Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

M Matsuhisa

Publications and source records attributed to M Matsuhisa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Oxidative stress induces p21 expression in pancreatic islet cells: possible implication in beta-cell dysfunction.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Prolonged poor glycaemic control in patients with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus often causes pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction accompanied by decreases in insulin biosynthesis and beta-cell proliferation. This is well known as a clinical concept called glucose toxicity. Whereas oxidative stress is provoked under diabetic conditions, we examined the possible implication of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21 (WAF1/CIP1/Sdi1) in beta-cell dysfunction mediated by oxidative stress. METHODS: Oxidative stress was induced in isolated rat pancreatic islet cells by treatment with H(2)O(2) and mRNA expression of p21 and insulin was examined by northern blot analyses. Also, the expression of p21 and insulin mRNA was examined in Zucker diabetic fatty rat. In islet cells p21 was overexpressed using adenovirus and its effect on insulin gene transcription was examined. RESULTS: When oxidative stress was charged on isolated rat pancreatic islet cells, p21 mRNA expression was induced whereas insulin mRNA was decreased. Also, when diabetes developed in Zucker diabetic fatty rats, p21 expression was induced and the insulin mRNA expression was reduced. As support for the implication of p21 in impairment of beta-cell function, the p21 overexpression in the islet cells suppressed the insulin gene transcription. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, which can be induced by oxidative stress, increases in pancreatic islet cells upon development of diabetes. By suppressing cell proliferation and insulin biosynthesis, the p21 induction is likely to be implicated in the beta-cell glucose toxicity.

Animals

Impaired splanchnic and peripheral glucose uptake in liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Patients with liver cirrhosis are insulin-resistant and frequently glucose-intolerant. Although peripheral glucose uptake has been shown to be impaired in liver cirrhosis, little is known about the significance of splanchnic (hepatic) glucose uptake after oral glucose load. METHODS/RESULTS: We performed an oral glucose tolerance test and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp with oral glucose load for eight patients with liver cirrhosis and eight patients with chronic active hepatitis. The patients with liver cirrhosis had higher plasma glucose levels 2 h after glucose load than those with chronic active hepatitis (228+/-22 mg/dl vs. 102+/-9 mg/dl, p<0.01). Using the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp with oral glucose load, we simultaneously measured peripheral and splanchnic glucose uptake. Peripheral glucose uptake in liver cirrhosis was 6.1+/-0.7 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), which was lower than that in healthy volunteers (10.5+/-0.9 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), p<0.05) and in chronic active hepatitis (8.4+/-0.3 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), p<0.05). Furthermore, splanchnic glucose uptake in liver cirrhosis was much lower (20.1+/-3.4%) than in healthy volunteers (36.0+/-4.0%, p<0.05) and in chronic active hepatitis (37.2+/-3.1%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that glucose intolerance in patients with liver cirrhosis is caused by a defect of the glucose uptake of both splanchnic and peripheral tissues.

Administration, Oral

Interferon induces insulin resistance in patients with chronic active hepatitis C.

AIM/METHODS: To elucidate the metabolic effect of interferon alpha, the following tests were performed on 14 patients with chronic active hepatitis C before and after interferon therapy (6 million units/day for 2 weeks): (1) oral glucose tolerance tests to measure insulin secretion; (2) euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp with oral glucose load to measure peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity (splanchnic glucose uptake); and (3) measurements of plasma levels of glucoregulatory hormones. RESULTS: The oral glucose tolerance test showed that a 2-week treatment with interferon did not induce apparent change in plasma glucose and insulin profiles. Nevertheless, interferon therapy worsened insulin-mediated glucose uptake in the peripheral tissues by 17% from 44.4+/-3.2 to 37.3+/-3.0 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (p<0.05). Furthermore, interferon therapy significantly decreased splanchnic glucose uptake by 38% from 47+/-2% to 29+/-3% (p<0.01). No changes were noted for plasma glucoregulatory hormones, such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and growth hormone, after interferon therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that interferon therapy for 2 weeks induces insulin resistance in the splanchnic, as well as peripheral tissues, in patients with chronic active hepatitis C. Therefore, more careful observation may be needed during interferon therapy in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.

