Peroxynitrite aggravates myocardial reperfusion injury in the isolated perfused rat heart

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the effects of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) on cardiac function and cellular injury following ischemia (30 min) and reperfusion (60 min) in isolated perfused rat hearts.

METHODS

3-Morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1, 0.1 mM), an ONOO- donor, was administered alone or combined with superoxide dismutase (SOD, 300 U/ml) or glutathione (GSH, 1 mM) at the time of reperfusion.

RESULTS

Administration of SIN-1 alone significantly aggravated post-ischemic myocardial injury characterized by depressed cardiac function recovery (p < 0.05 vs. vehicle), increased lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) release (p < 0.01 vs. vehicle), and enlarged necrotic size (p < 0.01 vs. vehicle). The co-administration of either SOD to decrease the formation of ONOO-, or GSH to increase the detoxification of ONOO-, completely blocked the detrimental effects of SIN-1 and exerted significant cardioprotective effects against reperfusion injury.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that ONOO- may play a significant role in postischemic myocardial injury.

Adenosine inhibition of neutrophil damage during reperfusion does not involve K(ATP)-channel activation

This study tests the hypothesis that cardioprotection exerted by adenosine A2-receptor activation and neutrophil-related events involves stimulation of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels on neutrophils during reperfusion. The adenosine A2 agonist CGS-21680 (CGS) inhibited superoxide radical generation from isolated rabbit polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in a dose-dependent manner from 17.7 +/- 2.1 to 7.4 +/- 1.3 nmol/5 x 10(6) PMNs (P < 0.05). Pinacidil, a K(ATP)-channel opener, partially inhibited superoxide radical production, which was completely reversed by glibenclamide (Glib). Incremental doses of Glib in combination with CGS (1 microM) did not alter CGS-induced inhibition of superoxide radical generation. CGS significantly reduced PMN adherence to the endothelial surface of aortic segments in a dose-dependent manner from 189 +/- 8 to 50 +/- 6 PMNs/mm2 (P < 0.05), which was also not altered by incremental doses of Glib. Infusion of CGS (0.025 mg/kg) before reperfusion reduced infarct size from 29 +/- 2% in the Vehicle group to 15 +/- 1% in rabbits undergoing 30 min of ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion (P < 0.05). Glib (0.3 mg/kg) did not change the infarct size (28 +/- 2%) vs. the Vehicle group and did not attenuate infarct size reduction by CGS (16 +/- 1%). Glib did not change blood glucose levels. Cardiac myeloperoxidase activity was decreased in the ischemic tissue of the CGS group (0.15 +/- 0.03 U/100 mg tissue) compared with the Vehicle group (0.37 +/- 0.05 U/100 mg tissue; P < 0.05). We conclude that adenosine A2 activation before reperfusion partially reduces infarct size by inhibiting neutrophil activity and that this effect does not involve K(ATP)-channel stimulation.

Hypercholesterolemia impairs a detoxification mechanism against peroxynitrite and renders the vascular tissue more susceptible to oxidative injury

