Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Kurz

Publications and source records attributed to T Kurz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Nonexocytotic noradrenaline release and ventricular fibrillation in ischemic rat hearts.

In myocardial ischemia, nonexocytotic noradrenaline release has been identified as underlying mechanism of ischemia-evoked noradrenaline release. Nonexocytotic noradrenaline release can be suppressed by inhibitors of the neuronal noradrenaline carrier (uptake), such as desipramine. Utilizing this pharmacological intervention the role of local noradrenaline release in the genesis of ischemia-induced ventricular arrhythmias was studied. Regional ischemia was induced in rat isolated perfused hearts by ligature of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and the venous effluent obtained during the first 2 min of reperfusion was used to measure the release of endogenous noradrenaline by high-performance liquid chromatography methods. Coronary occlusion caused ventricular fibrillation in a well reproducible manner with an incidence of 70 to 80% during a 30 min observation period. Blockage of uptake1 by desipramine decreased the occurrence of ischemia-induced ventricular fibrillation to 60% (0.01 mumol/l) or 20% (0.1 mumol/l), and ventricular fibrillation was completely suppressed by 1 mumol/l desipramine. Likewise, desipramine (0.01-1 mumol/l) concentration-dependently reduced endogenous noradrenaline release during 30 min of regional myocardial ischemia. Nisoxetine, a structurally unrelated inhibitor of uptake1, also suppressed ischemia-evoked ventricular fibrillation. In contrast to its antifibrillatory effect during regional myocardial ischemia, desipramine precipitated arrhythmias when ventricular fibrillation was induced by perfusing normoxic hearts with exogenous noradrenaline. Combination of desipramine (0.1 mumol/l) with exogenous noradrenaline (0.01 to 1 mumol/l) increased the incidence of ventricular fibrillation compared to noradrenaline perfusion alone. Under these conditions, uptake1-blockade is known to increase the extracellular concentration of the perfused noradrenaline. Finally, in the isolated, spontaneously beating papillary muscle of the left rat heart, desipramine (0.1 and 1.0 mumol/l) had no effect on the upstroke velocity of action potentials, the action potential duration and the effective refractory period. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that nonexocytotic noradrenaline release is an important mediator of ischemia-induced ventricular fibrillation in isolated hearts of the rat. It is also documented that uptake1 inhibitors such as desipramine reveal their effects on ventricular fibrillation secondary to their action on transmembrane noradrenaline transport.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗

Two different mechanisms of noradrenaline release during normoxia and simulated ischemia in human cardiac tissue.

Species-related differences in the mechanisms of noradrenaline release during normoxia and myocardial ischemia emphasize the need for studies on human hearts. Therefore, the mechanisms of noradrenaline release were investigated during normoxia and energy depletion in incubated human atrial tissue and compared to the release characteristics in normoxic and ischemic rat heart. Potential differences of atrial versus ventricular myocardium were assessed by comparing catecholamine release during electrical stimulation and ischemia in isolated rat atrium with release characteristics in the intact perfused heart. The overflow of endogenous noradrenaline and its deaminated metabolite dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (DOPEG) were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection. During normoxia noradrenaline release was evoked by electrical field stimulation. Stimulation-induced noradrenaline release depended on the extracellular calcium concentration in both species and was almost completely suppressed under calcium-free conditions. The release was significantly inhibited by neuronal (N-type) calcium channel blockers such as omega-conotoxin (100 nmol/l) and cadmium chloride (100 mumol/l), indicating a predominant role of N-type calcium channels in exocytotic noradrenaline release from sympathetic neurons in human and rat heart. Desipramine (100 nmol/l) enhanced the overflow of noradrenaline evoked by electrical stimulation in both species by blocking neuronal catecholamine uptake (uptake1). Myocardial ischemia was caused by interruption of perfusion flow in rat heart and simulated by anoxic and glucose-free incubation in human and rat atrial tissue. Ischemia- and anoxia-induced noradrenaline release in rat heart and human atrial tissue was unaffected by varying extracellular calcium concentrations and occurred even after omission of calcium and addition of EGTA (1 mmol/l). In both species neither omega-conotoxin (100 nmol/l) nor cadmium chloride (100 mumol/l) affected ischemia-induced noradrenaline overflow in both rat heart and atrium as well as in human atrium. In human and rat atrial tissue, blockade of energy metabolism in the presence of oxygen (cyanide model) resulted in a desipramine-sensitive release of noradrenaline, which was accompanied by DOPEG overflow, indicating increased axoplasmic noradrenaline concentration. The data imply a dual mechanism of noradrenaline release in the human heart. During normoxia noradrenaline release is modulated by neuronal calcium influx indicating exocytotic release. Ischemia-induced noradrenaline release, however, is independent of calcium and inhibited by uptake1 blockade suggesting nonexocytotic release mechanism. The characteristics of noradrenaline release in human atrial tissue provide evidence for carrier-mediated release of noradrenaline from sympathetic neurons operative in the ischemic human myocardium.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗

