Dissociation between myocardial relaxation and diastolic stiffness in the stunned heart: its prevention by ischemic preconditioning

The effects of myocardial stunning and ischemic preconditioning on left-ventricular developed pressure and end-diastolic pressure (diastolic stiffness) as well as on coronary-perfusion pressure were examined in isolated isovolumic rabbit hearts. The isovolumic relaxation was evaluated, and the time constant of pressure decay during the isovolumic period was calculated. Our experimental protocol comprised: 1) myocardial stunning-global ischemia (15 min) followed by reperfusion (30 min); 2) myocardial stunning-global ischemia (20 min) followed by reperfusion (30 min); and 3) ischemic preconditioning — a single cycle of brief global ischemia and reperfusion (5 min each), before a second ischemic period, of 20-min duration. There was no effect upon systolic and diastolic parameters when 15 and 20 minutes of ischemia were evaluated. In both stunned groups the left ventricular developed pressure first recovered to near control values, but then stabilized at only 60% of the control values. Whereas the isovolumic relaxation time constant was increased after 5 min of reperfusion, and return to control values at late reperfusion, the end diastolic pressure remained elevated during the entire period. Values of dP/dV calculated at common pressure levels, were used as a second index of diastolic stiffness. They were increased after stunning, as also was the coronary perfusion pressure. When the heart was preconditioned with a single episode of ischemia, the systolic and diastolic alterations were completely abolished. We thus concluded that diastolic abnormalities incurred by myocardial stunning consist in both an increase in diastolic stiffness and an early impairment of isovolumic relaxation. The increase in stiffness cannot result from incomplete relaxation since these two parameters become temporally dissociated during the reperfusion period.     

Role of nucleoside transport and purine release in a rabbit model of myocardial stunning

Previously, we have demonstrated the role of nucleoside transport and purine release in post-ischemic reperfusion injury (myocardial stunning) in several canine models of ischemia. Since rabbits are deficient of xanthine oxidase, it is not known whether selective blockade of purine release is beneficial in a rabbit model of coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion (stunning). Therefore, we determined the hemodynamic and metabolic correlates in response to myocardial stunning in the presence or absence of selective nucleoside transport blocker (p-nitrobenzylthioinosine, NBMPR) and adenosine deaminase inhibitor (erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine, EHNA).Sixty adult anaesthetized rabbits were surgically prepared for hemodynamic measurements. After stabilization period, the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 15 min and reperfused for 30 min. Transmural myocardial biopsies were obtained from the ischemic LAD area and from the non-ischemic posterior (circumflex, CFX) segment of the myocardium.Rabbits (n = 60) were randomly assigned to either the control or the EHNA/NBMPR-treated group (n = 30 each). Each group was further divided to either functional or metabolic groups (n = 15 each subgroup). Each animal received intravenously 30 ml of either a vehicle solution or 100 M EHNA and 25 M NBMPR 10 min before ischemia.Although administration of EHNA/NBMPR did not affect the heart rate, it did cause mild hypotension (about 20-30%). Fifteen minutes of LAD occlusion resulted in significant ATP depletion and concomitant accumulation of nucleosides in both groups (p < 0.05 vs. baseline and non-ischemic CFX segment). AMP was higher in the LAD compared to the CFX segment. Significant accumulation of adenosine was observed in the treated group compared to the control group.It is concluded that EHNA/NBMPR induced site specific entrapment of adenosine of nucleoside transport in the rabbit heart, in vivo.     

Angiotensin II type 2 receptor correlates with therapeutic effects of losartan in rats with adjuvant‐induced arthritis

The angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blocker losartan ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in an experimental model. In RA, AT2R mainly opposes AT1R, but the mechanism by which this occurs still remains obscure. In the present study, we investigated the role of AT2R in the treatment of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) by losartan. Adjuvant-induced arthritis rats were treated with losartan (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg) and methotrexate (MTX; 0.5 mg/kg) in vivo from day 14 to day 28. Arthritis was evaluated by the arthritis index and histological examination. Angiotensin II, tumour necrosis factor-α, and VEGF levels were examined by ELISA. The expression of AT1R and AT2R was detected by western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. After stimulation with interleukin-1β in vitro, the effects of the AT2R agonist {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"CGP42112","term_id":"874777115","term_text":"CGP42112"}}CGP42112 (10⁻⁸–10⁻⁵ M) on the chemotaxis of monocytes induced by 10% foetal calf serum (FCS) were analysed by using Transwell assay. Subsequently, the therapeutic effects of {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"CGP42112","term_id":"874777115","term_text":"CGP42112"}}CGP42112 (5, 10 and 20 μg/kg) were evaluated in vivo by intra-articular injection in AIA rats. After treatment with losartan, the down-regulation of AT1R expression and up-regulation of AT2R expression in the spleen and synovium of AIA rats correlated positively with reduction in the polyarthritis index. Treatment with {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"CGP42112","term_id":"874777115","term_text":"CGP42112"}}CGP42112 inhibited the chemotaxis of AIA monocytes in vitro, possibly because of the up-regulation of AT2R expression. Intra-articular injection with {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"CGP42112","term_id":"874777115","term_text":"CGP42112"}}CGP42112 (10 and 20 μg/kg) ameliorated the arthritis index and histological signs of arthritis. In summary, the present study strongly suggests that the up-regulation of AT2R might be an additional mechanism by which losartan exerts its therapeutic effects in AIA rats.     

Angiotensin receptor blockade and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibition limit adverse remodeling of infarct zone collagens and global diastolic dysfunction during healing after reperfused ST-elevation myocardial infarction

To determine whether therapy with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) candesartan and the comparator angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) enalapril during healing after reperfused ST-elevation myocardial infarction (RSTEMI) limit adverse remodeling of infarct zone (IZ) collagens and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, we randomized 24 dogs surviving anterior RSTEMI (90-min coronary occlusion) to placebo, candesartan, and enalapril therapy between day 2 and 42. Six other dogs were sham. We measured regional IZ and non-infarct zone (NIZ) collagens (hydroxyproline; types I/III; cross-linking), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and topography at 6 weeks, and hemodynamics, LV diastolic and systolic function, and remodeling over 6 weeks. Compared to sham, placebo-RSTEMI differentially altered regional collagens, with more pronounced increase in TGF-β, hydroxyproline, and type I, insoluble, and cross-linked collagens in the IZ than NIZ, and increased IZ soluble and type III collagens at 6 weeks, and induced persistent LV filling pressure elevation, diastolic and systolic dysfunction, and LV remodeling over 6 weeks. Compared to placebo-RSTEMI, candesartan and enalapril limited adverse regional collagen remodeling, with normalization of type III, soluble and insoluble collagens and decrease in pyridinoline cross-linking in the IZ at 6 weeks, and attenuation of LV filling pressure, diastolic dysfunction, and remodeling over 6 weeks. The results suggest that candesartan and enalapril during healing after RSTEMI prevent rather than worsen adverse remodeling of IZ collagens and LV diastolic dysfunction, supporting the clinical use of ARBs and ACEIs during subacute RSTEMI.     

PKCβII inhibition attenuates myocardial infarction induced heart failure and is associated with a reduction of fibrosis and pro‐inflammatory responses

Protein kinase C βII (PKCβII) levels increase in the myocardium of patients with end‐stage heart failure (HF). Also targeted overexpression of PKCβII in the myocardium of mice leads to dilated cardiomyopathy associated with inflammation, fibrosis and myocardial dysfunction. These reports suggest a deleterious role of PKCβII in HF development. Using a post‐myocardial infarction (MI) model of HF in rats, we determined the benefit of chronic inhibition of PKCβII on the progression of HF over a period of 6 weeks after the onset of symptoms and the cellular basis for these effects. Four weeks after MI, rats with HF signs that were treated for 6 weeks with the PKCβII selective inhibitor (βIIV5‐3 conjugated to TAT_47–57 carrier peptide) (3 mg/kg/day) showed improved fractional shortening (from 21% to 35%) compared to control (TAT_47–57 carrier peptide alone). Formalin‐fixed mid‐ventricle tissue sections stained with picrosirius red, haematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue dyes exhibited a 150% decrease in collagen deposition, a two‐fold decrease in inflammation and a 30% reduction in mast cell degranulation, respectively, in rat hearts treated with the selective PKCβII inhibitor. Further, a 90% decrease in active TGFβ1 and a significant reduction in SMAD2/3 phosphorylation indicated that the selective inhibition of PKCβII attenuates cardiac remodelling mediated by the TGF‐SMAD signalling pathway. Therefore, sustained selective inhibition of PKCβII in a post‐MI HF rat model improves cardiac function and is associated with inhibition of pathological myocardial remodelling.     