Previous studies have shown that glutathione (GSH) plays a central role in the protection against peroxynitrite (ONOO-) toxicity. The present study evaluated the changes of the GSH cytoprotective system against ONOO- in hypercholesterolemia and determined the effects of carvedilol, a beta-blocker with free radical-scavenging activity, on these hypercholesterol-induced changes. New Zealand White rabbits were fed either a normal diet, a high-cholesterol diet, or a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with either carvedilol or propranolol. Eight weeks later, the rabbits were killed, and the thoracic aortas were isolated. Total GSH content of aortic tissue, vasorelaxation response of aortic rings to exogenous ONOO-, No regeneration from ONOO- by aortic homogenate, and ONOO(-)-induced aortic tissue injury were examined. Hypercholesterolemia decreased tissue GSH content (0.52 +/- 0.08 versus 0.86 +/- 0.04 mumol/g in control, P < .01), attenuated the vasorelaxation response to ONOO- (40 +/- 4.1% versus 76 +/- 3.2%, P < .01), reduced NO regeneration from ONOO- (387 +/- 40 versus 662 +/- 51 pmol, P < .01), and potentiated ONOO(-)-induced vascular tissue injury (37 +/- 4.4% versus 14 +/- 2.6% of increase in lactate dehydrogenase release after 3-morpholinosydnonimine exposure, P < .01). Treatment of the hypercholesterolemic rabbits with carvedilol, but not propranolol, significantly preserved tissue GSH content (0.79 +/- 0.05 mumol/g, P < .01 versus nontreated hypercholesterolemic rabbits), restored the vasorelaxation to ONOO- (61 +/- 2%, P < .01), increased NO regeneration from ONOO- (583 +/- 39 pmol, P < .01), and attenuated ONOO(-)-induced tissue injury (19 +/- 1.8%, P < .01). These results suggest that hypercholesterolemia impairs the GSH-mediated detoxification mechanism against ONOO- and renders the vascular tissue more susceptible to oxidative injury. Carvedilol, a novel vasodilating beta-blocker with antioxidant activity, significantly preserved this self-defense system and protected tissue from oxidant injury.

Peroxynitrite, the product of nitric oxide and superoxide, causes myocardial injury in the isolated perfused rat heart

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have determined that the product of NO and superoxide is peroxynitrite (ONOO-), an anion with deleterious tissue-oxidant effects.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of ONOO- on the isolated perfused rat heart. Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were perfused with a cell-free, Krebs-Henseleit solution on a Langendorf perfusion apparatus. The hearts were subjected to 30 min infusions of vehicle (control); 10 mumol/l S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), an NO donor; 10 mumol/l pyrogallol, a superoxide generator); 10 mumol/l SNAP plus 10 mumol/l pyrogallol, a mixture that generates peroxynitrite; or 10 mumol/l SNAP plus 10 mumol/l pyrogallol plus 300 U/ml superoxide dismutase.

RESULTS

SNAP or pyrogallol alone had no effect on cardiac function at the concentration used; however, infusion of the combination of SNAP and pyrogallol resulted in significant decreases in left ventricular developed pressure (to 83 +/- 4%, P < 0.01, versus vehicle) and dp/dtmax (to 76 +/- 6.2%, P < 0.01, versus vehicle), and also resulted in a significant increase in production of lactic dehydrogenase (to 118 +/- 4%, P < 0.01, versus vehicle). The administration of superoxide dismutase with SNAP and pyrogallol reversed these deleterious effects.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the formation of peroxynitrite significantly enhances the toxicities of .NO and O2.- and causes marked cardiac injury.

Endothelial stunning and myocyte recovery after reperfusion of jeopardized muscle: a role of L-arginine blood cardioplegia

Ischemia and reperfusion may damage myocytes and endothelium in jeopardized hearts. This study tested whether (1) endothelial dysfunction (reduced nitric oxide release) exists despite good contractile performance and (2) supplementation of blood cardioplegic solution with nitric oxide precursor L-arginine augments nitric oxide and restores endothelial function. Among 30 Yorkshire-Duroc pigs, 6 received standard glutamate/aspartate blood cardioplegic solution without global ischemia. Twenty-four underwent 20 minutes of 37 degrees C global ischemia. Six received normal blood reperfusion. In 18, the aortic clamp remained in place 30 more minutes and all received 3 infusions of blood cardioplegic solution. In 6, the blood cardioplegic solution was unaltered; in 6, the blood cardioplegic solution contained L-arginine (a nitric oxide precursor) at 2 mmol/L; in 6, the blood cardioplegic solution contained the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) at 1 mmol/L. Complete contractile and endothelial recovery occurred without ischemia. In jeopardized hearts, complete systolic recovery followed infusion of blood cardioplegic solution and of blood cardioplegic solution plus L-arginine. Conversely, contractility recovered approximately 40% after infusion of normal blood and blood cardioplegic solution plus L-NAME. Postischemic nitric oxide production fell 50% in the groups that received blood cardioplegic solution and blood cardioplegic solution plus L-NAME but was increased in the group that received blood cardioplegic solution L-arginine. In vivo endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses to acetylcholine recovered 75% +/- 5% of baseline in the blood cardioplegic solution plus L-arginine group, but less than 20% of baseline in other jeopardized hearts. Endothelium-independent smooth muscle responses to sodium nitroprusside were relatively unaltered. Myeloperoxidase activity (neutrophil accumulation) was similar in the blood cardioplegic solution (without ischemia) and blood cardioplegic solution plus L-arginine groups (0.01 +/- 0.002 vs 0.013 +/- 0.003 microgram/gm tissue). Myeloperoxidase activity was raised substantially to 0.033 +/- 0.002 microgram/gm after exposure to normal blood and to 0.025 +/- 0.003 microgram/gm after infusion of blood cardioplegic solution and was highest at 0.053 +/- 0.01 microgram/gm with exposure to blood cardioplegic solution plus L-NAME in jeopardized hearts. The discrepancy between contractile recovery and endothelial dysfunction in jeopardized muscle can be reversed by adding L-arginine to blood cardioplegic solution.