Stimulation and binding of myocardial phospholipase C by phosphatidic acid.

Exposure of adult ventricular myocytes to exogenous natural phosphatidic acid results in the production of inositol phosphates by unknown mechanism(s). We characterized stimulation of myocytic phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) by synthetic dioleoyl phosphatidic acid (PA) as a potential mechanism for modulation of inositol phosphate production. Our data demonstrate that exogenous PA, at 10(-8)-10(-5) M, caused a concentration-dependent increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in adult rabbit ventricular myocytes. PA also caused a concentration-dependent increase in in vitro activity of myocytic PLC in the presence or absence of ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). PLC-delta 1, the predominant isozyme of PLC expressed in adult rabbit ventricular myocytes, bound to liposomes of PA with high affinity in the presence of EGTA. The phosphomonoester group of PA was critical to in vitro stimulation of myocytic PLC activity and high-affinity binding of PLC-delta 1. We propose that binding of PLC-delta 1 to phosphatidic acid may be a novel mechanism for dynamic membrane association and modulation of PLC in adult ventricular myocytes.

Animals↗

Sympatho-adrenergic activation of the ischemic myocardium and its arrhythmogenic impact.

Increased sympathetic activity has been documented in patients during acute myocardial infarction. Clinical and experimental studies have suggested that this increased sympatho-adrenergic activation may contribute to the development of lethal ventricular arrhythmias in the ischemic heart. In acute myocardial ischemia, adrenergic stimulation of the ischemic myocardium is independent of plasma catecholamines, since local catecholamine concentrations within the ischemic myocardium surpass plasma concentrations by several orders of magnitude. Both afferent and efferent autonomic nerves are activated immediately with myocardial ischemia. Poorly perfused myocardium, however, is protected within the first few minutes of ischemia, via several mechanisms, against high local concentrations of catecholamines. Ischemia-associated metabolic alterations, such as extracellular potassium accumulation, acidosis, and especially the accumulation of adenosine reduce the transmitter release induced by central sympathetic stimulation. Furthermore, the functional neuronal amine reuptake (uptake1) prevents excessive local accumulation of noradrenaline. With progression of myocardial ischemia to more than 10 min local nonexocytotic noradrenaline release prevails. This release is not prevented by the above-mentioned protective mechanisms and accounts for local extracellular catecholamine concentrations in the micromolar range, i.e., 100 to 1000 times higher than the normal plasma concentrations. It shows several features that make it possible to differentiate it from exocytotic release and to assign it to a carrier-mediated transport of noradrenaline from the sympathetic nerve ending into the synaptic cleft. This release is independent of central sympathetic activity, availability of extracellular calcium, activation of both neuronal calcium channels and protein kinase C, and is not accompanied by the release of sympathetic co-transmitters such as neuropeptide Y. It is however suppressed by blockers of uptake1 and by inhibitors of sodium-proton exchange. Depletion of cardiac catecholamine stores by chronic sympathetic denervation effectively suppresses malignant arrhythmias induced by experimental coronary ligature. Accordingly, inhibitors of nonexocytotic noradrenaline release such as uptake1, blocking agents or sodium-proton exchange inhibitors effectively reduce the occurrence of ischemia-associated ventricular fibrillation, emphasizing the relevance of nonexocytotic noradrenaline release in myocardial ischemia. At the postsynaptic side, catecholamines released during myocardial ischemia exert their effects by stimulating alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors of cardiac myocytes. During acute myocardial ischemia the responsiveness of adrenergic receptors to stimulation by catecholamines is enhanced. Several studies have demonstrated an increase in functionally coupled beta-adrenergic receptor number during myocardial ischemia. Likewise, alpha 1-adrenergic responsivity increases in myocardium subjected to acute ischemia and contributes significantly to the arrhythmogenic effect of catecholamines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adrenergic Fibers↗

