不同氧浓度下C2C12细胞的Nrf2抗氧化系统对H2O2刺激的反应*

目的:探讨不同氧浓度下小鼠骨骼肌卫星细胞系(C2C12细胞)对H₂O₂刺激反应的变化及其机制。方法:小鼠骨骼肌卫星细胞系(C2C12细胞),经培养复苏后,将细胞分为7组,每组设8个复孔,各组分别加入浓度为0.1 mmol/L、0.25 mmol/L、0.5 mmol/L、0.75 mmol/L、1 mmol/L、2 mmol/L的H₂O₂,分别作用1 h、2 h后测细胞活力,选择细胞H₂O₂刺激的最佳作用时间和浓度;C2C12细胞分为不同氧浓度组:21% O₂、12% O₂、8% O₂、5% O₂每组设8个复孔,12 h后,H₂O₂作用1 h,收集细胞;检测细胞Nrf2蛋白荧光和蛋白表达量,测定Nrf2和抗氧化酶SOD1、SOD2、CAT、NQO-1、HO-1、GPX-1 的mRNA表达量及细胞ROS水平。结果:选择H₂O₂作用时间相对较短的1 h和浓度0.5 mmol/L作为本实验的H₂O₂刺激条件。与21%O₂组相比,12%O₂组细胞Nrf2蛋白荧光增强,Nrf2 的mRNA和蛋白表达以及抗氧化酶SOD1、SOD2、CAT、NQO-1、HO-1、GPX-1的 mRNA表达均显著增加(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),细胞 ROS水平明显降低(P＜0.01);8%O₂组仅GPX-1 mRNA显著增加(P＜0.05),其他指标变化不大;5%O₂组细胞 Nrf2 mRNA和蛋白表达以及抗氧化酶SOD1、SOD2、NQO-1、GPX-1的 mRNA表达均明显降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),细胞 ROS水平则明显升高(P＜0.01)。结论:不同氧浓度下C2C12细胞中Nrf2介导的抗氧化系统对H₂O₂刺激反应不同,12 h的12% O₂浓度可促进C2C12细胞Nrf2的抗氧化作用,而5% O₂浓度的严重低氧则作用相反。     

NADPH氧化酶抑制剂apocynin对力竭运动大鼠运动性蛋白尿的影响

目的：研究NADPH氧化酶抑制剂apocynin对力竭运动大鼠运动性蛋白尿产生的影响及其机制。方法：32只SD雄性大鼠随机分为安静对照组（C组）、对照+药物组（CA组）、力竭运动组（E组）、力竭运动+药物组（EA组）。药物注射按10 mg/kg体重,每天一次,连续3 d,并在末次药物注射1 h后进行一次性跑台力竭运动。测定运动后尿UP、血液BUN水平、肾脏ROS浓度、NOS活性、NOS与3-NT蛋白含量。结果：结果显示,E组UP、肾脏ROS、iNOS含量及活性、3-NT明显升高,而EA组的这些指标与C组相比无显著性差异。结论：力竭运动可明显增加肾组织NADPH氧化酶活性,从而产生大量的ROS,后者可迅速地与由肾脏iNOS催化生成的NO反应,产生过量的ONOO^-,诱发运动性蛋白尿的生成。     

有氧运动对高糖高脂膳食大鼠腓肠肌Nrf2-SOD的影响*

目的: 探讨有氧运动预防大鼠胰岛素抵抗中Nrf2及SOD的变化。方法: 24只12月龄SD大鼠随机分为对照组(C)、高糖高脂IR组(IR)和高糖高脂IR并运动组(IRE)。IRE进行递增负荷跑台运动,运动6周。检测腓肠肌T-SOD、CAT、MDA、GSH/GSSG,ELISA法检测腓肠肌8-OHdG含量,Western blot检测腓肠肌Nrf2和GLUT4表达。结果: ①IRE组HOMA-IR明显低于IR组(P＜0.05);IRE组肌糖原明显高于IR组(P＜0.01);②IRE组T-SOD和CAT、GSH/GSSG明显高于IR组(P＜0.01);IRE组8-OHdG和MDA明显低于IR组(P＜0.01);③IRE组腓肠肌Nrf2和GLUT4明显高于IR组 (P＜0.01) 。结论: 有氧运动可激活大鼠腓肠肌Nrf2-SOD通路,提高抗氧化酶活性和糖摄取能力,预防IR发生。     

