SERCA overexpression reduces hydroxyl radical injury in murine myocardium

Hydroxyl radicals (*OH) are involved in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion injury and are observed in clinical situations, including acute heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Acute transient exposure to *OH causes an intracellular Ca(2+) overload and leads to impaired contractility. We investigated whether upregulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase function (SERCA) can attenuate *OH-induced dysfunction. Small, contracting right ventricular papillary muscles from wild-type (WT) SERCA1a-overexpressing (transgenic, TG) and SERCA2a heterogeneous knockout (HET) mice were directly exposed to *OH. This brief 2-min exposure led to a transient elevation of diastolic force (F(dia)) and depression of developed force (F(dev)). In WT mice, F(dia) increased to 485 +/- 49% and F(dev) decreased to 11 +/- 3%. In sharp contrast, in TG mice F(dia) increased only to 241 +/- 17%, whereas F(dev) decreased only to 51 +/- 5% (P < 0.05 vs. WT). In HET mice, F(dia) rose more than WT (to 597 +/- 20%, P < 0.05), whereas F(dev) was reduced in a similar amount. After approximately 45 min after *OH exposure, a new steady state was reached: F(dev) returned to 37 +/- 6% and 32 +/- 6%, whereas F(dia) came back to 238 +/- 28% and 292 +/- 17% in WT and HET mice, respectively. In contrast, the sustained dysfunction was significantly less in TG mice: F(dia) and F(dev) returned to 144 +/- 20% and 67 +/- 6%, respectively. Before exposure to *OH, there is decrease in phospholamban (PLB) phosphorylation at Ser16 (pPLBSer16) and PLB phosphorylation at Thr17 (pPLBThr17) in TG mice and an increase in pPLBSer16 and pPLBThr17 in HET mice versus WT. After exposure to *OH there is decrease in pPLBSer16 in WT, TG, and HET mice but no significant change in the level of pPLBThr17 in any group. The results indicate that SERCA overexpression can reduce the *OH-induced contractile dysfunction in murine myocardium, whereas a reduced SR Ca(2+)-ATPase activity aggravates this injury. Loss of pPLB levels at Ser16 likely amplifies the differences observed in injury response.     

Myosin head orientation: a structural determinant for the Frank-Starling relationship

The cellular mechanism underlying the Frank-Starling law of the heart is myofilament length-dependent activation. The mechanism(s) whereby sarcomeres detect changes in length and translate this into increased sensitivity to activating calcium has been elusive. Small-angle X-ray diffraction studies have revealed that the intact myofilament lattice undergoes numerous structural changes upon an increase in sarcomere length (SL): lattice spacing and the I(1,1)/I(1,0) intensity ratio decreases, whereas the M3 meridional reflection intensity (I(M3)) increases, concomitant with increases in diastolic and systolic force. Using a short (～10 ms) X-ray exposure just before electrical stimulation, we were able to obtain detailed structural information regarding the effects of external osmotic compression (with mannitol) and obtain SL on thin intact electrically stimulated isolated rat right ventricular trabeculae. We show that over the same incremental increases in SL, the relative changes in systolic force track more closely to the relative changes in myosin head orientation (as reported by I(M3)) than to the relative changes in lattice spacing. We conclude that myosin head orientation before activation determines myocardial sarcomere activation levels and that this may be the dominant mechanism for length-dependent activation.     

High calcium and dobutamine positive inotropy in the perfused mouse heart: myofilament calcium responsiveness, energetic economy, and effects of protein kinase C inhibition

Background  

In perfused hearts, high calcium-induced inotropy results in less developed pressure relative to myocardial oxygen consumption compared to the β-adrenergic agonist dobutamine. Calcium handling is an important determinant of myocardial oxygen consumption. Therefore, we hypothesized that this phenomenon was due to reduced myofilament responsiveness to calcium, related to protein kinase C activation.     

