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Positive inotropic effects of the novel Na+-channel modulator BDF 9198 in human nonfailing and failing myocardium.

The aim of this study was to investigate the inotropic properties of the novel Na+-channel modulator BDF 9198 in human nonfailing and failing myocardium. For comparison the Na+-channel modulator BDF 9148, the beta-adrenoceptor-agonist isoprenaline, and calcium were studied. Concentration-response curves for BDF 9198 (0.01-30 microM), BDF 9148 (0.01-30 microM), isoprenaline (0.001-1 microM), and calcium (1.8-15 mM) were obtained in electrically driven left ventricular human papillary muscle strips (1 Hz, 37 degrees C; dilated cardiomyopathy, NYHA IV, heart transplantation; nonfailing, donor hearts). Whereas isoprenaline was significantly less effective and less potent in increasing the force of contraction in failing human myocardium than in nonfailing myocardium (p < 0.01), BDF 9198 and BDF 9148 were (in NYHA IV) as effective as in nonfailing human tissue. In both tissues, BDF 9198 and BDF 9148 exerted similar positive inotropic effects as calcium, with the novel Na+-channel modulator BDF 9198 being more potent in increasing force of contraction than was the preceding agent BDF 9148. The potencies of both Na+-channel modulators, BDF 9198 and BDF 9148, were enhanced in human failing myocardium when compared with nonfailing myocardium. In summary, the novel Na+-channel modulator BDF 9198 increases force of contraction to the same extent as calcium and with a higher potency than BDF 9148. The sensitivity of failing human myocardium to Na+-channel modulators is increased when compared with nonfailing myocardium, which might be the result of an altered Na+ homeostasis in human heart failure.

Azetidines↗

SR Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and expression in ventricular myocardium of dogs with heart failure.

The purpose of this study was to examine the activity and expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase in left ventricular (LV) myocardium of dogs with chronic heart failure (HF). LV and right ventricular (RV) tissue specimens were obtained from six normal (NL) control dogs and six dogs with chronic HF (LV ejection fraction, 23 +/- 2%) produced by multiple sequential intracoronary microembolizations. Thapsigargin-sensitive Ca(2+)-ATPase activity was measured in isolated SR membrane fractions prepared from LV and RV myocardium. Ca(2+)-ATPase expression, using a specific dog myocardium monoclonal antibody, was measured in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) extract prepared from LV and RV myocardium. Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in both ventricles of NL or HF dogs increased with increasing Ca2+ concentration and reached a plateau at 3 microM Ca2+. The maximal velocity (Vmax, mumol Pi released.min-1.mg-1) of Ca(2+)-ATPase activity was significantly lower in LV of HF dogs compared with NL (0.15 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.23 +/- 0.01, P < 0.05), whereas the affinity of the Ca2+ pump for Ca2+ was unchanged. LV tissue levels of Ca(2+)-ATPase (densitometric units/5 micrograms noncollagen protein) were also significantly lower in LV myocardium of HF dogs compared with NL (3.52 +/- 0.43 vs. 5.53 +/- 0.47, P < 0.05). No significant differences in Ca(2+)-ATPase activity or expression were observed in RV myocardium of HF dogs compared with NL. We conclude that SR Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and protein levels are reduced in LV myocardium of dogs with chronic HF. This abnormality of the SR Ca2+ pump of the failed LV can result in impaired Ca2+ uptake and ultimately to Ca2+ overload and global LV dysfunction.

