Dilazep dihydrochloride prolongs the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning in rabbits

Recent studies have indicated the key role of adenosine receptor activation as a trigger for ischemic preconditioning (PC). Hence, the augmentation of endogenous adenosine may potentiate the cardioprotective effects of PC. In this study. we aimed to test the hypothesis that dilazep dihydrochloride, an adenosine transport inhibitor, potentiates the PC effect. Protocol 1: Infarcts were produced in open-chest anesthetized rabbits by 30-min occlusion of a coronary artery and 2 days' reperfusion. PC was elicited by a preceding 5-min occlusion and either 5, 40, or 120 min of reperfusion. PC with the 5-min reperfusion markedly limited the infarct size after the 30-min ischemia (infarct size to area at risk (IS): 10%+/-3% vs 41%+/-3%, P < 0.05). PC was not protective when the reperfusion periods were 40 or 120 min (IS: 47%+/-5% and 44%+/-3%. P = not significant (NS) vs control, respectively). However, concomitant treatment with dilazep (0.2mg/kg) preserved the PC effect in the 40-min reperfusion group (18%+/-5%, P < 0.05 vs control) but not in the 120-min reperfusion group (43%+/-4%, P = NS vs control). Protocol 2: Infarct was produced in a similar rabbit model by either a 45- or 50-min occlusion of a coronary artery and 2 days of reperfusion. PC was elicited by a preceding 5-min occlusion and a 5-min reperfusion. PC was protective in the 45-min occlusion group (30%+/-7% vs 67%+/-3%, P < 0.05) but not in the 50-min occlusion group (74%+/-4% vs 79%+/-5%, P = NS). Treatment with dilazep (0.2mg/kg) failed to retrieve protection in this preconditioned group (77%+/-6%, P = NS vs 50-min occlusion group without PC). Thus, dilazep prolonged the infarct size-limiting effect of PC, but failed to retrieve protection in the group with a longer sustained ischemia.

Reversal of angiogenesis in vitro, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of AKT phosphorylation in endothelial cells by thromboxane A(2)

Thromboxane A(2) (TxA(2)) causes platelet aggregation, vasoconstriction, and inhibition of endothelial cell (EC) migration and prevents vascular tube formation via its specific receptors (TP), of which there are two isoforms (TPalpha and TPbeta), both expressed in human ECs. In this study, we demonstrate that the TxA(2) mimetic IBOP increases apoptosis of human ECs and inhibits the phosphorylation of Akt kinase, an intracellular mediator required for cell survival. Treatment with IBOP destroyed EC networks formed on a basement membrane matrix in vitro. To distinguish the role of the TP isoforms, each isoform was expressed in TP-null ECs to create TPalpha and TPbeta ECs. IBOP induced apoptosis and inhibited phosphorylation of Akt kinase in both TPalpha and TPbeta. IBOP increased cAMP levels in TPalpha but not in TPbeta. Apoptosis induced by IBOP in TPalpha was not affected by either the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin or the protein kinase A inhibitor 14-22 amide or H-89, whereas that in TPbeta was suppressed by forskolin and enhanced by the protein kinase A inhibitor 14-22 amide or H-89, suggesting that the TP isoforms differ in their signal pathways in mediating apoptosis. In conclusion, apoptosis may be the mechanism by which TxA(2)-mediated destruction of vascular structures in ECs occurs; although both TP isoforms induce apoptosis, possibly via inhibiting Akt phosphorylation, the signaling differs in each isoform, in that activation of the adenylyl cyclase pathway prevents apoptosis caused by TPbeta, but not by TPalpha, stimulation.

A novel hydroxyl radical scavenger, nicaraven, protects the liver from warm ischemia and reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND

Reactive oxygen species have been considered to be involved in liver injury at the procurement, preservation, and transplantation from donors without beating hearts. A novel hydroxyl radical scavenger, nicaraven with hydrophilic and lipophilic properties, infiltrates both intracellular and extracellular spaces where it effectively scavenges reactive oxygen species. Protection by nicaraven against ischemia and reperfusion damage of the brain, heart, and kidneys has been shown. The effect of this agent on the liver remains unclear.

