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O H Bing

Publications and source records attributed to O H Bing.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The ageing spontaneously hypertensive rat as a model of the transition from stable compensated hypertrophy to heart failure.

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) of advanced age exhibit depressed myocardial contractile function and ventricular fibrosis, as stable compensated hypertrophy progresses to heart failure. Transition to heart failure in SHR aged 18-24 months was characterized by impaired left ventricular (LV) function, ventricular dilatation, and reduced ejection fraction without an increase in LV mass. Studies of papillary muscles from SHR with failing hearts (SHR-F), SHR without failure (SHR-NF), and age-matched Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats allowed examination of changes in the mechanical properties of myocardium during the transition to heart failure. Papillary muscles of SHR-F exhibited increased fibrosis, impaired contraction, and decreased myocyte fractional area. These findings in papillary muscles were correlated with a higher concentration of hydroxyproline and increased histological evidence of fibrosis in the LV free wall. While a depression in active tension accompanied these structural alterations in papillary muscles, it was not evident when active tension was normalized to myocyte fractional area. Together, these data suggest that individual myocyte function may be preserved but that myocyte loss and replacement by extracellular matrix contribute substantially to the decrement in active tension. An absent or negative inotropic response to isoproterenol is observed in SHR-F and SHR-NF papillary muscles and may result in part from age-related alterations in beta-adrenergic receptor dynamics and a shift from alpha- to beta-myosin heavy chain (MHC) protein. During the transition to failure, ventricles of SHR exhibit a marked increase in collagen and fibronectin mRNA levels, suggesting that an increase in the expression of specific extracellular matrix genes may contribute to fibrosis, tissue stiffness, and impaired function. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) mRNA levels also increase in SHR-F, consistent with the concept that TGF-beta 1 plays a key regulatory role in remodelling of the extracellular matrix gene during the transition to failure. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is also implicated in the transition to failure: SHR treated with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril starting at 12 months of age did not develop heart failure during the 18-24 month observation period. Captopril treatment that was initiated after rats were identified with evidence of failure led to a reappearance of alpha-MHC mRNA but did not improve papillary muscle function. Research opportunities include investigation of apoptosis as a mechanism of cell loss, delineation of the regulatory roles of TGF-beta 1 and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in matrix accumulation, and studies of proteinase cascades that regulate matrix remodelling.

Age Factors↗

Modulation of left and right ventricular beta-adrenergic receptors from spontaneously hypertensive rats with left ventricular hypertrophy and failure.

Inotropic responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation is generally found to be depressed in cardiac hypertrophy and failure. To investigate whether inotropic responsiveness is associated with alterations in beta-adrenergic receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we studied left ventricular myocardial contractile responses to isoproterenol and beta-adrenergic receptor density and affinity in age-matched rats (18 to 24 months), including SHR without heart failure, SHR with evidence of heart failure, and normotensive control Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). In the baseline state, papillary muscles from failing SHR demonstrated decreased isometric tension development and a reduction in maximal rate of tension development relative to normotensive WKY and compensated SHR. Compared with WKY, beta-adrenergic receptor density of the left ventricle was unchanged in nonfailing SHR and increased in failing SHR (P < .05 versus WKY and nonfailing SHR), and beta-adrenergic receptor affinity did not differ among groups. In the right ventricle, beta-adrenergic receptor density was decreased in failing SHR relative to WKY and nonfailing SHR, and beta-adrenergic receptor affinity was not different among groups. Muscle preparations did not exhibit a positive inotropic response to 10(-8) to 10(-5) mol/L isoproterenol or 6.3 mumol/L forskolin in either failing or nonfailing SHR, whereas a positive inotropic response to both drugs was observed in the normotensive WKY. The lusitropic response to isoproterenol and forskolin was intact and similar in both SHR groups and WKY. The findings suggest that in the SHR model of heart failure, impaired intrinsic left ventricular myocardial function and depressed inotropic responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation are not associated with downregulation of the beta-adrenergic receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Thyroid hormone effects on intracellular calcium and inotropic responses of rat ventricular myocardium.