血必净注射液对缺氧/复氧大鼠心肌功能与结构的影响

目的：探讨不同剂量的血必净注射液对缺氧/复氧大鼠心肌功能的保护作用。方法：采用Langendorff方法制备大鼠离体心脏缺氧/复氧模型。130只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组（sham组）,缺氧/复氧组（H/R组）,低、中、高剂量血必净组（XBJ_L、XBJ_M、XBJ_H组）,除对照组外,其他四组按复氧不同时相（复氧0.5 h、1 h、2 h）又分别分为3个亚组（n=10）。对照组在平衡灌注20 min时纪录左室发展压（LVDP）、左心室发展压最大上升/下降速率（±dp/dt_max）、左心室内压（LVP）、心率（HR）的值, ELISA检测心肌中肌酸激酶同工酶（CK-MB）的浓度,光镜下观察心肌组织结构的改变;其余各组平衡灌注20 min后,灌注ThomasⅡ停搏液使心脏完全停搏30 min之后复灌K-H液使其心脏复跳,连续记录LVDP、±dp/dt_max、LVP、HR在复氧不同时间点的动态变化,ELISA检测各组复氧不同时间点心肌中CK-MB的浓度,光镜下观察各组复氧不同时间点心肌组织结构的改变。结果：与sham组相比,其余各组LVDP、±dp/dt_max、LVP值均降低（P<0.05）,心肌中CK-MB浓度上升（P<0.05）,心肌组织结构发生异常改变,随着复氧时间延长,以上指标异常变化逐渐加剧;在复氧0.5 h、1 h、2 h,各剂量血必净组LVDP、±dp/dt_max、LVP的值均高于H/R组对应时间点的值（P<0.05）,心肌中CK-MB浓度均低于H/R组,心肌组织结构异常变化减轻,以中剂量改善效果最佳（P<0.05）。结论：血必净注射液能够有效改善缺氧/复氧大鼠心肌的功能及形态学结构,以中剂量血必净（4 ml/100 ml）效果最佳。     

Nrf2/ARE通路介导右美托咪定减轻肢体缺血/再灌注损伤中的作用

目的：观察Nrf2/ARE通路在右美托咪定（DEX）预处理减轻大鼠肢体缺血/再灌注损伤中的作用。方法：28只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组（n=7）：假手术组（Sham组）、缺血再灌注组（I/R组）、I/R+右美托咪定预处理组（DEX组）、I/R+DEX+阿替美唑组（Atip组）。Atip组在麻醉后腹腔一次性给予Atip （250 μg/kg）和DEX （25 μg/kg）,Sham组和I/R组在麻醉后腹腔给予相应体积生理盐水,DEX组给予相应体积DEX和生理盐水,30 min后单侧股部切口,无创动脉夹夹闭股动脉,侧支循环用橡皮筋以恒定张力结扎,缺血3 h后去除动脉夹及橡皮筋,开放2 h后,取大鼠血清测乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肌酸激酶（CK）;取部分腓肠肌,测量丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）以及Western blot检测胞核核因子E2相关因子2（Nrf2）、胞浆HO-1蛋白;免疫组化检测胞核Nrf2、胞浆HO-1蛋白和光镜观察骨骼肌形态;同时切取少量腓肠肌进行湿干比检测。结果：与Sham组相比,I/R组湿干比、MDA、LDH、CK、Nrf2、HO-1蛋白表达明显升高（P<0.05）,SOD活性显著降低（P<0.05）;与I/R组相比,DEX组湿干比、MDA、LDH、CK明显降低（P<0.05）,SOD、Nrf2、HO-1蛋白表达显著增多（P<0.05）;与DEX组相比,Atip恰能扭转DEX的这种作用,Atip组各指标与DEX组有显著差异（P<0.05）。结论：Nrf2蛋白存在于大鼠的骨骼肌中并且DEX可以通过α2受体上调核内Nrf2水平,使Nrf2下游的HO-1保护蛋白增多,起到抗氧化的作用。     