Frequency-dependent acceleration of relaxation involves decreased myofilament calcium sensitivity

The force-frequency relationship is an intrinsic modulator of cardiac contractility and relaxation. Force of contraction increases with frequency, while simultaneously a frequency-dependent acceleration of relaxation occurs. While frequency dependency of calcium handling and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium load have been well described, it remains unknown whether frequency-dependent changes in myofilament calcium sensitivity occur. We hypothesized that an increase in heart rate that results in acceleration of relaxation is accompanied by a proportional decrease in myofilament calcium sensitivity. To test our hypothesis, ultrathin right ventricular trabeculae were isolated from New Zealand White rabbit hearts and iontophorically loaded with the calcium indicator bis-fura 2. Twitch and intracellular calcium handling parameters were measured and showed a robust increase in twitch force, acceleration of relaxation, and rise in both diastolic and systolic intracellular calcium concentration with increased frequency. Steady-state force-intracellular calcium concentration relationships were measured at frequencies 1, 2, 3, and 4 Hz at 37 degrees C using potassium-induced contractures. EC(50) significantly and gradually increased with frequency, from 475 +/- 64 nM at 1 Hz to 1,004 +/- 142 nM at 4 Hz (P < 0.05) and correlated with the corresponding changes in half relaxation time. No significant changes in maximal active force development or in the myofilament cooperativity coefficient were found. Myofilament protein phosphorylation was assessed using Pro-Q Diamond staining on protein gels of trabeculae frozen at either 1 or 4 Hz, revealing troponin I and myosin light chain-2 phosphorylation associated with the myofilament desensitization. We conclude that myofilament calcium sensitivity is substantially and significantly decreased at higher frequencies, playing a prominent role in frequency-dependent acceleration of relaxation.     

Expression of a Gi-coupled receptor in the heart causes impaired Ca2+ handling, myofilament injury, and dilated cardiomyopathy

Increased signaling by G(i)-coupled receptors has been implicated in dilated cardiomyopathy. To investigate the mechanisms, we used transgenic mice that develop dilated cardiomyopathy after conditional expression of a cardiac-targeted G(i)-coupled receptor (Ro1). Activation of G(i) signaling by the Ro1 agonist spiradoline caused decreased cellular cAMP levels and bradycardia in Langendorff-perfused hearts. However, acute termination of Ro1 signaling with the antagonist nor-binaltorphimine did not reverse the Ro1-induced contractile dysfunction, indicating that Ro1 cardiomyopathy was not due to acute effects of receptor signaling. Early after initiation of Ro1 expression, there was a 40% reduction in the abundance of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (P < 0.05); thereafter, there was progressive impairment of both Ca(2+) handling and force development assessed with ventricular trabeculae. Six weeks after initiation of Ro1 expression, systolic Ca(2+) concentration was reduced to 0.61 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.91 +/- 0.07 microM for control (n = 6-8; P < 0.05), diastolic Ca(2+) concentration was elevated to 0.41 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.23 +/- 0.06 microM for control (n = 6-8; P < 0.01), and the decline phase of the Ca(2+) transient (time from peak to 50% decline) was slowed to 0.25 +/- 0.02 s vs. 0.13 +/- 0.02 s for control (n = 6-8; P < 0.01). Early after initiation of Ro1 expression, there was a ninefold elevation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (P < 0.01), which is known to cause myofilament injury. Consistent with this, 6 wk after initiation of Ro1 expression, Ca(2+)-saturated myofilament force in skinned trabeculae was reduced to 21 +/- 2 vs. 38 +/- 0.1 mN/mm(2) for controls (n = 3; P < 0.01). Furthermore, electron micrographs revealed extensive myofilament damage. These findings may have implications for some forms of human heart failure in which increased activity of G(i)-coupled receptors leads to impaired Ca(2+) handling and myofilament injury, contributing to impaired ventricular pump function and heart failure.     

Effects of pH and temperature on myocardial calcium-activation in Pterygoplichthys (catfish)

Fish are chronically exposed to a wide range of temperatures and acidic environments. Fish hearts have to therefore adapt to these changes in order to maintain contractility. Myofibrillar responsiveness to Ca²⁺ is exquisitely sensitive to both temperature and pH in mammalian myocardium. To evaluate myofilament calcium-activation, we chemically skinned ventricular myocardium from catfish (Pterygoplichthys). A decrease in pH from 7.5 to 6.8, irrespective of temperature change, shifted the calcium-force curve towards higher calcium concentrations without affecting maximal Ca²⁺-activated force. The contractile elements are therefore sensitive to changes in pH. In intact muscle preparations the active twitch force was decreased with increasing temperature (10–22 °C). However, the sensitivity of the myofilaments to Ca²⁺ was independent of temperature. These data suggest a possible role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in mediating the effects of temperature. The response of intact muscle preparations to changes in temperature is therefore not likely due to temperature-dependent changes in myofilament calcium responsiveness. Accepted: 11 May 1998     

Excitation-contraction uncoupling during ischemia in the blood perfused dog heart

The bioluminescent of Ca(2+)-indicator, aequorin, was loaded into the left ventricular apex of blood-perfused hearts from 13 dogs for simultaneous recording of left ventricular pressure and intracellular calcium levels. During a 2 minute period of ischemia, systolic and diastolic pressures significantly decreased. In contrast, these pressure changes were associated with an increase in both systolic and diastolic calcium reaching a maximum diastolic value of 0.59 microM and a systolic value of 1.11 microM. This apparent dissociation between pressure and [Ca2+]i supports the hypothesis that changes in myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness are of major importance in modulating contractility during ischemia in large mammalian hearts.     