Polymorphisms of angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene and those of angiotensinogen point at culprit artery in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

The aim of the study was to determine whether the presence of angiotensin II type 1 receptor 1166A/C gene polymorphism and two polymorphisms of angiotensinogen, namely Met235Thr and Thr174Met, pointed at the culprit artery in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).     

Distinct effects of acute pretreatment with lipophilic and hydrophilic statins on myocardial stunning, arrhythmias and lethal injury in the rat heart subjected to ischemia/reperfusion

Although both lipophilic and more hydrophilic statins share the same pathway of the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, their pleiotropic cardioprotective effects associated with the ability to cross cellular membranes, including membranes of heart cells, may differ. To test this hypothesis, isolated rat hearts were Langendorff-perfused either with simvastatin (S, 10 micromol/l) or pravastatin (P, 30 micromol/l), 15 min prior to ischemia. Control untreated hearts (C) were perfused with perfusion medium only. Postischemic contractile dysfunction, reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias and infarct size were investigated after exposure of the hearts to 30-min global ischemia and 2-h reperfusion. Both lipophilic S and hydrophilic P reduced the severity of ventricular arrhythmias (arrhythmia score) from 4.3 +/- 0.2 in C to 3.0 +/- 0 and 2.7 +/- 0.2 in S and P, respectively, (both P < 0.05), decreased the duration of ventricular tachycardia and suppressed ventricular fibrillation. Likewise, the extent of lethal injury (infarct size) determined by tetrazolium staining and expressed in percentage of risk area, was significantly lower in both treated groups, moreover, the effect of P was more pronounced (27 +/- 2 % and 10 +/- 2 % in S and P groups, respectively, vs. 42 +/- 1 % in C; P < 0.05). In contrast, only S, but not P, was able to improve postischemic recovery of left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP; 48 +/- 12 % of preischemic values vs. 25 +/- 4 % in C and 21 +/ -7 % in P groups; P < 0.05). Our results suggest that differences in water solubility of statins indicating a different ability to cross cardiac membranes may underlie their distinct cardioprotective effects on myocardial stunning and lethal injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion.     

Comparison of the effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and 4-norleucine-NPY on isolated perfused rat hearts; effects of NPY on atrial and ventricular strips of rat heart and on rabbit heart mitochondria

Isolated perfused rat hearts were used to compare the effects of the synthetic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and 4-norleucine-NPY on cardiac function. Each peptide exhibited both negative inotropic and chronotropic effects, and also caused coronary vasoconstriction leading to a reduction in coronary flow. A comparison of the IC50 values from dose-response curves using 10(-14) to 10(-7) M peptides (IC50 is the peptide concentration that produced a 50% decrease of the maximal effect) indicated that NPY was more potent as inhibitor of contractility and less potently inhibited coronary flow and heart rate, whereas 4-norleucine-NPY had more inhibitory influence on coronary flow and heart rate and less on cardiac contractility. This difference in potencies suggests that the inhibitory effects of NPY on contractility, coronary flow and heart rate may be independent of each other. Since NPY also decreased the contractile force of isolated left atrial and right ventricular strips of the rat heart, the coronary flow decrease cannot be the cause of the negative inotropy of isolated heart. Pretreatment of atrial and ventricular strips with NPY did not influence the positive inotropic effect produced by the cardiac glycoside ouabain indicating that sarcolemmal Na+, K+-ATPase was not involved in the inhibitory inotropic effect of NPY. Further studies towards elucidating the mechanism of the negative inotropy of cardiac muscles using isolated heart mitochondria revealed that NPY uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation and blocked mitochondrial calcium uptake; the former event fosters negative inotropy. Since these effects on mitochondria occurred at concentrations 100-fold higher than those required for negative inotropy, the two effects of NPY may not be related.     

