Human thrombocytes are able to induce a myocardial dysfunction in the ischemic and reperfused guinea pig heart mediated by free radicals-role of the GPIIb/IIIa-blocker tirofiban

In recent studies, we could demonstrate a myocardial dysfunction induced by homologous platelets in ischemic and reperfused guinea pig hearts. Aim of the current study was to find out whether or not this is a phenomenon specific for platelets isolated from guinea pigs and to further examine the mechanisms of a possible cardiodepressive effect of human platelets. Isolated guinea pig hearts were exposed to a 30 min low-flow ischemia (1 ml/min) and reperfused. Human thrombocytes were administered as bolus (20.000 thrombocytes/microl perfusion buffer) in the 15(th) min of ischemia or in the 1(st) or 5(th) min of reperfusion in the presence of thrombin. Recovery of external heart work (REHW) and intracoronary platelet retention (RET) were quantified in percent. In additional experiments, the GPIIb/IIIa-blocker tirofiban (10 microg/ml perfusion buffer) or the radical scavenger superoxide dismutase (SOD-10 U/ml perfusion buffer) were added. Platelet application in the absence of tirofiban, either during ischemia (REHW 75.4 +/- 4%, RET 22.2 +/- 2%) or the 1st min (REHW 71.6 +/- 1%, RET 31.2 +/- 2%) or the 5th min of reperfusion (REHW 63.2 +/- 4%, RET 40.5 +/- 1%) led to a significant reduction of REHW and a significant increase of RET. The coapplication of tirofiban, on the other hand, prevented RET at all three times of platelet application (1.1 +/- 1.7%, 0% or 2.1 +/- 1.2%, respectively). An improvement of REHW, however, could only be noticed during ischemia (89 +/- 2%), whereas coapplication of tirofiban in early (72.9 +/- 3%) or in late reperfusion (74.6 +/- 2%) did not lead to a significant increase of REHW. Coapplication of SOD, on the other hand, significantly improved REHW in early (88.1 +/- 1) or late (95.9 +/- 1) reperfusion but not during ischemia (83.5 +/- 2). Corresponding to REHW, RET was changed significantly by coapplication of SOD during early (1 +/- 2%) or late (0%) reperfusion but not during ischemia (21.1 +/- 4%). We conclude that human thrombocytes are able to induce a myocardial dysfunction in ischemic and reperfused guinea pig hearts mediated by reactive oxygen species and independent of intracoronary platelet adhesion.     

Modification of reperfusion-induced ionic imbalance by free radical scavengers in spontaneously hypertensive rat retina

We studied the effects of free radical scavengers, superoxide dismutase (SOD), vitamin E, and EGB 761, on ion shifts (Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺) induced by ischemia reperfusion in rat retina obtained from spontaneously hypertensive rats. Eyes were subjected to 90 min of retinal ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Two basic protocols were used: (1) chronic application, in which rats received SOD (7500, 15,000, and 30,000 U/kg, i.v.), vitamin E (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, i.v.), and EGB 671 (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, orally) for 10 d, respectively; and (2) acute administration, in which 7500, 15,000, and 30,000 U/kg of SOD, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of vitamin E, and 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of EGB 761 were administered after an ischemic episode, at the onset of reperfusion, respectively. In the drug-free control group, 90 min ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion resulted in an accumulation of retinal sodium and calcium from their nonischemic control values of 76 ± 4 and 3.2 ± 0.1 μmol/g dry weight to 112 ± 6 (p < .001) and 6.2 (p < .001) μmol/g dry weight, respectively. Tissue potassium loss was also observed in this model of retinal ischemia reperfusion, and after 90 min ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion potassium content was significantly reduced from its nonischemic control value of 266 ± 5 to 207 ± 6 (p < .001) μmol/g dry weight. The chronic administration of SOD, vitamin E, and EGB 761 dose dependently reduced the reperfusion-induced ionic imbalance and improved the recovery of retinal ion contents. When these drugs were administered at the onset of reperfusion (acute administration), SOD and EGB 761 still significantly improved the recovery of retinal ion contents, but vitamin E failed to protect the ischemic reperfused retina. Our results indicate that the elimination of oxygen free radicals by free radicals scavengers may reduce the reperfusion-induced ionic imbalance and improve the ionic homeostasis in the injured retinal cells obtained from spontaneously hypertensive rats.     