Animals↗

Myofilament calcium regulation in human myocardium.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether decreased myofilament calcium contractile activation may, in part, contribute to heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Calcium concentration required for 50% activation and Hill coefficient for fibers from nonfailing and failing human hearts at pH 7.1 were not different. Maximum calcium-activated force (F(max)) was also not different. However, at pH 6.8 and 6.9, differences were seen in myofilament calcium activation between nonfailing and failing hearts. At lower pH, failing myocardium was shifted left on the calcium axis compared with nonfailing myocardium, which suggested an increase in myofilament calcium responsiveness. Increased inorganic phosphate concentration decreased maximal force development by 56% in nonfailing and 36% in failing myocardium and shifted the calcium-force relationship by 2.01+/-0.22 versus 0.86+/-0.13 micromol/L, respectively (P<0.05). Addition of cAMP resulted in a 0. 56 micromol/L shift toward higher intracellular calcium concentrations in nonfailing myocardium and a 1.04 micromol/L shift in failing myocardium. Protein kinase A in the presence of cAMP resulted in a further rightward shift in nonfailing human myocardium but did not further shift the calcium-force relationship in fibers from failing hearts. cGMP also resulted in a greater decrease in myofilament calcium sensitivity in fibers from failing hearts. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that changes at the level of the thin myofilaments result in differential responses to changes in the intracellular milieu in nonfailing versus failing myocardium.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase, phospholamban, and calsequestrin levels in nonfailing and failing human myocardium.

BACKGROUND: Observations of abnormalities in the diastolic components of intracellular Ca2+ transients in failing human left ventricular myocardium have raised the possibility that reductions in the level or function of sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins involved in Ca2+ transport contribute to the pathophysiology of dilated cardiomyopathy in humans. Functional assays, however, have revealed no differences in ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport or its modulation by phospholamban in sarcoplasmic reticulum-enriched microsomes prepared from nonfailing and failing human left ventricular myocardium. The purpose of the present study was to quantify protein levels of Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase, phospholamban, and calsequestrin directly in nonfailing and failing human left ventricular myocardium. METHOD AND RESULTS: Total protein extracts were prepared from nonfailing left ventricular myocardium from the hearts of unmatched organ donors with normal left ventricular contractility (n = 6) and from failing left ventricular myocardium from the excised hearts of transplant recipients with class IV heart failure resulting from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 6). Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase, phospholamban, and calsequestrin contents were determined by quantitative immunoblotting with monoclonal and affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies. The levels of the three proteins were identical in nonfailing and failing human left ventricular myocardium. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that protein levels of Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase, phospholamban, and calsequestrin are not diminished in failing human left ventricular myocardium and that downregulation of the Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase and phospholamban is not part of the molecular pathophysiology of dilated cardiomyopathy in humans.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Positive and negative inotropic effects of DL-sotalol and D-sotalol in failing and nonfailing human myocardium under physiological experimental conditions.

BACKGROUND: DL-Sotalol has class III antiarrhythmic activity through prolongation of the repolarization phase of the action potential as well as beta-adrenoceptor-blocking properties. Although the former effect was found to exert positive inotropic effects in animal experimental studies, the latter may be detrimental in heart failure due to negative inotropism. In contrast to DL-sotalol, D-sotalol is suggested to exert only positive inotropic effects, which were never tested in isolated human myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Therefore, we investigated the effects of racemic DL-sotalol and its enantiomer D-sotalol in human right atrial muscle strip preparations and in left ventricular muscle strip preparations from nonfailing and end-stage failing human hearts. DL-sotalol and D-sotalol significantly (P < .01) increased peak developed force in atrial preparations by 14.0 +/- 3.4% and 16.7 +/- 3.8%, respectively, but had no effect in ventricular myocardium. In nonfailing ventricular myocardium, both DL-sotalol and D-sotalol shifted the dose-response curve for isoproterenol to higher concentrations (P < .01); however, DL-sotalol was 100-fold more effective than D-sotalol. In non-failing myocardium, a positive force-frequency relation was found between 30 and 120 beats per minute, but isoproterenol was much more powerful in its inotropic effects. In failing myocardium, reduction in stimulation rate from 120 to 30 beats per minute increased peak developed force more pronounced than did the application of isoproterenol. CONCLUSIONS: (1) D-Sotalol has no relevant beta-adrenoceptor-blocking activity compared with DL-sotalol. (2) Neither DL-sotalol nor D-sotalol exhibit positive inotropic effects in human left ventricular myocardium. (3) Heart rate reduction increases contractile force in end-stage failing human myocardium due to an inverse force-frequency relation and thereby counteracts the potential negative inotropic properties of beta-blockade.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Protein kinase A-mediated acceleration of the stretch activation response in murine skinned myocardium is eliminated by ablation of cMyBP-C.