Phosphatidic acid increases in response to noradrenaline and endothelin-1 in adult rabbit ventricular myocytes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess whether noradrenaline and endothelin-1 can stimulate endogenous production of phosphatidic acid in adult ventricular myocytes. METHODS: After stimulation of rabbit ventricular myocytes with noradrenaline and endothelin-1, total lipids were extracted using the Bligh and Dyer procedure and separated by thin layer chromatography, and phosphatidic acid was quantified using photodensitometric analysis of visualised lipids with CuSO4/H3PO4. RESULTS: Noradrenaline (10(-5) M) elicited a rapid increase in phosphatidic acid at 2 min, followed by a decrease at 5 min. A second delayed and sustained increase in phosphatidic acid occurred at 10 min. The response to noradrenaline (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) was concentration dependent with a half maximum response (EC50) of 3.1 x 10(-8) M and the maximum effect at 10(-6) M. The increase in phosphatidic acid production in response to noradrenaline was abolished by an alpha 1 adrenergic receptor blocking agent (2-[beta-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethylaminomethyl]tetralone) but unaffected by the beta adrenergic blocking agent L-propranolol. An increase in phosphatidic acid was also elicited in rabbit ventricular myocytes in response to endothelin-1. The response was time and concentration dependent with the maximal increase at 12 min, EC50 5.3 x 10(-9) M, and maximum effect at 10(-6) M. Both noradrenalin and endothelin-1 stimulated phosphatidylbutanol production in the presence of butanol (100 mM), indicating that both agonists activate phospholipase D. CONCLUSIONS: Noradrenaline at physiological concentrations elicits both a rapid and a delayed increase in phosphatidic acid in adult rabbit ventricular myocytes. Endothelial-1, at physiological concentrations, also stimulates an increase in the mass of phosphatidic acid in myocytes, but the increase induced by endothelin-1 is monophasic, in contrast to the biphasic response seen during stimulation with noradrenaline. Activation of phospholipase D contributes to the increase in phosphatidic acid seen during stimulation of myocytes with either noradrenaline or endothelin-1. These are the first data to characterise endogenous production of phosphatidic acid in isolated adult ventricular myocytes.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Phosphatidic acid stimulates inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production in adult cardiac myocytes.

The cellular content of phosphatidic acid can increase in response to several agonists either by phosphorylation of diacylglycerol after phospholipase C-catalyzed hydrolysis of phospholipids or directly through activation of phospholipase D. Although previous findings indicated that the generation of phosphatidic acid was exclusively a means of regulation of the cellular concentration of diacylglycerol, more recent studies have indicated that phosphatidic acid may also directly regulate several cellular functions. Accordingly, the present study was performed to assess whether phosphatidic acid could stimulate cardiac phospholipase C in intact adult rabbit ventricular myocytes. The mass of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins (1,4,5)P3] was determined by a specific and sensitive binding protein assay and by direct mass measurement using anion exchange chromatography for separation of selected inositol phosphates and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for quantification of inositol monophosphate (IP1), inositol bisphosphate (IP2), inositol trisphosphate (IP3), and inositol tetrakisphosphate (IP4). Phosphatidic acid (10(-9)-10(-6) M) elicited a rapid concentration-dependent increase in Ins (1,4,5)P3 accumulation, with the peak fourfold to fivefold increase at 30 seconds of stimulation; the concentration required for 50% of maximal stimulation was 4.4 x 10(-8) M. The time course of individual inositol phosphates indicated a successive increase in the mass of IP3, IP4, IP2, and IP1 in response to stimulation with phosphatidic acid. The production of Ins (1,4,5)P3 in response to phosphatidic acid was not altered in the absence of extracellular calcium or in the presence of extracellular EGTA (10(-3) M). Thus, these findings indicate that phosphatidic acid is a potent activator of inositol phosphate production in adult ventricular myocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Not Available].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Academies and Institutes↗