Antiviral Agents

Prior muscular contraction enhances disposal of glucose analog in the liver and muscle.

To noninvasively investigate in vivo glucose disposal in muscle and liver after exercise, 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy (19F-MRS) was applied using 3-fluoro-3-deoxy-D-glucose (3FDG) as a metabolic probe. After 30 minutes of muscle contraction of rabbit hindlimb by a 1-Hz electrical stimulation, 3FDG 250 mg/kg was injected intravenously and 19F-MRS was performed on the postcontracted hindlimb or the liver. Rabbits subjected to muscle contraction showed 1.5- and 1.7-fold higher peaks for 3FDG signal intensity in the liver and muscle than those not subjected to it. 3FDG was converted to 3-fluoro-3-deoxy-gluconic acid (3FGA) in the muscle and liver, and 3FDG oxidation was not affected by muscle contraction. During intraportal 3FDG infusion for 120 minutes at a dose of 2 mg x kg-1 x min-1 after termination of muscle contraction, the postcontracted rabbits showed a continuous increase in the signal intensity of 3FDG and a 2.1-fold higher total signal intensity of 3FDG than those not subjected to muscle contraction. In conclusion, 19F-MRS allows direct noninvasive observation of 3FDG disposal in rabbit muscle and liver. The increased intensity of 3FDG in the liver after muscle contraction suggests that exercise enhances disposal of the glucose analog in the liver, as well as in muscle, and these effects persist for at least 2 hours after exercise.

Animals

Increased hepatic glucose production and decreased hepatic glucose uptake at the prediabetic phase in the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty rat model.

To investigate the time course of the hepatic glucose metabolism in non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM), we measured hepatic glucose production (HGP) and first-pass uptake of portal glucose infusion by the liver (HGU) using dual-tracer methods in a NIDDM model, Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, and in normal controls, Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats, at 8, 14, and 28 weeks of age (n = 5, respectively). The fasting plasma glucose level in OLETF rats was significantly higher than in LETO rats at 28 weeks of age (8.9 +/- 1.7 v 6.3 +/- 0.4 mmol/L, P < .01), while there was no significant difference at 8 and 14 weeks. Hyperinsulinemia in OLETF rats appeared at > or = 8 weeks of age. Basal HGP was significantly higher in OLETF than in LETO rats at 8 and 28 weeks (8 weeks, 12.7 +/- 1.7 v 9.4 +/- 1.8 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < .05; 28 weeks, 10.9 +/- 1.6 v 7.1 +/- 1.3 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < .01). At 14 weeks, basal HGP was not significantly different between OLETF and LETO rats. However, at all study points, HGU during a portal glucose infusion was significantly lower in OLETF than in LETO rats (8 weeks, 0.9 +/- 0.2 v 2.3 +/- 0.5, P < .01; 14 weeks, 0.8 +/- 0.3 v 1.4 +/- 0.3, P < .05; 28 weeks, 0.7 +/- 0.2 v 1.4 +/- 0.3 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < .01). Fasting plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels were not significantly different between OLETF and LETO, except at 8 weeks. Suppression of plasma FFA levels by endogenous insulin during a portal glucose infusion was impaired in OLETF rats compared with LETO rats. In summary, this study demonstrates that derangement of hepatic glucose handling, such as increased basal HGP and decreased HGU, is observed in obese NIDDM model OLETF rats at the prediabetic phase when hyperglycemia is still not apparent. Furthermore, these derangements may be accompanied by impaired lipid metabolism.

Animals

Pioglitazone enhances splanchnic glucose uptake as well as peripheral glucose uptake in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. AD-4833 Clamp-OGL Study Group.

