Effects of triiodothyronine and carnitine therapy on myocardial dysfunction in diabetic rats

Streptozocin-diabetic rats were treated with a combination of triiodothyronine and carnitine for 6 weeks. These compounds were used as they are known to correct the diabetes-induced depression of cardiac myosin ATPase and sarcoplasmic reticular (SR) calcium uptake, respectively. Myocardial performance, which was assessed using the working heart preparation, revealed a depression of function in untreated diabetics when compared with controls at most left atrial filling pressures. Hearts from diabetic rats treated with the combination exhibited depression at only the higher filling pressures as compared with untreated or treated controls. The results suggest that functional alterations occurring as a result of diabetes cannot be accounted for by the depression of cardiac myosin ATPase and SR calcium uptake alone.     

Effects of the oral hypoglycemic agent methyl palmoxirate on exercise capacity of rats

The effect of the oral hypoglycemic agent methyl palmoxirate (methyl 2-tetradecylglycidate, McN-3716), a selective inhibitor of long chain fatty acid oxidation, on the exercise capacity of normal rats was evaluated. Daily administration of 2.5 mg/kg for 7 days, or of a single dose of 10 mg/kg, of methyl palmoxirate did not affect the ability of rats to perform strenuous exercise of an intensity that caused exhaustion in less than 30 min. The ability to perform prolonged, moderately strenuous exercise of an intensity that could be maintained for more than 60 min was decreased slightly (17%) in the methyl palmoxirate treated rats. This effect appeared to be mediated by a significant reduction in initial liver glycogen content in the methyl palmoxirate treated rats. As a consequence, the methyl palmoxirate treated rats became hypoglycemic during prolonged exercise. Inhibition of fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle was minimal. Treatment with methyl palmoxirate protected against the development of exercise-induced ketosis. It appears that the liver is the major site of action of methyl palmoxirate when given in low dosage.     

Prevention and reversal of altered myocardial function in diabetic rats by insulin treatment

Isolated perfused hearts from diabetic rats exhibit a decreased responsiveness to increasing work loads. However, the precise time point at which functional alterations occur is not clearly established. Previous observations in our laboratory have suggested that the alterations in myocardial function are not apparent at 30 days whereas they are clearly seen 100 days after streptozotocin-induced diabetes. We studied the cardiac function of 6-week diabetic rats using the isolated perfused heart preparation. The 6-week time period was found to be sufficient to cause depression of myocardial function in these animals. We also studied the effect of insulin treatment on myocardial performance of diabetic rats. Insulin treatment was initiated 3 days and 6 weeks after injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The treatment was continued for 6 and 4 weeks in the respective groups. Hearts from 6-week diabetic animals exhibited a depressed left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and positive and negative dP/dt at higher filling pressures when compared with 6-week control animals. However, the depression was not seen in the 6-week insulin-treated diabetic animals. Ten-week diabetic rat hearts also showed a depression of LVDP and positive and negative dP/dt when compared with 10-week controls. The group of animals that had been diabetic for 6 weeks and then treated for 4 weeks with insulin exhibited a reversal of the depressed myocardial function. These results demonstrate that depression of myocardial performance, which is evident 6 weeks after diabetes is induced, can be prevented if insulin treatment is initiated as the disease is induced. Further, insulin treatment is capable of reversing the abnormalities after they have occurred.     

IGF-I alleviates diabetes-induced RhoA activation, eNOS uncoupling, and myocardial dysfunction