Beta-adrenergic agonists induce protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation of the cardiac myofilament proteins myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-C) and troponin I (cTnI), resulting in enhanced systolic function, but the relative contributions of cMyBP-C and cTnI to augmented contractility are not known. To investigate possible roles of cMyBP-C in this response, we examined the effects of PKA treatment on the rate of force redevelopment and the stretch activation response in skinned ventricular myocardium from both wild-type (WT) and cMyBP-C null (cMyBP-C(-/-)) myocardium. In WT myocardium, PKA treatment accelerated the rate of force redevelopment and the stretch activation response, resulting in a shorter time to the peak of delayed force development when the muscle was stretched to a new isometric length. Ablation of cMyBP-C accelerated the rate of force redevelopment and stretch activation response to a degree similar to that observed in PKA treatment of WT myocardium; however, PKA treatment had no effect on the rate of force development and the stretch activation response in null myocardium. These results indicate that ablation of cMyBP-C and PKA treatment of WT myocardium have similar effects on cross-bridge cycling kinetics and suggest that PKA phosphorylation of cMyBP-C accelerates the rate of force generation and thereby contributes to the accelerated twitch kinetics observed in living myocardium during beta-adrenergic stimulation.

Animals↗

Relation between myocardial function and expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase in failing and nonfailing human myocardium.

Expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase was shown to be reduced in failing human myocardium. The functional relevance of this finding, however, is not known. We investigated the relation between myocardial function and protein levels of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase in nonfailing human myocardium (8 muscle strips from 4 hearts) and in myocardium from end-stage failing hearts with dilated (10 muscle strips from 9 hearts) or ischemic (7 muscle strips from 5 hearts) cardiomyopathy. Myocardial function was evaluated by the force-frequency relation in isometrically contracting muscle strip preparations (37 degrees C, 30 to 180 min-1). In nonfailing myocardium, twitch tension rose with increasing rates of stimulation and was 76% higher at 120 min-1 compared with 30 min-1 (P < .02). In failing myocardium, there was no significant increase in average tension at stimulation rates above 30 min-1. At 120 min-1, twitch tension was decreased by 59% (P < .05) in dilated cardiomyopathy and 76% (P < .05) in ischemic cardiomyopathy compared with nonfailing myocardium. Protein levels of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase, normalized per total protein or per myosin, were reduced by 36% (P < .02) or 32% (P < .05), respectively, in failing compared with nonfailing myocardium. SR Ca(2+)-ATPase protein levels were closely related to SR Ca2+ uptake, measured in homogenates from the same hearts (r = .70, n = 16, and P < .005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Stress echocardiography using adenosine combined with nitroglycerin-dobutamine in the detection of viable myocardium in patients with previous myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study was to assess the value of adenosine (A) and the combination of nitroglycerin (N) with dobutamine (D) stress echocardiography (SE) in the identification of viable myocardium. The clinical and electrocardiographic (ECG) effects of both tests were also evaluated. Fifty-two coronary artery disease patients, aged 56.4 +/- 8 years, with left ventricular dysfunction due to a previous myocardial infarction (mean ejection fraction: 49 +/- 8%) were included in the study. Cardiac catheterization was performed in all patients before A (140 micrograms/kg/minute for five minutes) and the combination of N with D (5-10 micrograms/kg/minute) stress echocardiography. On the echocardiogram, the left ventricle was divided into 16 segments and wall motion was graded semiquantitatively from 1 (normal) to 4 (dyskinesia). The echocardiographic index was also estimated. A segment was considered viable during A infusion when resting asynergy showed deterioration of one grade or more. In contrast, segmental viability was considered to be present during the combination of N with D infusion when resting asynergy showed improvement of one grade or more. A thallium 201 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with reinjection was performed as reference standard for the identification of viable myocardium. Stress echocardiography during infusion of A was associated with short-duration angina attacks in 3 (5.8%) patients and transient complete atrioventricular (AV) block in 1 (1.9%), whereas during the combination of N with D infusion, 6 (11.5%) patients experienced ventricular bigeminy lasting for a short period. ST segment elevation greater than 1 mm was recorded in those leads having a Q wave, in 19 (36.5%) patients. In 10 of these 19 (52.6%), viable myocardium was present in SPECT, as it was in 33 patients (63.5%) having no ST segment elevation (P = NS). Of a total of 832 segments that were graded during A-SE, 276 exhibited resting asynergy and the remaining 556 had normal motion and thickening at rest. The echocardiographic index during A infusion increased from 1.52 +/- 0.22 to 1.71 +/- 0.24 (P < 0.001), whereas during D and N infusion it decreased from 1.53 +/- 0.31 to 1.30 +/- 0.42 (P < 0.001). With SPECT considered as the gold standard for the identification of viable myocardium, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of A-SE in detecting viable myocardium were 54%, 86%, 65% and 80%, respectively. The respective values for the combination of nitroglycerin with D-SE were 91%, 89%, 78%, and 96%, respectively. Stress echocardiography during A, and the combination of N with D, constitute safe methods in the identification of viable myocardium. The detection of ST segment elevation in the ECG leads with a Q wave during the combined infusion of nitroglycerin and dobutamine is not related to the presence of viable myocardial tissue. The A-SE provide moderate diagnostic accuracy, while the combination of N with D during SE is much superior in detecting viable myocardium.