Lack of the effect of superoxide dismutase and catalase on Na+,K+-ATPase activity in stunned rabbit hearts

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the mechanism of postischemic contractile dysfunction, known as myocardial stunning. In this study, we examined protective effects of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, against ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac dysfunction and inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity. Isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts were subjected to 15 min of global normothermic ischemia followed by 10 min reperfusion. The hearts treated with SOD plus catalase did not show significant recovery of left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure compared with untreated ischemic reperfused hearts. Treatment with antioxidants had no protective effects on developed LV pressure or its maximal positive and negative first derivatives (+/-LVdP/dt). Myocardial stunning was accompanied by significant loss in sarcolemmal Na+,K+-ATPase activity and thiol group content. Inhibition of enzyme activity and oxidation of SH groups were not prevented by antioxidant enzymes. These results suggest that administration of SOD and catalase in perfusate do not protect significantly against cardiac dysfunction in stunned rabbit myocardium.     

The effect of inosine on the post ischemic heart as bio-energy recovering factor in 31P-MRS

Perfused guinea-pig hearts, which were analyzed by 31P-MRS, were subjected to 30 and 60 minute ischemia and reperfused using two perfusates, one containing 200 microM inosine, and the other without inosine. After 4 hour reperfusion with inosine, ATP levels increased to 95.5% of preischemic value (30 minute ischemia) and 76.2% (60 minute ischemia). However, after 4 hour reperfusion without inosine, ATP levels increased only to 72.2% (30 minute ischemia) and to 48.2% (60 minute ischemia). In 60 minute ischemic hearts reperfused with inosine, left ventricular maximal positive dp/dt (LV dp/dt) was improved significantly to 82.4% after 6 hour reperfusion in contrast to hearts reperfused without inosine (43.1%). Administration of inosine was very useful for increasing myocardial gross energy product and improving cardiac performance.     

Lipid Peroxidation, Tissue Necrosis, and Metabolic and Mechanical Recovery of Isolated Reperfused Rat Heart as a Function of Increasing Ischemia

Isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts, after 30 min of preperfusion, were submitted to increasing times of global normothermic ischemia (1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 min) or to the same times of ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Analysis of malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid, oxypurines, nucleosides, nicotinic coen-zymes and high-energy phosphates was carried out by HPLC on neutralized perchloric acid extracts of freeze-clamped tissues. In addition, maximum rate of intra-ventricular pressure development and cardiac output of malondialdehyde, lactate dehydrogenase, oxypurines and nucleosides were monitored during both preperfusion and reperfusion. Besides decreasing energy metabolites and nicotinic coenzyme pool, prolonged ischemia produced oxidation of significant amounts of hypoxanthine and xanthine to uric acid and generation of detectable levels of malondialdehyde (0.002 μmollg dry weight). After oxygen and substrate readmission, tissue and perfusate malondialdehyde increased only if previous ischemia was longer than 5 min, while lactate dehydrogenase was detected in perfusate of reperfused hearts following 10, 20, and 30 min of ischemia. Highest values of tissue malondialdehyde and total malondialdehyde output were recorded in reperfused hearts subjected to 30 min of ischemia (0.043 μmol/g dry weight and 0.069 μmol/ 30 min/g dry weight, respectively). Since tissue malondialdehyde was observed without detectable lactate dehydrogenase release in perfusate, it might be stated that malondialdehyde generation (i.e., lipid peroxidation) temporally preceded lactate dehydrogenase release (i.e., tissue necrosis). In reperfused hearts, evaluation of myocardial energy state and of mechanical recovery allowed us to determine times of ischemia beyond which reperfusion did not positively affect these metabolic and functional parameters. Main findings are that, under these experimental conditions, lipid peroxidation might be the cause and not the consequence of tissue necrosis and that duration of ischemia might be the factor deciding effectiveness of reperfusion.     

