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Biomedical subjects

S Takeo

Publications and source records attributed to S Takeo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Carcinoma of the thyroid manifested as hyperthyroidism caused by functional bone metastasis.

A rare case of hyperthyroidism in the presence of a functioning bone metastasis secondary to an occult thyroid cancer is reported. A 59-year-old woman's pelvic bone metastasis was much too extensive and hypervascular to permit resection. An I-131 scan showed striking activity in the pelvic metastasis, which reflected ectopic excessive production of thyroid hormone by a functioning metastatic thyroid carcinoma. After total thyroidectomy, the patient received I-131 ablation and transcutaneous intra-arterial embolization therapy but her metastasis progressively enlarged. Microscopically, concomitant follicular and papillary cancer was found in close proximity to the thyroid. The patient now has vertebral metastases, and her hyperthyroid state still requires methymazole to prevent thyrotoxicosis.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Beta-adrenoceptor stimulation-mediated preconditioning-like cardioprotection in perfused rat hearts.

To determine whether adrenergic stimulation induces preconditioning-like cardioprotection, rat hearts were perfused for 2 min with either norepinephrine, phenylephrine, or isoproterenol followed by 10-min drug-free perfusion. Then the hearts were subjected to 40-min ischemia and 30-min reperfusion. Little recovery of left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and loss of the myocardial creatine kinase (CK) during reperfusion were observed in the drug-untreated heart. Preperfusion with norepinephrine (0.25 microM) or isoproterenol (0.25 microM), but not phenylephrine (10 microM), resulted in a better recovery of LVDP in the postischemic reperfused heart and a reduction in CK release during reperfusion. A similar improvement of postischemic cardiac contractile dysfunction and CK loss was seen in the heart subjected to 5-min ischemia followed by 5-min reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning) before the prolonged period of ischemia/reperfusion. Pretreatment with timolol, a beta-adrenoceptor blocker, abolished the protective effect of norepinephrine, whereas pretreatment with bunazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker, did not affect the protective effect of isoproterenol. The results suggest that a brief period of stimulation of cardiac beta-adrenoceptor exerts the preconditioning-mimetic protective effect against postischemic contractile dysfunction in perfused rat hearts.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Effects of nebracetam on synaptosomal monoamine uptake of striatal and hippocampal regions in rats.

Effects of nebracetam, a novel nootorpic agent, on the synaptosomal uptake of neurotransmitter monoamines of the brain regions were examined. Striatal and hippocampal synaptosomes were isolated by the Percoll gradient method, and the striatal dopamine uptake and hippocampal serotonin uptake were measured in the presence of different concentrations (1 to 1000 microM) of nebracetam in vitro. A significant reduction in dopamine uptake in the striatum and serotonin uptake in the hippocampus was seen at concentrations of 100 microM or above. In in vivo microdialysis study, there were no appreciable changes in the extracellular concentrations of striatal dopamine and hippocampal serotonin when this agent at a dose of 30 mg/kg, which was effective in improving ischemic brain energy metabolism, was applied i.p. to the rat. The ineffectiveness of nebracetam in the in vivo microdialysis may be due to low levels of the concentration of nebracetam when the agent was administered i.p. at a dose of 30 mg/kg, since the brain blood concentration of this agent is pharmacokinetically estimated to be no more than 15 microM when this dose of nebracetam is employed. Thus, it is unlikely that this agent at a pharmacologically effective dose alters dopamine or serotonin uptake in the brain nerve terminal under normal conditions.

Animals↗

beta-Adrenoreceptor antagonistic actions and mutagenicities of R(+)- and S(-)-enantiomers of N-desisopropylpropranolol and its N-acetyl conjugate.