急性心肌梗死患者心肌顿抑发病机制探讨

心肌顿抑也称缺血后心肌功能障碍,为持续数小时、数天、甚至数周的心肌细胞可逆性损伤。可见于急性冠脉综合症早期再灌注、心脏移植、心脏瓣膜置换等心脏外科大手术术后,应激性心肌病、心脏骤停、心肺复苏、主动脉狭窄、高血压性心脏病、房颤转复。心肌梗死后发生心肌顿抑是导致心梗死亡、心衰再住院的重要病因,但目前其发病机制尚不明确。有关心肌顿抑的研究已经由器官细胞水平,深入到分子基因水平。具体而言,心肌顿抑的发病机制包括：缺血再灌注导致的心肌细胞直接损伤、心肌细胞兴奋收缩脱偶联、线粒体及内质网损伤、血管内皮细胞功能障碍及微循环痉挛、能量代谢障碍、氧自由基损伤、钙超载理论、炎性介质释放理论、心肌顿抑的基因组学机制等。目前,广为接受的是氧自由基理论和钙超载理论。前者认为心肌梗死时,心肌组织氧自由基产生增多,清除障碍,导致心肌细胞结构受伤和功能障碍;后者认为心肌梗死时,心肌细胞酸中毒,细胞膜通透性增加,钙内流增多,同时,钙库重吸收钙障碍,导致钙超载,引起心肌细胞破坏、肌钙蛋白溶解,导致心功能障碍。阐明心肌顿抑发病机制,指导心梗治疗,有助于完善救治策略,改善预后。     

Rapid Changes in Cardiac Myofilament Function following the Acute Activation of Estrogen Receptor-Alpha

Estrogens have well-recognized and complex cardiovascular effects, including altering myocardial contractility through changes in myofilament function. The presence of multiple estrogen receptor (ER) isoforms in the heart may explain some discrepant findings about the cardiac effects of estrogens. Most studies examining the impact of estrogens on the heart have focused on chronic changes in estrogen levels, and have not investigated rapid, non-genomic pathways. The first objective of this study was to determine how acute activation of ERα impacts cardiac myofilaments. Nongenomic myocardial estrogen signaling is associated with the activation of a variety of signaling pathways. p38 MAPK has been implicated in acute ER signaling in the heart, and is known to affect myofilament function. Thus, the second objective of this study was to determine if acute ERα activation mediates its myofilament effects through p38 MAPK recruitment. Hearts from female C57Bl/6 mice were perfused with the ERα agonist PPT and myofilaments isolated. Activation of ERα depressed actomyosin MgATPase activity and decreased myofilament calcium sensitivity. Inhibition of p38 MAPK attenuated the myofilament effects of ERα activation. ERα stimulation did not affect global myofilament protein phosphorylation, but troponin I phosphorylation at the putative PKA phosphorylation sites was decreased. Changes in myofilament activation did not translate into alterations in whole heart function. The present study provides evidence supporting rapid, non-genomic changes in cardiac myofilament function following acute ERα stimulation mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway.     

Suppression of secondary hyperparathyroidism in uraemia: acute and chronic studies.

A study was conducted evaluating the response of serum parathyroid hormone to acute hypercalcaemia and long term administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) in patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis. During infusion of elemental calcium 4 mg/kg/h over four hours in 12 patients not receiving vitamin D the concentration of serum amino terminal parathyroid hormone fell by 31-96% (mean 74.8 (SD 17.6)%) while that of carboxy terminal parathyroid hormone changed little. There was a strong inverse correlation between baseline serum calcium concentration and percentage fall in amino terminal parathyroid hormone during infusion (r = 0.88; p less than 0.001). In seven patients who received prolonged treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 after calcium infusion there was a positive correlation between maximum percentage fall in amino terminal parathyroid hormone during infusion and the percentage fall in amino terminal parathyroid hormone after 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment (r = 0.79; p less than 0.05). The responsiveness of the parathyroid glands to changes in calcium in acute studies may be used to predict the efficacy of long term treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3. Patients in whom calcium infusion does not suppress parathyroid hormone may have true parathyroid autonomy and require early parathyroidectomy.     