Ischemic preconditioning and superoxide dismutase protect against endothelial dysfunction and endothelium glycocalyx disruption in the postischemic guinea-pig hearts

The effect of ischemic preconditioning and superoxide dismutase (SOD) on endothelial glycocalyx and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the postischemic isolated guinea-pig hearts was examined. Seven groups of hearts were used: group 1 underwent sham aerobic perfusion; group 2 was subjected to 40 min global ischemia without reperfusion; group 3, 40 min ischemia followed by 40 min reperfusion; group 4 was preconditioned with three cycles of 5 min global ischemia followed by 5 min of reperfusion (IPC), prior to 40 min ischemia; group 5 was subjected to IPC prior to standard ischemia/reperfusion; group 6 underwent standard ischemia/reperfusion and SOD infusion (150 U/ml) was begun 5 min before 40 min ischemia and continued during the initial 5 min of the reperfusion period; group 7 was subjected to 80 min aerobic perfusion with NO-synthase inhibitor, L-NAME, to produce a model of endothelial dysfunction independent from the ischemia/reperfusion. Coronary flow responses to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were used as measures of endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vascular function, respectively. Reduction in coronary flow caused by NO-synthase inhibitor, L-NAME, served as a measure of a basal endothelium-dependent vasodilator tone. After completion of each experimental protocol, the hearts were stained with ruthenium red or lanthanum chloride for electron microscopy evaluation of the endothelial glycocalyx. While ischemia led only to a slightly flocculent appearance of the glycocalyx, in ischemia/reperfused hearts the glycocalyx was disrupted, suggesting that it is the reperfusion injury which leads to the glycocalyx injury. Moreover, the coronary flow responses to ACh and L-NAME were impaired, while the responses to SNP were unchanged in the ischemia/reperfused hearts. The disruption of the glycocalyx and the deterioration of ACh and L-NAME responses was prevented by IPC. In addition, the alterations in the glycocalyx and the impairment of ACh responses were prevented by SOD. The glycocalyx appeared to be not changed in the hearts subjected to 80 min aerobic perfusion with L-NAME. In conclusion: (1) the impairment of the endothelium-dependent coronary vasodilation is paralleled by the endothelial glycocalyx disruption in the postischemic guinea-pig hearts; (2) both these changes are prevented by SOD, suggesting the role of free radicals in the mechanism of their development; (3) both changes are prevented by IPC. We hypothesize, therefore, that alterations in the glycocalyx contribute to the mechanism of the endothelial dysfunction in the postischemic hearts.     

The effect of superoxide dismutase and catalase on metabolism of 3H-arachidonic acid by washed platelets

Previous experiments have suggested that superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) may inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. The purpose of this study was to determine if these free radical scavengers can alter the metabolism of free arachidonic acid (AA) by the cyclooxygenasse and lipoxygenase enzyme systems in platelets. In control experiments washed platelets were incubated with ³H-AA for 5 minutes, extracted and the products separated by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). In normal intact platelets 13.5 ± 0.6% of the radioactivity was found in TxB₂, 16.3 ± 1.4% in HHT, 61.3 ± 1.1% in 12-HETE and 9.0 ± 1.0% was unconverted AA. Pre-incubating the platelets for 1 minute with 10 μg/ml SOD or CAT or 10 μg/ml SOD plus 10 μg/ml CAT did not inhibit AA conversion or alter the percent product distribution. Similarly, SOD and CAT had no effect on AA metabolism in broken cells. However, as expected, pretreating platelets with indomethaoin blocked TxB₂,and HHT formation (P <.0001). We conclude that SOD and CAT do not inhibit cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase metabolism of free AA in platelets.     

Improved Human Sperm Recovery Using Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase Supplementation in Semen Cryopreservation Procedure

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of ROS scavenger supplementation in human semen samples undergoing cryopreservation procedures.After screening out andrological pathologies, we selected 25 male partners of infertile couples with the following semen profile: volume >/= 2.0 ml, normal viscosity, sperm count >/=20 x 10(6)/ml, straight progressive motility (classes 1 and 2) >/= 40% (Mazzilli, Rossi, Delfino and Nofroni (1999) Andrologia 31: 187-194), atypical forms 相似文献   

O2 delivery and redox state are determinants of compartment-specific reactive O2 species in myocardial reperfusion

Reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium leads to a burst of reactive O(2) species (ROS), which is a primary determinant of postischemic myocardial dysfunction. We tested the hypothesis that early O(2) delivery and the cellular redox state modulate the initial myocardial ROS production at reperfusion. Isolated buffer-perfused rat hearts were loaded with the fluorophores dihydrofluorescein or Amplex red to detect intracellular and extracellular ROS formation using surface fluorometry at the left ventricular wall. Hearts were made globally ischemic for 20 min and then reperfused with either 95% or 20% O(2)-saturated perfusate. The same protocol was repeated in hearts loaded with dihydrofluorescein and perfused with either 20 or 5 mM glucose-buffered solution to determine relative changes in NADH and FAD. Myocardial O(2) delivery during the first 5 min of reperfusion was 84.7 +/- 4.2 ml O(2)/min with 20% O(2)-saturated buffer and 354.4 +/- 22.8 ml O(2)/min with 95% O(2) (n = 8/group, P < 0.001). The fluorescein signal (intracellular ROS) was significantly increased in hearts reperfused with 95% O(2) compared with 20% O(2). However, the resorufin signal (extracellular ROS) was significantly increased with 20% O(2) compared with 95% O(2) during reperfusion. Perfusion of hearts with 20 mM glucose reduced the (.)NADH during ischemia (P < 0.001) and the (.)ROS at reperfusion (P < 0.001) compared with 5.5 mM-perfused glucose hearts. In conclusion, initial O(2) delivery to the ischemic myocardium modulates a compartment-specific ROS response at reperfusion such that high O(2) delivery promotes intracellular ROS and low O(2) delivery promotes extracellular ROS. The redox state that develops during ischemia appears to be an important precursor for reperfusion ROS production.     

Effects of recombinant human extracellular-superoxide dismutase type C on myocardial reperfusion injury in isolated cold-arrested rat hearts.

The efficacy of recombinant human extracellular-superoxide dismutase type C (EC-SOD C) on myocardial reperfusion injury was explored in hypothermically arrested rat hearts, as was its site of action. Forty isolated working rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion. The hearts were arrested by the administration of 10 mL of cold perfusate at the onset of ischemia. At the same time, they were randomly assigned to one of five groups; A: cold perfusate only; B: cold perfusate + EC-SOD C 10.4 mg/L (30,000 U/L); C: cold perfusate+bovine CuZn-SOD 7.5 mg/L (30,000 U/L); D: cold perfusate + EC-SOD C 10.4 mg/L + heparin 50,000U/L; E: cold perfusate + heparin 50,000 U/L. Heparin was given to prevent binding of EC-SOD C to endothelial cell surfaces. Left ventricular function was studied before ischemia and at the end of reperfusion. Percent recovery of maximal left ventricular dP/dt after reperfusion was more pronounced in group B (109 +/- 24%; p less than .05) than in groups A (42 +/- 40%), C (47 +/- 36%), D (44 +/- 33%) and E (58 +/- 25%). Likewise, percent recovery of the double product (heart rate x systolic left ventricular pressure) was better in group B (104 +/- 18%; p less than .05) than in the other groups (A: 47 +/- 37%, C: 49 +/- 36%, D: 50 +/- 35%, E: 69 +/- 31%). Compared to the preischemic level, creatine kinase increased significantly in the coronary effluent after reperfusion in groups A, C, D, and E, but not in group B. The results suggest that EC-SOD C, which attaches to the endothelial cell surfaces, might be particularly effective as protection against myocardial reperfusion injury when given together with cardioplegic solution.     

Oxygen-Derived Free Radicals Mediate Liver Damage in Rats Subjected to Tourniquet Shock