IGF-I rescues diabetic heart defects and oxidative stress, although the underlying mechanism of action remains poorly understood. This study was designed to delineate the beneficial effects of IGF-I with a focus on RhoA, Akt, and eNOS coupling. Echocardiography was performed in normal or diabetic Friend Virus-B type (FVB) and IGF-I transgenic mice. Cardiomyocyte contractile properties were evaluated using peak shortening (PS), time-to-90% relengthening (TR90), and intracellular Ca2+ rise and decay. Diabetes reduced fraction shortening, PS, and intracellular Ca2+; it increased chamber size, prolonged TR90, and intracellular Ca2+ decay. Levels of RhoA mRNA, active RhoA, and O2(-) were elevated, whereas nitric oxide (NO) levels were reduced in diabetes. Diabetes-induced O2(-) accumulation was ablated by the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), indicating endothelial NOS (eNOS) uncoupling, all of which except heart size were negated by IGF-I. The IGF-I-elicited beneficial effects were mimicked by the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 and BH4. Diabetes depressed expression of Kv1.2 and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), increased beta-myosin heavy-chain expression, stimulated p38 MAPK, and reduced levels of total Akt and phosphorylated Akt/eNOS, all of which with the exception of myosin heavy chain were attenuated by IGF-I. In addition, Y27632 and the eNOS coupler folate abrogated glucose toxicity-induced PS decline, TR90 prolongation, while it increased O2(-) and decreased NO and Kv1.2 levels. The DHFR inhibitor methotrexate impaired myocyte function, NO/O2(-) balance, and rescued Y27632-induced cardiac protection. These results revealed that IGF-I benefits diabetic hearts via Rho inhibition and antagonism of diabetes-induced decrease in pAkt, eNOS uncoupling, and K+ channel expression.     

Effects of methyl palmoxirate on hypoxic rat atria.

Isolated rat atria in hypoxia released lactate into the bathing medium and underwent a decline of the contraction frequency which, in some cases led to a complete cessation of the pacemaker activity. A pronounced fall in the peak developed tension and a rise in the resting tension also appeared. The atria from 24 h fasted rats, which oxidize faster their reserve lipids than those from fed rats, exhibited greater functional disturbances during hypoxia, a lower lactate output and a smaller recovery of peak tension upon reoxygenation. Methyl palmoxirate, which is a selective inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, attenuated the decline of the beating rate and the rise of the resting tension in both groups of rats and the incidence of atrial arrest in the fasted rat group. The fall in the peak tension, lactate output and recovery upon reoxygenation were not altered by the inhibitor. These data indicate that methyl palmoxirate alleviates some of the hypoxic functional derangements. Hence, it may be inferred that inhibiting the oxidation of the fatty acid derived from the endogenous triacylglycerol is beneficial during oxygen-limited conditions and that these effects could not be ascribed to changes in the glycolytic flux.     

Protective effect of selenium treatment on diabetes-induced myocardial structural alterations

One of the main causes leading to mortality in diabetes is myocardial disease. Using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic animals, it has been possible to characterize diabetes-induced myocardial abnormalities. Interstitial and microvascular disorders are known to be a characteristic part of the diabetic cardiomyopathy and partly resist insulin therapy. Because diabetic damage is partly attributed to oxidative stress, antioxidant treatment may be able to reduce this damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effect of sodium selenite, known as an antioxidant agent. The diabetes was induced by ip injection of 50 mg/kg body wt STZ. The duration of diabetes was 5 wk. The protected group received (ip) 5 μmol/kg body wt/d sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) over 4 wk following diabetes induction. Electron and light microscopic morphometry of heart samples revealed typical diabetic alterations consisting in an increase in collagen content, vacuolation, diminishing of the cardiomyocyte diameter, alteration in myofilaments and Z-lines of myofibers, and myofibrillary degeneration. Sodium selenite treatment could prevent the loss of myofibrills and reduction of myocyte diameter. In the sodium-selenite-treated diabetic rat heart, alterations of the discus intercalaris and nucleus were corrected, and degenerations seen in myofilaments and Z-lines were reversed by this treatment. Under these findings, one can suggest that sodium selenite treatment may alleviate late diabetic complications when it is used under control conditions.     

Antioxidant treatment with edaravone or taurine ameliorates diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction in the rat

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Diabetes mellitus with the subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species represents a major risk factor for testicular dysfunction (TD). We investigate...     

Effect of prolonged treatment with propionyl-L-carnitine on erucic acid-induced myocardial dysfunction in rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of propionyl-L-carnitine to prevent cardiac damage induced by erucic acid. Rats were fed for 10 days with normal or 10% erucic acid—enriched diets with or without propionyl-L-carnitine intraperitoneally injected, (1 mM/kg daily, for 10 days). The erucic acid diet produced increases in triglycerides (from 5.6 to 12.4 mg/gww, P < 0.01), and free fatty acids (from 2.0 to 5.1 mg/gww, P < 0.01), but no changes in phospholipids. When the hearts were perfused aerobically with an isovolumic preparation there was no difference in mechanical activity. On the contrary, when pressure-volume curves were determined, the pressure developed by hearts from the erucic acid-treated rats were reduced.Independent of diet, propionyl-L-carnitine treatment always produced positive inotropy. This was concomitant with improved mitochondrial respiration (RCI 5.1 vs 9.3, P < 0.01), higher tissue ATP content (10.3 vs 18.4 mol/gdw P < 0.01) and reduction of triglycerides (12.4 vs 8.0 mg/gww, P < 0.01). These data suggest that propionyl-L-carnitine, when given chronically, is able to prevent erucic acid-induced cardiotoxicity, probably by reducing triglyceride accumulation and improving energy metabolism.     