有氧运动对高脂膳食小鼠心肌损伤中Nrf2/GPX4/Ferroptosis通路的作用*

目的: 探讨核因子E2相关因子2(Nrf 2)激活谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶4(GPX4)抑制铁死亡(Ferroptosis)的通路在有氧运动预防高脂膳食小鼠心肌损伤中的保护作用。方法: 40只5周龄SPF 级C57BL/6雄性小鼠随机分为安静对照组(NC)、运动组(NE)、高脂组(HC)和高脂+运动组(HE,高脂与跑台运动同时开始),每组10只。高脂膳食采用60% Kcal SPF级高脂模型饲料喂养,自由进食。有氧运动采用递增负荷跑台运动,每周5 d,60 min/d,速度从13 m/min开始,每两周速度递增1 m/min。14周后取心肌和血液。HE染色观察心肌组织结构变化。Western blot 检测心肌Nrf2/GPX4/ Ferroptosis相关蛋白表达。分光光度法测定心肌过氧化物浓度和抗氧化酶活性。ELISA法检测心肌线粒体8-OHdG和血清胰岛素水平。结果: 与对照组相比,高脂组的心肌纤维间隙脂质集聚增加,FBG和FINS显著增加,而ISI显著下降(P＜0.01);与高脂组相比,高脂运动组的心肌纤维间隙脂质集聚减少, T-AOC、T-SOD、GSH活性显著增强,心肌线粒体8-OHdG和心肌铁含量降低(P＜0.01),FPN1、FTH1、GPX4、GLUT1和细胞核内Nrf2显著升高(P＜0.01)。结论: 有氧运动可促进小鼠心肌Nrf2转位入核增强GPX4表达,抑制心肌Ferroptosis发生,同时促进心肌抗氧化酶活性,抑制心肌线粒体过氧化损伤。     

抗逆转录病毒药对孕育期雌鼠心血管影响*

目的: 评价抗逆转录病毒药对孕育期雌性大鼠心血管功能及某些生化指标的影响。方法: SD大鼠9周龄雌鼠19只、10周龄雄鼠6只,9只/10只雌鼠与3只雄鼠合1笼,共2笼,分为正常对照组(CON)、高效抗逆转录病毒治疗组(HARRT)。其中CON组雌性大鼠每天早、晚生理盐水 (10 ml/kg)灌胃,HARRT组雌性大鼠灌等容积抗逆转录病毒药(AZT 31.25 mg/kg +3TC 15.63 mg/kg +LPV/r (41.67/10.42) mg/kg),连续3个月。记录雌性大鼠体重、存活情况;检测超声心动图,多导生理记录仪检测动脉血压、心脏血流动力学参数;相应试剂盒检测血糖、血脂四项、心肌酶及肝酶;Masson染色及透射电镜分别观察心肌胶原纤维和心肌细胞超微结构。结果: CON组雌性大鼠均存活(9/9),HARRT组雌性大鼠存活6只(6/10);与CON组比较,HAART组雌性大鼠体重减少(P＜ 0.01);LVDd、IVST、LVPWT、LAD增加(P＜0.05);动脉舒张压增加(P＜0.05)、LVP +dP/dt_max减少(P＜0.01);TG减少、Glu增加(P＜0.05)、CK减少(P＜0.01)、GOT减少(P＜0.05);心肌组织胶原纤维增多,心肌细胞超微结构异常。结论: 抗逆转录病毒药可导致孕育期雌性大鼠心血管病变。     

