Role of superoxide radicals in anoxia reoxygenation-mediated vascular contraction.

To determine the mechanism of anoxic vasoconstriction, precontracted rat aortic rings were exposed to 95% N2, which caused additional contraction. Reoxygenation (95% O2) resulted in initial relaxation followed by contraction. Indomethacin did not affect anoxic contraction or reoxygenation-mediated events, but NG-monomethyl-1-arginine, which inhibits EDRF synthesis, and oxyhemoglobin, which reduces EDRF activity, markedly decreased anoxic contraction and reoxygenation relaxation, and potentiated subsequent contraction. Superoxide dismutase did not affect anoxic contraction, but potentiated reoxygenation relaxation and attenuated subsequent contraction. Endothelin concentrations remained unchanged throughout anoxia and reoxygenation. Thus, anoxic contraction and reoxygenation-mediated early relaxation appear to be due to changes in EDRF. On the other hand, reoxygenation-induced contraction appears related to release of superoxide radicals.     

Endothelium-derived relaxing and contracting factors

Key discoveries in the past decade revealed that the endothelium can modulate the tone of underlying vascular smooth muscle by the synthesis/release of potent vasorelaxant (endothelium-derived relaxing factors; EDRF) and vasoconstrictor substances (endothelium-derived contracting factors; EDCF). It has become evident that the synthesis and release of these substances contribute to the multitude of physiological functions the vascular endothelium performs. Accumulating evidence suggests that at least one of the EDRFs is identical with nitric oxide (NO) or a labile nitroso compound, which is produced from L-arginine by an NADPH- and Ca(2+)-dependent enzyme, arginine oxidase. The existence of more than one chemically distinct EDRF has been proposed, including an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). The target of EDRF (NO) is soluble guanylate cyclase (increase in cyclic GMP) while EDHF appears to activate a K(+)-channel in vascular smooth muscle. Recent data suggest that muscarinic receptor subtypes selectively mediate the release of EDRF(NO) (M2) and EDHF (M1). EDRF(NO) affects not only the underlying vascular smooth muscle, but also platelets, inhibiting their aggregation and adhesion to the endothelium. The antiaggregatory effect of EDRF is synergistic with prostacyclin, so their combined release may represent a physiological mechanism aimed at preventing thrombus formation. An additional proposed biological function of EDRF(NO) is cytoprotection by virtue of scavenging superoxide radicals. The endothelium can also mediate vasoconstriction by the release of a variety of endothelium-derived contracting factors (EDCF). Other than the unique peptide endothelin, the nature of EDCFs has not yet been firmly established. Autoregulation of cerebral and renal blood flow and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction may represent the physiological role of endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction. Growing evidence indicates that the endothelium can serve as a unique mechanoreceptor, sensing and transducing physical stimuli (e.g., shear forces, pressure) into changes in vascular tone by the release of EDRFs or EDCFs. In physiological states, a delicate balance exists between endothelium-derived vasodilators and vasoconstrictors. Alterations in this balance can result in local (vasospasm) and generalized (hypertension) increase in vascular tone and also in facilitated thrombus formation. Endothelial dysfunction may also contribute to the pathophysiology of angiopathies associated with hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.     

Salvia miltiorrhiza attenuates the changes in contraction and intracellular calcium induced by anoxia and reoxygenation in rat cardiomyocytes

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) on contraction and the intracellular calcium of isolated ventricular myocytes during normoxia or anoxia and reoxygenation using a video tracking system and spectrofluorometry. Cardiac ventricular myocytes were isolated enzymatically by collagenase and exposed to 5 min of anoxia followed by 10 min of reoxygenation. SM (1-9 g/L) depressed both contraction and the [Ca(2+)](i) transient in a dose-dependent manner. SM did not affect the diastolic calcium level and the sarcolemmal Ca(2+) channel of myocytes but decreased the caffeine-induced calcium release. During anoxia, the +/-dL/dtmax, amplitudes of contraction (dL) of cell contraction and [Ca(2+)](i) transients were decreased, while the diastolic calcium level was increased. None of the parameters returned to the pre-anoxia level during reoxygenaton. However, SM (3 g/L) did attenuate the changes in cell contraction and intracellular calcium induced by anoxia and reoxygenation. It is concluded that SM has different effects on normoxic and anoxic cardiomyocytes. The SM-induced reduction of changes in contraction and intracellular calcium induced by anoxia/reoxygenation indicates that SM may be beneficial for cardiac tissue in recovery of mechanical function and intracellular calcium homeostasis.     