The placement of rubber band tourniquets upon rat hind-limbs for 5 h followed by reperfusion of the extremities results in a severe form of circulatory shock characterized by hypotension and death within 24 h of tourniquet release. Oxidative damage to muscle tissue is an early consequence of hind-limb reperfusion on tourniquet release, yet this local damage does not explain the lethal hypotensive shock state which evolves within the next 24 h. Multiple system organ failure (MSOF), of as of yet unknown causes, is usually described in relation to several shock states. It has been suggested that injured or necrotic tissue may activate neutrophils, platelets, and the coagulation system leading to embolization in remote tissues. Effective decreases in hepatic blood flow have been observed in several forms of sepsis which precedes the biochemical evidence consistent with an ischemic insult of the liver. In support of our original hypothesis, that organ failure has its genesis in a primary perfusion abnormality with secondary ischemic organ injury, herein we have assessed the possibility that oxygen-derived free radicals are generated in the liver of rats after reperfusion of their hind-limbs on release of the tourniquets. We report on the protective effects of allopurinol (ALLO) and a mixture of superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalase (CAT) and dimethylfulfoxide (DMSO) on liver free sulfhydryl content (SH), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and on the release of aspartic acid (AsT) and alanine aminotransferase (AIT) activities, and of alkaline phosphatase during a 5 h tourniquet period and after 2 h of reperfusion of the hind-limbs. During the hind-limb ischemic period hepatis tissue SH levels remained essentially constant during the first hour (6.02 ± 0.36 to 5.65 ± 0.20 μmoles/g wet tissue), and decreased significantly, over and above the normal circadian decrease of liver glutathione levels, to 4.02 ± 0.69 μmoles/g wet tissue after the third hour and remained lowered until tourniquet release. A further significant decrease (3.11 ± 0.49 μmoles/g wet tissue) was observed after 2h of reperfusion. TBARS production remained constant during the 5 h hind-limb ischemic period (168.4 ± 37.3 μmoles/g wet tissue) and rose by 55+ to 261.7 ± 55.8 μmoles/g wet tissue after 2 h of tourniquet release. ALLO, but not the SOD-CAT-DMSO combination, protected hepatic SH loss during the hind-limb ischemic insult, yet both offered protection after 2 h of tournoquet release. With regard to TBARS production, ALLO and the SOD-CAT-DMSO mixture had no effect on basal levels during the ischemic period, but both significantly reduced liver TBARS production after the two hour reperfusion period of hind limb reperfusion. Plasma AsT levels rose 8-fold from 99.4 ± 7.2 to 193 ± 17.0 U/L after the 5-hour tourniquet period, and to 844.8 ± 75.1 U/L two hours after hind-limb reperfusion. The plasma levels of AsT were significantly lower in both the ALLO and SOD-CAT-DMSO pre-treated animals. This was not the case with plasma AIT levels which increased 3-fold during the reperfusion period, but which could not be protected with these same pre-treatment protocols. Alkaline phosphatase plasma levels increased 2-fold during the same period. It is concluded that oxidative stress to the liver, as a result of himd-limb ischemia followed by reperfusion, is partly responsible for the MSOF which leads to circulatory derangements and death of rats subjected to this tourniquet shock model.     

Myocardial contractile function during postischemic low-flow reperfusion: critical thresholds of NADH and O2 delivery

The degree of myocardial oxygen delivery (Do2) that is necessary to reestablish functional contractile activity after short-term global ischemia in heart is not known. To determine the relationship between Do2 and recovery of contractile and metabolic functions, we used tissue NADH fluorometric changes to characterize adequacy of reperfusion flow. Isolated perfused rat hearts were subjected to global ischemia and were reperfused at variable flow rates that ranged from 1 to 100% of baseline flow. Myocardial function and tissue NADH changes were continuously measured. NADH fluorescence rapidly increased and plateaued during ischemia. A strong inverse logarithmic correlation between NADH fluorescence and reperfusion Do2 was demonstrated (r = -0.952). Left ventricular function (rate-pressure product) was inversely related to NADH fluorescence at reperfusion flows from 25 to 100% of baseline (r = -0.922) but not at lower reperfusion flow levels. An apparent reperfusion threshold of 25% of baseline Do2 was necessary to resume contractile function. At very low reperfusion flows (1% of baseline), another threshold flow was identified at which NADH levels increased beyond that observed during global ischemia (3.4 +/- 3.0%, means +/- SE, n = 9), which suggests further reduction of the cellular redox state. This NADH increase at 1% of baseline reperfusion flow was blocked by removing glucose from the perfusate. NADH fluorescence is a sensitive indicator of myocardial cellular oxygen utilization over a wide range of reperfusion Do2 values. Although oxygen is utilized at very low flow rates, as indicated by changes in NADH, a critical threshold of approximately 25% of baseline Do2 is necessary to restore contractile function after short-term global ischemia.     