薯蓣皂苷对大鼠心肌收缩与钠-钙交换体的影响

目的：观察薯蓣皂苷（Dio）对大鼠心肌收缩作用以及胞内Ca²⁺浓度的影响,并初步探讨其作用机制与Na⁺-Ca²⁺交换体（NCX）的关系。方法：采用Langendorff逆行主动脉灌流法对大鼠离体心脏进行灌流,利用压力感受器插管法测定左心室相关心功能参数,记录及其在应用NCX选择性抑制剂SEA0400情况下对左心室收缩压（LVSP）、左心室舒张末期压（LVEDP）、左心室内压最大上升/下降速率（±dp/dt_max）以及心率（HR）的影响;利用激光共聚焦显微观察薯蓣皂苷及SEA0400对大鼠心肌细胞H9c2细胞内Ca²⁺浓度的影响。结果：离体心脏灌流结果显示,1 μmol/L Dio可显著增加LVSP,增加约19.7%（P<0.01）;增加左室内压最大上升速率（+dp/dt_max）,增加约9.6%;激光共聚焦测定Ca²⁺荧光强度实验结果显示：1 μmol/L Dio可使H9c2细胞中Ca²⁺相对荧光强度增加（P<0.01）;而在SEA0400存在的情况下,1 μmol/L的Dio使细胞内Ca²⁺相对荧光强度变为（17.09±0.63）,给予Dio后差异有显著性（P<0.01）。在细胞液中无Ca²⁺或无Na⁺时,给予1 μmol/L的Dio使Ca²⁺相对荧光强度减小,与给予1 μmol/L的Dio差异有显著性（P<0.01）。结论：Dio可增加左心室收缩压和最大上升速率,表现正性肌力作用;Dio可使细胞内Ca²⁺浓度增加,其作用机制与增加Na⁺内流,促进NCX反向转运有关。     

筋骨草提取物抗运动疲劳的作用

目的：探讨筋骨草的抗运动性疲劳作用。方法：将120只雄性昆明种小鼠随机平均分成安静组、运动组、阳性对照组和筋骨草低、中、高剂量组（n=10）。其中低、中、高剂量组小鼠分别按100 mg/kg、200 mg/kg、400 mg/kg体重连续灌胃筋骨草提取物30 d,阳性对照组小鼠按200 mg/kg体重灌胃西洋参胶囊颗粒,安静组和运动组小鼠以等体积生理盐水灌胃。动物试验结束后,分析各组小鼠运动力竭时间、血清生理生化指标（包括血乳酸、血尿素氮、血糖、总胆固醇、甘油三酯含量）、肝糖原与肌糖原含量,以及股四头肌、肝脏和心脏组织的抗氧化指标（包括谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶和丙二醛）。结果：中、高剂量组小鼠的运动力竭时间、红细胞数量、血红蛋白含量、血糖浓度、肝糖原与肌糖原含量,以及器官组织中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活力均明显高于运动对照组,而血清乳酸含量、血清尿素氮、血清甘油三酯与总胆固醇含量,以及器官组织中丙二醛含量明显低于运动对照组,中剂量的筋骨草提取物的作用效果优于同剂量的西洋参胶囊颗粒。结论：筋骨草通过提高机体的抗氧化功能而达到抗运动性疲劳作用。     

杜仲多糖改善运动疲劳的研究

目的：评价杜仲多糖（EUP）抗运动性疲劳的效果。方法：40只昆明小鼠建立一个5周的小鼠游泳模型,将小鼠分为运动对照组、蔗糖对照组、高剂量EUP组和低剂量EUP组（n=10）,服药采取灌胃的方式。训练期结束后,测定各组小鼠的体重变化与游泳力竭时间、力竭游泳后动物的血糖浓度、血乳酸（BLA）浓度、血尿素氮（BUN）浓度、肌酸激酶（CK）活性、肝糖原、肌糖原含量变化。结果：EUP高剂量与低剂量组小鼠较对照组体重增加明显,E UP高剂量游泳力竭时间显著延长（P<0.05）、血清CK活性和BUN含量显著下降（P <0.05）,但血糖、肝肌糖原以及BLA的水平变化不明显。结论：EUP具有抗运动性疲劳的作用,其机理与其调节机体糖代谢、节约蛋白质有关。     