Enantiospecific acetyl conjugation was examined in the rat liver 105000 x g supernatant (cytosol) system using racemic 1-amino-3-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-propanol (NDP), a N-desisopropyl metabolite of propranolol. From the results of chiral separative determination of the samples by HPLC using a Chiralcel OD-R column, more remarkable enantiospecificity was observed in the R(+)-enantiomer on NDP elimination and N-acetyl conjugate (AcNDP) formation. Next, the strength of beta-adrenoceptor antagonistic actions and mutagenicities was compared between R(+)- and S(-)-enantiomers of NDP and AcNDP, respectively. In the case of NDP, both enantiomers possessed weak beta1-adrenoceptor antagonistic effects on isoproterenol-induced positive inotropic and chronotropic actions in the left and right atria isolated from a guinea pig. These actions of R(+)- and S(-)-NDP were 1700-times and 100-times less potent, respectively, than those of propranolol. beta2-Adrenoceptor antagonistic actions of R(+)- and S(-)-NDP in the trachea were 1600-times and 200-times less potent, respectively, than those of propranolol. Enantiospecificity was observed in the beta-adrenoceptor antagonistic action of S(-)-NDP, while R(+)-NDP and both enantiomers of AcNDP appeared to be negligible in this action. On the other hand, the mutagenicities of each enantiomer were examined by the Ames method using 13 kinds of Salmonella typhimurium strains. In the case of AcNDP, the numbers of colonies increased according to the substrate concentration only when rat liver 9000 x g supernatant fraction (S-9 mixture) was added to the plates containing TA100, YG1029, TA104 and YG3003, and then enantiospecificity was observed in the mutagenicity of S(-)-AcNDP. Thus, the ultimate mutagen might be an active metabolite formed mainly from S(-)-AcNDP. Despite of the addition of rat liver S-9 mixture, R(+)-AcNDP and both enantiomers of NDP did not indicate mutagenicity.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Changes in fatty acid compositions of myocardial lipids in rats with heart failure following myocardial infarction.

Changes in fatty acid composition of myocardial lipids were examined in rats with heart failure following myocardial infarction. Left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) was decreased and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was elevated 24 h, 1 and 12 weeks after left coronary artery ligation (CAL), suggesting the development of heart failure at these periods in this model. Hearts were isolated 24 h, 1 week and 12 weeks after the operation. Myocardial lipids in the infarcted scar tissue, non-infarcted remaining left ventricle including interseptum and right ventricle were separated into phospholipid (PL), triacylglycerol (TG), diacylglycerol (DAG) and free fatty acid (FFA) fractions. In the scar tissue PL content markedly decreased whereas TG, DAG and FFA contents increased 24 h after CAL. Despite a marked decrease in constituted fatty acids of PL fraction in the scar tissue the percentage of arachidonic acid in PL was elevated 12 weeks after CAL, suggesting that release of arachidonic acid during PL degradation was suppressed. In the non-infarcted viable left ventricle PL content remained unchanged throughout the experiment whereas TG, DAG and FFA contents were elevated 24 h after CAL. Despite no changes in PL and other lipid contents in the non-infarcted tissue the percentage of linoleic acid in PL was reduced and that of docosahexaenoic acid in PL was elevated 12 weeks after CAL. Our findings showed that myocardial lipid composition of the non-infarcted left ventricle was altered only in an early stage of the development of heart failure and fatty acid compositions of PL was exchanged in a late stage of the development of heart failure. The exchange may be related to cardiac dysfunction or myocardial remodelling in the rat with heart failure.

Animals↗

Microsphere embolism-induced changes in presynaptic function of the cerebral cortex in rats.

The present study was undertaken to elucidate pathophysiological changes in the cortical presynaptic function, K(+)-stimulated calcium influx, noradrenaline release and noradrenaline uptake, on the 1st and 3rd days after microsphere embolism in rats. Voltage-dependent calcium channels were characterized pharmacologically using three types of calcium channel blockers, L-type (nifedipine and diltiazem), N-type (omega-conotoxin GVIA), and P-type channel (omega-agatoxin IVA) blockers. K(+)-stimulated calcium influx of the normal rat synaptosome was inhibited by 100 nM omega-agatoxin IVA, but not by 10 microM nifedipine, 10 microM diltiazem and 100 nM omega-conotoxin GVIA. Calcium influx of the cortical nerve terminals of the right hemisphere was decreased on the 1st and 3rd days after the embolism. Noradrenaline release and uptake were also decreased on the 1st and 3rd days after the embolism. However, the percent release of noradrenaline was not altered. The results suggest that P-type channels are predominant in the cerebrocortical nerve terminals in rats and that calcium influx, noradrenaline release and uptake in the cerebrocortical nerve terminals are decreased by microsphere embolism. The decrease in noradrenaline release may be mainly due to a reduction in the activity of noradrenaline uptake in cerebrocortical nerve terminals of the microsphere-embolized rat.