The effects of high-dose epinephrine combined with isoprenaline on isolated rabbit heart and cardiomyocytes after cardioversion of ventricular fibrillation

The effects of high-dose epinephrine (HDE) combined with isoprenaline (Iso) on myocardial hemodynamics of isolated rabbit heart were studied. The electrophysiology and L-type Ca²⁺ channel of single ventricular myocyte after cardioversion of ventricular fibrillation were determined. The results suggest that parameters of hemodynamics were significantly enhanced by HDE+Iso than that of HDE (p < 0.01). The OS and V_max of HDE+Iso increased 83.7 and 10.15% respectively compared to HDE alone. The APF of HDE+Iso is much more rapid than that of HDE (138.38 ± 9.96 vs. 55.58 ± 8.63 min^-1, p < 0.001). The APD₅₀ and APD₉₀ of HDE+Iso were significantly decreased; HR was increased (134.16 ± 1.48 vs 62.20 ± 6.25 min^-1); and the amplitude current of through L-type Ca²⁺ channel was reduced but was significantly higher than the control. We conclude that HDE+Iso can improve the hemodynamics and improve electrophysiology of cardiomyocytes after cardioversion of ventricular fibrillation which is likely interrelated with ICa. The combined use of epinephine and isoprenaline for cardiopulmonary resuscitation of primary ventricular fibrillation may be beneficial when employed in clinical situations.     

Effects of prostacyclin on coronary circulation, heart rate and myocardial contractile force in isolated hearts of guinea PIG and rabbit — Comparison with prostaglandin E2

Infusions of prostacyclin (PGI₂) (3 × 10⁻¹⁰ − 3 × 10⁻⁷M) into the coronary circulation of isolated hearts from guinea pigs or rabbits resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in the coronary perfusion pressure (CPP). There was a slight decrease in left ventricular systolic pressure in the heart of the rabbit, whereas the heart rate remained unchanged. PGE₂ was without effect on the heart of the rabbit but was as potent as PGI₂ in decreasing the CPP in the guinea pig heart. 6-oxo-PGF_1α (up to 3 × 10⁻⁶ M) did not affect any of the parameters measured.     

心肌梗死大鼠钙敏感受体表达与心肌细胞凋亡的变化

目的:观察大鼠急性心肌梗死后不同时间心肌钙敏感受体(CaSR)的表达和心肌细胞凋亡的变化情况。方法:健康Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组(Sham)和心肌梗死(AMI)组,通过结扎左侧冠状动脉前降支的方法,建立大鼠心肌梗死模型,分别在手术后1、2、4周(每组成功存活n=5)检测心脏形态学和血流动力学的改变,检测心肌组织中CaSRmRNA和蛋白的表达,以及Bax、Bcl-2、caspase-3和caspase-9蛋白的表达,检测血清中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、肌酸激酶(CK)活性和肌钙蛋白(cTnT)水平,观察心肌细胞凋亡情况。结果:和Sham组相比,随着心肌梗死的发展,AMI组大鼠心肌组织CaSR的mRNA和蛋白的表达、细胞凋亡指数均明显增加(P<0.05),心肌细胞超微结构损伤严重;左心室收缩压(LVSP)、左心室内压最大上升速率(+dp/dtmax)(mmHg/s)和最大下降速率(-dp/dtmax)(mmHg/s)减少,左心室舒张末期压(LVEDP)明显增大(P<0.05);AMI组血清cTnT水平、CK和LDH活性均升高(P<0.05),随着心肌梗死的发展,cTnT水平和CK活性逐渐降低,LDH变化不明显。心肌组织中促凋亡相关蛋白Bax、caspase-3、caspase-9表达增多,抑制凋亡的相关蛋白(或因子)Bcl-2表达减少(P<0.05)。结论:随着AMI的发展,AMI组大鼠心肌组织中CaSR的mRNA和蛋白的表达增多,细胞凋亡数增加,表明CaSR参与了心肌梗死的发展,其机制可能与促进细胞凋亡有关。     

The effects of folic acid and nitric oxide synthase inhibition on coronary flow and oxidative stress markers in isolated rat heart