法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导大鼠心肌肥厚的干预作用及其机制

目的：研究法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导大鼠心肌肥厚的影响及其机制。方法：除正常对照组外,其它SD大鼠均皮下注射异丙肾上腺素（Iso,5 mg/kg）建立心肌肥厚模型。大鼠随机分为4组：正常对照组、Iso模型组、法舒地尔低剂量组（Fas,5 mg/kg,i.p）和法舒地尔高剂量组（Fas,20 mg/kg,i.p）,连续给药8周。给药结束后,血流动力学检测大鼠心率（HR）、左心室收缩压（LVSP）、左心室末舒张压（LVEDP）和左室压力变化最大速率（±dp/dt_max）;分别测定大鼠体重（BW）,心脏重量（HW）,并计算HW/BW;大鼠心肌HE、Masson染色观察组织病理学改变;免疫组化法观察大鼠心肌组织ERK1、ERK2蛋白表达,RT-PCR观察ERK1、ERK2 mRNA的表达。结果：Iso模型组HR和LVEDP明显升高,LVSP和±dp/dt_max明显下降;HW/BW增大;心肌细胞体积变大,排列紊乱,胶原纤维增生;左心室组织ERK1、ERK2蛋白与mRNA表达上调。法舒地尔不同剂量干预后,心脏收缩和舒张能力得到改善,心指数明显下降,心肌细胞体积变小,纤维化减少,ERK1/2 mRNA表达下调,心肌组织损害均得到不同程度改善。结论：ERK1/2信号通路活化参与了异丙肾上腺素诱导的心肌肥厚,法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导的心肌肥厚具有明显改善作用,这可能与法舒地尔阻断ERK1、ERK2通路活化有关。     

人参皂苷Rg2对异丙肾上腺素诱导的大鼠心室重构的保护作用

目的：探讨人参皂苷Rg2对异丙肾上腺素诱导的心室重构模型大鼠的保护作用。方法：将60只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组、心室重构模型组、人参皂苷Rg2（20、40、80 mg/kg）组和普萘洛尔（propranolol,15 mg/kg）组,n=10。采用多点皮下注射异丙肾上腺素85 mg/（kg·d）,连续7 d,建立大鼠心室重构模型;对照组皮下注射等体积的生理盐水。此后按分组灌胃给药,每天1次,连续给药6 w后,使用八道生理记录仪测定血流动力学参数,并测定心脏重量和左心室重构指数。结果：与对照组相比,注射异丙肾上腺素后第7周时模型组大鼠颈动脉收缩压、舒张压、平均动脉压、心率、LVSP、+dp/dt_max、-dp/dt_max显著降低（P<0.01）;而HW/BW和LVW/BW、LVDP显著升高（P<0.01）。与模型组相比,人参皂苷Rg2低、中、高剂量组和普萘洛尔组大鼠颈动脉收缩压、舒张压、平均动脉压、心率、LVSP、+dp/dt_max、-dp/dt_max显著升高（P<0.05,P<0.01）;LVDP显著降低（P<0.01）,而人参皂苷Rg2中、高剂量组和普萘洛尔组大鼠HW/BW和LVW/BW显著降低（P<0.01）。与普萘洛尔组相比,人参皂苷Rg2低剂量组收缩压、舒张压、平均动脉压显著降低（P<0.05,P<0.01）;人参皂苷Rg2低剂量组LVDP和高剂量组LVSP和+dp/dt_max显著升高（P<0.05,P<0.01）。结论：人参皂苷Rg2对异丙肾上腺素所致的心室重构模型大鼠具有改善作用。     