METHODS

Two-hour total hepatic vascular exclusion was used. Eighteen beagle dogs were randomly assigned to 2 groups: 12 animals were not treated (group I) and 6 were treated with nicaraven (group II). Nicaraven was administered intravenously (2mg/kg/min) for 60 minutes before ischemia and for 3 hours, starting 30 minutes before reperfusion.

RESULTS

Two-week survival rates were 25% in group I and 100% in group II (P <.01). Nicaraven inhibited lipid peroxidation in the liver, improved hepatic and systemic hemodynamics and energy metabolism, and suppressed liver enzyme release, endothelin-1 elevation in hepatic venous blood, histologic damage, and neutrophil infiltration into the liver.

CONCLUSIONS

Nicaraven exerted hepatic protection against warm ischemia and reperfusion injury. This may indicate nicaraven as a potential candidate to attenuate liver injury from warm ischemia and preservation in transplantation from donors without beating hearts.

Nitric oxide inhibition improved myocardial metabolism independent of tissue perfusion during ischemia but not during reperfusion

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the important regulators of cardiac metabolism and function as well as of tissue perfusion. Myocardial NO formation is increased during ischemia and reperfusion. We investigated the roles of endogenous NO in myocardial metabolism during ischemia and reperfusion independent of tissue perfusion changes. In an open-chest pig model, a bolus infusion of 20 mg/kg of N(G)-nitro l -arginine methyl ester (l -NAME), a NO synthase inhibitor, did not alter the regional myocardial perfusion compared with a control saline injection, as measured by colored microsphares. Using(31)P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we showed that the tissue levels of pH and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) but not those of creatine phosphate were significantly preserved in the l -NAME group compared with the placebo group during the subsequent 15-min regional ischemia. Thus, l -NAME reduced myocardial ATP utilization during ischemia, and the mechanism underlying these effects is independent of tissue perfusion changes. However, l -NAME did not accelerate the recovery of ATP levels following reperfusion, suggesting distinct roles of endogenous NO during reperfusion.

Inhibition of endothelial cell migration, intercellular communication, and vascular tube formation by thromboxane A(2)

The eicosanoid thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) is released by activated platelets, monocytes, and the vessel wall and interacts with high affinity receptors expressed in several tissues including endothelium. Whether TXA(2) might alter endothelial migration and tube formation, two determinants of angiogenesis, is unknown. Thus, we investigated the effect of the TXA(2) mimetic [1S-(1alpha, 2beta(5Z),3alpha(1E,3R), 4alpha]-7-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-(4'-iodophenoxy)-1-butenyl)-7-o xab icyclo- [2.2.1]heptan-2-yl]-5'-heptenoic acid (IBOP) on human endothelial cell (HEC) migration and angiogenesis in vitro. IBOP stimulation inhibited HEC migration by 50% and in vitro capillary formation by 75%. These effects of IBOP were time- and concentration-dependent with an IC(50) of 25 nM. IBOP did not affect integrin expression or cytoskeletal morphology of HEC. Since gap junction-mediated intercellular communication increases in migrating HEC, we determined whether IBOP might inhibit coupling or connexin expression in HEC. IBOP reduced the passage of microinjected dyes between HEC by 50%, and the effects of IBOP on migration and tube formation were mimicked by the gap junction inhibitor 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (1 microM) with a similar time course and efficacy. IBOP (24 h) did not affect the expression or phosphorylation of connexin 43 in whole HEC lysates. Immunohistologic examination of HEC suggested that IBOP may impair functional coupling by altering the cellular distribution of gap junctions, leading to increased connexin 43 internalization. Thus, this finding that TXA(2) mimetics can prevent HEC migration and tube formation, possibly by impairing intercellular communication, suggests that antagonizing TXA(2) signaling might enhance vascularization of ischemic tissue.