Hepatic triiodothyronine sulfation and its regulation by growth hormone and triiodothyronine in rats.

The regulatory mechanism of cytosolic sulfation of T3 has been studied in rat liver. Sulfation of T3 is sexually differentiated in adult rats of Sprague-Dawley (SD), Fisher 344, and ACI strains. In SD strain, the male animals showed 4 times higher sulfating activity than did the females. The specific activity was decreased by hypophysectomy of male adult rats, but was not affected in the females. Thus, the sex-difference was abolished in the hypophysectomized condition. Supplement of human GH intermittently twice daily for 7 days, to mimic the male secretory pattern, increased T3 sulfating activity in both sexes of hypophysectomized rats, whereas continuous infusion to mimic a female secretory pattern had no appreciable effect. Cytosolic sulfation of T3 was decreased by 25 to 30% by thyroidectomy or propylthiouracil treatment of male adult rats, and was restored by the supplementation of T3 (50 micrograms/kg daily for 7 days) to thyroidectomized rats. Administration of T3 in hypophysectomized rats almost completely restored the sulfating activity in the males and increased the activity in the females. Cytosolic T3 sulfation was inhibited by the addition of known inhibitors of phenol sulfotransferase, pentachlorophenol or 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol. These results indicate a role of pituitary GH in hepatic sulfation of thyroid hormones in rats. The data obtained also raise the possibility that GH may modify the effect of thyroid hormones on the pituitary by a feed-back mechanism through changing the level of a sex-dominant phenol sulfotransferase(s) in rat livers. T3 was also sulfated in hepatic cytosols of mouse, hamster, rabbit, dog, monkey, and human.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reduction of diabetes-induced oxidative stress by phosphodiesterase inhibitors in rats

Increased oxidative stress has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic tissue damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different phosphodiesterase inhibitors on lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of plasma in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (Rattus norvegicus). Rats became diabetic by a single administration of streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg). The effects of 15-days treatment by milrinone, sildenafil, and theophylline as cyclic-AMP and -GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEIs) on diabetes-induced oxidative stress were studied. The levels of glucose, malonedialdehyde (MDA) the by product of lipid peroxides, and TAC (FRAP test) were estimated in plasma of control and experimental groups of rats. A significant increase in the levels of plasma glucose, and MDA and a concomitant decrease in the levels of TAC were observed in diabetic rats. These alterations were reverted back to near normal level after the treatment with PDEIs. Treatment of diabetic rats by PDEIs reduced MDA levels and increased TAC in the order of milrinone>sildenafil>theophylline. In conclusion, the present investigation show that PDIS possesses antioxidant activities, which may be attributed to their enhancing effect on cellular cyclic nucleotides contributing to the protection against oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Exact mechanism of protective actions of cAMP- and cGMP-phosphodiesterase remains to be elucidated by further studies. This finding may suggest a place for PDEIs in maintaining health in diabetes.     

Prevention of myocardial disease in JCR:LA-corpulent rats by running

The JCR:LA-corpulent rat is a congenic strain that, if homozygous for the cp gene, is obese with a very low-density lipoprotein hyperlipidemia and is insulin resistant. The male corpulent rats develop atherosclerotic lesions of the major arteries and myocardial lesions. Corpulent and lean male rats were induced through mild food restriction to run intensively (approximately 6,000 m/day) from 6 wk to 6 mo of age. Food restriction, especially when coupled with running, lowered all classes of lipids in the whole serum of corpulent rats. The principal changes in lipid concentrations were in the very low-density lipoprotein fraction. Food restriction caused a significant drop in fasting insulin levels of corpulent rats and decreased beta-cell hyperplasia. Both effects were more marked in the running animals. There was a significant decrease in myocardial lesion frequency in the food-restricted corpulent rats and an absence of lesions in the running rats. The results indicate that intensive physical activity can largely correct the lipid abnormalities and insulin resistance of this atherosclerosis-prone strain, and these changes are associated with inhibition of the disease process. However, moderate food restriction has similar effects, and the greater effects seen with intensive running may simply reflect an effectively more severe metabolic restriction in the presence of the exercise.     