Disruption of protein kinase A interaction with A-kinase-anchoring proteins in the heart in vivo: effects on cardiac contractility, protein kinase A phosphorylation, and troponin I proteolysis

Protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation is regulated by targeting of PKA to its substrate as a result of binding of regulatory subunit, R, to A-kinase-anchoring proteins (AKAPs). We investigated the effects of disrupting PKA targeting to AKAPs in the heart by expressing the 24-amino acid regulatory subunit RII-binding peptide, Ht31, its inactive analog, Ht31P, or enhanced green fluorescent protein by adenoviral gene transfer into rat hearts in vivo. Ht31 expression resulted in loss of the striated staining pattern of type II PKA (RII), indicating loss of PKA from binding sites on endogenous AKAPs. In the absence of isoproterenol stimulation, Ht31-expressing hearts had decreased +dP/dtmax and -dP/dtmin but no change in left ventricular ejection fraction or stroke volume and decreased end diastolic pressure versus controls. This suggests that cardiac output is unchanged despite decreased +dP/dt and -dP/dt. There was also no difference in PKA phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), phospholamban, or ryanodine receptor (RyR2). Upon isoproterenol infusion, +dP/dtmax and -dP/dtmin did not differ between Ht31 hearts and controls. At higher doses of isoproterenol, left ventricular ejection fraction and stroke volume increased versus isoproterenol-stimulated controls. This occurred in the context of decreased PKA phosphorylation of cTnI, RyR2, and phospholamban versus controls. We previously showed that expression of N-terminal-cleaved cTnI (cTnI-ND) in transgenic mice improves cardiac function. Increased cTnI N-terminal truncation was also observed in Ht31-expressing hearts versus controls. Increased cTnI-ND may help compensate for reduced PKA phosphorylation as occurs in heart failure.     

Decreased left ventricular function, myocarditis, and coronary arteriolar medial thickening following monocrotaline administration in adult rats.

Decreased right as well as left ventricular function can be associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Numerous investigations have examined cardiac function following induction of pulmonary hypertension with monocrotaline (MCT) assuming that MCT has no direct cardiac effect. We tested this assumption by examining left ventricular function and histology of isolated and perfused hearts from MCT-treated rats. Experiments were performed on 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats [348 +/- 6 g (SD)]. Thirty-seven rats received MCT (50 mg/kg sc; MCT group) while the remainder did not (Control group). Three weeks later, pulmonary artery pressure was assessed echocardiographically in 20 MCT and 8 Control rats. The hearts were then excised and perfused in the constant pressure Langendorff mode to determine peak left ventricular pressure (LVP), the peak instantaneous rate of pressure increase (+dP/dtmax) and decrease (-dP/dtmax), as well as the rate pressure product (RPP). Histological sections were subsequently examined. Pulmonary artery pressure was higher in the MCT-treated group compared with the Control group [12.9 +/- 6 vs. 51 +/- 35.3 mmHg (P < 0.01)]. Left ventricular systolic function and diastolic relaxation were decreased in the MCT group compared with the Control group (+dP/dtmax 4,178 +/- 388 vs. 2,801 +/- 503 mmHg/s, LVP 115 +/- 11 vs. 83 +/- 14 mmHg, RPP 33,688 +/- 1,910 vs. 23,541 +/- 3,858 beats x min(-1) x mmHg(-1), -dP/dtmax -3,036 +/- 247 vs. -2,091 +/- 389 mmHg/s; P < 0.0001). The impairment of cardiac function was associated with myocarditis and coronary arteriolar medial thickening. Similarly depressed ventricular function and inflammatory infiltration was seen in 12 rats 7 days after MCT administration. Our findings appear unrelated to the degree of PH and indicate a direct cardiotoxic effect of MCT.     

Short-term exercise improves myocardial tolerance to in vivo ischemia-reperfusion in the rat.