Downregulation of protein kinase cdelta activity enhances endothelial cell adaptation to hypoxia

BACKGROUND

Although protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in ischemic cell death, the role of individual PKC isoenzymes in the response of endothelial cells (ECs) to hypoxia is unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To test the effect of hypoxia on the activity of individual PKC isoenzymes, human ECs were exposed to 95% N(2) with 5% CO(2) for 24 hours. This severe hypoxia reduced PKCdelta specific activity in both human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) and a HUVEC-derived EC line (ECVs) significantly (80.5+/-5.7% and 55.5+/-8. 6% of normoxia controls, respectively); the activities of PKCalpha and PKCepsilon were unchanged. The protein levels of PKCalpha, PKCdelta, and PKCepsilon were unchanged by hypoxia. To determine whether PKCdelta downregulation by hypoxia was linked to EC function, ECVs in which PKCdelta was stably overexpressed (PKCdelta-ECs) were exposed to hypoxia. A significant increase in cell death was observed in PKCdelta-ECs compared with controls (5.8+/-0.6% versus 2. 3+/-0.4% at 24 hours, 13.2+/-1.2% versus 4.1+/-0.4% at 48 hours, P<0. 05) during hypoxia. Neither the DNA laddering assay nor TUNEL staining revealed an increase in apoptosis of PKCdelta-ECs exposed to hypoxia, suggesting a hypoxia-induced increase in nonapoptotic cell death of PKCdelta-ECs. Inhibition of NO synthase with N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) affected neither the decline in PKCdelta activity nor the EC death induced by hypoxia.

CONCLUSIONS

PKCdelta activity is decreased by hypoxia by a mechanism that does not involve NO synthase; this downregulation appears to enhance EC survival during hypoxia by decreasing nonapoptotic cell death.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-induced endothelial cell migration and proliferation depend on a nitric oxide-mediated decrease in protein kinase Cdelta activity

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes angiogenesis and endothelial cell (EC) migration and proliferation by affecting intracellular mediators, only some of which are known, distal to its receptors. Protein kinase C (PKC) participates in the function of VEGF, but the role of individual PKC isoenzymes is unknown. In this study, we tested the importance of the activity of specific PKC isoenzymes in human EC migration and proliferation in response to VEGF. PKCdelta specific activity was depressed by the addition of VEGF (by 41+/-8% [P<0.05] at 24 hours) in human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) and in a HUVEC-derived EC line, ECV, without changing the total amount of either protein or mRNA encoding PKCdelta. Neither basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) nor serum altered PKCdelta specific activity. The VEGF-induced decrease of PKCdelta activity, which began at 8 hours after stimulation, was strongly blocked by pretreatment with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine in HUVECs; NO release peaked within 2 hours after stimulation. An exogenous NO donor, sodium nitroprusside, also decreased PKCdelta activity. The inhibition by N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine of VEGF-induced HUVEC migration and proliferation, but not that induced by FGF-2 or serum, suggested that the decrease in PKCdelta via NO pathway is required for VEGF-induced EC migration and proliferation. Overexpression of PKCdelta in ECV cells specifically prevented EC response to VEGF but not to FGF-2 or serum. Thus, we conclude that suppression of PKCdelta activity via a NO synthase mechanism is required for VEGF-induced EC migration and proliferation, but not for that induced by FGF-2 or serum.

Blockade of ATP-sensitive K+ channels attenuates preconditioning effect on myocardial metabolism in swine: myocardial metabolism and ATP-sensitive K+ channels

OBJECTIVE

We investigated if blockade of ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP) abolishes the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning (IP) on myocardial metabolism and ischemia-induced reactive hyperemia (RH) in pigs.