Calcium antagonism and norepinephrine release in myocardial ischemia.

In myocardial infarction, adrenergic stimulation of the heart is thought to cause cell damage and malignant arrhythmias. In rat hearts as well as in human cardiac tissue, ischemia induces norepinephrine (NE) release, which results in micromolar catecholamine concentrations in the interstitial space of the ischemic myocardium. It has been found that local metabolic, rather than centrally evoked NE release, plays the crucial role in excess adrenergic activation of the ischemic myocardium. NE release in ischemia is nonexocytotic and has been characterized as a two-step process. (a) Induced by energy deficiency, NE escapes from its storage vesicles and accumulates in the axoplasm. (b) NE is transported across the plasma membrane into the extracellular space via the neuronal NE carrier (uptake1), which has reversed its normal transport direction because of increased intracellular sodium concentration. NE release induced by ischemia is independent of the presence of calcium in the extracellular space and is not altered by blockade of N-type (neuronal) calcium channels. Furthermore, modulation of protein kinase C does not interfere with NE liberation in the ischemic myocardium. This independence of extracellular calcium, calcium entry into the neuron, and protein kinase C activity is in contrast to the strong calcium dependence of exocytotic transmitter release, which is found under physiological conditions. On the basis of these findings, it was unexpected that calcium antagonists such as gallopamil, verapamil, diltiazem, felodipine, and nifedipine suppress ischemia-induced NE release. The most potent effect was found for gallopamil with a concentration of 50% inhibition (IC50) of 300 nmol/L.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Alpha 1-adrenergic system and arrhythmias in ischaemic heart disease.

Several lines of experimental evidence obtained over the last decade indicate that alterations in the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor system may contribute significantly to arrhythmogenesis in the ischaemic heart. Under normal physiological conditions, alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation of myocytes elicits a modest increase in inotropy, a lengthening of repolarization secondary to a decrease in IK through activation of protein kinase C, and a decrease in automaticity in Purkinje cells due to an increase in Na+/K+ ATPase activity. These findings suggest that alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation of the myocardium would elicit an antiarrhythmic effect. However, during both early ischaemia and reperfusion there is an enhanced responsivity to alpha-adrenergic stimulation and a potent antiarrhythmic effect of alpha 1-adrenergic blockade in several species including the conscious dog. This enhanced alpha-adrenergic responsivity may be due to an increase in alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in ischaemic myocardium originating from a site distinct from the intracellular site for trafficking of beta-adrenergic receptors, possibly within or near the sarcolemma. Recently, we developed an isolated adult canine ventricular myocyte preparation which also exhibits a 2- to 3-fold reversible increase in alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in response to severe hypoxia (PO2 = less than 15 mmHg) associated with marked sarcolemmal accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitines (LCA) secondary to hypoxia-induced inhibition of beta-oxidation of fatty acids. The increase in alpha 1-adrenergic receptors is prevented by inhibition of carnitine acyltransferase I which precludes accumulation of LCA. The sarcolemmal accumulation of LCA increases membrane fluidity, suggesting that the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor may be latent within or near the sarcolemma and becomes accessible to a surface ligand only as membrane fluidity is altered. This conclusion is also supported by our findings that hypoxia elicits a marked increase in the coupling of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) production in canine myocytes exposed to norepinephrine. IP3 has been shown to mobilize Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, thereby modulating the levels of intracellular Ca2+. Stimulation of hypoxic myocytes with norepinephrine also results in the appearance of delayed after-depolarizations and triggered rhythms, probably in response to an increase in intracellular Ca2+. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the alpha 1-adrenergic system can contribute to arrhythmogenesis in the ischaemic heart and that approaches to reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death should include blockade of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors.