Exogenous NO inhibits basal NO release from vascular endothelium in vitro and in vivo

This study tested the hypothesis that exogenous nitric oxide (NO) inhibits basal release of NO in isolated rat aortic rings and in vivo. Thoracic aortic rings were suspended in organ chambers with Krebs-Henseleit solution. In untreated rings, the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) markedly increased basal vascular tone by 34.6 +/- 5.2% of maximal force produced by 100 nM thromboxane A2 mimetic U-46619, indicating a basal release of NO. Other rings were pretreated with the exogenous NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) for 20 min and then washed free of drug. In these rings, L-NAME-induced vasoconstriction was significantly attenuated in a concentration-dependent manner (from 34.6 +/- 5.2 to 25.7 +/- 2.9% at SNAP = 0.5 microM, 15.2 +/- 3.1% at 1 microM, and 11.9 +/- 2.5% at 5 microM), while having no effect on NO-independent phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction (35.4 +/- 4.7 untreated vs. 41.3 +/- 4.3% SNAP pretreated, not significant). In addition, the nonnitrosylated parent molecule of SNAP, acetylpenicillamine, had no effect on the vasoconstriction induced by L-NAME. In the in vivo studies in anesthetized rats, L-NAME caused significant hypertensive responses (34 +/- 4-mmHg increase in mean arterial blood pressure). Subvasoactive doses of SNAP attenuated these hypertensive responses in a dose-dependent manner (20 +/- 3-mmHg increase with 10 micrograms/kg SNAP pretreatment and 16 +/- 4-mmHg increase with 20 micrograms/kg SNAP pretreatment), but any dose of acetylpenicillamine studied had no effect. Coadministration of superoxide dismutase and SNAP significantly potentiated the inhibitory effect of the NO donor on vasocontraction responses to L-NAME. Furthermore, SNAP did not attenuate the hypertensive responses to phenylephrine. These results indicate that exogenous NO significantly inhibits basal NO release both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that NO plays an important negative-feedback regulatory role under physiological conditions.

Heme oxygenase inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX causes an activation of nitric oxide synthase in the rabbit internal anal sphincter