To examine the mechanisms by which thyroid hormone modulates the inotropic state of rat myocardium, we studied the effects of thyroid state on isolated rat left ventricular papillary muscle function and intracellular calcium transients in the baseline state and in response to calcium and isoproterenol. Marked differences in contractile state of papillary muscles from hypothyroid and thyroid hormone-treated rats seen under baseline conditions (1.0 mM bath calcium, 30 degrees C, stimulation rate 12/min) do not appear to be due to differences in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) or to changes in myofilament calcium sensitivity but correlate with shifts in myosin isozyme distribution. In response to superimposed inotropic interventions (calcium, 0.625-5.0 mM, or isoproterenol, 10(-8)-10(-6) M), myocardial thyroid state modulates peak [Ca2+]i and inotropy, both of which are increased in thyroid hormone-treated relative to hypothyroid myocardium. The change in inotropy appears to be proportional to peak [Ca2+]i, whether mediated directly by calcium or as a result of beta-adrenergic stimulation. Thus, whereas baseline differences between hypothyroid and thyroid hormone-treated myocardium appear to be due to differences in myosin isozymes and presumed changes in adenosinetriphosphatase activity and cross-bridge cycling, superimposed inotropic responses appear to be mediated by changes in [Ca2+]i.

Animals↗

Effects of treppe and calcium on intracellular calcium and function in the failing heart from the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

We studied functional and intracellular calcium responses to treppe and extracellular calcium in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) hearts during the transition from compensated pressure overload to failure. Intracellular calcium was measured using aequorin, a bioluminescent Ca2+ indicator. Experiments were performed with intact, isovolumically contracting, buffer-perfused hearts from three rat groups: (1) aging SHR with evidence of heart failure (SHR-F), (2) age-matched SHR with no evidence of heart failure (SHR-NF), and (3) age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. In each experiment, left ventricular pressure and intracellular calcium transients were simultaneously recorded. Hearts were studied at 30 degrees C and paced at a rate of 1.6 Hz while being perfused with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit solution (95% O2/5% CO2) at 100 mm Hg. At the baseline state, peak systolic pressure was greatest in the SHR-NF group and lowest in the SHR-F group. Peak and resting [Ca2+]i were not significantly different among groups; however, the calcium transient was prolonged in the SHR-NF and SHR-F groups. With increasing perfusate [Ca2+]o from 0.5 to 3.0 mmol/L, the relative increases in peak [Ca2+]i and peak systolic pressure were similar among groups. When stimulation rate was increased from 1.6 to 2.0, 2.4, 2.8, and 3.2 Hz, peak [Ca2+]i, peak systolic pressure, and +/- dP/dt fell in SHR-F hearts. Peak systolic pressure decreased in the SHR-NF group at rates above 2.4 Hz but did not decline in the WKY group. Peak [Ca2+]i increased in the WKY and SHR-NF groups with increasing heart rates. Peak systolic pressure did not fall significantly in the WKY group at any heart rate. Elevation of diastolic [Ca2+]i and/or calcium transient and pressure alternans were present in 8 of 13 SHR-F hearts at the highest stimulation rate, findings that were absent in both the WKY and SHR-NF hearts. We conclude the following: (1) Under baseline conditions, depressed contractile function of failing myocardium cannot be explained by decreased peak [Ca2+]i, (2) relative increases in [Ca2+]i and inotropy with increasing [Ca2+]o are proportional among groups; and (3) although peak systolic [Ca2+]i and inotropy are maintained with increasing stimulation rate in the WKY and SHR-NF groups, peak systolic [Ca2+]i and pressure decrease in parallel in the SHR-F heart with increasing stimulation rate, suggesting that impaired calcium cycling may contribute to compromised pump function in the SHR-F heart.

Animals↗

Alterations in cardiac gene expression during the transition from stable hypertrophy to heart failure. Marked upregulation of genes encoding extracellular matrix components.