Animals↗

Effect of digitalis glycosides on norepinephrine release in the heart. Dual mechanism of action.

The effect of ouabain on exocytotic and nonexocytotic norepinephrine release was investigated in perfused rat and guinea pig hearts. The overflow of endogenous norepinephrine and its neuronal metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (DOPEG) was determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. DOPEG served as the indicator of free axoplasmic norepinephrine concentrations. The overflow of the norepinephrine cotransmitter neuropeptide Y (NPY) was determined by radioimmunoassay and NPY was used as marker for exocytotic release. Electrical stimulation of the left stellate ganglion resulted in exocytotic norepinephrine release in rat and guinea pig hearts. Ouabain caused an increase in stimulation-induced norepinephrine overflow from rat and guinea pig hearts by 40%. However, overflow of NPY was decreased by 40%, indicating a reduced exocytosis rate. Ouabain increased both norepinephrine and NPY overflow, suggesting enhancement of exocytosis, when neuronal catecholamine uptake (uptake1) was blocked by desipramine or when presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors were inhibited by yohimbine. The results demonstrate an interaction of ouabain with both calcium-dependent exocytosis and uptake1 of norepinephrine. Under calcium-free conditions, ouabain or potassium-free perfusate resulted in norepinephrine release from hearts when the axoplasmic norepinephrine concentration was elevated by the reserpinelike agent Ro 4-1284. This release was independent from neural activity, not accompanied by NPY overflow, and suppressed by the uptake1 blocker desipramine. These findings are in keeping with carrier-mediated nonexocytotic norepinephrine release that is caused by reversal of the transport direction of the uptake1 carrier. During myocardial ischemia nonexocytotic norepinephrine release was accelerated and enhanced by inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase before ischemia. This study demonstrates the potential of digitalis glycosides to interact both with transmitter exocytosis and with the neuronal catecholamine transport system by Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibition. Interaction with the catecholamine transport system involves both inhibition of norepinephrine inward transport and induction of norepinephrine outward transport, resulting in nonexocytotic norepinephrine release.

Animals↗

[Anti-angina therapy of coronary heart disease. Mono- or combination treatment].

Applying a metaanalysis, it was examined whether a combination of drugs is superior to monotherapy in the treatment of angina pectoris. The three classical groups of anti-anginal drugs, nitrates, calcium channel blockers and beta-receptor blockers were investigated. For data analysis, patients were divided in those suffering from "angina pectoris" and those suffering from "angina pectoris despite monotherapy." In patients with the inclusion criterium "angina pectoris" combination of drugs is not superior to monotherapy. This applies to the evaluation criteria "improvement of symptoms" and "reduction of ischemia". In patients with the inclusion criterium "angina pectoris despite monotherapy" however, there is a clear superiority of drug combination as compared to monotherapy. Again this applies to the evaluation criteria "improvement of symptoms" and "reduction in myocardial ischemia". With respect to antianginal efficacy all three possible combinations appear to be similar. If the evaluation criterium is "improvement of prognosis" no data are available with regard to drug combination. Furthermore no data are available on the prognostic effect of an anti-anginal therapy in patients with stable angina pectoris. A significant improvement of prognosis could be demonstrated for beta-receptor blocking agents without ISA in unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and in the postinfarction period. The effect of calcium channel blockers on prognosis depends on the substance class applied and on the presence or absence of signs of congestive heart failure. Monotherapy with nifedipine in instable angina and acute myocardial infarction fails to improve prognosis, and there even may be a tendency to adverse effects. In the absence of signs of congestive heart failure verapamil has been demonstrated to improve prognosis in the post infarction period. Likewise, improvement of prognosis by the administration of diltiazem in acute myocardial infarction only could be demonstrated in patients without signs of heart failure. In contrast, in patients with signs of congestive heart failure diltiazem increased the rate of reinfarction and mortality. For nitrates only in acute myocardial infarction a trend towards improved prognosis has been shown. Especially for nitrates the data on prognosis in coronary heart disease available so far are not convincing.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Extracellular sodium and chloride depletion enhances nonexocytotic noradrenaline release induced by energy deficiency in rat heart.