Depressed cardiac myofilament function in human diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is associated with a distinct cardiomyopathy. Whether cardiac myofilament function is altered in human diabetes mellitus is unknown. Myocardial biopsies were obtained from seven diabetic patients and five control, nondiabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Myofilament function was assessed by determination of the developed force-Ca2+ concentration relation in skinned cardiac cells from flash-frozen human biopsies. Separate control experiments revealed that flash freezing of biopsy specimens did not affect myofilament function. All patients in the diabetes mellitus cohort were classified as Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, and most showed signs of diastolic dysfunction. Diabetes mellitus was associated with depressed myofilament function, that is, decreased Ca2+ sensitivity (29%, P < 0.05 vs. control) and a trend toward reduction of maximum Ca2+-saturated force (29%, P = 0.08 vs. control). The slope of the force-Ca2+ concentration relation (Hill coefficient) was not affected by diabetes, however. We conclude that human diabetes mellitus is associated with decreased cardiac myofilament function. Depressed cardiac myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness may underlie the decreased ventricular function characteristic of human diabetic cardiomyopathy.     

Myofibrillar responsiveness to cAMP,PKA, and caffeine in an animal model of heart failure

We investigated whether an alteration of myofilament calcium responsiveness and contractile activation may in part contribute to heart failure. A control group of Broad Breasted White turkey poults was given regular feed without additive, whereas the experimental group was given the control ration with 700 ppm of furazolidone at 1 week of age for 3 weeks (DCM). At 4 weeks of age, left ventricular trabeculae carneae were isolated from hearts and calcium-force relationships studied. No differences in calcium-activation between fibers from control or failing hearts were noted under standard experimental conditions. Also failing hearts demonstrated no significant shift in the population of troponin T isoforms but we did observe a significant 4-fold decrease in TnT content in failing hearts compared to non-failing hearts. Addition of caffeine, however, resulted in a greater leftward shift on the calcium axis in fibers from failing hearts. At pCa 6, caffeine increased force by 26+/-2.1% in control fibers and 44.5+/-8.7% in myopathic fibers. Cyclic AMP resulted in a greater rightward shift on the calcium axis in failing myocardium. In control muscles, the frequency of minimum stiffness (f(min)) was higher than in muscles from failing hearts. cAMP and caffeine both shifted f(min) to higher frequencies in control fibers whereas in fibers from failing hearts both caused a greater shift. These results lead us to conclude that heart failure exerts differential effects on cAMP and caffeine responsiveness. Our data suggest that changes at the level of the thin myofilaments may alter myofilament calcium responsiveness and contribute to the contractile dysfunction seen in heart failure.     

Altered calcium homeostasis in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemic and hypoxic injury

Pathological calcification, observed in infarcted myocardium under certain conditions, is the most severe manifestation of abnormal calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis induced by ischemia and related forms of myocardial injury. Specialized techniques for measurement of intracellular electrolytes, i.e., electron probe X-ray microanalysis, and intracellular free Ca2+, i.e. carboxylate indicators including fura-2, are providing new insights into regulation of intracellular Ca2+ and the role of altered Ca2+ homeostasis in the pathogenesis of myocardial cell injury. Several lines of investigation indicate that increased intracellular Ca2+ develops in association with other electrolyte alterations, altered cell volume regulation, and altered membrane phospholipid composition during the progression of myocardial cell injury.     

The positive force–frequency relationship is maintained in absence of sarcoplasmic reticulum function in rabbit,but not in rat myocardium

Myocardial calcium handling differs between species, mainly in the relative contribution between the sources for activator calcium. To investigate the role of the myofilaments and intracellular calcium decline in governing the relaxation phase of cardiac muscle, and to elucidate additional determinants of relaxation other than the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) at various frequencies within the in vivo range, the present study was performed by altering the calcium handling in rat and rabbit. Trabeculae, iontophoretically loaded with bis-fura-2 to monitor cytoplasmic calcium levels, were subjected to ryanodine and cyclopiazonic acid to inhibit SR function. Simultaneous force and [Ca²⁺]_i measurements were obtained at 1–4 Hz in rabbit and at 4–8 Hz in rat before and after SR inhibition. Inhibition of the SR resulted in increased diastolic and peak calcium levels as well as decreased developed force in both species. Calcium transient amplitude decreased in rat, but increased in rabbit after SR inhibition. Time to peak tension, time from peak tension to 50% relaxation, time to peak calcium, and time from peak calcium to 50% calcium decline were all prolonged. Results suggest that L-type calcium channel current is responsible for increases in calcium with increasing frequency, and that the SR amplifies this effect in response to increased L-type current. The response of the myofilaments to alterations in calcium handling plays a critical role in the final determination of force, and may differ between species. These results imply the balance between force relaxation and calcium decline is significantly different in larger mammals, necessitating a critical re-evaluation of how myocardial relaxation is governed, specifically regarding frequency-dependent activation.     