METHODS

IP was elicited by a single cycle of 5 min occlusion and 5 min reperfusion of coronary artery, followed by 15 min of test ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion. Vehicle or the ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP) blocker, glibenclamide (3 or 6 mg/kg; G3 or G6) was administered before IP (groups; IP, G3+IP, G6+IP). As respective controls, the same treatment was performed in groups without IP (groups; C, G3, G6). Tissue levels of ATP, creatine phosphate (CP) and intracellular pH (pHi) in the area at risk were measured by 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RH after 5 min of preconditioning ischemia was assessed by regional myocardial blood flow.

RESULTS

ATP and pHi were preserved after 15 min of ischemia in the IP group [C/IP; ATP=57+/-4/76+/-10% of baseline, pHi=6.18+/-0.08/6.66+/-0.03, P<0.05, C vs. IP]. Both doses of glibenclamide completely abolished the ATP sparing effect of IP. The high dose completely abolished pHi preservation (G6+IP=6.33+/-0.06), while the low dose showed only a partial effect (G3+IP=6.48+/-0.03). Glibenclamide did not adversely affect myocardial metabolism in groups without IP. Glibenclamide attenuated RH after 5 min of ischemia by 30% in both subendocardium and subepicardium.

CONCLUSIONS

Blockade of KATP abolished the preconditioning effect on myocardial metabolism, and partially attenuated post-ischemic reactive hyperemia in pigs. These results indicate that KATP activation might be involved in the mechanisms of these phenomena, reactive hyperemia is not sufficient to induce IP protection.

Expression of heat shock protein after ischemic preconditioning in rabbit hearts

Previous studies have shown that preconditioning (PC) with a brief ischemic episode induces heat shock protein (HSP) in cardiac tissue. However, it is unclear when and where in the left ventricle HSP is expressed after PC. Hence, the expression of HSP was studied in rabbit hearts at various time intervals after PC using immunohistochemical methods. Rabbits were preconditioned four times with 5 min of occlusion and 5 min of reperfusion of the coronary artery and then were killed at 0, 3, 24, 48, 72 and 168 h after the PC (n=4, for each time interval). Samples were obtained from the subendocardium and subepicardium of the preconditioned and nonpreconditioned wall and these were processed to 4 microm thick cryosections. The sections were immunolabelled with mouse monoclonal IgGs against HSP 72/73. Positive immunoreactivity was observed as early as 3 h after PC, persisting up to 72 h but not detected at 168 h. HSP was expressed not only in the preconditioned myocardium but also in the remote nonpreconditioned myocardium. There was a wide variation in expression among myocytes. Expression was dominant in myocytes compared with vessel walls. It was concluded that PC induced transient and inhomogeneous expression of HSP in rabbit hearts.

Differential desensitization of thromboxane A2 receptor subtypes

Two subtypes of the thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptor (TxA2R-E and TxA2R-P), which differ in their alternatively spliced cytoplasmic tails, have been identified. The initial concentration of the TxA2 mimetic IBOP required to reduce peak intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) induced by a second addition of IBOP (100 nmol/L) was similar (IC50 for TxA2R-E and TxA2R-P, 0.46 +/- 0.16 and 0.40 +/- 0.07 nmol/L) in fibroblasts overexpressing either the TxA2R-E or -P subtype. Although the number of TxA2 binding sites decreased in TxA2R-P cells after prolonged stimulation with a TxA2 mimetic, those in the TxA2R-E cells increased markedly. To determine whether the mechanism for desensitization differs between subtypes, the effect of activation of protein kinase C (PKC) or cAMP-dependent kinase on TxA2-induced [Ca2+]i mobilization was measured. Forskolin reduced the IBOP-induced peak [Ca2+]i in neither TxA2R-E nor TxA2R-P cells; however, treatment with phorbol esters (IC50, 0.57 +/- 0.70 nmol/L) strongly prevented IBOP-mediated [Ca2+]i rise in TxA2R-E but not in TxA2R-P cells. Desensitization of TxA2R-E by phorbol esters was prevented by the PKC inhibitor calphostin C or by downregulation of PKC-alpha. Thus, the response of TxA2R-E to prolonged stimulation differs from that of TxA2R-P in both the regulation of the number of binding sites and the mechanism for desensitization; agonists that activate PKC-alpha might interfere with TxA2R-E-mediated signaling.