Adenosine↗

Prognostic value of viable myocardium in patients with non-Q-wave and Q-wave myocardial infarction.

This study assessed the amount and prognostic value of myocardial viability in patients with non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (NQMI) and Q-wave myocardial infarction (QMI). A total of 175 patients with MI and an ejection fraction < or = 45% underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography. On the basis of clinical criteria and myocardial viability, 110 patients were revascularized. The amount of viable myocardium and the clinical outcome were compared in the NQMI and QMI groups. Patients with NQMI exhibited a larger amount of viable myocardium compared with those with QMI. The mortality rate was 6% in patients with NQMI with viable myocardium and subsequent revascularization, 33% in patients with NQMI without viable myocardium or revascularization, 27% in patients with QMI with viable myocardium and subsequent revascularization, and 33% in patients with QMI without viable myocardium or revascularization. In conclusion, our data suggest that patients with NQMI and viable myocardium have the best prognosis after revascularization.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Examination of the direct effects of antianginal agents on the hypoxic canine myocardium.

The myocardial protective effect of nicorandil, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) nicotinamide nitrate ester, against hypoxia was examined in comparison with that of nitroglycerin in 22 open chest dogs. The regional ventricular myocardium was perfused for 5 min with a hypoxic solution in 8 dogs (Group 1), with a hypoxic solution containing 0.5 or 2.5 mg/dl of nicorandil in 7 dogs (Group 2) and with a hypoxic solution containing 0.5 mg/dl of nitroglycerin in 7 dogs (Group 3). In Group 2, the ATP content of the hypoxic myocardium was 3.14 +/- 0.37 mumol/g, which was less than that in the uninvolved myocardium (4.31 +/- 0.57 mumol/g) but significantly higher than those of the hypoxic myocardium in Groups 1 and 3 (2.09 +/- 0.45 and 2.39 +/- 0.33 mumol/g, respectively). The lactate content of the hypoxic myocardium in Group 2 (5.05 +/- 1.13 mumol/g) was less than those of the hypoxic myocardium in Groups 1 and 3 (8.77 +/- 2.34 and 8.98 +/- 2.08 mumol/g, respectively). This protective effect was not caused by the hemodynamic changes. In contrast, nitroglycerin did not show any protective effects on the hypoxic myocardium.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Levels of adrenomedullin and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide in myocardium and aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats.