The studies were performed in the rabbit internal anal sphincter (IAS) smooth muscle strips to examine the influence of the heme oxygenase inhibitor, [zinc protporphyrin (ZnPP IX)], on basal tone. ZnPP IX produced a concentration-dependent fall in the basal tone and was the focus of our investigation. To examine the mechanism of the fall in IAS tone by ZnPP IX, the effect of different concentrations of ZnPP IX on basal IAS tone and the release of nitric oxide were examined before and after the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin and various nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors. The inhibitory effect of ZnPP IX was blocked by the NOS inhibitors L-NG-nitroarginine, NG-monomethyl-L- arginine and L-N5-(1-iminoethyl)ornithine and the neurotoxin TTX. The fall in IAS tension by ZnPP IX was accompanied by a release of NO. ZnPP IX(1 x 10(-3)M) caused a fall in IAS tension of 43.7% which was reduced to 16.5% in the presence of L-NG-nitroarginine (1 x 10(-4)M). Furthermore, the fall in IAS tone in the presence of ZnPP IX was restored both by the NOS inhibitors and tetrodotoxin. The basal release of nitric oxide in these experiments was 0.50 +/- 0.07 nmol and in the presence of ZnPP IX (1 x 10(-3)M), it increased to 1.72 +/- 0.28 nmol (more than a 3-fold increase). Thus the fall in the basal IAS tone by ZnPP IX was associated with a release of NO from the myenteric neurons as these effects were significantly blocked by the NOS inhibitors and tetrodotoxin. We conclude that in the rabbit IAS, ZnPP IX causes a fall in the basal IAS tension by the activation of NOS in myenteric neurons. We speculate that in the resting state, the heme oxygenase pathway exerts important counter-regulatory effects on the NOS pathway and when blocked (e.g., by ZnPP IX), the underlying NOS pathway is unmasked leading to a massive and prolonged release of NO. The exact significance of this mechanism remains to be determined.

Carvedilol, a new beta adrenoreceptor blocker and free radical scavenger, attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Oxygen-derived free radicals play a critical role in atherogenesis and reperfusion injury. The present experiment evaluated the effects of carvedilol, a new beta adrenoreceptor blocker with potent free radical-scavenging activity, on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in a hypercholesterolemic rabbit model. New Zealand rabbits were fed a normal diet, a high-cholesterol diet, or a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with 1200 ppm carvedilol or propranolol. Eight weeks later, the rabbits were subjected to 60 min of myocardial ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. The nontreated cholesterol-fed animals experienced greater cardiac damage after ischemia and reperfusion than rabbits fed a normal diet (necrosis 51% +/- 4% vs. 28% +/- 3% in the normal-diet group, P < .01). In addition, nontreated cholesterol-fed rabbits showed a significantly decreased vasorelaxant response to ACh in U-46619-precontracted aortic rings (56% +/- 5% vs 90% +/- 3% in the control group, P < .001). Treatment with propranolol neither preserved endothelial function after cholesterol feeding nor reduced neutrophil accumulation in ischemic-reperfused myocardial tissue. Propranolol treatment did significantly decrease HR, pressure-rate index and infarct size (necrosis 33% +/- 4%). Despite their having essentially identical effects on HR and pressure-rate index, carvedilol exerted more profound cardiac protective effects than propranolol (necrosis 19% +/- 3%). Moreover, carvedilol treatment significantly preserved aortic endothelial function and markedly reduced neutrophil accumulation in ischemic-reperfused myocardial tissue. These results indicate that in addition to its beta blocking activity, the antioxidant and endothelial protective activities of carvedilol contributed significantly to its cardiac protective effects after ischemia and reperfusion.

Carvedilol, a new beta-adrenoreceptor blocker antihypertensive drug, protects against free-radical-induced endothelial dysfunction

We tested the ability of carvedilol, an antihypertensive beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist with antioxidant properties, to protect rat aorta rings from free-radical-induced endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction. Rings were exposed to the superoxide generator pyrogallol. Vascular function of intact rings was assessed by observing acetylcholine (ACh)-induced vasorelaxation following submaximal contraction by U-46619. Function of rings denuded of ECs was assessed by observing S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP)-induced vasorelaxation following submaximal contraction by U-46619. Carvedilol exerted a significant protective effect against pyrogallol-induced vasoconstriction (17.1 +/- 4.8 vs. 31.9 +/- 5.4% for vehicle, p < 0.05). Carvedilol also demonstrated significant protection against pyrogallol-induced endothelium dysfunction, enhancing vasorelaxation to 1,000 nmol/l ACh (73 +/- 3.9 vs. 48 +/- 3.0% vehicle, p < 0.01). These protective effects were not seen with propanolol, a pure beta-receptor antagonist. Carvedilol mixed with pyrogallol and SNAP preserved SNAP-induced vasorelaxation in rings denuded of ECs (80.4 +/- 5.3 vs. 63.7 +/- 4.8% control, p < 0.05). Carvedilol appears to protect vascular function by scavenging free radicals and enhancing the effects of NO.