The relative contribution of glucose and fatty acids to ATP production in hearts reperfused following ischemia

High levels of fatty acids decrease the extent of mechanical recovery of hearts reperfused following a transient period of severe ischemia. Glucose oxidation rates during reperfusion are low under these conditions, which can result in a decreased recovery of mechanical function. Stimulation of glucose oxidation with the carnitine palmitoyl transferase I inhibitor, Etomoxir, or by directly stimulating pyruvate dehydrogenase activity with dichloroacetate (DCA) results in an improvement in mechanical function during reperfusion of previously ischemic hearts. Addition of DCA (1 mM) to hearts perfused with 11 mM glucose and 1.2 mM palmitate results in an increase in contribution of glucose oxidation to overall ATP production from 6 to 23%, with a parallel decrease in that of fatty acid oxidation from 90 to 69%. In aerobic hearts, endogenous myocardial triglycerides are an important source of fatty acids for -oxidation. Using hearts in which the myocardial triglycerides were pre-labeled, the contribution of both endogenous and exogenous fatty acid oxidation to myocardial ATP production was determined in hearts perfused with 11 mM glucose, 1.2 mM palmitate and 500 µU/ml insulin. In hearts reperfused following a 30 min period of global no flow ischemia, 91.9% of ATP production was derived from endogenous and exogenous fatty acid oxidation, compared to 87.7% in aerobic hearts. This demonstrates that fatty acid oxidation quickly recovers following a transient period of severe ischemia. Furthermore, therapy aimed at overcoming fatty acid inhibition of glucose oxidation during reperfusion of ischemic hearts appears to be beneficial to recovery of mechanical function.     

Effects of oxidative stress on the expression of antioxidative defense enzymes in spontaneously hypertensive rat hearts

Little is known concerning the effect of oxidative stress on the expression of antioxidative enzymes in the decompensated cardiac hypertrophy of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), considered as a model of dilative cardiomyopathy in man. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were characterized in isolated perfused hearts of 18 month old SHR and the age-matched normotensive control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, before and after 30 min infusion of 25 microM H(2)O(2). After infusion of H(2)O(2), aortic flow decreased in WKY from 26.2 +/- 2.2 to 16.0 +/- 0.8 ml/min (p <.05) but not in SHR (18.2 +/- 1.9 vs. 20.7 +/- 2.2 ml/min). This protection was related to the higher myocardial activities of GPx, MnSOD and CuZnSOD in SHR, compared with those of the WKY group. Although total SOD activity in the SHR fell after H(2)O(2) exposure (to 1.81 +/- 0.13 from 3.56 +/- 0.49 U/mg of protein), catalase activity increased (to 2.46 +/- 0.34 from 1.56 +/- 0.29 k min(-1)mg(-1)protein), compared with the pre-infusion period (p <.05 in each case). In additional studies, hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion. The results obtained in ischemic/reperfused hearts show the same changes in enzyme activities measured as it was observed in H(2)O(2) perfused hearts, indicating that oxidative stress is independent of the way it was induced. The higher catalase activity derived from elevated mRNA synthesis. The antioxidative system in dilative cardiomyopathic hearts of SHR is induced, probably due to episodes of oxidative stress, during the process of decompensation. This conditioning of the antioxidative potential may help overcome acute stress situations caused by reactive oxygen species in the failing myocardium.     

Effects of reactive oxygen metabolites on norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction

Aortic rings, 4 mm in length, were obtained from rats and placed on isometric force transducers in oxygenated Krebs buffer. Following a period of stabilization, the cumulative dose response relationship to norepinephrine was assessed. The vessels were washed and allowed to return to baseline in Krebs buffer containing xanthine (0.5 mM). Xanthine oxidase (0.1 U/ml) was then added to the bath and vessels incubated for 30 min. The vessels were resuspended in Krebs buffer and cumulative dose-response curves to norepinephrine reevaluated. The results indicate that generation of reactive oxygen metabolites by xanthine/xanthine oxidase decreases the pD₂ from 7.80 ± 0.04 to 7.40 ± 0.09 with the endothelium intact. Removal of the endothelium did not attenuate the contractile dysfunction, indicating that endothelial-derived metabolites were not mediating the loss of vasoconstrictor effectiveness. Maximal tension development did not differ between normal and oxidized vessel rings. Introduction of oxypurinol (0.2 mg/ml) to the bath prevented the loss of constrictor responsiveness, thereby confirming that all of the oxidants were derived from the xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction. Superoxide dismutase (200 U/ml) partially prevented the loss of norepinephrine responsiveness produced by xanthine oxidase-derived radicals. The pD₂ in the SOD + xanthine/xanthine oxidase-treated vessels rings (7.19 ± 0.11) was significantly lower tan control vessel rings (7.49 ± 0.04) and significantly higher than xanthine/xanthine oxidase-treated vessels (6.89 ± 0.06). Catalase (1000 U/ml) also partially attenuated the loss of vascular norepinephrine responsiveness. The pD₂ for the catalase + xanthine/xanthine oxidase-treated vessels (7.15 ± 0.02) was significantly lower than control vessels (7.39 ± 0.07)and significantly higher than the xanthine/xanthine oxidase-treated vessels (6.82 ± 0.11). The pD₂ of vessels treated with a combination of SOD and catalase (7.40 ± 0.10) did not differ from control vessels (7.49 ± 0.12). The results of this study indicate that reactive species produced by the interaction of xanthine with xanthine oxidase depress norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction. The loss of vasoconstrictor responsiveness appears to involve both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide.     