To evaluate the effect of pioglitazone on insulin resistance in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients, a double-blind placebo-controlled trial was carried out with 30 NIDDM patients. Twenty-one subjects, three on diet alone and 18 on sulfonylurea (SU), orally received 30 mg pioglitazone once daily for 12 weeks. Nine subjects, one on diet alone and eight on SU, received a matching placebo once daily for 12 weeks. Euglycemic (5.2 mmol/l) hyperinsulinemic (1200 pmol/l) clamp combined with an oral glucose load (OGL) was performed before and after 3-month treatment with pioglitazone or placebo to determine insulin-stimulated glucose disposal and splanchnic glucose uptake (SGU). No significant differences existed in the patients' characteristics, including age and body mass index, between the two study groups. The pioglitazone treatment increased the mean glucose infusion rate (GIR) prior to OGL from 8.2 +/- 2.2 to 9.2 +/- 2.0 mg/kg.min (mean +/- SD, P = 0.003) and increased the SGU rate from 28.5 +/- 19.4 to 59.4 +/- 27.1% (P = 0.010). The placebo treatment produced no significant changes in either GIR or SGU after treatment. A significant difference (P = 0.042) was observed in change of SGU between the pioglitazone and placebo treatment groups. In conclusion, the results indicate that pioglitazone is effective for ameliorating insulin resistance in NIDDM by enhancing SGU as well as peripheral glucose uptake.

Blood Glucose

High plasma free fatty acids decrease splanchnic glucose uptake in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

It has been proposed that high plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels observed in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) contribute to the development of their insulin resistance. We examined patients with NIDDM to find whether maintaining plasma FFA levels in the fasting range with a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp combined with an oral glucose load (clamp OGL) would affect insulin-mediated peripheral glucose uptake (PGU) and splanchnic glucose uptake (SGU). Nine NIDDM subjects (age, 55 +/- 3 years; duration of diabetes, 11 +/- 2 years; body mass index, 21.0 +/- 0.4 kg/m2; hemoglobin A1c, 9.0 +/- 0.3%; fasting plasma glucose, 9.4 +/- 3.0 mmol/l, means +/- SEM) were hospitalized and treated with diet, oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin for at least 2 weeks to maintain fasting plasma glucose < 8 mmol/l. All the patients were subjected to two different protocols in a random order. On one protocol, under the hyperinsulinemic condition, FFAs were maintained at the their fasting levels (1.19 +/- 0.08) by triglyceride emulsion infusion (Lipid infusion study, L), and on the other protocol, FFAs were made to fall (0.26 +/- 0.06 mmol/l) with saline instead of triglyceride emulsion infusion (Saline infusion study, S). During euglycemic (L, 5.4 +/- 0.2; S, 5.1 +/- 0.2 mmol/l) hyperinsulinemic (L, 1377 +/- 108; S, 1328 +/- 67 pmol/l) clamp, high FFA levels significantly reduced PGU (L, 26.7 +/- 3.6; S, 32.1 +/- 3.4 mumol.kg-1.min-1, P < 0.05) and SGU (L, 12.1 +/- 4.2; S, 27.5 +/- 5.6%, P < 0.05). In conclusion, high FFA levels in patients with NIDDM impaired insulin-mediated glucose uptake in the splanchnic as well as peripheral tissues.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid

The effect of pioglitazone on hepatic glucose uptake measured with indirect and direct methods in alloxan-induced diabetic dogs.

Pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione derivative, ameliorates hyperglycemia by augmenting peripheral glucose disposal and suppressing hepatic glucose production in diabetic animals. However, the effect of this agent on hepatic glucose uptake has not been explored. To determine this, experiments were conducted in alloxan-induced diabetic dogs with (pioglitazone group, n = 7) or without (control group, n = 5) a 10-day oral treatment with pioglitazone (1 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)). A euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic (insulin infusion rate 25.2 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) clamp was maintained by adjusting the peripheral glucose infusion rate (GIR). After a 60-min basal period (period I), portal glucose infusion (Pinf, 33.3 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) was administered for 120 min (period II). This was followed by a 60-min recovery period (period III). Arterial insulin levels were kept stable in the supraphysiological range throughout the experiment (1,623 +/- 52, pioglitazone group; 1,712 +/- 52 pmol/l, C group). There was no significant difference in whole-body glucose utilization determined by [3-3H]glucose between the pioglitazone and C groups in period I (68.4 +/- 2.8 vs. 70.1 +/- 2.8 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), respectively) and period III (81.2 +/- 5.0 vs. 74.5 +/- 3.3 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), respectively). Net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU) determined by arteriovenous difference method was approximately zero in the basal period (-0.7 +/- 1.1, pioglitazone group; 0.1 +/- 1.2 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), C group). In period II, hepatic glucose uptake, determined by the changes in GIR, was significantly higher in the pioglitazone group (6.5 +/- 0.6 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) than in the C group (-0.4 +/- 0.6 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.001). This observation was also confirmed by NHGU during portal glucose infusion (6.9 +/- 1.4 vs. 2.1 +/- 1.8 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), pioglitazone vs. C, respectively; P < 0.025). We conclude that pioglitazone treatment enhances hepatic glucose uptake during portal glucose loading in alloxan-induced diabetic dogs. However, in hyperinsulinemic conditions, pioglitazone does not enhance the already high peripheral glucose uptake.

Animals

Augmentation of hepatic glucose uptake by a positive glucose gradient between hepatoportal and central nervous systems.

To determine the role of the glucose gradient between the hepatoportal system (HPS) and the central nervous system (CNS) in regulating hepatic glucose uptake, experiments were conducted with seven conscious dogs using a hepatic venous catheterization technique. With the infusion of somatostatin (0.8 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)), glucagon (0.65 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1)), and insulin (27 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1)), arterial glucose levels could be maintained at 8 mmol/l by adjusting the intravenous glucose infusion (G(inf)) according to the following three periods: 1) peripheral glucose infusion period (PE), G(inf) alone; 2) portal glucose infusion period (PO), G(inf) plus constant glucose infusion into the portal vein (GIR(PV), 55.6 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1)); 3) portal and brain glucose infusion period (PO+CNS), G(inf) and GIR(PV) plus additional glucose infusion into the unilateral carotid and vertebral arteries to abolish the positive glucose gradient between HPS and CNS. Arterial plasma glucose levels were clamped during the three periods (8.1 +/- 0.1, PE; 8.2 +/- 0.1, PO; 8.2 +/- 0.1 mmol/l, PO+CNS). During PO, when a positive glucose gradient was promoted between HPS and CNS, the net hepatic glucose balance (NHGB) determined by the difference between hepatic glucose inflow and outflow was significantly lower than that of PE (-41.5 +/- 5.3, PO vs. -7.5 +/- 3.4 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), PE; P < 0.01). However, this decrease in the NHGB significantly increased during PO+CNS, when the glucose gradient between HPS and CNS was minimized, compared with PO (-21.7 +/- 3.2 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.05). We conclude that a positive glucose gradient between HPS and CNS is an important regulatory factor of hepatic glucose uptake, but other factors also play important roles because minimizing the glucose gradient between HPS and CNS diminished the net hepatic glucose uptake by 50%.

Animals

Diurnal heart rate variability in healthy subjects: effects of aging and sex difference.

To study the effects of aging and gender, circadian profiles of heart rate variability were evaluated for 105 healthy volunteers by frequency domain analysis of a Holter electrocardiogram record. The low-frequency (LF) component representing cardiac beta-adrenergic function showed high values for the 0800-1200 period in male subjects and the 1200-2400 period in female subjects. The high-frequency (HF) component representing parasympathetic function showed a peak for the 0000-0600 period in both male and female subjects independent of age. Male subjects showed significantly higher %LF [LF/(LF + HF) x 100] than female subjects. LF showed consistently highly significant correlation with age. These basic findings can help elucidate the diurnal profile of cardiac nerve function and how it is affected by aging and sex difference.