In vivo release of interleukin-1 beta into hypothalamic extracellular fluid in rats: effects of repeated sampling

Interleukin-1 beta (Il-1 beta) concentrations in extracellular fluid (ECF) withdrawn at 10-min intervals through a push-pull cannula (PPC) located in the hypothalamus were studied in freely behaving male rats for 1 h at 24 and 72 h and again at 7 days after PPC implantation. Il-1 beta concentrations in ECF were similar in the latter. However, when ECF was sampled at 3 h and again 7 days after PPC implantation, Il-1 beta concentrations were greatly elevated at 7 days when compared to all other intervals. These results demonstrate how the relationships between Il-1 beta measured in ECF and the conditions of measurement appear to be integral parts of a whole intracerebral system: cytokine concentrations appear to be inextricably bound to intrahypothalamic conditions created by the sampling device presence and frequency of use.

Carvedilol, a new beta-adrenoreceptor blocker, vasodilator and free-radical scavenger, exerts an anti-shock and endothelial protective effect in rat splanchnic ischemia and reperfusion

Splanchnic artery occlusion (SAO) followed by reperfusion results in circulatory shock in which oxygen-derived free radicals play an important role. Carvedilol, a novel beta adrenoceptor antagonist and a vasodilator, has been recently shown to exert potent antioxidant effects in multiple cell model systems. In the present experiment, we investigated the effect of carvedilol on SAO shock. Pentobarbital-anesthetized rats were subjected to 60 min of SAO followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Administration of 1 mg/kg carvedilol 10 min before reperfusion prolonged survival time (P < .05) and attenuated the increases in tissue myeloperoxidase activities (P < .01) and hematocrits (P < .001). Moreover, carvedilol significantly preserved superior mesenteric artery endothelial function (P < .01). Similar protection was seen in SAO shock rats treated with the superoxide free-radical scavenger superoxide dismutase. Except for a moderate attenuation of an increase in hematocrits, protective effects were not seen in SAO shock rats treated with the prototypic beta blocker propranolol. These results indicate that in murine SAO shock, carvedilol affords significant protection, which may be achieved through maintenance of tissue blood perfusion, quenching of oxygen free radicals, preservation of vascular endothelial function, and inhibition of neutrophil-endothelial interaction and its resultant increased microvascular permeability.

Physiological concentrations of nitric oxide do not elicit an acute negative inotropic effect in unstimulated cardiac muscle

We examined the effect of several nitric oxide (NO) donors, authentic NO gas, and L-arginine in isolated cat and rat papillary muscles. We did not observe significant inotropic effects in response to any NO donor (ie, SPM-5185, C87-3754, and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine [SNAP]) from 1 nmol/L to 100 mumol/L. Similarly, authentic NO, at concentrations far in excess of those that maximally dilate the coronary vasculature (ie, 500 nmol/L), also failed to exert a detectable inotropic effect in these preparations. However, in the presence of 5 mumol/L norepinephrine, 500 nmol/L NO exerted a 12 +/- 3% decrease in isolated rat papillary muscle contractility (P < .05). Addition of L-arginine up to 25 mmol/L exerted no inotropic effects in isolated rat papillary muscles. However, at 50 mmol/L, L-arginine decreased contractile force by 21 +/- 4% (P < .01). On further examination, the negative inotropic effect of 50 mmol/L L-arginine appeared to be nonspecific, since the inactive stereoisomer, D-arginine, at 50 mmol/L exerted the same effect. Further studies in isolated adult rat cardiac myocytes elicited similar results, in that 50 mmol/L of L- and D-arginine equally decreased contraction amplitude and the underlying cytosolic calcium transient. Moreover, 500 nmol/L of the NO donor SPM-5185 only modestly decreased contraction amplitude or intracellular calcium in isolated rat cardiac myocytes. These results indicate that administration of physiological concentrations of exogenous NO does not acutely depress the inotropic state of the rat or cat heart to a physiologically significant extent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The effects of Panax quinquefolium saponin (PQS) and its monomer ginsenoside on heart]