Animals↗

Involvement of superoxide and nitric oxide in the genesis of reperfusion arrhythmias in rats.

To assess the role of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide (NO) in the genesis of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias, the effects of reactive oxygen species scavengers and NO synthase inhibitors on the incidence of ventricular fibrillation and irreversible ventricular fibrillation (mortality) were examined. Hearts of anesthetized rats were subjected to 4 min regional ischemia followed by 4 min reperfusion. The animals were treated i.v. with superoxide dismutase, a O2- scavenger, catalase, a H2O2 scavenger, dimethylthiourea, a .OH scavenger, or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), NO synthase inhibitors. Superoxide dismutase (430 and 4300 U/kg/min) reduced the mortality from 93% to 43% and 57%, respectively, whereas treatment with catalase or dimethylthiourea did not affect these arrhythmias. L-NAME (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg/min) reduced the mortality from 93% to 50% and 43%, respectively. L-NNA (0.3 mg/kg/min) reduced the mortality from 93% to 50%. This reduction by the NO synthase inhibitors was abolished by administration of L-Arg. However, L-Arg blocked neither a small increase in systolic blood pressure nor a decrease in heart rate elicited by the NO synthase inhibitors. The combinated treatment of superoxide dismutase (4300 U/kg/min) with L-NAME (0.3 mg/kg/min) reduced the mortality from 93% to 7%. These results suggest that the genesis of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias observed in this model may be in part due to O2- and NO.

Analysis of Variance↗

Beneficial effects of angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor on post-ischemic contractile function of perfused rat heart.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether trandolaprilat, an active form of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, may improve ischemia/reperfusion-induced contractile dysfunction and metabolic derangement of isolated rat hearts. Ischemia (25 min) and subsequent 60-min reperfusion resulted in a small recovery of post-ischemic left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), a sustained increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, an increase in the release of creatine kinase and ATP metabolites from the perfused heart, and changes in myocardial sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium contents. Treatment with 10-100 microM of trandolaprilat for the last 10 min of pre-ischemia recovered approximately 50-90% of pre-ischemic LVDP during reperfusion, whereas that with 30-100 microM of enalaprilat restored approximately 55-65% of the pre-ischemic LVDP. Treatment with either trandolaprilat or enalaprilat at these concentrations attenuated the release of creatine kinase and ATP metabolites into the perfusate during reperfusion. Treatment with 30 microM trandolaprilat suppressed ischemia/reperfusion-induced changes in myocardial ion content. Treatment with bradykinin during the last 10 min of pre-ischemia also resulted in a post-ischemic contractile recovery with a degree similar to that of the trandolaprilat-treated hearts. E4177, an AT1-antagonist, showed no effect on ischemia/reperfusion-induced changes in cardiac parameters. The enhancement of post-ischemic contractile recovery by the ACE inhibitor was abolished by treatment with either Hoechst 140, a bradykinin (BK2) antagonist, or diclofenac, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. These results suggest that trandolaprilat is capable of attenuating ischemia/reperfusion injury of isolated perfused hearts and altered BK metabolism is, at least in part, involved in this effect.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Effects of long-term treatment with trandolapril on augmented vasoconstriction in rats with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Despite the clinical relevance of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, their effects on impaired vascular function in patients and animals with chronic heart failure (CHF) have not been fully understood. This study was undertaken to determine whether long-term treatment with an ACE inhibitor improved the altered contractile properties of vessels from rats with CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve weeks after coronary artery ligation, the rats were sacrificed and the isometric tension development of thoracic aorta, pulmonary artery, and mesenteric artery with and without endothelium was examined. Contractile responses to norepinephrine and prostaglandin F2 alpha were augmented in endothelium-intact, but not in endothelium-denuded, thoracic aorta and pulmonary artery segments of the rat with CHF. The contractile response to angiotensin II was augmented in endothelium-denuded mesenteric artery segments of the rat with CHF, which was attenuated by indomethacin or diclofenac sodium but not by bunazosin. Trandolapril (3 mg/kg/d) was administered orally from the 2nd to 12th week after the operation. Treatment with trandolapril reversed the augmented contractile response of the rat with CHF to norepinephrine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and angiotensin II almost to the levels in the sham-operated rat. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that an ACE inhibitor is capable of reversing altered vascular function in the rat with CHF, suggesting that vascular beds are possible sites of action for ACE inhibitors in the therapy for CHF.