In this study, we observed the levels of adrenomedullin (ADM) and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) in myocardium and aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) in comparison with Wistar-kyoto (WKY) rats. Contents of ADM and PAMP were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in plasma, myocardium and aorta. The amount of Pro-ADM mRNA of myocardium and aorta was determined by competitive quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In SHRs the amounts of Pro-ADM mRNA of myocardium and aorta were 66.7% (P<0.01) and 73% (P<0.01) higher than those in WKY rat, respectively. In SHRs, the levels of ADM in plasma, myocardium and aorta were 29%, 76.7% and 79% (all P<0.01) higher than those in WKY rats, respectively. The level of PAMP in SHRs was increased by 42.5% in plasma (P<0.01), 47.2% in myocardium (P<0.0.1) and 27.3% in aorta (P<0.05) compared to WKY rats, respectively. In addition, the ratio of ADM content to PAMP content in SHRs group was increased compared with that in WKY group (2.0+/-0.25 vs 1.64+/-0.3 and 2.2+/-0.18 vs 1.56+/-0.28, in myocardium and aorta, respectively, P<0.01). These results suggest that ProADM gene expression is up-regulated and the increase in ADM and PAMP is different in SHRs. The significance of inconsistency of increase in ADM and PAMP in SHRs needs to be further investigated.

Adrenomedullin↗

[Establishment of model human stem cell of transplantation into myocardium of chick embryos].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an animal model of human stem cell transplantation into myocardium in chick embryos. METHODS: Hoechsst 33,258 labeled human primordial germ cells (hPGC) were microsurgically injected into the myocardium of 633 chick embryos of 3-4 days development. Ten days after, the hearts were isolated from the 94 surviving chick embryos, embedded, and sliced. In situ hybridization (ISH) with human specific DNA Alu probe was conducted on the sections with fluorescence to detect the existence of transplanted PGC. Immunohistochemistry with human-myocardium-specific antibody cTnT was conducted on the adjacent sections to observe the differentiation of human myocardial cells. RESULTS: ISH showed that PGC were detected in the myocardium of chick embryos 10 days post-operationally. Immunohistochemistry showed that the myocardium added with antibody in adjacent sections was cTnT-positive and the myocardium untreated with antibody was cTNT-negative. Successful cell transplantation occurred in 15.3% +/- 2.4% of chick embryos. CONCLUSION: Establishment of an animal model of cell transplantation of human stem cells into myocardium in chick embryos is feasible.