Experiments have shown that PQS (0.03-3 mg/ml) can inhibit the contractility of papillary muscle of guinea pigs, and on depolarized sample of papillary muscle with high potassium, PQS (0.03-0.3 mg/ml) can increase this contractility. Monomer saponin-Re (10 mg/kg),-Rb3 (30 mg/kg) can inhibit the hemodynamic indication of rats, but pseudogisenoside-F11 (10 mg/kg) acts the other way round. These results prove that PQS contains two components of opposite actions.

Quantification of neutrophil migration following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in cats and dogs

Endothelial cell dysfunction and cardiac myocyte injury resulting from ischemia and reperfusion have been associated with accumulation of neutrophils in the myocardium. To determine whether the accumulation is related primarily to intravascular sequestration or extravascular infiltration of neutrophils during the early period of reperfusion, we morphometrically quantified the tissue distribution of neutrophils in cats and dogs. At the end of the reperfusion period, the base of the heart was cross-clamped to preserve neutrophil location at the moment of death. Point-counting methods were used to determine the distribution of neutrophils inside and outside coronary arterioles and venules (< or = 100 microns in diameter) as well as coronary capillaries 5-10 microns in diameter in 0.5-microns-thick, plastic-embedded sections. Ischemia-reperfusion resulted in a threefold increase in neutrophil number in the lumen of arterioles and venules at 60 min of reperfusion and up to a sevenfold increase at 270 min of reperfusion (P < .05) compared to time-matched control nonischemic hearts. The ratio of intravascular neutrophils in venules to arterioles was 2:1. Intracapillary neutrophils increased, but not significantly, at 60 min of reperfusion. At 270 min of reperfusion, intracapillary neutrophils increased 11-fold (P < .05). The percentage of total neutrophils that accumulated outside arterioles and venules in cat hearts was 8% at 60 min of reperfusion (not significant, NS) and 28% at 270 min of reperfusion (P < .05). In dog hearts, the percentages were 26% (NS) and 44% (P < .05), respectively. The percentage of total neutrophils that accumulated outside capillaries was < 6% in both cat and dog hearts (NS). The combination of rapid intravascular sequestration, delayed extravascular infiltration, and low incidence of neutrophil-cardiac myocyte contact in situ in these two species suggests that neutrophil-mediated cardiac myocyte injury during early reperfusion may initially depend on diffusion of inflammatory mediators and subsequently require direct contact between neutrophils and cardiac myocytes.

Beneficial actions of CP-0127, a novel bradykinin receptor antagonist, in murine traumatic shock

We studied the effects of CP-0127, a novel bradykinin receptor antagonist, in a rat model of traumatic shock. Pentobarbital-anesthetized rats subjected to Noble-Collip drum trauma developed a shock state characterized by marked hypotension, significant increases in plasma-free amino-nitrogen (8.6 +/- 0.97 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.15 U/ml in control rats) and intestinal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (2.7 +/- 0.33 vs. 0.08 +/- 0.03 U/100 mg control rats, intestinal tissue), and a survival time of only 110 +/- 9 min. Moreover, superior mesenteric artery (SMA) rings isolated from rats subjected to traumatic shock relaxed to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (ACh) significantly less than rings isolated from control rats (21 +/- 4 vs. 92 +/- 4%, P < 0.001). Administration of CP-0127 at a dose of 10 mg/kg subcutaneously completely blocked the hypotensive response to 2.5 micrograms/kg bradykinin injected intravenously in sham traumatic shock rats. CP-0127 given immediately posttrauma prolonged survival time to 219 +/- 27 min (P < 0.01) and attenuated the increases in plasma-free amino-nitrogen (3.7 +/- 0.41 U/ml, P < 0.01) and tissue MPO activities (1.2 +/- 0.71 U/100 mg intestinal tissue, P < 0.05). Furthermore, SMA endothelial function was significantly preserved (relaxation to ACh: 57 +/- 6%, P < 0.01) in CP-0127-treated traumatic shock rats. These results indicate that bradykinin plays an important role in tissue injury associated with traumatic shock and that CP-0127 affords significant protection, which may be achieved through inhibition of neutrophil-endothelial interaction and protection of vascular endothelial function.