Analysis of Variance↗

Effects of delayed treatment with nafronyl oxalate on microsphere embolism-induced changes in monoamine levels of rat brain regions.

1. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of delayed treatment with nafronyl oxalate (nafronyl), a cerebral vasodilator, on monoamine neurotransmitters of brain regions in the microsphere-embolized rat. 2. Microsphere embolism was induced by injecting 900 microspheres with a diameter of 48 microns into the right internal carotid artery of rats. Microsphere-embolized rats were treated with nafronyl, 15 mg kg-1, i.p., twice daily from the first to the 5th day. Levels of monoamines and their metabolites in the cerebral cortex, striatum, and hippocampus were measured on days 3 and 5 after the operation by a high-performance liquid chromatograph with electrochemical detection. In vivo tyrosine or tryptophan hydroxylation was estimated by measurement of the accumulation of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine or 5-hydroxy-1-tryptophan after administration of 3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine dihydrochloride, an inhibitor of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. 3. Microsphere embolism induced decreases in dopamine, noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine in three brain regions of the right hemisphere on days 3 and 5. In the left hemisphere, the monoamines were reduced, but to a lesser degree than in the right hemisphere. On days 3 and 5, the decrease in the monoamines of the right hemisphere was attenuated by nafronyl treatment except for noradrenaline on day 3. The decrease in the monoamines levels in the left hemisphere was almost completely prevented by nafronyl treatment. 4. On day 3 after microsphere embolism, in vivo tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylation was lower than the pre-embolic value in all three brain regions. Treatment of the embolized rats with nafronyl significantly attenuated the decrease in in vivo tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylation in the ipsilateral hemisphere, but not hippocampal tryptophan hydroxylation. 5. The results suggested that treatment with nafronyl improves or attenuates changes in monoamine neurotransmitter metabolism of the brain regions impaired by microsphere embolism. The mechanisms underlying this effect may be attributed to preservation of the ability to synthesize monoamines when the brain is ischaemic or oligaemic.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Impairment of cGMP- and cAMP-mediated vasorelaxations in rats with chronic heart failure.

To elucidate pathophysiological alterations in vascular relaxation in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)- and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated vasorelaxations in pulmonary artery (PA) and thoracic aorta (TA) of rats were examined 12 wk after coronary artery ligation. Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation was attenuated in endothelium-intact segments of both arteries, whereas sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation was attenuated only in endothelium-intact TA segments of rats with CHF. Vasorelaxations elicited by isoproterenol and NKH-477, a water-soluble forskolin analogue, were diminished mainly in PA segments of the CHF rat. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced decrease in cGMP level was less in endothelium-intact TA segments of the rat with CHF (0.20 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.99 +/- 0.26 pmol/mg protein in control), suggesting that basal nitric oxide (NO) production is reduced in CHF. Treatment with L-NAME attenuated the isoproterenol-induced relaxation only in endothelium-intact TA segments in control rats but not in CHF rats. The results suggest that both cGMP- and cAMP-mediated relaxations are impaired in CHF, and a reduction of NO synthesis, presumably in endothelial cells, plays a significant role in pathophysiological alterations in vessels of rats with CHF.