Effect of ACE inhibitor captopril and L-arginine on the metabolism and on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the isolated rat heart

We investigated the effects of in vivo treatment with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) captopril and/or of in vitro administration of L-arginine on the metabolism and ischemia-reperfusion injury of the isolated perfused rat myocardium. Captopril (50 mg/l in drinking water, 4 weeks) raised the myocardial content of glycogen. After 25-min global ischemia, captopril treatment, compared with the controls, resulted in lower rates of lactate dehydrogenase release during reperfusion (8.58 +/- 1.12 vs. 13.39 +/- 1.88 U/heart/30 min, p<0.05), lower myocardial lactate contents (11.34 +/- 0.93 vs. 21.22 +/- 4.28 micromol/g d.w., p<0.05) and higher coronary flow recovery (by 25%), and prevented the decrease of NO release into the perfusate during reperfusion. In control hearts L-arginine added to the perfusate (1 mmol/l) 10 min before ischemia had no effect on the parameters evaluated under our experimental conditions, presumably because of sufficient saturation of the myocardium with L-arginine. In the hearts of captopril-treated rats, L-arginine further increased NO production during reperfusion and the cGMP content before ischemia. Our results have shown that long-term captopril treatment increases the energy potential and has a beneficial effect on tolerance of the isolated heart to ischemia. L-arginine added into the perfusate potentiates the effect of captopril on the NO signaling pathway.     

Endothelial protection from reperfusion injury by ischemic preconditioning and diazoxide involves a SOD-like anti-O2- mechanism.

Cardiac ischemia/reperfusion leads to coronary endothelial dysfunction, mediated by superoxide anion (O2-), but not hydroxyl radical (*OH). Ischemic preconditioning and mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium channel opener (diazoxide) protect endothelium in the mechanism involving attenuation of O2- burst at reperfusion. We hypothesize that the endothelial protection involves upregulation of myocardial anty-O2- defense. Langendorff-perfused guinea-pig hearts were subjected to global ischemia/reperfusion (IR) or were preconditioned prior to IR with three cycles of ischemia/reperfusion (IPC) or infusion/washout of 0.5 microM diazoxide. Coronary flow responses to acetylcholine were measures of endothelium-dependent vascular function. Myocardial outflow of O2- and of *OH during reperfusion and myocardial activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were measured. IR impaired acetylcholine response and augmented cardiac O2- and *OH outflow. IPC, diazoxide, and SOD (150 IU/ml) attenuated O2- outflow, increased *OH outflow and protected endothelium. There were no differences in Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD and catalase activities between sham-perfused and IR hearts and only catalase activity was increased in the IPC hearts. We speculate that: (i) IPC and diazoxide endothelial protection involves activation of some SOD-like anti-O2- mechanism resulting in attenuation of O2- burst and increase in *OH burst, (ii) improved SOD activity might have not been detected because it was confined to a small, although functionally important, enzyme fraction, like that bound to the endothelial glycocalyx.     

Effect of superoxide dismutase and catalase on myocardial energy metabolism during ischemia and reperfusion

Survival of cardiac patients undergoing heart surgery depends critically upon the recovery of myocardial energy metabolism during reperfusion of ischemic myocardium. The present study compares various parameters of myocardial energy metabolism using an isolated in situ pig heart. The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was occluded for 60 min, followed by 60 min of global hypothermic cardioplegic arrest and 60 min of reperfusion. Free radical scavengers [superoxide dismutase SOD and catalase] were used to protect the ischemic heart from reperfusion injury. In both control and SOD plus catalase-treated groups, ATP, creatine phosphate (CP), ATP/ADP ratio, energy charge and phosphorylation potential dropped significantly during ischemic insult. After reperfusion, CP, ATP/ADP ratio and phosphorylation potential improved significantly, but they were restored to control level only in treated animals. In either case, free energy of ATP hydrolysis (delta G) lowered only by 5% during ischemia, but recovered promptly upon reperfusion. SOD and catalase also improved coronary blood flow and reduced creatine kinase release compared to those of untreated animals, suggesting improved myocardial recovery upon reperfusion. Our results suggest that SOD and catalase significantly improve the myocardial recovery during reperfusion by enhancing rephosphorylation steps, and the value of delta G is more critical compared to those of ATP and CP for myocardial recovery.     