The alpha adrenoceptors on endothelial cells

Endothelial cells release a powerful factor (endothelium-derived relaxing factor [EDRF]) that relaxes smooth muscle cells in response to some vasodilating agents such as acetylcholine. Contraction curves to norepinephrine (NE) in greyhound, mongrel dog, and pig coronary artery rings were studied in vitro in the presence of propranolol. Removal of endothelium increased the sensitivity and maximum contraction in response to NE. In other experiments pig coronary rings were precontracted with a thromboxane mimetic U 46619 in the presence of propranolol. NE relaxed these arteries only if endothelium was present. Methoxamine was without effect but the relaxation response to NE was antagonized by phentolamine, idazoxan, and yohimbine, which suggests that there are alpha 2 adrenoceptors on endothelial cells that mediate the release of EDRF. Greyhound and mongrel dog large coronary arteries relaxed to NE only if prazosin was present, which suggests that alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation on the vascular smooth muscle can override the relaxation response to EDRF. Comparison of NE responses in carotid, mesenteric, renal, and femoral large arteries of the pig, greyhound, and mongrel dog indicate the nonuniformity of distribution of alpha 2 adrenoceptors on endothelium and alpha 1 and alpha 2 adrenoceptors on vascular smooth muscle. The integrity of the endothelium must now be considered in interpreting the vascular responses to alpha-adrenoceptor agonists.     

血管内皮舒张因子在氧自由基所致慢性缺氧大鼠肺内动...

The role of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) on the effect of oxygen-derived free radicals (generated by xanthine-xanthine oxidase system) on intrapulmonary arterial in chronic hypoxic rats was studied by a microbioassay method. Intrapulmonary artery rings with intact or denuded endothelium of hypoxic (5,000 m, 10 days) and normoxic rats were prepared for observation of oxygen-derived free radicals induced contraction. It was shown that oxygen-derived free radicals induced contractions of intrapulmonary arterial rings with intact endothelium were obviously augmented in hypoxic rats than in normoxic controls. The augmented responses could be further potentiated by the addition of EDRF inactivator reduced hemoglobin (RHb), but diminished or even abolished by applying superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD). However, no effect on denuded rings was observed when RHb or SOD was added. It is concluded that chronic hypoxia may attenuate the action of EDRF in the enhancement of the reactivity of intrapulmonary artery to oxygen-derived free radicals.     

SK&F 96365 inhibits histamine-induced formation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in human endothelial cells.

Formation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) strictly correlates with the intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) concentration. We now demonstrate that the histamine-induced rise in [Ca2+]i of human umbilical vein endothelial cells is mostly due to activation of a membrane current which allows Ca2+ entry. This membrane current is sensitive to the novel inhibitor of agonist-induced Ca2+ entry, SK&F 96365, which blocked the histamine-induced sustained rise in [Ca2+]i, as well as 45Ca2+ uptake and membrane currents. Inhibition of the above cellular responses to histamine was accompanied by a considerable reduction of EDRF formation and release. Thus biosynthesis and release of EDRF from human umbilical vein endothelial cells significantly depend on agonist-induced Ca2+ entry involving receptor-operated Ca(2+)-permeable channels which can be blocked by SK&F 96365.     