Adult

Influence of oral sulfonylurea agents on hepatic glucose uptake.

Although the metabolic derangement in the subjects with well-established NIDDM is characterized by both insulin resistance and diminished insulin secretion, the impaired sensitivity to insulin in the target tissues is assumed to represent the primary defect in most NIDDM individuals. Therefore, the therapeutic modality that can augment insulin-mediated glucose metabolism in the target tissues seems rational in the treatment of NIDDM. Glimepiride (HOE490), a newly developed sulfonylurea, has been reported to have a more potent hypoglycemic action than glibenclamide while its ability to stimulate insulin secretion is much weaker. Thus, part of the potent hypoglycemic action of HOE490 has been speculated as being due to an extrapancreatic effect. First we examined the effect of strict glycemic control on insulin resistance seen in NIDDM using euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp combined with oral glucose loading (Clamp-OGL) to 9 subjects with NIDDM. After 3 to 4 weeks of intensified insulin therapy, insulin-mediated glucose uptake by the liver significantly increased while peripheral glucose disposal did not change. Secondly we applied Clamp-OGL to 5 subjects with IDDM to study the acute metabolic effect of HOE490 on glucose handlings by the target tissues. Intravenous administration of HOE490 at a rate of 6.0 micrograms/min did not affect hepatic glucose uptake in these subjects. Thus we studied subacute metabolic effect of HOE490 on glucose handlings by the target tissues in 7 normal dogs using euglycemic clamp combined with hepatic venous catheterization technique.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral

Recurrent Cushing's disease associated with nephrotic syndrome.

A case of recurrent Cushing's disease with nephrotic syndrome due to membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is presented. Functional pituitary adenoma recurred 6 years after transsphenoidal pituitary adenomectomy. Due to infiltration into the surrounding tissues, transcranial surgery was performed. However, this failed to induce a remission and thus gamma knife therapy was applied. Histopathological evaluation revealed that the glomerular lesions had progressed to a rather advanced stage of MPGN. Although this association could be coincidental, the recurrence of pituitary macroadenoma might be induced by the cessation of steroid treatment for the nephrotic syndrome.

Adult

Effect of strict metabolic control on glucose handling by the liver and peripheral tissues in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

To examine the effect of strict glycemic control on the insulin resistance of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), we applied euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp combined with an oral glucose load (OGL) to nine non-obese subjects with NIDDM and quantitated insulin-mediated glucose uptake by the liver (HGU) and peripheral tissues (PGU) simultaneously before and after 3 to 4 weeks of intimate glycemic control by preprandial regular insulin injections 3 times a day. The glucose infusion rate (GIR) required to maintain euglycemia during the clamp before OGL was considered as PGU. After OGL, the fraction of ingested glucose that is not extracted by the liver enters the systemic circulation and reduces the GIR required for the clamp. HGU was calculated from the difference between the amount of OGL and the cumulative decrements in GIR after OGL and was expressed as the ratio to the amount of OGL (%). Three to 4 weeks after initiation of strict metabolic control, FPG and HbA1c levels significantly improved (9.1 +/- 0.5 vs. 6.4 +/- 0.4 mmol/l, and 11.2 +/- 0.8 vs. 8.3 +/- 0.3%, P < 0.05). HGU significantly increased to 33.1 +/- 9.5 from 14.5 +/- 4.8%, while PGU did not change (38.2 +/- 5.2 vs. 37.4 +/- 3.9 mumol/kg.min). These data suggest that short-term strict metabolic control ameliorates insulin resistance in NIDDM mainly at the hepatic level.

Adult

Bradycardia-induced abnormal QT prolongation in patients with complete atrioventricular block with torsades de pointes.