The effect of either extracellular sodium or extracellular chloride reduction on the release of endogenous noradrenaline and its deaminated metabolite dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) has been studied in the isolated perfused rat heart under conditions of ischaemia and cyanide intoxication. The overflow of noradrenaline and DOPEG was determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. The efflux of DOPEG, the predominant neuronal noradrenaline adrenaline metabolite, served as indicator of the free axoplasmic plasmic amine concentration. A calcium-free perfusion buffer was used to avoid exocytotic noradrenaline release. Sodium and chloride in the perfusion buffer were replaced by lithium and isethionate, respectively. (1) Reduction of extracellular sodium or chloride increased noradrenaline overflow in ischaemia. The release was suppressed by the uptake1 blocker cocaine indicating carrier-mediated outward transport of noradrenaline. (2) In cyanide intoxication sodium or chloride reduction accelerated the onset of DOPEG efflux reflecting increased axoplasmic noradrenaline concentrations. This was accompanied by increased noradrenaline release. The ratio of noradrenaline/DOPEG overflow was increased by reduced sodium or chloride, indicating facilitation of carrier-mediated noradrenaline net outward transport. (3) In the presence of unaltered energy metabolism overflow of both, noradrenaline and DOPEG, was not enhanced by sodium or chloride reduction. The results demonstrate that reduction of extracellular sodium or chloride has two effects on noradrenaline release from the sympathetic neuron with reduced energy supply. First, reduced sodium or chloride induces increased axoplasmic noradrenaline concentrations by interference with vesicular storage function. Second, both interventions enhance carrier-mediated noradrenaline release.

Animals↗

Neuronal sodium homoeostatis and axoplasmic amine concentration determine calcium-independent noradrenaline release in normoxic and ischemic rat heart.

Calcium-independent noradrenaline release was studied in the isolated perfused rat heart under conditions of normoxia, cyanide intoxication, and ischemia. The release of endogenous noradrenaline and dihydroxyphenylglycol were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The release of dihydroxyphenylglycol, the main neuronal noradrenaline metabolite, was used as an indicator of the free axoplasmic amine concentration. When storage function of neuronal vesicles was disturbed by Ro 4-1284 or trimethyltin, high dihydroxyphenylglycol release was observed without concomitant overflow of noradrenaline. If, however, these agents were combined with inhibition of Na+K+-ATPase or with veratridine-induced entry of sodium into the neuron, both dihydroxyphenylglycol and noradrenaline were released. Noradrenaline release was independent of extracellular calcium and was suppressed by blockade of neuronal catecholamine uptake (uptake1), indicating nonexocytotic noradrenaline liberation from the sympathetic nerve ending. This release critically depended on two conditions: 1) increased cytoplasmic concentrations of noradrenaline within the sympathetic neuron and 2) intraneuronal sodium accumulation. Both conditions together were required to induce noradrenaline efflux across the plasma membrane using the uptake1 carrier in reverse of its normal transport direction. A disturbed energy status of the sympathetic neuron, induced by cyanide intoxication or ischemia, likewise caused calcium-independent noradrenaline release by interfering with both vesicular storage function and neuronal sodium homoeostatis. Again, release was sensitive to uptake1 blockade. Since neuronal sodium accumulation was the rate-limiting step, release was further accelerated when residual Na+,K+-ATPase activity was inhibited. Na+-H+ exchange was identified as the predominant pathway of sodium entry into the sympathetic nerve ending in ischemia, and its inhibition by amiloride and ethylisopropylamiloride markedly suppressed ischemia-induced noradrenaline release.