枸杞多糖对肾性高血压大鼠离体血管反应性的影响及其机制

本工作利用两肾一夹肾性高血压大鼠模型,观察枸杞多糖对高血压大鼠血压的影响以及离体主动脉环丙皮细胞在调节血管张力中的功能改变,探讨ＬＢＰ对高血压发生发展的影响及其机制。结果表明,ＬＢＰ可防止２Ｋ１Ｃ大鼠高血压的形成。离体主动脉环灌流表明ＲＨ组对苯肾上腺素的收缩反应明显高于对照组,去除内皮后组间差异消失．     

Stretch may enhance the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in rabbit aorta

The effect of vascular stretch on the release of EDRF was studied by measuring tissue cGMP levels of rabbit. Aortic rings of rabbit were quick-frozen in liquid nitrogen during varying resting tensions, and cGMP contents were determined by radio-immunoassay. The tissue cGMP levels significantly elevated with the increase in resting tension in endothelium-intact rings, but not in endothelium-denuded rings. Deprivation of extracellular calcium abolished the stretch-induced elevation of tissue cGMP levels in endothelium-intact segments. These stretch-induced endothelium dependent tissue cGMP elevations were unaffected by Ca2+ channel blockers, nicardipine and diltiazem. Data suggest that vascular stretch may release EDRF via mechanism dependent on extracellular calcium, but probably not through voltage-dependent calcium channel.     

Imbalance between endothelium-derived relaxing and contracting factors in mesenteric arteries from aged OLETF rats, a model of Type 2 diabetes

We investigated whether the balance between endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs) and endothelium-derived contracting factors (EDCFs) might be altered in mesenteric arteries from aged Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats (a Type 2 diabetic model) [vs. age-matched control Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats]. ACh-induced relaxation was impaired in the OLETF group, and a tendency for the relaxation to reverse at high ACh concentrations was observed in both groups. This tendency was abolished by indomethacin. Nitric oxide- and/or endothelium-derived hypolarizing factor-mediated relaxation and the protein expressions of phospho-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (Ser1177) and extracellular superoxide dismutase were also reduced in OLETF. An ACh-induced contraction was observed at higher ACh concentrations in the presence of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) but was greater in OLETF rats. This contraction in OLETF rats was reduced by cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors and by prostanoid-receptor antagonists. The ACh-induced productions of thromboxane A(2) and PGE(2) were greater in OLETF than LETO rats, as were the mesenteric artery COX-1 and COX-2 protein expressions. Moreover, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH) (membrane-permeant oxidant) induced a concentration-dependent contraction that was greater in OLETF rats. The t-BOOH-mediated contraction was increased both by L-NNA and by endothelium removal in LETO but not OLETF rats, suggesting that a negative modulatory role of the endothelium was lost in OLETF rats. These results suggest that an imbalance between EDRFs and EDCFs may be implicated in the endothelial dysfunction seen in aged OLETF mesenteric arteries, and may be attributable to increased oxidative stress.     

Release and properties of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from endothelial cells in culture

Cultured bovine endothelial cells were seeded onto the intimal surface of endothelium-denuded rings of canine coronary artery. These rings did not previously relax to acetylcholine, substance P, bradykinin, and A23187. After seeding, the same rings relaxed to bradykinin and A23187, but not to acetycholine or substance P. Indomethacin pretreatment did not affect these responses. Cells from the same source were then grown to confluence on microcarrier beads, poured into small columns, and perfused with Krebs' solution. The perfusate from the columns was bioassayed on endothelium-denuded rings of coronary artery from either the dog or pig. Challenge of the column in the presence of indomethacin with either bradykinin or A23187 as well as acetylcholine or substance P caused release of a substance that relaxed both types of artery. Its activity half-life was 6.4 +/- 0.4 sec at 37 degrees C and it was hydrophilic and negatively charged. Prostacyclin (PGI2) as a candidate for EDRF was ruled out because 1) indomethacin failed to block its release and 2) the pig coronary artery, although insensitive to PGI2, relaxed to the endothelium-derived substance. These results show that, in response to a number of dilator drugs, cultured endothelial cells release a vascular relaxing substance (EDRF) that has characteristics similar to the EDRF of normal endothelium. The chemical nature of EDRF awaits clarification.     