Animals↗

Effects of aprindine on ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction of perfused rat heart.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether aprindine, a class Ib antiarrythymic agent, exerts beneficial effects on ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction and metabolic derangement. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 35-min global ischemia, followed by 60-min reperfusion, and functional and metabolic alterations of the heart were determined with or without aprindine-treatment. Ischemia induced a cessation of left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), a rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and an increase in myocardial sodium content and a decrease in myocardial potassium content. When the hearts were reperfused, little recovery of LVDP and sustained rise in LVEDP and perfusion pressure were observed. Ischemia/reperfusion resulted in a release of ATP metabolites and creatine kinase from perfused hearts, an increase in myocardial sodium and calcium contents, and a decrease in myocardial potassium and magnesium contents. Treatment of the perfused heart with either 10 or 30 microM aprindine for the last 3 min of pre-ischemia improved contractile recovery during reperfusion and suppressed changes in myocardial ion content during ischemia and reperfusion. Treatment with the agent also attenuated the release of ATP metabolites and creatine kinase from the heart. However, treatment with high concentrations of aprindine (70 and 100 microM) improved neither cardiac contractile dysfunction, myocardial ionic disturbance nor the release of ATP metabolites and creatine kinase during reperfusion. Two possible mechanisms for the cardioprotection by the agent have been suggested: suppression of transmembrane flux of substrates and enzymes, and prevention of accumulation of myocardial sodium during ischemia.

Animals↗

The role of accumulation of sodium and calcium on contractile failure of the hypoxic/reoxygenated heart.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether myocardial energy or ion levels are related to oxygen-replenishment-induced recovery of cardiac contractile force after hypoxia. Isolated rat hearts were perfused for 3 to 40 min under hypoxic conditions, followed by 45 min of reoxygenation. Hypoxia induced a cessation of cardiac contractile force, a rise in resting tension, a decrease in high energy phosphates, and an increase in lactate. Myocardial ATP, creatine phosphate (CP) and lactate reached steady-state levels after 15, 10 and 5 min of hypoxia, respectively. Hypoxic conditions in the present study also caused an increase in sodium content and a decrease in potassium content, but not changes in calcium content, along with a prolonged hypoxic period. When the hearts were perfused for more than 25 min under hypoxic conditions, no recovery of contractile force was observed following 45-min of reoxygenation. Hypoxic perfusion for more than 25 min induced an accumulation of tissue sodium content approximately 3 fold higher than the pre-hypoxic value at the end of hypoxia, and also induced a marked increase in myocardial calcium content upon reoxygenation. When tissue sodium content accumulated by less than 300% of the pre-hypoxic value, cardiac contractile function was partially reversed by reoxygenation and calcium-overload was not observed. The recovery of post-hypoxic cardiac contractility correlated with tissue sodium content during hypoxia rather than with myocardial high energy phosphate content at the end of hypoxia. These results suggest that accumulation of tissue sodium content in the hypoxic myocardium and calcium content in the reoxygenated myocardium may be indicative of hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cardiac contractile failure.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Long-term treatment with angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors attenuates the loss of cardiac beta-adrenoceptor responses in rats with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac contractile force in response to beta-adrenoceptor agonists and beta-adrenergic receptor density are decreased in failing human hearts. The effects of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor on cardiac responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation in failing hearts are not established. The present study was undertaken to determine whether ACE inhibitor may improve cardiac beta-adrenergic responsiveness in animals with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: CHF was induced by left coronary artery ligation in rats. Cardiac output and stroke volume indices decreased 12 weeks after the operation. In sham-operated rats, dobutamine and isoprenaline increased cardiac output and stroke volume indices. In contrast, cardiac output and stroke volume responses to dobutamine and isoprenaline were severely blunted in the CHF rat. Cardiac beta 1-adrenergic receptor density was decreased while its dissociation constant (Kd) was not altered in the viable tissue of the left ventricle of the CHF rat, which is consistent with beta-adrenergic receptor downregulation. Cardiac norepinephrine content decreased in the CHF rats. Rats were treated orally with ACE inhibitors, 3 mg/kg trandolapril or 10 mg/kg enalapril once daily, or 5 mg/kg captopril twice daily from the 2nd to the 12th weeks after the operation. Treatment with ACE inhibitors attenuated the reduction in cardiac output and stroke volume indices and improved the inotropic response to dobutamine and isoprenaline and reversed partially the cardiac norepinephrine content in the CHF rat. ACE inhibitor treatment also attenuated the reduction in beta 1-adrenergic receptor density in the viable tissue of the left ventricle of the CHF rat. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that ACE inhibitor treatment attenuates the blunting of cardiac responses to beta-adrenergic agonists in the CHF rat and that one of the mechanisms underlying this effect is prevention of cardiac beta 1-adrenergic receptor downregulation.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Mexiletine and lidocaine reduce post-ischemic functional and biochemical dysfunction of perfused hearts.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether class Ib antiarrhythmic agents, mexiletine and lidocaine, exert beneficial effects on ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 35-min global ischemia, followed by 60-min reperfusion and the functional and metabolic alterations were examined with and without mexiletine or lidocaine treatment. Ischemia/reperfusion resulted in a lack of recovery of contractile function, a sustained rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and increased coronary perfusion pressure of the perfused heart during reperfusion. Contractile dysfunction was associated with increases in tissue Na+ and Ca2+ levels, decreases in K+ and Mg2+ levels, and release of creatine kinase and purine nucleosides and bases (ATP metabolites) from the heart. Treatment of the perfused heart with either 10-100 microM of either mexiletine or lidocaine during pre-ischemia resulted in an enhancement of post-ischemic contractile recovery, a suppression of changes in tissue Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents and an attenuation of the release of creatine kinase and ATP metabolites in an almost concentration-dependent manner. Tissue sodium accumulation was observed at the end of ischemia, which was also attenuated by pretreatment with these agents. The prevention of Na+ overload and accompanying Ca2+ overload in cardiac cells may be the mechanism underlying the improvement of post-ischemic contractile function of perfused hearts by these agents.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Hypoxic preconditioning in isolated rat hearts: non-involvement of activation of adenosine A1 receptor, Gi protein, and ATP-sensitive K+ channel.