Increased myocardial stiffness with maintenance of length-dependent calcium activation by female sex hormones in diabetic rats

A decrease in peak early diastolic filling velocity in postmenopausal women implies a sex hormone-related diastolic dysfunction. The regulatory effect of female sex hormones on cardiac distensibility therefore was evaluated in ovariectomized rats by determining the sarcomere length-passive tension relationship of ventricular skinned fiber preparations. Diabetes also was induced in the rat to assess the protective significance of female sex hormones on diastolic function. While ovariectomy had no effect on myocardial stiffness, collagen content, or titin ratio, a significant increase in myocardial stiffness was observed in diabetic rat only when female sex hormones were intact. The increased stiffness in diabetic-sham rats was accompanied by an elevated collagen content resulting from increases in the levels of procollagen and Smad2. Surprisingly, the increased myocardial stiffness in diabetic-sham rats was accompanied by a shift toward a more compliant N2BA of cardiac titin isoforms. The pCa-active tension relationship was analyzed at fixed sarcomere lengths of 2.0 and 2.3 μm to determine the magnitude of changes in myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity between the two sarcomere lengths. Interestingly, high expression of N2BA titin was associated with a suppressed magnitude of changes in myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity only in the diabetic-ovariectomized condition. Estrogen supplementation in diabetic-ovariectomized rats partially increased myocardial stiffness but completely reversed the change in myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity. These results indicate a restrictive adaptation of myocardium governed by female sex hormones to maintain myofilament activity in compensation to the pathophysiological induction of cardiac dilatation by the diabetic condition.     

Development of contractile dysfunction in rat heart failure: hierarchy of cellular events

The cellular mechanisms underlying the development of congestive heart failure (HF) are not well understood. Accordingly, we studied myocardial function in isolated right ventricular trabeculae from rats in which HF was induced by left ventricular myocardial infarction (MI). Both early-stage (12 wk post-MI; E-pMI) and late, end-stage HF (28 wk post-Mi; L-pMI) were studied. HF was associated with decreased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase protein levels (28% E-pMI; 52% L-pMI). HF affected neither sodium/calcium exchange, ryanodine receptor, nor phospholamban protein levels. Twitch force at saturating extracellular [Ca(2+)] was depressed in HF (30% E-pMI; 38% L-pMI), concomitant with a marked increase in sensitivity of twitch force toward extracellular [Ca(2+)] (26% E-pMI; 68% L-pMI). Ca(2+)-saturated myofilament force development in skinned trabeculae was unchanged in E-pMI but significantly depressed in L-pMI (45%). Tension-dependent ATP hydrolysis rate was depressed in L-pMI (49%), but not in E-pMI. Our results suggest a hierarchy of cellular events during the development of HF, starting with altered calcium homeostasis during the early phase followed by myofilament dysfunction at end-stage HF.     

Study of the mechanisms of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl free radical-induced cellular injury and calcium overload in cardiac myocytes.