Preconditioning with 15-minute ischemia extends myocardial infarct size after subsequent 30-minute ischemia in rabbits

Ischemic preconditioning (PC) induced by 1 cycle of 5-min coronary occlusion and 5-min reperfusion limits infarct size (IS) after 30-min sustained ischemia in rabbits. The shortest ischemic period that induces the PC effect in rabbits is 3 min. To establish the maximum ischemic period to induce a beneficial PC effect, we examined the effect of PC periods of 10 and 15 min on IS after sustained ischemia. The IS in control rabbit hearts after 30 min of sustained occlusion of the left anterolateral coronary artery and 48-h reperfusion was compared with that of hearts treated as follows before being subjected to PC: 5-min occlusion and 5-min reperfusion; 10-min occlusion and 5-min reperfusion; or 15-min occlusion and 5-min reperfusion. In addition, the IS after 15-min or 45-min occlusion and 48-h reperfusion was measured. There was no significant difference in blood pressure, heart rate, or area at risk (AAR) among the rabbits in 5 groups. The IS measured histologically was 40 +/- 4% of AAR in the control, 10 +/- 3% after 5-min PC, and 12 +/- 2% after 10-min PC. However, in the 15-min PC group, the IS was 77 +/- 4% of AAR, which was significantly larger than that of the controls, but similar to that of hearts subjected to 45-min ischemia and reperfusion (67 +/- 3%). As 15 min of preconditioning ischemia alone caused small infarcts (18 +/- 1% of AAR), the infarcts caused by sustained ischemia per se in the 15-min PC group was estimated to be 72 +/- 5% of AAR, which was still significantly higher than in the control groups. We conclude that the maximum period of preconditioning ischemia that induces cardioprotection in rabbits is 10 min. When the ischemic period is longer than this, the IS after sustained ischemia is increased rather than restricted. However, the infarcted size in the 15-min PC group was not higher than that in the group subjected to 45-min continuous ischemia. This may be a major limitation for any clinical application of PC.

Transient adenosine infusion before ischemia and reperfusion protects against metabolic damage in pig hearts

We investigated whether transient adenosine (Ado) infusion before ischemia had the same effect on myocardial metabolism and function as ischemic preconditioning (IP). The control (C) group underwent 15 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 120 min of reperfusion. The Ado group received a 15-min infusion of Ado (200 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) into the left atrium starting 20 min before ischemia. IP was elicited by two cycles of 5-min ischemia and 5-min reperfusion. In the area at risk, tissue levels of ATP, creatine phosphate (CP), and intracellular pH (pHi) were serially measured by 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 10 pigs from each group, and percent segment shortening (%SS) was measured in 7 pigs from each group. ATP and pHi were preserved after 15 min of ischemia in both Ado and IP groups [ATP = 64 +/- 7, 76 +/- 6, and 74 +/- 9% of baseline; pHi = 6.35 +/- 0.19, 6.54 +/- 0.11, and 6.64 +/- 0.11 in C, Ado, and IP groups, respectively (P < 0.05, Ado and IP vs. C)]. During reperfusion, ATP was restored progressively in both groups [71 +/- 7, 90 +/- 8, and 91 +/- 9% of baseline at 120 min of reperfusion in C, Ado, and IP groups, respectively (P < 0.05, Ado and IP vs. C)]. However, in contrast to the IP group, CP was not preserved during 15-min ischemia nor did it show persistent overshoot during reperfusion in the Ado group. There were no significant differences in %SS during ischemia and reperfusion among the three groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ischemic preconditioning elevates cardiac stress protein but does not limit infarct size 24 or 48 h later in rabbits