Fourteen patients with complete atrioventricular block with or without torsades de pointes (TdP) were included in this study. They were divided into 2 groups, 6 patients with TdP (TdP[+] group) and 8 patients without TdP (TdP[-] group). The patients were evaluated at 2 different periods, before (acute period) and after (chronic period) pacemaker implantation. In the acute period, the QRS and heart rate during the escape rhythm were not significantly different between the 2 groups; however, the QT and QTc intervals were significantly longer in the TdP(+) group than in the TdP(-) group: 753 +/- 57.5 vs 635 +/- 78.4 ms (p less than 0.01) and 585 +/- 44.8 vs 476 +/- 58.3 ms (p less than 0.01). In the chronic period (greater than 2 months after pacemaker implantation), we changed the pacemaker rate from 90 or 100 beats/min to 50 beats/min and examined the QT interval changes in relation to the heart rate. The QT interval in the TdP(+) group was significantly prolonged compared with the TdP(-) group when the pacing rate was decreased less than or equal to 60 beats/min: 551 +/- 40 vs 503 +/- 36 ms at 60 beats/min (p less than 0.05), and 700 +/- 46 vs 529 +/- 43 ms at 50 beats/min (p less than 0.001). Patients with complete atrioventricular block with TdP had a bradycardia-sensitive repolarization abnormality and this characteristic remained after pacemaker implantation. The critical heart rate that induced abnormal QT prolongation in the TdP(+) group was less than or equal to 60 beats/min.

Adult

Effects of a combination of disopyramide and mexiletine on the anterograde accessory pathway conduction in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

In order to evaluate the electrophysiological effects of the combined administration of disopyramide and mexiletine on anterograde accessory pathway conduction, we studied 11 patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. Disopyramide was first infused intravenously at 1 mg kg-1 for 5 min followed by a continuous infusion at 0.025 mg kg-1 min-1. After the infusion rate of disopyramide was decreased to 0.004 mg kg-1 min-1 to maintain a lower serum concentration, mexiletine was infused at 2 mg kg-1 for 5 min followed by a continuous infusion at 0.008 mg kg-1 min-1 (protocol 1). The shortest atrial paced cycle length with 1:1 anterograde accessory pathway conduction (shortest CL with 1:1) and the anterograde effective refractory period of the accessory pathway (ERP) were measured: (1) before drug administration, (2) after disopyramide was given alone, and (3) after disopyramide and mexiletine were combined at lower concentrations. The same protocol was repeated with the order of drug administration reversed (mexiletine followed by disopyramide) in all patients (protocol 2). Both disopyramide and mexiletine lengthened the shortest CL with 1:1 and the ERP to the same degree. The combination of disopyramide and mexiletine at lower concentrations further lengthened the shortest CL with 1:1. It was longer than with disopyramide (protocol 1) or mexiletine (protocol 2) alone [protocol 1: 412 +/- 169 ms (combination) vs 356 +/- 117 ms (disopyramide); P less than 0.05, protocol 2: 409 +/- 166 ms (combination) vs 355 +/- 119 ms (mexiletine); P less than 0.01].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Significance of ventricular pacing site in manifest entrainment during orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia with left-sided accessory pathway.

We examined entrainment by ventricular pacing in six patients during orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) utilizing a left-sided lateral accessory pathway. Constant fusion and progressive fusion were demonstrated in all patients by left ventricular pacing during tachycardia, but in none of the patients by right ventricular pacing. When left ventricular pacing was performed during AVRT, the antidromic wave front from the pacing impulse (n) collided with the orthodromic wave front of the previous pacing beat (n - 1) within the ventricle, therefore, constant fusion and progressive fusion were demonstrated in the surface electrocardiographic QRS complexes. On the other hand, when right ventricular pacing was performed during orthodromic AVRT, the antidromic wave front from the pacing impulse (n) collided with the orthodromic wave front of the previous paced beat (n - 1) within the normal atrioventricular pathway, and constant fusion and progressive fusion were therefore not demonstrated. These phenomena were explained by the relationship of the ventricular pacing site and the reentrant circuit. This study demonstrates the importance of the pacing site in manifest entrainment of orthodromic AVRT during ventricular pacing.