Animals↗

[Effects of doxycycline on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitor of MMP in myocardium after acute myocardial infarction: an animal experiment with rats].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of doxycycline, a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, on the expression of MMP-8 and -13, and tissue inhibitor of MMP-1 and -2 (TIMP-1 and -2), and on collagen remodeling in the noninfarcted myocardium after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: 212 female SD rats underwent ligation of left coronary artery so as to cause AMI. Twenty-four hours after the 127 surviving rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: AMI control group (n = 64) and AMI doxycycline treatment (30 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) group (n = 63). Then the rats in these 2 groups were re-divided into 3 sub-groups of 18 approximately 24 rats according to the course of treatment: 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week subgroups. Thirty female SD rats underwent sham operation and then were re-divided into 3 groups of 10 rats: 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week subgroups. By the end of each course the rats were killed and their hearts were taken out. A piece of myocardium from the left ventricle was taken and stained with hematoxyline and eosin to examine the area of infarction. The mRNA expressions of MMP and TIMP in the non-infarcted myocardium were detected by RT-PCR. The protein expressions of MMP and TIMP in the non-infarcted myocardium were detected by Western blotting. The type I and type III collagen volume fraction (CVF) in the noninfarcted myocardium was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the MI size among the 6 subgroups of AMI control and doxycycline groups (42% approximately 48%, all P > 0.05). Compared with sham operated rats, the mRNA expressions of MMP-8 and 13 were significantly increased by 54% approximately 183% in all three subgroups of AMI controls (all P < 0.05), and the mRNA expressions of MMP-8 and 13 in the 1-week and 4-week were significantly increased by 39% approximately 160% in these 3 subgroups (all P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of TIMP-1 were enhanced only in the 1-week subgroup of AMI controls by 104% and 67% respectively (both P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of TIMP-2 was significantly increased in all 1-, 2-, and 4-week subgroups by 144% approximately 232% (all P < 0.05), however, the protein expression of TIMP-2 was increased only in the 2- and 4-week subgroups of AMI control group by 231% and 332% respectively (both P < 0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, both the type I CVF and type III CVF of the noninfarcted myocardium were significantly increased in all three subgroups of the AMI control group (type I CVF: 3.01% approximately 5.64% vs 1.53% approximately 1.67%, P < 0.01 approximately 0.001; type III CVF: 2.19% approximately 4.42% vs 1.46% approximately 1.59%, P < 0.05 approximately 0.001), with type I CVF being higher in the 4-week subgroup than in the 1 and 2-week subgroups (5.64% vs 3.01% and 3.02% respectively, all P < 0.05). In comparison with the 3 subgroups of the AMI control group, the mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-8 and 13 and TIMP-1 and 2 after AMI in the doxycycline group were significantly lower by 14% approximately 51% (all P < 0.05). In comparison with that in the AMI control group, the type I collagen deposition in the doxycycline group was significantly lower 2 and 4 weeks after AMI (1.94% vs 3.02% and 1.97% vs 5.64% respectively, P < 0.01 approximately 0.001), however, there was no significant difference in type III CVF among the different subgroups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Doxycycline suppresses the enhanced mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-8 and 13 and TIMP-1 and 2, and type I collagen deposition in the noninfarcted myocardium after AMI, but it has no effect on type III collagen deposition.

Animals↗

Improved tolerance to ischemia in hypertrophied myocardium by preischemic enhancement of adenosine triphosphate.

In prior studies from this laboratory to determine the mechanisms whereby hypertrophied myocardium is more sensitive to ischemic injury than normal myocardium, it was demonstrated that hypertrophied rat hearts have lower basal high-energy phosphate levels and develop ischemic contracture sooner than normal myocardium. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine if the decrease in myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was associated with the increased rate of ischemic contracture and (2) to determine if arrest and perfusion of hypertrophied myocardium prior to the ischemic interval would allow recovery of high-energy phosphate stores and improve tolerance to ischemia. ATP levels were measured in isolated normal and hypertrophied rat hearts during (1) control nonworking Langendorff perfusion, (2)2 minutes of potassium chloride-arrested perfusion (30 mEq/L), or (3) 15 minutes of potassium chloride-arrested perfusion (30 mEq/L). Both groups were then made globally ischemic (37 degrees C) and the time to ischemic contracture recorded. Hypertrophied hearts were produced by permanent banding of the ascending aorta and confirmed by left ventricular (mg) body weight (gm) ratios (normal, 1.95 wet, p less than 0.05). After 2 minutes of mechanical arrest the time to ischemic contracture was increased 75% +/- 10% in normal and 44% +/- 4% in hypertrophied hearts. After 15 minutes of mechanical arrest with perfusion, hypertrophied myocardium re-established normal ATP levels and increased its time to ischemic contracture by 130% +/- 7%. These studies suggest that during potassium chloride arrest, additional preischemic metabolic recovery is possible by hypertrophied myocardium and leads to increased tolerance to ischemia beyond that accomplished by cessation of mechanical activity alone. This effect is seen only to a minor degree in normal myocardium.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Complement localization in ischemic baboon myocardium.