Role of EDHF in type 2 diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction

Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) plays a crucial role in modulating vasomotor tone, especially in microvessels when nitric oxide-dependent control is compromised such as in diabetes. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), potassium ions (K+), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are proposed as EDHFs. However, the identity (or identities) of EDHF-dependent endothelial dilators has not been clearly elucidated in diabetes. We assessed the mechanisms of EDHF-induced vasodilation in wild-type (WT, normal), db/db (advanced type 2 diabetic) mice, and db/db mice null for TNF (dbTNF-/dbTNF-). In db/db mice, EDHF-induced vasodilation [ACh-induced vasodilation in the presence of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 micromol/l) and prostaglandin synthase inhibitor indomethacin (Indo, 10 mumol/l)] was diminished after the administration of catalase (an enzyme that selectively dismutates H2O2 to water and oxygen, 1,000 U/ml); administration of the combination of charybdotoxin (a nonselective blocker of intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels, 10 micromol/l) and apamin (a selective blocker of small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels, 50 micromol/l) also attenuated EDHF-induced vasodilation, but the inhibition of EETs synthesis [14,15-epoxyeicosa-5(Z)-enoic acid; 10 mumol/l] did not alter EDHF-induced vasodilation. In WT controls, EDHF-dependent vasodilation was significantly diminished after an inhibition of K+ channel, EETs synthesis, or H2O2 production. Our molecular results indicate that mRNA and protein expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) were greater in db/db versus WT and dbTNF-/dbTNF- mice, but neutralizing antibody to IL-6 (anti-IL-6; 0.28 mg.ml(-1).kg(-1) ip for 3 days) attenuated IL-6 expression in db/db mice. The incubation of the microvessels with IL-6 (5 ng/ml) induced endothelial dysfunction in the presence of l-NAME and Indo in WT mice, but anti-IL-6 restored ACh-induced vasodilation in the presence of L-NAME and Indo in db/db mice. In db(TNF-)/db(TNF-) mice, EDHF-induced vasodilation was greater and comparable with controls, but IL-6 decreased EDHF-mediated vasodilation. Our results indicate that EDHF compensates for diminished NO-dependent dilation in IL-6-induced endothelial dysfunction by the activation of H2O2 or a K+ channel in type 2 diabetes.     

Berbamine ameliorates isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction by inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in rats

Berbamine (BBM), a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid from roots, bark, and stem of Berberis plant such as Berberis aristata has a wide range of pharmacological activities. However, the evidence for the cardioprotective effect of BBM is inadequate and the molecular mechanism of BBM remains unclear. This study investigated the underlying molecular mechanism of BBM-mediated cardioprotection on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in rats. The assays of mitochondria antioxidant status, mitochondrial marker enzymes, and electron microscopic analysis of mitochondria revealed BBM significantly prevented the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ISO. The ISO-induced elevation of mitochondrial oxidative stress was also curbed by BBM. Furthermore, pretreatment with BBM protected the heart tissue from ISO-induced apoptosis as evident from decreased terminal dUTP nickend-labeling positive cells and decreased expression of Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9, and caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and increased expression of Bcl-2 in ISO-induced rats. These current findings suggest that BBM exerts a significant cardioprotective effect on ISO-induced myocardial infarction in rats.     

Aggravation of myocardial dysfunction by injurious mechanical ventilation in LPS-induced pneumonia in rats

Background

Mechanical ventilation (MV) may cause ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and may thereby contribute to fatal multiple organ failure. We tested the hypothesis that injurious MV of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pre-injured lungs induces myocardial inflammation and further dysfunction ex vivo, through calcium (Ca²⁺)-dependent mechanism.