The failing heart is characterized by impaired cardiac muscle function and increased interstitial fibrosis. Our purpose was to determine whether the functional impairment of the failing heart is associated with changes in levels of mRNA encoding proteins that modulate parameters of contraction and relaxation and whether the increased fibrosis observed in the failing heart is related to elevated expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix components. We studied hearts of 18- to 24-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats with signs and symptoms of heart failure (SHR-F) or without evidence of failure (SHR-NF) and of age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Compared with WKY rats, SHR-NF exhibited left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (2.2-fold) and right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy (1.5-fold), whereas SHR-F were characterized by comparable LV hypertrophy (2.1-fold) and augmented RV hypertrophy (2.4-fold; all P < .01). Total RNA was isolated from ventricles and subjected to Northern blot analysis. In SHR-F hearts, the level of alpha-myosin heavy chain mRNA was decreased in both ventricles to 1/3 and 1/5 of the SHR-NF and WKY values, respectively (both P < .01). Levels of beta-myosin heavy chain, alpha-cardiac actin, and myosin light chain-2 mRNAs were not significantly altered in hearts of SHR-NF or SHR-F. Levels of alpha-skeletal actin were twofold greater in SHR-NF hearts compared with WKY hearts and were intermediate in SHR-F hearts. Levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) mRNA were elevated threefold in the LV of SHR-NF (P < .05) but were not significantly increased in the RV of SHR-NF compared with WKY rats. During the transition to failure (SHR-F versus SHR-NF), ANF mRNA levels increased an additional 1.6-fold in the LV and were elevated 4.7-fold in the RV (both P < .05). Levels of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SRCA) mRNA were maintained in the LV of hypertensive and failing hearts at levels not significantly different from WKY values. In contrast, the level of RV SRCA mRNA was 24% less in SHR-NF compared with WKY rats, and during the transition to failure, this difference was not significantly exacerbated (29% less than the WKY value). The levels of fibronectin and pro-alpha 1(I) and pro-alpha 1(III) collagen mRNAs were not significantly elevated in either ventricle of the SHR-NF group but were fourfold to fivefold higher in both ventricles of SHR-F (all P < .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Fluorocarbon simulation of myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion: studies of relationships between force and intracellular calcium.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare the effects of simulated ischaemia-reperfusion with those of hypoxia-reoxygenation in isolated muscle preparations from the ferret right ventricle. METHODS: Ischaemia was simulated using fluorocarbon immersion plus hypoxia. Intracellular calcium transients were determined from aequorin luminescence during isometric contractions. RESULTS: Hypoxia in fluorocarbon and physiological saline solution resulted in a similar reversible depression of the peak of the calcium transient. Peak active tension, however, was more depressed in fluorocarbon than in physiological salt solution. The dissociation between peak light and peak active tension was most pronounced on reoxygenation, with near complete recovery of peak light, while there was little recovery of tension in fluorocarbon. When fluorocarbon was then replaced by physiological salt solution, peak active tension recovered promptly. A prolongation of the decay of the calcium transient was seen in both fluorocarbon and physiological salt solution during hypoxia, which shortened promptly on reoxygenation. The time to the peak of the calcium transient was most prolonged during hypoxia in fluorocarbon and there was gradual recovery on reoxygenation. CONCLUSIONS: While some changes in the calcium transient during simulated ischaemia are rapidly reversible with reoxygenation (in fluorocarbon), suggesting an effect of hypoxia, others are incompletely reversed or only reversed with physiological salt solution, suggesting an effect of metabolite accumulation. The pronounced dissociation between peak light and peak active tension during reoxygenation in fluorocarbon is promptly reversed by changing to physiological salt solution, suggesting that metabolite retention in the postischaemic period may contribute to depressed myocardial function after reperfusion.

Animals↗

Oxygen cost of stress development in hypertrophied and failing hearts from the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Left ventricular isovolumic stress development and metabolic parameters were studied in 18-24-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat controls using the isolated, isovolumic (balloon in left ventricle) buffer-perfused rat heart preparation. After WKY rats and all SHRs were compared, SHRs were divided into two groups: those animals with (SHR-F) and without (SHR-NF) evidence of heart failure. Hearts were perfused at 100 mm Hg using a constant pressure system at a temperature of 37 degrees C. In the baseline state, peak systolic pressure was greatest in the SHR-NF group and lowest in the SHR-F group. Peak midwall stress was greatest in the WKY group and, again, lowest in the SHR-F group. Oxygen consumption was lowest in the SHR-F group. When the oxygen cost of stress development was estimated by normalizing myocardial oxygen consumption by peak developed midwall stress, values were lowest in the WKY, greater in the SHR-NF, and greatest in the SHR-F group. Lactate production did not occur in the baseline state in any of the groups. Functional and metabolic responses to graded hypoxia, induced by changing the gas mixture of the perfusate from 95% to 50%, 25%, and 0% oxygen at perfusion pressures of 100 and 130 mm Hg, were studied. Increasing perfusion pressure generally resulted in small increases in peak systolic pressure and myocardial oxygen consumption but did not substantially reverse the contractile or metabolic deficit present in the SHR-F group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Protective effects of diltiazem on the mechanical performance of the hypoxic myocardium.