Animals↗

Nonexocytotic release of endogenous noradrenaline in the ischemic and anoxic rat heart: mechanism and metabolic requirements.

The release of endogenous noradrenaline and its deaminated metabolite dihydroxyphenylglycol in the myocardium have been studied in the isolated perfused heart of the rat subjected to three models of energy depletion: ischemia, anoxia, and cyanide intoxication. Anoxia and cyanide intoxication were combined with substrate deficiency at constant perfusion flow. All three energy-depleting procedures caused a similar overflow of noradrenaline which, following a constant delay of 10 minutes without increased release, amounted to more than 25% of total heart content within 40 minutes. This noradrenaline overflow was not diminished in the absence of extracellular calcium and was inhibited by the uptake1 blocker desipramine in all three experimental models, indicating a common and nonexocytotic release mechanism. In the presence of glucose, neither anoxia nor cyanide intoxication resulted in a measurable noradrenaline overflow. Conversely, blockade of glycolysis or glucose depletion prior to ischemia or cyanide poisoning accelerated the noradrenaline overflow, demonstrating a key role of the sympathetic nerve cells' energy status in causing nonexocytotic catecholamine release. Blockade of energy metabolism in the presence of oxygen (cyanide model) resulted in the overflow of high amounts of dihydroxyphenylglycol that was not inhibited by uptake1 blockade. The release of the lipophilic dihydroxyphenylglycol by diffusion reflects deamination of axoplasmic noradrenaline by monoamine oxidase. Since saturation of the enzyme could be excluded in this model dihydroxyphenylglycol release can be taken as a mirror of cytoplasmic noradrenaline concentration. The results obtained by these studies indicate that nonexocytotic catecholamine release is a two-step process induced by energy deficiency in the sympathetic varicosity. In a first step, noradrenaline is lost from storage vesicles, resulting in increasing axoplasmic concentrations. The second step is the rate-limiting transport of intracellular noradrenaline across the cell membrane by the uptake1 carrier that has reversed its normal net transport direction.

Animals↗

Neurohumoral activation in percutaneous coronary interventions: apropos of ten vasoactive substances during and immediately following coronary rotastenting.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia, left ventricular dysfunction, endothelial damage and hemodynamic changes during percutaneous coronary intervention can lead to neurohumoral activation. This may partly explain the frequent episodes of coronary spasm, hypotension and bradycardia which occur during the procedure. Rotastenting, by employing the two basic mechanisms for coronary interventions-debulking and dilatation-epitomizes percutaneous coronary interventions in general. We sought to investigate the neurohumoral changes during and immediately following coronary rotastenting. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen patients undergoing elective rotablator atherectomy followed by balloon predilatation and stenting for chronic stable angina were studied. Four femoral vein blood samples were drawn from each patient at the start of the intervention (baseline), and 2 (postdebulking-2), 10 (postdebulking-10) and 60 (postdebulking-60) minutes. respectively, after the first complete passage of the rotablation burr across the whole length of lesion. Levels of 10 neurohormones, namely, endothelin-1, bradykinin, arginine vasopressin, norepinephrine, dopamine, epinephrine, angiotensin II, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity. atrial natriuretic peptide and kininogen were estimated in each sample. Endothelin-1 and bradykinin attained their peak levels in the postdebulking-2 samples. and the rise from 0.34+/-0.07 pmol/ml and 235.8+/-17.7 pg/ml to 0.42+/-0.06 pmol/ml and 337.2+/-41.0 pg/ml, respectively, was statistically significant (p<0.05). The level of arginine vasopressin showed a significant (p<0.05) rise from baseline (108.5+/-31.8 pg/ml) to postdebulking-60 samples (136.5+/-39.4 pg/ml). The other neurohormones did not show significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a definite but differential neurohumoral activation during and immediately following rotastenting. These neurohumoral changes may have a role in untoward intra- and postprocedural vasomotor and hemodynamic effects. This study establishes the concept of neurohumoral activation during percutaneous coronary interventions.

Aged↗