Materials and methods

N = 35 male anesthetized and paralyzed male Wistar rats were randomized to intratracheal instillation of 2 mg/kg LPS or nothing and subsequent MV with lung-protective settings (low tidal volume (V_t) of 6 mL/kg and 5 cmH₂O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)) or injurious ventilation (high V_t of 19 mL/kg and 1 cmH₂O PEEP) for 4 hours. Myocardial function ex vivo was evaluated in a Langendorff setup and Ca²⁺ exposure. Key mediators were determined in lung and heart at the mRNA level.

Results

Instillation of LPS and high V_t MV impaired gas exchange and, particularly when combined, increased pulmonary wet/dry ratio; heat shock protein (HSP)70 mRNA expression also increased by the interaction between LPS and high V_t MV. For the heart, C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL)1 and Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 mRNA expression increased, and ventricular (LV) systolic pressure, LV developed pressure, LV +dP/dt_max and contractile responses to increasing Ca²⁺ exposure ex vivo decreased by LPS. High V_t ventilation aggravated the effects of LPS on myocardial inflammation and dysfunction but not on Ca²⁺ responses.

Conclusions

Injurious MV by high V_t aggravates the effects of intratracheal instillation of LPS on myocardial dysfunction, possibly through enhancing myocardial inflammation via pulmonary release of HSP70 stimulating cardiac TLR2, not involving Ca²⁺ handling and sensitivity.     

IGF-I attenuates diabetes-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction in ventricular myocytes

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is characterized by impaired ventricular contraction and altered function of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), a key factor for cardiac growth and function. Endogenous IGF-I has been shown to alleviate diabetic cardiomyopathy. This study was designed to evaluate exogenous IGF-I treatment on the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Adult rats were divided into four groups: control, control + IGF-I, diabetic, and diabetic + IGF-I. Streptozotocin (STZ; 55 mg/kg) was used to induce experimental diabetes immediately followed by a 7-wk IGF-I (3 mg. kg(-1). day(-1) ip) treatment. Mechanical properties were assessed in ventricular myocytes including peak shortening (PS), time-to-PS (TPS), time-to-90% relengthening (TR(90)) and maximal velocities of shortening/relengthening (+/-dL/dt). Intracellular Ca(2+) transients were evaluated as Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release and Ca(2+) clearing constant. Levels of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA), phospholamban (PLB), and glucose transporter (GLUT4) were assessed by Western blot. STZ caused significant weight loss and elevated blood glucose, demonstrating the diabetic status. The diabetic state is associated with reduced serum IGF-I levels, which were restored by IGF-I treatment. Diabetic myocytes showed reduced PS and +/-dL/dt as well as prolonged TPS, TR(90), and intracellular Ca(2+) clearing compared with control. IGF-I treatment prevented the diabetes-induced abnormalities in PS, +/-dL/dt, TR(90), and Ca(2+) clearing but not TPS. The levels of SERCA and GLUT4, but not PLB, were significantly reduced in diabetic hearts compared with controls. IGF-I treatment restored the diabetes-induced decline in SERCA, whereas it had no effect on GLUT4 and PLB levels. These results suggest that exogenous IGF-I treatment may ameliorate contractile disturbances in cardiomyocytes from diabetic animals and could provide therapeutic potential in the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.     

Gender related differential effects of Omega-3E treatment on diabetes-induced left ventricular dysfunction

The present study was designed to determine whether there are beneficial effects of intake of Ω-3E (containing 70% pure omega-3 and 2% natural vitamin E) in cardiac dysfunction of diabetic rats. We also examined whether there are gender-related differences in the responses to the intake of Ω-3E on the heart dysfunction. Experiments were performed by using Langendorff-perfused hearts from normal, diabetic (with 50 mg/kg streptozotocin), and Ω-3E (50 mg/kg body weight/day) treated diabetic 3-month-old Wistar rats. Ω-3E treatment of the diabetics caused small, but significant decrease (13% and 14% female versus male) in the blood glucose level. Ω-3E treatment of the diabetic female rats did not prevent diabetes-induced decrease in left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) with respect to the control female rats. On the other hand, the treatment of diabetic male rats caused significant recovery in depressed LVDP. Furthermore, such treatment of diabetic female and male rats caused significant recovery in depressed rates of changes of developed pressure. This effect was more significant in males. Besides, Ω-3E caused significant further lengthening in the diabetes-induced increased time to the peak of the developed pressure in females, while it normalized the lengthening in the relaxation of the developed pressure in diabetic males. In addition, Ω-3E treatment caused significant restorations in the diabetes-induced altered activities of antioxidant enzymes without any significant gender discrepancy. Present data show that there are gender related differences in diabetic heart dysfunction and the response to antioxidant treatment.     