Superoxide Dismutase Therapy for Myocardial Ischemia

Oxygen derived free radicals have been shown to be generated during reperfusion of ischemic myocardium by a variety of approaches including spin trap probes. Three levels of injury have been described for the reperfused heart. Periods of ischemia of only several minutes can trigger lethal arrhythmias on reperfusion. Anti-oxidants including SOD and or catalase, as well as iron chelators reduce the incidence of these arrhythmias in both dog and rat. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors arc equipotent with SOD in this model suggesting that xanthine oxidase is the source of the radicals. Periods of occlusion lasting 10–15 minutes produce a recoverable defect in contractility termed “stunning”. SOD plus catalase has been shown to reduce the incidence of stunning in a variety of models including the xanthine oxidase deficient rabbit. Neither agent on its own seemed to be effective against stunning in either the rabbit or the dog. Stunning is more difficult to demonstrate in the rabbit heart, presumably due to its lack of xanthine oxidase. Periods of ischemia in excess of 20 minutes will result in some irreversible cell death (infarction) with reperfusion. While studies using histochemical methods suggested that SOD plus Catalase given at the time of reper-fusion could limit necrosis in the dog model, histological studies reveal that infarct size was not modified but rather, SOD appears to interfere with the ability of tetrazoliurn to histochemically discriminate between living and dead cells. While PEG SOD with its extended plasma half life was reported to reduce infarct size in the dog. it was unable to protect the reprefused rabbit heart. To date. none of the scavengers have been proven to limit infarction suggesting that free radicals contribute to arrythmias and stunning, but do not. kill cells in the reperfused heart.     

The role of C-reactive protein in ischemia/reperfusion injury and preconditioning in a rat model of myocardial infarction

For the first time the involvement of C-Reactive protein (CRP) in early (acute) and delayed ischemic (IPC) and pharmacological (chemical) preconditioning (CPC) in an in vivo model of rat myocardial infarction was presented. Acute IPC was produced by three 5 minute occlusion (ischemia) periods interspersed with 5 minute reperfusion, followed by 30 minute occlusion of the left coronary artery and 2 hour reperfusion injury. Acute CPC was produced by a k-opioid receptor agonist U50488H (5 mg/kg) applied i.v. 15 minutes before 30 minute ischemia/ 2 hour reperfusion. Delayed preconditioning was produced by 30 minute ischemia/ 2 hour reperfusion, induced 24 hour after either ischemic or pharmacological preconditioning. The myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury was evaluated on the basis of total and cardiac creatine kinase isoenzyme activity, functional recovery of the heart (ECG), infarct size (% IS/RA) and mortality at the end of the experiments. The results obtained showed that: k-opioid receptor agonist U50488H mimics both the acute and delayed IPC in the above experimental protocol; Both acute IPC and most probably CPC act by opening of K(ATP) channels (the effects were blocked by nonspecific ATP-sensitive K channel blocker glybenclamide), and via activation of protein kinase C (a selective protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine blocked the efects); C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly elevated by 54% in non-preconditioned acute ischemia/reperfusion injury. The elevation was more pronounced (82% increase) 24 hour after non-preconditioned ischemia/reperfusion injury. It reflected very well the increase in cardiac isoenzymes, infarct size and mortality of the rats, and can be used as a marker of the severity of myocardial injury in this model; The increase of CRP was prevented by both IPC and CPC in early, and especially in late preconditioning. This confirms the involvement of CRP as a marker in cardiac ischemic/reperfusion injury. It was concluded that in addition to the established involvement of adenosine, bradykinin, opioid and other receptors, a suppression of myocardial CRP/complement production might be involved in the biological mechanism of preconditioning. This could be a promising perspective in clinical interventions against ischemia/reperfusion injuries of the heart.