Complement localization was examined by direct immunoperoxidase procedures on frozen sections of baboon myocardium obtained 24 hours after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. There was extensive localization of C3, C4, and C5 in most infarcted myocardial fibers; however, in these infarcted areas of myocardium, complement components were not found in myocytes immediately adjacent to either the endocardium or epicardium. Although C3, C4, and C5 were all present within the same myocardial fibers as assessed in adjacent serial sections, the light microscopic distribution of these components was dissimilar, i.e., C3 and C5 were present in both a granular and a diffuse pattern within myocytes, whereas C4 was always localized in a diffuse pattern. Complement components C3 and C5, but not C4, were also localized in the walls of small muscular arteries in infarcted myocardium. No complement was observed in myocardial fibers or blood vessels in normal baboon myocardium. Electron microscopic evaluation of C3 localization within infarcted myocardium indicated that C3 was associated with contractile elements of myocytes, as well as with membranes of myocyte nuclei, mitochondria, and sarcoplasmic reticulum. Within vascular smooth muscular cells, C3 was associated with myofilaments and mitochondrial membranes. Thus, the results of this study provide new information regarding the cellular and subcellular distribution of complement components in infarcted baboon myocardium. If this localization of C3, C4, and C5 is a result of their in situ activation within the ischemic myocardium, a variety of complement-derived phlogistic products would be expected to have been produced and to have effected, in part, the subsequent inflammatory response.

Animals↗

[Pathophysiology of the "hibernating" myocardium].

Myocardial ischemia has traditionally been viewed as an imbalance between energy supply and demand. Within the first few seconds following an acute reduction of myocardial blood flow, energy demand of the hypoperfused myocardium clearly exceeds the reduced energy supply. However, this imbalance between energy supply and demand is an inherently unstable condition since ischemia induces mechanisms which are not yet understood, but reduce contractile function and thus energy demand. In the subsequent steady-state condition, the amount of contractile dysfunction is in proportion to the reduction of myocardial blood flow. A situation of persistent ischemic contractile dysfunction in viable myocardium which normalizes upon reperfusion has been termed myocardial hibernation. The metabolic status of such hibernating myocardium improves over the first few hours as myocardial lactate production is attenuated and creatine phosphate, after an initial reduction, returns towards control values. The hibernating myocardium can respond to an inotropic stimulation by dobutamine with increased contractile function, however, at the expense of a renewed worsening of the metabolic status. This situation of an increased regional contractile function at the expense of metabolic recovery during inotropic stimulation can be used to identify hibernating myocardium. The development of such delicate balance between regional myocardial blood flow and function during early ischemia is disturbed by unfavorable alterations in supply and demand. When after 5 min of ischemia, at a blood flow reduction compatible with the development of myocardial hibernation over 90 min, energy supply is further reduced by a further reduction of myocardial blood flow, necroses develop. Likewise, increasing energy demand by continuous inotropic stimulation with dobutamine induces necroses. Thus, both the further reduction in energy supply by an increasing severity of ischemia and an enhanced energy expenditure by continuous inotropic stimulation impair the development of myocardial hibernation and precipitate myocardial infarction. Hibernation over the first few hours of ischemia (short-term hibernation) is well characterized in animal experiments. Increased release of endogenous adenosine and activation of ATP-dependent potassium channels as the underlying mechanisms have been ruled out. The existence of hibernation over weeks or months (long-term hibernation) can only be inferred from clinical studies. In long-term hibernating myocardium morphological alterations occur. In myocardial biopsies from patients with prolonged contractile dysfunction which was reversible after bypass surgery, myofibrils are reduced in number and disorganized. Myocardial glycogen content as well as the extracellular collagen network are increased. Thus, despite the fact that the myocardium remains viable during persistent ischemia and contractile dysfunction is reversible upon reperfusion, there are severe morphological alterations. Understandably, full functional recovery following reperfusion can therefore require weeks or even months.

Animals↗

Phosphorylation by protein kinase C and the responsiveness of Mg(2+)-ATPase to Ca2+ of myofibrils isolated from stunned and non-stunned porcine myocardium.