1. To determine whether diltiazem protects the hypoxic myocardium by reducing contractile work, we have compared the effects of diltiazem and quiescence on left ventricular (LV) papillary muscle subjected to hypoxia. Papillary muscles were obtained from male Charles River CD rats weighing 150-250 g. 2. Four groups of muscles were studied: control (N = 6), non-stimulation (N = 10), diltiazem 10(-4) M (N = 6) and diltiazem 10(-4) M plus non-stimulation (N = 10). 3. Isolated rat LV papillary muscles were studied in Krebs-Henseleit solution with a calcium concentration of 2.52 mM at 28 degrees C while contracting isometrically at a stimulation rate of 0.2 Hz. Resting tension and active isometric tension were measured. 4. Both diltiazem and quiescence significantly attenuated contracture tension during hypoxia (0.91 +/- 0.10 vs 2.26 +/- 0.49 g/mm2 for diltiazem vs control, and 0.55 +/- 0.18 vs 2.26 +/- 0.49 g/mm2 for quiescence vs control). Recovery of active tension was improved in the diltiazem groups during reoxygenation (4.16 +/- 0.42 vs 3.75 +/- 0.51, 3.53 +/- 0.15 vs 2.90 +/- 0.13, 5.84 +/- 0.33 vs 6.48 +/- 0.29 and 5.98 +/- 0.90 vs 7.67 +/- 0.68 g/mm2 for diltiazem, diltiazem non-stimulation, non-stimulation and control groups). 5. The results suggest that the protective effect of diltiazem during hypoxia was due to the reduction in energy demand of the myocardium.

Animals↗

Impaired myocardial function in spontaneously hypertensive rats with heart failure.

We have observed that many spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) between the ages of 18 and 24 mo develop findings suggestive of heart failure, including pleural and pericardial effusions, left atrial thrombi, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Isolated left ventricular papillary muscle function was studied in these animals (SHR-F), in age-matched SHRs without evidence of heart failure (SHR-NF), and in nonhypertensive controls (WKY). Preparations from SHR-F showed depression of active tension development (3.58 +/- 1.75 g/mm2, means +/- SD) compared with both SHR-NF (7.17 +/- 0.94) and WKY (6.17 +/- 1.00) (P less than 0.01). Shortening velocity was also depressed in SHR-F (0.95 +/- 0.38 lengths/s) compared with SHR-NF (1.60 +/- 0.30; P less than 0.05) and WKY groups (2.15 %/- 0.48; P less than 0.01). Depression of muscle function was not found before 18 mo of age. Thus the aging SHR is a model in which one can observe the transition from chronic stable left ventricular hypertrophy to overt heart failure. Furthermore, left ventricular papillary muscles from SHRs with heart failure show evidence of significant contractile dysfunction, suggesting that impairment of intrinsic myocardial function underlies the development of heart failure.

Aging↗

Intracellular calcium transients in myocardium from spontaneously hypertensive rats during the transition to heart failure.

To investigate the mechanism of impaired myocardial function after long-term pressure overload, we studied cardiac muscle mechanical contraction and intracellular calcium transients using the bioluminescent indicator aequorin. Left ventricular papillary muscle preparations were examined from three groups of rats: 1) aging spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with clinical and pathological evidence suggesting heart failure (SHR-F group), 2) age-matched SHRs with no evidence of heart failure (SHR-NF group), and 3) age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY group). Isometric force development was depressed in both SHR groups relative to the WKY group. Resting [Ca2+]i was lower in the SHR-F group, and the time to peak [Ca2+]i was prolonged in this group. The relative increases in peak [Ca2+]i with the inotropic interventions of increased [Ca2+]o and the addition of isoproterenol were similar among groups. Although inotropy increased in all groups with increased [Ca2+]o, after isoproterenol, inotropy increased only in the WKY group. Thus, in SHR myocardium, [Ca2+]i increased after isoproterenol, but inotropy failed to increase. Myosin isozymes were shifted toward the V3 isoform in both SHR groups; the V3 isoform was virtually 100% in papillary muscles from the SHR-F group. These changes may reflect events directly contributing to the development of heart failure or represent adaptive changes to chronic pressure overload and heart failure.