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of folic acid on coronary flow and oxidative stress markers with or without non-specific inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by l-NAME in isolated rat hearts. The hearts of male Wistar albino rats (n = 12, age 8 weeks, body mass 180–200 g) were retrograde perfused according to the Langendorff technique at gradually increased constant perfusion pressure (40–120 cmH₂O). Coronary flow and markers of oxidative stress: nitrite outflow, superoxide anion production, and index of lipid peroxidation (by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) in coronary effluent were calculated. The experiments were performed during control conditions and in presence of folic acid (100 μM) alone or folic acid (100 μM) plus l-NAME (30 μM). Control values of coronary flow varied in range from 4.37 ± 0.10 ml/min/g wt at 40 cmH₂O to 12.05 ± 0.42 ml/min/g wt at 120 cmH₂O. Nitrite outflow varied from 1.68 ± 0.17 nmol/min/g wt at 40 cmH₂O to 3.56 ± 0.17 nmol/min/g wt at 120 cmH₂O and was parallel with coronary perfusion pressure-coronary flow curve. Folic acid significantly increased coronary flow (40–120 cmH₂O, 5.63 ± 0.10 ml/min/g wt and 15.2 ± 0.42 ml/min/g wt, respectively) and was accompanied by significant increase in nitrite outflow (2.28 ± 0.29 nmol/min/g wt at 40 cmH₂O to 6.66 ± 0.50 nmol/min/g wt at 120 cmH₂O). In addition, folic acid significantly decreased superoxide anion production especially at upper coronary perfusion pressure values (60% at 120 cmH₂O) and increased index of lipid peroxidation (37.16% at 120 cmH₂O), respectively. Folic acid plus l-NAME did not change control values of coronary flow significantly. However, folic acid plus l-NAME increased nitrite outflow especially at upper coronary perfusion pressure values (43.05% at 120 cmH₂O) and did not change significantly superoxide anion production or index of lipid peroxidation versus control values, respectively. The results clearly showed that on isolated rat hearts at gradually increased constant perfusion pressure, folic acid increased coronary flow, increased nitrite outflow, decreased superoxide anion production, and increased index of lipid peroxidation. These effects were reversed or blocked by l-NAME thus demonstrating mediation or at least participation of NO in the mechanism of the folic acid-induced effects.     

Effects of prostacyclin on coronary circulation, heart rate and myocardial contractile force in isolated hearts of guinea pig and rabbit - comparison with prostaglandin E2.

Infusions of prostacyclin (PGI2) (3 x 10(-10) - 3 x 10(-7)M) into the coronary circulation of isolated hearts from ginea pigs or rabbits resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in the coronary perfusion pressure (CPP). There was a slight decrease in left ventricular systolic pressure in the heart of the rabbit, whereas the heart rate remained unchanged. PGE2 was without effect on the heart of the rabbit but was as potent as PGI2 in decreasing the CPP in the guinea pig heart. 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha (up to 3 x 10(-6) M) did not affect any of the parameters measured.     

The effects of ACE inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker on clusterin and apoptosis in the kidney tissue of streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Our first aim was to determine the effects of secreted clusterin (sCLU) and nuclear clusterin (nCLU) in diabetic nephropathy. We also aimed to investigate the post-effects of angiotensin II blockage treatment on clusterin expression and to compare these with apoptosis. Five groups of Wistar albino rats were used: First group consisted of healthy controls; the second group included the untreated STZ-diabetics; 30 days of irbesartan or perindopril treated STZ-diabetics formed the third and the fourth groups, respectively; while the subjects receiving a combined treatment with irbesartan and perindopril for 30 days consisted the fifth group. TUNEL method for apoptosis and immunohistochemical staining for TGF-β1, α-SMA, clusterin-β and clusterin-α/β antibodies were performed. Apoptotic cells especially increased in the kidney tubuli of untreated diabetic group and on the contrary, a significant decrease was observed in the group that received a combined drug treatment. While sCLU was increased in the glomeruli and tubuli of the untreated diabetic group, it was decreased in all the treated groups. An increase in the nCLU immunoreactivity was observed in the podocytes, mesangial cells, and the injured tubule cells of the untreated diabetic group. nCLU immunopositive cells were decreased in all treated diabetic groups. In addition to this, the distribution of nCLU was similar to the distribution of apoptotic cells in the diabetic groups. Our results indicate that sCLU expression in diabetic nephropathy was induced due to renal tissue damage, and the nCLU expression increase in renal tubuli was related to apoptosis. Although irbesartan and perindopril prevented further renal injury in diabetes, a combined application of low-dose ACEI and AT1R blockers revealed more efficient measures, by means of renal damage prevention.     