Previously we showed in an in situ porcine model that the thiadiazinone derivative [+]EMD 60263, a Ca2+ sensitizer without phosphodiesterase III inhibitory properties, increased contractility more profoundly in stunned than in non-stunned myocardium. This finding was consistent with the observed leftward shifts of the pCa2+/Mg(2+)-ATPase curves of isolated myofibrils induced by [+]EMD 60263. The aim of the present investigation was to study the possible involvement of protein kinase C in the mechanism of reduced Ca2+ responsiveness of myofilaments during stunning. No differences were observed in the maximal activity of the Ca(2+)-stimulated Mg(2+)-ATPase and in the pCa50 of myofibrils isolated from non-stunned and stunned myocardium. After phosphorylation with [gamma-32P]-ATP and excess of purified rat brain protein kinase C, the myofibrils were separated on sodiumdodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gelectrophoresis and the 32P incorporation counted by the Molecular Imager. Ca2+/ phosphatidylserine/sn-1,2 diolein-dependent 32P incorporation catalyzed by excess of purified rat brain protein kinase C in C-protein, TnT and TnI subunits did not show any differences between myofibrils from non-stunned and stunned myocardium. However, protein kinase C-induced phosphorylation of myofibrils isolated from ventricular myocardium of sham-operated pigs resulted in a marked leftward shift of the pCa50 from 6.03 +/- 0.04 to 6.44 +/- 0.06 (p < 0.05), while porcine heart cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase-induced phosphorylation resulted in an expected small rightward shift to 5.97, although statistical significance was not reached. Protein kinase C-induced phosphorylation also stimulated (80%) the maximal myofibrillar Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. [+]EMD 60263 (3 microM) produced a leftward shift of the myofibrillar pCa2+/Mg(2+)-ATPase curve which was unaffected by prior protein kinase C-induced phosphorylation. In conclusion, the findings with isolated myofibrils from myocardium of anaesthetized open-chest pigs indicate that protein kinase C might be involved in the mechanism of reduced Ca2+ responsiveness of myofilaments in stunned myocardium. However, at this stage no differences could be found between the maximal activity of the Ca(2+)-stimulated Mg(2+)-ATPase, the pCa50 and the degree of phosphorylation of myofibrils isolated from stunned and non-stunned myocardium.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Culprit lesion and jeopardized myocardium: correlation between coronary angiography and single-photon emission computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The term "culprit lesion" is used to designate the coronary stenosis responsible for the symptoms of the patient with coronary artery disease. Its detection is essential when partial revascularization is contemplated. The term "jeopardized myocardium" is commonly used to mean the amount of myocardium put in danger by all the stenotic lesions; however, it should be restricted to the amount of myocardium that could become infarcted if only the most severe stenoses were occluded. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to investigate (1) the agreement between coronary myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and coronary angiography for the identification of the culprit lesion, and (2) the correlation of the two studies in the quantification of jeopardized myocardium. METHODS: In all, 159 patients with coronary artery disease without previous myocardial infarction were included in the study. A score for myocardial SPECT was correlated with the angiographic scores by Califf and Gensini and with the authors' score which includes adjustment for collateral circulation. RESULTS: The agreement between coronary angiography and SPECT for the diagnosis of the culprit lesion was 84% (87/104). The correlations between the scores of angiography and SPECT to assess jeopardized myocardium when all coronary stenoses were taken into account were significant (p < 0.0001), but their coefficients were suboptimal (r = 0.48 for Califf, r = 0.48 for Gensini, and r = 0.65 for the authors' score). When only the jeopardized myocardium resulting from the culprit lesion was considered, the correlation clearly improved (r = 0.85). CONCLUSION: Thus, in 84% of patients with multivessel disease, an agreement between coronary angiography and myocardial SPECT for the diagnosis of the culprit lesion was observed. The correlation between these techniques for the quantification of jeopardized myocardium from the culprit lesion was satisfactory.

Cardiac Catheterization↗