Activation of the adenosine A1(A1) receptor, Gi protein, and ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP)-channel system has been shown to play an important role in the cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning in dogs. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the possible involvement of this system in hypoxic preconditioning, which ameliorates injury induced by prolonged ischemia and subsequent reperfusion in perfused rat hearts. Ten minutes of hypoxic preconditioning resulted in an appreciable improvement of post-ischemic cardiac contractile recovery. This was associated with a significant reduction in the release of creatine kinase (CK) from reperfused hearts. Hypoxic preconditioning shortened the time to ischemic contracture onset and prevented a further rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) during reperfusion. Neither the selective A1 receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyltheophylline (CPT) nor the KATP channel blocker, glibenclamide, altered the beneficial effects of hypoxic preconditioning. In vivo pretreatment with an inhibitor of Gi protein, pertussis toxin (PTX), also did not diminish the preconditioning effect. The results suggest that, although hypoxic preperfusion ameliorates post-ischemic contractile dysfunction, neither the activation of the A1 receptor, nor the opening of the KATP-channel, nor transduction through Gi protein are involved in the post-ischemic functional recovery of hypoxic preconditioning in the perfused rat heart.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The effects of long-term treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on hypoxia/rexoygenation injury of isolated cardiac cells in adult rats.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been epidemiologically demonstrated to decrease the incidence of ischaemic heart disease. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of long-term treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on hypoxia/reoxygenation injury of isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes. Rats, fed with standard rat chow, were treated with 100 to 1000 mg/kg/day EPA or 1000 mg/kg/day DHA for 4 weeks and their cardiomyocytes were isolated by collagenase treatment. The cardiomyocytes, approximately 90% of which were rod-shaped, were subjected to 150-min hypoxia/15-min reoxygenation, and their survivals at the ends of hypoxia and reoxygenation were determined. Treatment with either 1000 mg/kg/day of EPA or DHA resulted in a significant increase in the survival of the cardiomyocytes (39.9 +/- 1.1 and 38.3 +/- 3.0%, n = 14 and 8, respectively v 26.7 +/- 1.6%, n = 8, for untreated group). Treatment with EPA increased eicosapentaenoic (377% increase), oleic (25% increase) and linoleic acid (37% increase) contents in the myocardial total phospholipids without changes in the total phospholipid content, whereas treatment with DHA did not increase DHA incorporation into the myocardial phospholipids. The results suggest that EPA and DHA protect the myocardial cells against hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced injury. Although alterations in myocardial phospholipid composition were observed by treatment with EPA or DHA, the primary mechanism underlying the benefit of EPA or DHA intake is unlikely to be related to increased incorporation of their own fatty acids into the myocardial phospholipids, or the mechanism may be different in each n-3 unsaturated fatty acid employed.

Animals↗