There is evidence that myocardial injury, as would occur on post-ischemic reperfusion, may be caused by the generation of oxygen radicals, as well as by the induction of intracellular calcium overload; however, the relationship between these two mechanisms of injury is not known. To test the hypothesis that oxidants and oxygen radicals can cause cardiac myocyte injury and intracellular calcium overload, isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes were exposed to H2O2 (1-10 mM) and Fe3(+)-nitrilotriacetate. EPR measurements confirmed the production of the highly reactive .OH radical by this system. The oxygen radical generating system initially caused a transient augmentation of twitch amplitude in single field stimulated myocytes. This was followed by contractile oscillations occurring during the twitch prior to full cell relaxation, and spontaneous mechanical oscillations occurring between electrically stimulated contractions. Eventually, cells became inexcitable and abruptly underwent contracture. In the presence of lower bathing calcium concentrations, these oxidant-induced alterations were prevented or delayed. However, cells exposed to the radical generating system in the absence of extracellular calcium still eventually underwent contracture but stimulated contractions or mechanical oscillations were not seen. Measurements in single myocytes loaded with the fluorescent probe of intracellular calcium, Indo-1, demonstrated a rise in both systolic and diastolic fluorescence ratio, as well as oscillations and widening of the fluorescence transient, suggestive of cellular calcium loading, following exposure to the radical generating system. Injured myocytes did not take up trypan blue dye. Contractile dysfunction and calcium channel blocker, nitrendipine. NMR measurements of cellular [ATP] demonstrated that these alterations in cellular calcium preceded the depletion of ATP. Subsequent depletion of ATP was accompanied by the appearance of increased concentrations of sugar phosphates indicative of a block in glycolysis and ATP depletion correlated with cellular rigor. Thus, oxygen free radicals can cause cardiac myocyte injury with contractile abnormalities which occur due to myocyte calcium loading. The mechanism of oxidant-induced calcium loading is not due to nonspecific membrane damage, or energy depletion, but rather due to increased calcium influx through voltage gated calcium channels. This early calcium overload state as well as oxidant induced block of glycolysis result in cellular energy depletion and cell death with the induction of contracture.     

Erythropoietin pretreatment protects against acute chemotherapy toxicity in isolated rat hearts

The use of chemotherapeutic agents, such as anthracycline or trastuzumab, in oncology is limited by their cardiac toxicity. Recent experimental studies suggest that recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) can be considered as a protective agent because its administration protects against cardiac ischemic injury, improving functional recovery, and reducing cell death. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pretreatment by rhEPO protects against acute cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin and trastuzumab, using the isolated rat heart model. Rats were treated with rhEPO (5000 IU/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) or vehicle. One hour later, hearts were isolated and retrogradely perfused at constant flow. Following 20 mins of stabilization, hearts were perfused for 60 mins with modified-Krebs solution containing 6 mg/l doxorubicin or 10 mg/l trastuzumab. Hearts receiving doxorubicin were paced; those receiving trastuzumab were unpaced. Control hearts were perfused with modified-Krebs solution only. Doxorubicin exposure decreased left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP; approximately -40% of baseline) and increased end diastolic pressure (EDP; approximately +390% of baseline) and coronary perfusion pressure (CPP; approximately +70% of baseline). Incidence of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (VT/VF) was also significantly enhanced (86% vs. 0% in control group). Trastuzumab exposure increased CPP and EDP (approximately +70% of baseline for the both) without affecting LVDP. Prior rhEPO treatment significantly prevented doxorubicin-induced deleterious effects on LVDP, EDP, and VT/VF incidence. rhEPO administration also prevented trastuzumab-induced deleterious effects on CPP and EDP. This study shows that pretreatment by rhEPO protects myocardium against functional damage and electrophysiologic injury induced by acute doxorubicin or trastuzumab exposure. Further investigations are required to elucidate the precise mechanisms involved.     

Left ventricular myofilament dysfunction in rat experimental hypertrophy and congestive heart failure

It is currently unclear whether left ventricular (LV) myofilament function is depressed in experimental LV hypertrophy (LVH) or congestive heart failure (CHF). To address this issue, we studied pressure overload-induced LV hypertrophy (POLVH) and myocardial infarction-elicited congestive heart failure (MICHF) in rats. LV myocytes were isolated from control, POLVH, and MICHF hearts by mechanical homogenization, skinned with Triton, and attached to micropipettes that projected from a sensitive force transducer and high-speed motor. A subset of cells was treated with either unphosphorylated, recombinant cardiac troponin (cTn) or cTn purified from either control or failing ventricles. LV myofilament function was characterized by the force-[Ca(2+)] relation yielding Ca(2+)-saturated maximal force (F(max)), myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity (EC(50)), and cooperativity (Hill coefficient, n(H)) parameters. POLVH was associated with a 35% reduction in F(max) and 36% increase in EC(50). Similarly, MICHF resulted in a 42% reduction in F(max) and a 30% increase in EC(50). Incorporation of recombinant cTn or purified control cTn into failing cells restored myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity toward levels observed in control cells. In contrast, integration of cTn purified from failing ventricles into control myocytes increased EC(50) to levels observed in failing myocytes. The F(max) parameter was not markedly affected by troponin exchange. cTnI phosphorylation was increased in both POLVH and MICHF left ventricles. We conclude that depressed myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity in experimental LVH and CHF is due, in part, to a decreased functional role of cTn that likely involves augmented phosphorylation of cTnI.