Amelioration of cisplatin toxicity in rat renal cortical slices by dithiothreitol in vitro

1. The protective effects of dithiothreitol (DTT) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity were investigated with rat renal cortical slices. 2. The nephrotoxic effects of cisplatin (2 mmol l-1) were manifested in several ways: the Na+ and water content were increased while K+ was decreased. The malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the slices and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released into the medium were increased. The uptake of p-aminohippurate (PAH), the synthesis of glucose and the glutathione (GSH) concentration in the slices were all decreased. 3. Despite a DTT-related increase in platinum (Pt) uptake by the slices, DTT (0.5-2 mmol l-1) ameliorated all these toxic effects of cisplatin in a concentration related manner. 4. The results suggest that the protective mechanism of DTT is its antioxidative action. DTT is also a metal chelator, however, and so a protective effect via chelation of Pt by DTT cannot be excluded.

Beneficial actions of S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, a nitric oxide donor, in murine traumatic shock

We studied the effects of the nitric oxide donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), in rat traumatic shock characterized by hypotension, increases in plasma free amino-nitrogen (5.3 +/- 0.5 U/ml vs. 2.5 +/- 0.3 U/ml controls) and intestinal myeloperoxidase activities (2.7 +/- 1.0 U/100 mg vs. 0.2 +/- 0.1 U/100 mg controls), and a survival time of 143 +/- 20 min. Moreover, superior mesenteric artery rings isolated from rats in traumatic shock relaxed to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine only 21 +/- 6% of U-46619 induced contraction. Administration of 100 micrograms/kg SNAP 10 min post-trauma followed by 10 micrograms/kg/h infusion prolonged survival time to 273 +/- 18 min (p < .05), attenuated the increases in plasma free amino-nitrogen (3.1 +/- 0.4 U/ml, p < .05) and tissue myeloperoxidase activities (0.6 +/- 0.3 U/100 mg, p < .05). Moreover, SNAP significantly preserved superior mesenteric artery endothelial function; the vasorelaxation to acetylcholine was 54 +/- 4% (p < .01). Protective effects were not seen in traumatic shock rats treated with the non-NO-donating parent compound N-acetylpenicillamine. These results indicate that SNAP affords significant protection in murine traumatic shock which may be achieved through maintenance of systemic blood pressure, preservation of vascular endothelial integrity, and inhibition of neutrophil-endothelial interaction and the resultant reduced microvascular leakiness.

PMN adherence to cat ischemic-reperfused mesenteric vascular endothelium under flow: role of P-selectin

We studied polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adherence to cat ischemic-reperfused mesenteric artery and vein endothelia under conditions of flow in vitro. Under physiological shear rates, only a few PMNs adhered to non-ischemic-reperfused arterial and venous endothelia (11 +/- 2 and 20 +/- 3 PMN/mm2, respectively). However, after 60 min of ischemia and 20 or 120 min of reperfusion, a significant increase in PMN adherence to arterial endothelium was observed. At 20 min of reperfusion, 44 +/- 4 PMN/mm2 adhered, and at 120 min postreperfusion, 63 +/- 12 PMN/mm2 adhered (P < 0.01 from control). Moreover, a greater degree of PMN adherence occurred on the venous than on the arterial endothelium. Thus, 159 +/- 10 and 198 +/- 12 PMN/mm2 adhered to mesenteric venous endothelium isolated after 20 and 120 min reperfusion, respectively (P < 0.01 vs. arteries). Furthermore, addition of PB 1.3 (20 micrograms/ml), a monoclonal antibody against P-selectin, 5 min before perfusion with PMNs significantly attenuated the increase in PMN adherence to both arterial and venous endothelia (P < 0.01). These results indicate that PMN-endothelial interaction also occurs in conduit vessels after ischemia and reperfusion, although a more profound PMN adherence occurs in veins.

