulation, respectively. Maximum norepinephrine overflow was significantly higher in dogs with ventricular tachycardia than in those without it (16.0 vs. 7.4 ng/mL, p less than 0.05). This suggests that the induction of ventricular tachycardia in the normal myocardium is related to the amount of local secretion of norepinephrine during nerve stimulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Epinephrine release from the heart during left stellate ganglion stimulation in dogs.

Plasma epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) concentrations were measured (radioenzymatic assay) in blood samples simultaneously withdrawn from the aorta (Ao) and coronary sinus (CS) on 10 anesthetized dogs immediately before and during a 1-min period of electrical stimulation of the left stellate ganglion (4 V, 4 ms, 10 Hz). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure significantly increased in response to electrical stimulation (152 +/- 8 to 180 +/- 15 beats/min and 128 +/- 12 to 149 +/- 12 mmHg, mean +/- SE; P less than 0.05). Plasma NE concentrations were not significantly different in the Ao and the CS (432 +/- 110 and 319 +/- 67 pg/ml) before the stimulation, whereas a net removal of E was present across the myocardium (Ao, 172 +/- 61; CS, 71 +/- 22 pg/ml). A large NE spillover in the CS was observed during the stimulation (Ao, 1,555 +/- 513; CS, 10,583 +/- 3,753 pg/ml). A significant output of E from the myocardium was also present (Ao, 165 +/- 42; CS, 291 +/- 74 pg/ml) during the stimulation. Determination of NE and E concentrations by high-performance liquid chromatography in five of the dogs confirmed the observation made with the radioenzymatic assay, i.e., a significant uptake (66%) of blood-borne E was present across the myocardium in the control situation (Ao, 320 +/- 97; CS, 110 +/- 23 pg/ml), whereas plasma E concentrations in the CS (280 +/- 61 pg/ml) were 1.5 times the values found in Ao (184 +/- 56 pg/ml) under electrical stimulation. These observations give further support to the hypothesis that endogenous tissue E can act as a cotransmitter of sympathetic fibers.

Animals↗