血管内皮舒张因子在氧自由基所致慢性缺氧大鼠肺内动脉收缩中的作用

以黄嘌岭(X)-黄嘌呤氧化酶(XO)系统产生氧自由基,应用微量生物测定法观察慢性缺氧(5000m,10d)对大鼠氧自由基所致肺内动脉收缩的影响及内皮舒张因子(EDRF)在其中的作用。慢性缺氧大鼠有内皮的肺内动脉环对氧自由基的收缩反应较正常环境中的对照动物明显增强,加入EDRF灭活剂还原型血红蛋白(RHb)后更加显著;而加入超氧化物歧化酶(铜锌SOD)后则减弱,甚至消除。反之,不论加入RHb或SOD对氧自由基所致去内皮肺内动脉环的收缩反应均无明显影响。上述结果表明慢性缺氧引起肺内动脉收缩增强与EDRF有密切关系:慢性缺氧可能使EDRF的作用减弱,肺内动脉对氧自由基的反应性增强。表示EDRF及其与氧自由基的关系在慢性缺氧性肺动脉高压的形成中可能具有十分重要的意义。     

低氧预处理对大鼠海马神经元缺氧耐受性和Jun基因表达的影响

目的 :观察低氧预处理对缺氧 复氧后大鼠海马神经元Jun表达的影响。方法 :取培养 12d的两组 (对照组和低氧预处理组 )神经元 ,同时置于缺氧环境 (0 .90L LN2 0 .10L LCO2 )中培养 4h后取出 ,置含 0 .10L LCO2 和空气的培养箱内复氧培养 2 4h和 72h ,于不同时间取出 ,观察神经元存活数 ,并用抗Jun抗血清进行免疫组织化学染色 ,观察Jun表达阳性和阴性神经元数目 ,计算Jun表达神经元所占百分率。结果 :经低氧预处理的海马神经元缺氧 复氧后Jun表达阳性神经元百分率较对照组明显减少 ,神经元存活数明显高于对照组。结论 :低氧预处理可使海马培养神经元对缺氧产生耐受 ,减少缺氧 复氧后神经元Jun的表达。提高神经元存活数     

Protection by acidotic pH against anoxia/reoxygenation injury to rat neonatal cardiac myocytes

We assessed the effect of acidosis on cell killing during anoxia and reoxygenation in cultured rat neonatal cardiac myocytes. After 4.5 hours of anoxia and glycolytic inhibition with 2-deoxyglucose, loss of viability was greater than 90% at pH 7.4. In contrast, at pH 6.2-7.0, viability was virtually unchanged. To model changes of pH and oxygenation during ischemia and reperfusion, myocytes were made anoxic at pH 6.2 for 4 hours, followed by reoxygenation at pH 7.4. Under these conditions, reoxygenation precipitated loss of viability to about half the cells. When pH was increased to 7.4 without reoxygenation, similar lethal injury occurred. No cell killing occurred after reoxygenation at pH 6.2. We conclude that acidosis protects against lethal anoxic injury, and that a rapid return from acidotic to physiologic pH contributes significantly to reperfusion injury to cardiac myocytes - a 'pH paradox'.     

Immunohistochemically demonstrated increase of prostaglandin F2-alpha in neurons after reoxygenation in anoxic rats

Immunohistochemical staining for prostaglandin F2-alpha (PG F2 alpha) was conducted to identify PG F2 alpha synthesizing or binding sites in anoxic rat brains. Anoxia was produced in 22 rats to lower the arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) to 21 +/- 4 mmHg by ventilation with a 95% nitrogen and 5% carbon dioxide gas mixture. In 8 animals anoxia was continued for 30 sec, and in 14 rats for 3 min. Prior to decapitation, 5 animals in the 30-sec anoxia group and 8 rats in the 3-min anoxia group were reoxygenated for 5 min, while the remaining 9 were not. Five-min reoxygenation returned the PaO2 to 106 +/- 7. Three non-reoxygenated and 3 reoxygenated rats, all pretreated with indomethacin, and 5 normal rats served as controls. The brains were snap-frozen. The cryosections were stained by the indirect immunofluorescence method. PG F2 alpha was noted mainly in pial vessels in all normal rats. All reoxygenated rats showed a positive reaction not only in blood vessels, but also in neurons, particularly hippocampal neurons and Purkinje cells. The staining of the above neurons was noted to be less in non-reoxygenated rats. The stronger staining was observed in rats reoxygenated after 3-min anoxia than 30-sec anoxia. The indomethacin-pretreated rats showed almost no increase in staining intensity. The above results indicate that reoxygenation after anoxia results in an increase of PG F2 alpha in neurons of both cerebrum and cerebellum.     