These experiments examined the independent effects of short-term exercise and heat stress on myocardial responses during in vivo ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Female Sprague-Dawley rats (4 mo old) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups: 1) control, 2) 3 consecutive days of treadmill exercise [60 min/day at 60-70% maximal O2 uptake (VO2 max)], 3) 5 consecutive days of treadmill exercise (60 min/day at 60-70% VO2 max), and 4) whole body heat stress (15 min at 42 degrees C). Twenty-four hours after heat stress or exercise, animals were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated, and the chest was opened by thoracotomy. Coronary occlusion was maintained for 30-min followed by a 30-min period of reperfusion. Compared with control, both heat-stressed animals and exercised animals (3 and 5 days) maintained higher (P < 0.05) left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), maximum rate of left ventricular pressure development (+dP/dt), and maximum rate of left ventricular pressure decline (-dP/dt) at all measurement periods during both ischemia and reperfusion. No differences existed between heat-stressed and exercise groups in LVDP, +dP/dt, and -dP/dt at any time during ischemia or reperfusion. Both heat stress and exercise resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in the relative levels of left ventricular heat shock protein 72 (HSP72). Furthermore, exercise (3 and 5 days) increased (P < 0.05) myocardial glutathione levels and manganese superoxide dismutase activity. These data indicate that 3-5 consecutive days of exercise improves myocardial contractile performance during in vivo I/R and that this exercise-induced myocardial protection is associated with an increase in both myocardial HSP72 and cardiac antioxidant defenses.     

Gender differences in the cardiac response to dietary conjugated linoleic acid isomers

The present study was undertaken to assess the heart function, by the in vivo catheterization technique, of healthy male and female Sprague-Dawley rats fed different conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers, (cis-9, trans-11 (c9,t11) and trans-10, cis-12 (t10,c12)) individually and in combination (50:50 mix as triglyceride or fatty acids) from 4 to 20 weeks of age. Whereas the triglyceride form of the CLA isomer mix lowered the heart rate, the rate of contraction (+dP/dt) and rate of relaxation (-dP/dt), systolic and diastolic pressures, mean arterial pressure, and the left ventricular systolic pressure were higher in male rats as compared with all the other dietary groups. In contrast, there were no significant effects in the cardiac function of the female rats in response to the CLA isomer mix in triglyceride form. Whereas the heart rate, +dP/dt, and left ventricular systolic pressure were lower in male rats fed the t10,c12 CLA isomer alone, the heart rate of the female rats was higher, but the systolic pressure, +dP/dt, and mean arterial pressure were lower compared with the control group. Also, the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was specifically higher in the female rats in response to free fatty acids-containing CLA mix. Furthermore, an additive effect of the free fatty acids-containing CLA mix was seen in the +dP/dt and -dP/dt of female rats compared with the control group. These results indicate that CLA isomers exert differential effects on heart function and suggest the need for a complete evaluation of the benefits, interactions, and potential side effects of each isomer.     

Comparison of exercise effects on the hemodynamics of the Bio 14.6 cardiomyopathic hamster.

1. Comparisons of the effects of 4 and 16 weeks of exercise were made on; cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate, left intraventricular systolic and diastolic pressures, dP/dt, and heart calcium in the Bio 14.6 cardiomyopathic and F1 B hamsters. 2. In the cardiomyopathic hamster the cardiac output, stroke volume, left intraventricular systolic pressure and dP/dt, which were all depressed in the age related sedentary animals, were increased by both periods of exercise. The left intraventricular diastolic pressure which was elevated was likewise decreased by both exercise periods. Only the 16 week exercise period decreased the resting heart rate. 3. In the normal F1 B hamster, both periods of exercise increased the cardiac output and stroke volume while the left intraventricular systolic pressure was decreased. Only the 16 week exercise decreased the resting heart rate and left intraventricular diastolic pressure and increased the left ventricular dP/dt. 4. Both periods of exercise increased the total heart calcium in the Bio 14.6 hamster while the heart calcium in the F1 B was increased only by the 16 week exercise period.