Adult

Spectral analysis of signal-averaged electrocardiograms in patients with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia of left ventricular origin.

BACKGROUND: The signal-averaged ECG has been used to detect late potentials, and it is considered a noninvasive marker for areas of slow conduction requisite for reentrant arrhythmia. Late potentials are not usually found in patients with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT); nevertheless, fragmented electrograms are often recorded in those patients during endocardial mapping. The purpose of this study was to investigate the spectral content of the signal-averaged ECGs with use of fast Fourier transform analysis (FFT) in patients with idiopathic VT of left ventricular origin. METHODS AND RESULTS: Signal-averaged ECGs were recorded in 12 patients with idiopathic VT originating from the left ventricle (group 1) and 25 age-matched normal volunteers (group 2). Frequency analysis with FFT was performed with a Blackman-Harris window in a segment length of 120 msec from 40 msec before the end of the QRS complex, and the frequency spectrum was displayed in a three-dimensional graph. Area ratio 1 (area of 20-50 Hz/area of 10-50 Hz) and area ratio 2 (area of 40-100 Hz/area of 0-40 Hz) were calculated in all subjects. Late potentials defined by the time domain were negative in all subjects. The area ratios of group 1 were significantly higher than those of group 2. High-frequency components in the three-dimensional graph were confined within the QRS complex. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that frequency analysis of signal-averaged ECGs with FFT is an available method for detecting the high-frequency component within the QRS complex in some patients with idiopathic VT of left ventricular origin.

Adult

Early afterdepolarizations induced by isoproterenol in patients with congenital long QT syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Several recent experimental and clinical studies have shown that early afterdepolarizations (EADs) are important in the genesis of QTU prolongation and ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTs) in patients with long QT syndrome. On the other hand, sympathetic stimulation is well known to contribute to the genesis of QTU prolongation and VTs in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. The present study was performed to examine the influence of isoproterenol on the genesis of EADs and on the action potential durations and QTU intervals in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recorded monophasic action potentials (MAPs) with a contact electrode during right atrial pacing at a constant cycle length of 500 msec before and after continuous isoproterenol infusion (1 microgram/min). MAPs were obtained from the right and left ventricular endocardium in six patients with congenital long QT syndrome (LQT group, 18 recording sites) and in eight control patients (control group, 19 recording sites). Although no EADs were recorded from either group during the control state, MAP duration at 90% repolarization (MAPD90) was significantly longer in the LQT group (n = 18) than in the control group (n = 19) (275 +/- 36 versus 231 +/- 22 msec; p less than 0.0005). Isoproterenol induced EADs in four of the six LQT patients (five of 18 recording sites) but not in the eight control patients (zero of 19 recording sites). The appearance of EADs in the LQT group was associated with an increased amplitude of the late component of the TU complex, and the corrected QT (QTc) interval was prolonged by isoproterenol from 543 +/- 53 to 600 +/- 30 msec 1/2 (n = 6; p less than 0.05). Isoproterenol also prolonged the MAPD90 from 275 +/- 36 to 304 +/- 50 msec in the LQT group (n = 18; p less than 0.005), whereas it shortened the MAPD90 from 231 +/- 22 to 224 +/- 25 msec in the control group (n = 19; p less than 0.05). Moreover, isoproterenol increased the dispersion of MAPD90 (difference between the longest MAPD90 and the shortest MAPD90 in each patient) from 30 +/- 5 to 62 +/- 35 msec in the LQT group (n = 6; p = 0.08), whereas it did not change the dispersion of MAPD90 in the control group (n = 8; 25 +/- 14 versus 27 +/- 14 msec). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that patients with congenital long QT syndrome have primary repolarization abnormalities and that EADs induced by isoproterenol play an important role in the exaggeration of these repolarization abnormalities.

Action Potentials