Aequorin↗

Preload does not affect relaxation rate in normal, hypoxic, or hypertrophic myocardium.

To determine whether isolated changes in preload (end-diastolic force) can influence myocardial relaxation rate in normal or abnormal (hypoxic or hypertrophic) hearts, isolated LV papillary muscles from normal Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats were studied using physiologically sequenced contractions. While total (systolic) load and late (lengthening) load were held constant, maximum isometric force decline (peak -dT/dt) and maximum isotonic lengthening rate (peak +dL/dt) were measured at seven levels of preload that varied from 115 to 55% of the resting tension at maximum length-tension curves (Lmax). Muscles from normal rats were studied in the oxygenated state (95% O2-5% CO2) and in the hypoxic state (95% N2-5% CO2). Preload did not effect peak -dT/dt or peak +dL/dt in either oxygenated or hypoxic muscles. During hypoxia, peak -dT/dt and peak +dL/dt were 9.5 +/- 1.0 g.mm-2.s-1 and 0.3 +/- 0.1 muscle length/s, respectively, at a preload of 115% compared with 9.0 +/- 1.2 g.mm-2.s-1 and 0.2 +/- 0.1 at a preload of 55%. In separate experiments, the effect of preload on relaxation rate was studied in WKY and SHR rats. In neither group did preload have an independent effect on relaxation rate. In the SHRs, peak -dT/dt and peak +dL/dt were 24.3 +/- 5.3 g.mm-2.s-1 and 0.7 +/- 0.1 muscle length/s, respectively, at a preload of 115% compared with 24.7 +/- 6.6 and 0.8 +/- 0.1 at a preload of 55%. Thus, in hypoxic and hypertrophic myocardium, as in normal muscle, an acute isolated change in preload did not influence the rate of force decline or muscle lengthening.

Animals↗

Differential effects of cardiac hypertrophy and failure on right versus left ventricular calcium activation.

We studied calcium responsiveness of skinned muscle preparations from the right and left ventricles of rats with cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac hypertrophy plus failure. To test the hypothesis that differences in contractile function are due to changes in myofilament calcium responsiveness, we compared preparations from spontaneously hypertensive rats with cardiac failure, spontaneously hypertensive rats without cardiac failure, and age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto control rats 18-24 months of age. Rats with failure had pleural/pericardial effusions, left atrial thrombi, and right and left ventricular hypertrophy. Muscles were skinned by saponin (250 micrograms/ml) and activated with a series of calcium buffers. Data were plotted as pCa (-log[Ca2+]) versus isometric force and then fit to a modified Hill equation. Values for 50% maximal activation (calcium sensitivity), maximal calcium-activated force, and the slope of the calcium-force relation were compared. Our data indicate that with the development of hypertrophy, calcium sensitivity of left ventricular muscles remains unaffected, but maximal calcium-activated force is increased. In contrast, maximal calcium-activated force declines toward control levels with the development of left ventricular failure, despite the continued presence of significant hypertrophy. In the normotensive rats, the left ventricle is more sensitive to calcium than the right ventricle (pCa50 = 6.0 +/- 0.05 versus 5.7 +/- 0.09; p less than 0.05); however, both the calcium sensitivity and maximal calcium-activated force of the right ventricle increase with the development of compensatory hypertrophy secondary to left ventricular failure. These changes that occur in rats with cardiac hypertrophy and failure may represent important physiological adaptive mechanisms.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Comparative effects of hypoxia and ischemia in the isolated, blood-perfused dog heart: evaluation of left ventricular diastolic chamber distensibility and wall thickness.