Erythropoietin attenuates cardiac dysfunction by increasing myocardial angiogenesis and inhibiting interstitial fibrosis in diabetic rats

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Recent studies revealed that erythropoietin (EPO) has tissue-protective effects in the heart by increasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and attenuating myocardial fibrosis in ischemia models. In this study, we investigated the effect of EPO on ventricular remodeling and blood vessel growth in diabetic rats. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control rats, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, and diabetic rats treated with 1000 U/kg EPO by subcutaneous injection once per week. Twelve weeks later, echocardiography was conducted, and blood samples were collected for counting of peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Myocardial tissues were collected, quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of VEGF and EPO-receptor (EPOR), and Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of VEGF and EPOR. VEGF, EPOR, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), and CD31 levels in the myocardium were determined by immunohistochemistry. To detect cardiac hypertrophy, immunohistochemistry of collagen type , collagen type , and Picrosirius Red staining were performed, and cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area was measured. RESULTS: After 12 weeks STZ injection, blood glucose increased significantly and remained consistently elevated. EPO treatment significantly improved cardiac contractility and reduced diastolic dysfunction. Rats receiving the EPO injection showed a significant increase in circulating EPCs (27.85+/-3.43%, P < 0.01) compared with diabetic untreated animals. EPO injection significantly increased capillary density as well as EPOR and VEGF expression in left ventricular myocardial tissue from diabetic rats. Moreover, EPO inhibited interstitial collagen deposition and reduced TGF-beta expression. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with EPO protects cardiac tissue in diabetic animals by increasing VEGF and EPOR expression levels, leading to improved revascularization and the inhibition of cardiac fibrosis. Key words: erythropoietin; vascular endothelial growth factor; diabetes mellitus; endothelial progenitor cell; myocardial interstitial fibrosis; transforming growth factor beta.     

Inhibition of chymase protects against diabetes-induced oxidative stress and renal dysfunction in hamsters

Accumulating evidence suggests that the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system may be involved in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Chymase is a potent local angiotensin II-forming enzyme in several species, including humans and hamsters. However, the pathophysiological role of chymase is not fully understood. Here, we report a causal role of chymase in diabetic nephropathy and the therapeutic effectiveness of chymase inhibition. In the present study, renal chymase expression was markedly upregulated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic hamsters. Oral administration of a specific chymase inhibitor, TEI-F00806, completely ameliorated proteinuria, the overexpression of transforming growth factor-β and fibronectin in glomeruli, and renal mesangial expansion, by normalizing the increase in intrarenal angiotensin II levels in diabetic hamsters independently of blood pressure levels. In contrast, ramipril did not show such sufficient effects. These effects occurred in parallel with improvements in superoxide production and expression of NAD(P)H oxidase components [NAD(P)H oxidase 4 and p22(phox)] in glomeruli. This study showed for the first time that chymase inhibition may protect against elevated intrarenal angiotensin II levels, oxidative stress, and renal dysfunction in diabetes. These findings suggest that chymase offers a new therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy.     

Inhaled NO reduces leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and myocardial dysfunction in endotoxemic rats

Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to have some protective effect in the peripheral distal inflamed vasculature. The objective of the study was to determine whether inhaled NO would reduce endotoxin-induced leukocyte activation and myocardial contractile dysfunction. Rats were treated with either saline or endotoxin (10 mg/kg iv) and then allowed to breathe (4 h) either air or air plus NO (10 ppm). In endotoxemic rats, mesenteric venular endothelium leukocyte firm adhesion increased compared with control rats (1.15 +/- 0.32 vs. 4.08 +/- 0.96 leukocytes/100 microm; P < 0.05). Inhaled NO significantly attenuated endotoxin-induced venular endothelium leukocyte adhesion (4.08 +/- 0.96 vs. 1.86 +/- 0.76 leukocytes/100 microm; P < 0.05) and FITC-conjugated anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 fluorescence intensity. Endotoxin-induced myocardial dysfunction and leukocyte content increases were reduced in inhaled NO-treated rats. These observations suggest that inhaled NO reduces the degree of cardiovascular dysfunction and inflammation in endotoxemic rats.