EDRF对PE引起的大鼠主动脉缩血管效应的作用

本文研究ＥＤＲＦ（ｅｎｄｏｔｈｅｌｉｕｍ－ｄｅｒｉｖｅｄｒｅｌａｘｉｎｇｆａｃｔｏｒ,ＥＤＲＦ）对ＰＥ（ｐｈｅｎｙｌｅｐｈｒｉｎｅ）引起的大鼠主动脉收缩反应的影响。内皮完整和去内皮的大鼠主动脉环悬挂于器官浴槽中,测定血管的张力和收缩速度的变化。所有的实验在消炎痛（ｉｎｄｏｍｅｔｈａｃｉｎ,１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）存在下进行。用美兰（ｍｅｔｈｙｌｅｎｅｂｌｕｅ,ＭＢ,１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）或左旋硝基精氨酸（ＮＧ－ｎｉｔｒｏ－Ｌ－ａｒｇｉｎｉｎｅ,Ｌ－ＮＮＡ,３０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）处理内皮完整的大鼠主动脉环,ＰＥ的剂量－收缩张力曲线明显左移,ＥＣ３０值均降低５倍,最大反应比率分别为１．６±０．４和１．６±０．５。在去内皮的大鼠主动脉环中,经ＭＢ和Ｌ－ＮＮＡ处理后,仍可见ＥＣ３０下降３倍,最大反应比率均为１．０±０．２。后者可能与血管平滑肌产生少量ＥＤＲＦ有关。我们的结果提示ＰＥ对血管的收缩反应也受血管内皮和平滑肌产生的ＥＤＲＦ的调控     

Modulation of stress proteins and apoptotic regulators in the anoxia tolerant turtle brain

Freshwater turtles survive prolonged anoxia and reoxygenation without overt brain damage by well-described physiological processes, but little work has been done to investigate the molecular changes associated with anoxic survival. We examined stress proteins and apoptotic regulators in the turtle during early (1 h) and long-term anoxia (4, 24 h) and reoxygenation. Western blot analyses showed changes within the first hour of anoxia; multiple stress proteins (Hsp72, Grp94, Hsp60, Hsp27, and HO-1) increased while apoptotic regulators (Bcl-2 and Bax) decreased. Levels of the ER stress protein Grp78 were unchanged. Stress proteins remained elevated in long-term anoxia while the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was unaltered. No changes in cleaved caspase 3 levels were observed during anoxia while apoptosis inducing factor increased significantly. Furthermore, we found no evidence for the anoxic translocation of Bax from the cytosol to mitochondria, nor movement of apoptosis inducing factor between the mitochondria and nucleus. Reoxygenation did not lead to further increases in stress proteins or apoptotic regulators except for HO-1. The apparent protection against cell damage was corroborated with immunohistochemistry, which indicated no overt damage in the turtle brain subjected to anoxia and reoxygenation. The results suggest that molecular adaptations enhance pro-survival mechanisms and suppress apoptotic pathways to confer anoxia tolerance in freshwater turtles.     

Effect of changes in pH on wall tension in isolated rat pulmonary artery: role of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway

Pulmonary arteries (PA) are resistant to the vasodilator effects of extracellular acidosis in systemic vessels; the mechanism underlying this difference between systemic and pulmonary circulations has not been elucidated. We hypothesized that RhoA/Rho-kinase-mediated Ca2+ sensitization pathway played a greater role in tension development in pulmonary than in systemic vascular smooth muscle and that this pathway was insensitive to acidosis. In arterial rings contracted with the alpha1-agonist phenylephrine (PE), the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 (< or =3 microM) induced greater relaxation in precontracted PA rings than in aortic rings. In PA rings stimulated by PE, the activation of RhoA was greater than in aorta. Normocapnic acidosis (NA) induced a smaller relaxation in precontracted PA than in aorta. However, in the presence of nifedipine and thapsigargin, when PE-induced contraction was predominantly mediated by Rho-kinase, the relaxant effect of NA was reduced and similar in both vessel types. Furthermore, in the presence of Y-27632, NA induced a greater relaxation in both PA and aorta, which was similar in both vessels. Finally, in alpha-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscle, PE-induced contraction at constant Ca2+ activity was inhibited by Y-27632 and unaffected by acidosis. These results indicate that Ca2+ sensitization induced by the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway played a greater role in agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction in PA than in aorta and that tension mediated by this pathway was insensitive to acidosis. The predominant role of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway in the pulmonary vasculature may account for the resistance of this circulation to the vasodilator effect of acidosis observed in the systemic circulation.     