The effects of parathyroid hormone-related peptide on cardiac angiogenesis,apoptosis, and function in mice with myocardial infarction

It is known that parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) contains a nuclear localization sequence (NLS, 87-107), which, together with its C-terminus (107-139), has been shown to positively regulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs) proliferation and vascular neointima formation, and inhibit cellular apoptosis. The role of PTHrP in ischemic cardiac diseases remains unclear. In this study, we attempted to determine whether PTHrP 87 to 139 can play a role in promoting cardiac function via enhancing angiogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI) occurred. MI was reproduced in C57BL/6 mice using a coronary artery ligation method. In total, three groups (n = 11 per group) of animals were used, and they were received either PTHrP 87 to 139 (80 µg/kg, treatment group) or saline (MI and Sham group) subcutaneously once a day for 4 weeks after MI. To measure cardiac function, an echocardiography was generated and cardiac tissue was harvested for immunohistological studies 4 weeks after operation. Our results show that, after MI, the cardiac function of the experimental mice was significantly impaired. PTHrP 87 to 139 treatment attenuated cardiac dysfunction in MI mice. Besides, as indicated by decreased heart weight/body weight and lung weight/body weight ratio, PTHrP 87 to 139 attenuated pulmonary congestion and cardiac hypertrophy. Masson staining revealed that PTHrP 87 to 139 attenuated myocardial fibrosis after MI. Also, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining and the expression of cleaved caspase 3 suggested that MI-induced myocytes apotosis was inhibited by PTHrP 87 to 139. In addition to the significantly increased capillary density, PTHrP 87 to 139 treatment also induced p-Akt and several angiogenic factors. In conclusion, PTHrP 87 to 139 treatment preserved cardiac function after MI, and stimulated angiogenesis via upregulating vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in infarct border zone of ischemic myocardium,. These results suggest that PTHrP 87 to 139 is of therapeutic potential for MI.     

Enzymatic and spectroscopic studies on the activation or inhibition effects by substituted phenolic compounds in the oxidation of aryldiamines and catechols catalyzed by Rhus vernicifera laccase

The effect of various phenolic compounds on the activity of Rhus vernicifera laccase (Lc) has been evaluated using two different substrates, N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine and p-tert-butylcatechol. The observed effect strongly depends on the phenol employed and involves either a moderate activation, by halophenols, or inhibition, by acidic phenols. The collective data are consistent with an open active site in Lc, which is capable of accommodating more than one substrate or phenol molecule. According to NMR relaxation experiments, a phenol molecule binds at an average distance from type 1 Cu of about 6 Å, while evidence from electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments shows that binding of another phenol molecule induces a change, and probably occurs close to, the type 2/type 3 cluster. The effect of phenolic compounds on Lc reactivity is related to a modification of the substrate affinity for the enzyme. This affinity can either be increased, probably through π-stacking or other types of interactions, or decreased, due to competition for the same site. In addition, the alteration induced in the trinuclear copper cluster has a marked effect on the enzyme reactivity. The inhibition observed with acidic phenols is probably due to the protonation of an enzyme intermediate produced at the trinuclear site, e.g. the peroxy intermediate, that causes the release of hydrogen peroxide and prevents the reaction of this intermediate with the substrate.     

Cardiac autonomic function in Blacks with congestive heart failure: vagomimetic action, alteration in sympathovagal balance, and the effect of ACE inhibition on central and peripheral vagal tone.