We investigated whether ischemic preconditioning (PC) produced a second window of protection by delayed synthesis of cardioprotective proteins. Anesthetized open-chest rabbits were subjected to 30 min of coronary occlusion and 3 h of reperfusion. PC was elicited by 5 min of ischemia and was separated from sustained ischemia by 5 min, 2 h, or 24 h of reperfusion. Infarct size (% area at risk) was markedly limited by PC with 5 min of reperfusion when compared with controls (13.3 +/- 2.5 vs. 46.8 +/- 7.0%; P < 0.05). This protective effect was lost when the interval between PC and sustained ischemia was extended to 2 h (47.8 +/- 4.8%; P = NS vs. control) and did not reoccur even when it was extended to 24 h (44.2 +/- 6.5%; P = NS vs. sham-operated control). To potentiate induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs), a PC protocol involving four 5-min episodes of ischemia and reperfusion was also used and was separated from sustained ischemia by 24 or 48 h of reperfusion. However, neither of these protocols was protective, and limitation of infarct size was not observed (55.5 +/- 5.9 and 53.4 +/- 6.5% in 24 and 48 h of reperfusion, respectively; P = NS vs. corresponding sham-operated control). Myocardial expression of HSPs was examined using a monoclonal antibody against 72- to 73-kDa HSP in additional rabbits. Immunoreactivity was observed in the myocardium at 24 and 48 h after PC, but not immediately after PC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Preconditioning improves energy metabolism during reperfusion but does not attenuate myocardial stunning in porcine hearts

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that a brief period of coronary occlusion and reperfusion slows the rate of ATP depletion during subsequent sustained ischemia as well as limiting infarct size. However, it has not yet been determined whether ischemic preconditioning also has an effect on the functional and metabolic recovery of stunned myocardium. Our study was designed to address this problem.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Farm pigs were anesthetized with fluothane and randomly assigned to either a control group or a preconditioned group. The control group (n = 15) underwent 15 minutes of coronary occlusion followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion. The preconditioned group (n = 14) underwent two episodes of 5-minute occlusion and 5-minute reperfusion followed by 15 minutes of occlusion and 120 minutes of reperfusion. This protocol was designed to exclude the stunning effect of the preconditioning procedure itself as much as possible besides preconditioning the heart. A pair of ultrasonic crystals was implanted in the area at risk perfused by the left anterior descending coronary artery. 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and sonomicrometry were performed alternately. Regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) was determined with colored microspheres. At 15 minutes of sustained ischemia, phosphocreatine (Pcr), ATP, and intracellular pH were significantly better preserved in the preconditioned group (Pcr: control/preconditioned, 1 +/- 1%/14 +/- 1%; ATP:control/preconditioned, 66 +/- 2%/74 +/- 2%; pH:control/preconditioned, 6.32 +/- 0.07/6.52 +/- 0.05; P < .05). After reperfusion, ATP increased progressively and was almost normalized at 120 minutes of reperfusion in the preconditioned group (control/preconditioned, 73 +/- 4%/95 +/- 3%; P < .05). Overshoot of Pcr (which indicates that the energy generating system is operating better than energy utilizing system) persisted in preconditioned hearts but disappeared rapidly in controls (control/preconditioned, 104 +/- 3%/130 +/- 3% after 120 minutes of reperfusion). There was no significant difference in percent segment shortening (%SS), RMBF, and hemodynamics between the two groups throughout the experiment (%SS: control/preconditioned, 29.8 +/- 5.9%/28.8 +/- 6.3% of baseline after 120 minutes of reperfusion).

CONCLUSIONS

Preconditioning improves energy metabolism during reperfusion, although it does not attenuate myocardial stunning for at least 2 hours after reperfusion.