Calpain inhibitors confer biochemical, but not electrophysiological, protection against anoxia in rat optic nerves

Calpains are ubiquitous Ca(2+)-activated neutral proteases that have been implicated in ischemic and traumatic CNS injury. Ischemia and trauma of central white matter are dependent on Ca2+ accumulation, and calpain overactivation likely plays a significant role in the pathogenesis. Adult rat optic nerves, representative central white matter tracts, were studied in an in vitro anoxic model. Functional recovery following 60 min of anoxia and reoxygenation was measured electrophysiologically. Calpain activation was assessed using western blots with antibodies against calpain-cleaved spectrin breakdown products. Sixty minutes of in vitro anoxia increased the amount of spectrin breakdown approximately 20-fold over control, with a further increase after reoxygenation to >70 times control, almost as much as 2 h of continuous anoxia. Blocking voltage-gated Na+ channels with tetrodotoxin or removing bath Ca2+ was highly neuroprotective electrophysiologically and resulted in a marked reduction of spectrin degradation. The membrane-permeable calpain inhibitors MDL 28,170 and calpain inhibitor-I (10-100 microM) were effective at reducing spectrin breakdown in anoxic and reoxygenated optic nerves, but no electrophysiological improvement was observed. We conclude that calpain activation is an important step in anoxic white matter injury, but inhibition of this Ca(2+)-dependent process in isolation does not improve functional outcome, probably because other deleterious Ca(2+)-activated pathways proceed unchecked.     

In vivo 31P-NMR studies of myocardial high energy phosphate metabolism during anoxia and recovery

31P NMR spectra of heart in-situ in live guinea pigs were obtained continuously in 20.5 s time blocks during 3 min of anoxia, during subsequent reoxygenation and, in separate animals, during terminal anoxia. Reversible anoxia resulted in rapid degradation of phosphocreatine (t 1/2 = 54.5 +/- 2.5 s) which recovered fully during reoxygenation. Heart Pi increased during anoxia and returned to basal levels after oxygen was restored. During 3 min of anoxia, no significant changes in ATP levels or pH were detected. The results demonstrate that it is feasible to measure rapid fluxes of high energy phosphates by 31P NMR in intact animals during and after anoxic stress to the myocardium.     

Intrinsic contractile properties of the crucian carp (Carassius carassius) heart during anoxic and acidotic stress

The crucian carp (Carassius carassius) seems unique among vertebrates in its ability to maintain cardiac performance during prolonged anoxia. We investigated whether this phenomenon arises in part from a myocardium tolerant to severe acidosis or because the anoxic crucian carp heart may not experience a severe extracellular acidosis due to the fish's ability to convert lactate to ethanol. Spontaneously contracting heart preparations from cold-acclimated (6-8°C) carp were exposed (at 6.5°C) to graded or ungraded levels of acidosis under normoxic or anoxic conditions and intrinsic contractile performance was assessed. Our results clearly show that the carp heart is tolerant of acidosis as long as oxygen is available. However, heart rate and contraction kinetics of anoxic hearts were severely impaired when extracellular pH was decreased below 7.4. Nevertheless, the crucian carp heart was capable of recovering intrinsic contractile performance upon reoxygenation regardless of the severity of the anoxic + acidotic insult. Finally, we show that increased adrenergic stimulation can ameliorate, to a degree, the negative effects of severe acidosis on the intrinsic contractile properties of the anoxic crucian carp heart. Combined, these findings indicate an avoidance of severe extracellular acidosis and adrenergic stimulation are two important factors protecting the intrinsic contractile properties of the crucian carp heart during prolonged anoxia, and thus likely facilitate the ability of the anoxic crucian carp to maintain cardiac pumping.