To compare the effects of hypoxia and ischemia on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, we studied 17 isolated, isovolumic dog hearts by measuring LV diastolic chamber distensibility (LV end diastolic pressure at constant volume), wall thickness, and myocardial pH in response to hypoxia at constant coronary flow or pressure versus global ischemia (zero coronary blood flow). Hypoxic perfusates consisted of methemoglobin-containing red blood cells suspended in lactated Ringer's solution. Brief cross-clamping of the coronary perfusion line was used to assess the contribution of coronary turgor to chamber distensibility and wall thickness. With hypoxia, left ventricles showed a significant early (5 minutes) decrease in diastolic distensibility and an increase in wall thickness, at either constant coronary perfusion pressure or flow. The increase in wall thickness was independent of hypoxia-induced changes in coronary turgor. In contrast, global ischemia produced an early increase in LV diastolic chamber distensibility and a decrease in wall thickness. When global ischemia was continued beyond 60 minutes, a decrease in LV chamber distensibility developed. This diastolic contracture was not associated with an increase in LV wall thickness. Myocardial pH decreased slightly during 15 minutes of hypoxia and markedly with 15 minutes of global ischemia. Thus, LV diastolic chamber distensibility decreased during 15 minutes of hypoxia, while an increase in distensibility was seen during global ischemia of similar duration. During hypoxia, these changes were associated with increased LV wall thickness, at either constant coronary perfusion pressure or constant coronary flow. Prolonged ischemia led to diastolic contracture without an increase in wall thickness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Effect of anesthesia and/or decapitation on the mechanical behavior of papillary muscles isolated from the left ventricle of the rat].

The mechanical performance of isometrically contracting papillary muscle was studied in rats sacrificed by decapitation or anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital or chloralose before decapitation. The purpose was to evaluate which maneuver would be the more adequate to ve used, when performance of papillary muscle mechanics must be evaluated later. The data suggest that either anesthetic agents used in this experiment and/or decapitation have the same effects on isolated muscle performance in the three groups. The results may be a consequence of the time elapsed between animal decapitation and the recording of cardiac parameters: this fact would attenuate the many factors that could promote mechanical performance dysfunction or isolated papillary muscles.

Analysis of Variance↗

Papillary muscle structure-function relations in the aging spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Isolated left ventricle papillary muscle mechanics and structure were studied in male spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats and two control groups of animals, the normotensive Wistar (NR) and the Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY). Active tension and its first derivative (dT/dtmax) normalized for muscle cross-sectional area were increased in preparations from the SHR at all ages studied relative to control groups (P less than 0.01). However, when these parameters were normalized for myofibrillar cross-sectional area determined from electronmicroscopic point counting data, differences between groups were no longer significant. Force-velocity relations provided no evidence for a depression of shortening velocity at any load in the SHR at any age relative to the two control groups. The duration of mechanical activity, as determined by time-to-peak isometric tension and analysis of muscle force-velocity-time relations, was prolonged only in the 18 month old SHR (P less than 0.01). Thus, while changes in isolated muscle performance occur at a time when hemodynamic impairment is reported in the intact animal (male 18 month SHR), no evidence for depression of isolated muscle function is seen in the SHR at 6, 12 or 18 months of age.

Age Factors↗

Comparison of washed blood and oxygenator whole blood as vehicles for sanguinous multidose cardioplegia.

The effects of washed blood or oxygenator-traumatized whole blood as vehicles for sanguinous cardioplegia were studied utilizing the isolated blood-perfused dog heart preparation. Hearts were subjected to 2 hr of potassium-induced arrest at 27 degrees C followed by 90 min of normothermic reperfusion. Washed blood cardioplegia (n = 7) contained blood washed thrice with saline while oxygenator blood cardioplegia (n = 6) contained whole blood which had been exposed to an extracorporeal circuit for 30 to 45 min. Cardioplegic solutions were administered at a perfusion pressure of 100 mm Hg every 15 min during arrest. While the arrest-reperfusion sequence caused minor variations in the mechanical, metabolic, and biochemical parameters tested, generally insignificant differences were found to exist between groups. Differences in coronary washout PCO2 appeared to be due to inherent differences between the two cardioplegic solutions. Thus, while washing blood may be thought to be beneficial and whole blood from the extracorporeal circuit may be theorized to have a deleterious effect on the myocardium, excellent recovery of mechanical function was observed with both cardioplegic solutions. The present study suggests that it is unnecessary to wash the sanguinous cardioplegic solution obtained from the cardiopulmonary circuit.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