Cardiac autonomic dysfunction is common in heart disease with or without congestive heart failure, and can cause sudden cardiac death. However, cardiac autonomic abnormalities in non-ischemic (hypertensive) heart failure, which is prevalent in Black Africans is poorly documented. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 32 patients with congestive heart failure, mostly secondary to hypertension (aged 52 +/- 15 years, with ejection fraction of 0.38 +/- 11) and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (aged 51 +/- 11 years, 14 males/16 females). Cardiac autonomic function was assessed by the Valsalva's maneuver, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (for cardiac vagal tone) and the pressor and chronotropic changes following forearm isometric handgrip exercise and the assumption of upright posture (tests of sympathetic function). The exercise tolerance of the cardiac patients was assessed by the distance covered during 6 min of walking. The Valsalva ratio was significantly lower in chronic heart failure, 1.10 +/- 0.08 compared to the healthy controls 1.47 +/- 0.20 (p<0.001). Specifically, the phase IV bradycardia in heart failure, was significantly attenuated to 650 +/- 121 msec compared to the value of 935 +/- 101 msec in healthy controls (p<0.001). The phase 11 Valsalva tachycardia did not differ between the patients and controls. The respiratory sinus arrhythmia was also significantly reduced in chronic heart failure (p<0.05) compared to controls. Treatment of the heart failure patients with enalapril-digoxin and diuretics by 4 weeks, resulted in a reversal of the autonomic abnormalities. The phase IV bradycardia increased significantly to 798 +/- 164 msec (p<0.01) and the Valsalva ratio to 1.35 +/- 0.25 (p<0.01) and the respiratory sinus arrhythmia increased toward normal. There was close positive correlation between the Valsalva's ratio and the 6 min self paced distance covered (r = 0.44, p = 0.03 ANOVA), and a weak inverse correlation to cardiac size and cardiothoracic ratio (r = -0.31, p = 0.09). This study demonstrates cardiac autonomic dysfunction (especially reduced vagal tone) in Black Nigerians with mainly non-ischemic congestive heart failure. The parasympathetic dysfunction significantly correlates with severity of heart failure. Current treatment reverses autonomic dysfunction to values seen in healthy age matched controls, mainly through augmentation of cardiac parasympathetic activity.     

Enzymatic and spectroscopic studies on the activation or inhibition effects by substituted phenolic compounds in the oxidation of aryldiamines and catechols catalyzed by Rhus vernicifera laccase

The effect of various phenolic compounds on the activity of Rhus vernicifera laccase (Lc) has been evaluated using two different substrates, N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine and p-tert-butylcatechol. The observed effect strongly depends on the phenol employed and involves either a moderate activation, by halophenols, or inhibition, by acidic phenols. The collective data are consistent with an open active site in Lc, which is capable of accommodating more than one substrate or phenol molecule. According to NMR relaxation experiments, a phenol molecule binds at an average distance from type 1 Cu of about 6 Å, while evidence from electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments shows that binding of another phenol molecule induces a change, and probably occurs close to, the type 2/type 3 cluster. The effect of phenolic compounds on Lc reactivity is related to a modification of the substrate affinity for the enzyme. This affinity can either be increased, probably through π-stacking or other types of interactions, or decreased, due to competition for the same site. In addition, the alteration induced in the trinuclear copper cluster has a marked effect on the enzyme reactivity. The inhibition observed with acidic phenols is probably due to the protonation of an enzyme intermediate produced at the trinuclear site, e.g. the peroxy intermediate, that causes the release of hydrogen peroxide and prevents the reaction of this intermediate with the substrate.     

Acupuncture pretreatment protects heart from injury in rats with myocardial ischemia and reperfusion via inhibition of the beta(1)-adrenoceptor signaling pathway

Our previous study showed that a cardioprotective effect was produced by pretreatment with acupuncture at bilateral Neiguan acupoints (PC6) and the effect of EA was diminished by propranolol, a nonspecific antagonist of beta-adrenoceptors (beta-ARs) which are the most powerful cardiac receptors, indicating an involvement of beta-ARs. The present study explored further the signaling mechanism underlying the cardioprotective effect of acupuncture pretreatment in rats subjected to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (MIR). Myocardial ischemia was achieved by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery and reperfusion by releasing the ligation. Adult rats were divided into three groups, namely, a normal control (NC) group, a group subjected to ischemia and reperfusion (IR) only, and a group given electro-acupuncture (EA) before IR. For EA, bilateral Neiguan points (PC6) of the rats were stimulated for 30 min once a day for 3 consecutive days. The ST segment of ECG, the ratio of infarct size over risk zone, and the contents of beta(1)-adrenoceptor (beta(1)-AR), Gsalpha protein and cAMP in ischemic myocardium were compared among the three groups. IR increased the elevation of ECG ST segment, myocardial infarct size, contents of beta(1)-AR, Gsalpha protein and cAMP. These effects were attenuated by EA pretreatment at bilateral Neiguan acupoints. In conclusion, the present results indicate that EA produces cardioprotective effect against IR which may be mediated via the beta(1)-AR-Gs-protein-cAMP pathway.