Monoclonal antibody to L-selectin attenuates neutrophil accumulation and protects ischemic reperfused cat myocardium

BACKGROUND

Interaction of CD11/CD18 located on neutrophil membranes with its endothelial counter-receptor, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, plays a major role in polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-mediated endothelial dysfunction and myocardial injury associated with ischemia and reperfusion. However, PMN-derived L-selectin, which is thought to play an early role in PMN rolling along the vascular endothelium, has not been studied in a setting of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we evaluated the effects of a monoclonal antibody against L-selectin, DREG-200, in a feline model of myocardial ischemia (1.5 hours) and reperfusion (4.5 hours). DREG-200 (1 mg/kg) or an isotype-matched IgG1 antibody, MAb R3.1, which does not cross-react in cats, was administered as a bolus 10 minutes before reperfusion. In MAb R3.1-treated cats, myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion resulted in significant coronary vascular endothelial dysfunction, elevated cardiac myeloperoxidase activity indicative of neutrophil accumulation in the ischemic myocardium, and severe myocardial injury. In contrast, administration of DREG-200 at 1 mg/kg significantly attenuated myocardial necrosis (14 +/- 4 versus 32 +/- 3 expressed as percentage of area at risk, P < .001) and attenuated coronary endothelial dysfunction (P < .01) associated with ischemia/reperfusion. Moreover, myeloperoxidase activity in the ischemic myocardium was significantly lower than MAb R3.1-treated cats (0.4 +/- 0.1 versus 0.9 +/- 0.2 U/100 mg tissue, P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that blocking L-selectin with DREG-200 exerts a significant cardioprotective effect in a feline model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, indicating that L-selectin plays a significant role in mediating PMN accumulation and PMN-induced endothelial and myocardial injury after ischemia and reperfusion.

Decreased basal nitric oxide release in hypercholesterolemia increases neutrophil adherence to rabbit coronary artery endothelium

Hypercholesterolemia, before atherosclerosis, is known to reduce agonist- (e.g., acetylcholine) mediated nitric oxide (NO) production within 2 weeks of a cholesterol-enriched diet. However, no data exist on the effect of hypercholesterolemia on the basal release of NO from blood vessels. We studied the basal release of NO in rabbit coronary arteries by addition of the NO synthase blocker NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME). Basal release of NO was markedly attenuated 2 weeks after introduction of a 0.5% cholesterol addition to the diet. One week later, the adherence of neutrophils to the coronary endothelium was significantly enhanced (i.e., threefold; p < 0.01 different from control). The increased adhesiveness could be attributed to enhanced endothelial adhesion rather than to changes in the properties of the leukocytes. Both phenomena could be reversed by addition of L-arginine to isolated coronary arteries. Administration of 10 mg/day lovastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, markedly attenuated both the reduced basal NO production and the increased adhesiveness of the endothelium. These results support the concept that NO is an important protective agent produced by the endothelium to preserve the integrity of the endothelium and may protect it against atherogenesis.

Diminished basal nitric oxide release after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion promotes neutrophil adherence to coronary endothelium

We measured changes in basal release of nitric oxide and its effect on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adherence to endothelial cells (ECs) in a feline model of myocardial ischemia (90 minutes) and reperfusion. Basal release of nitric oxide from the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion and from the control left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) was assessed by NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced vasocontraction. L-NAME induced a significant EC-dependent vasocontraction in control LCX rings (0.28 +/- 0.04 g), which was fully reversed by L-arginine but not D-arginine. L-NAME-induced vasocontraction of LAD rings was not significantly changed after 90 minutes of myocardial ischemia without reperfusion. However, 10 minutes of reperfusion reduced the L-NAME-induced vasocontraction to 0.13 +/- 0.04 g (p < 0.05), and this was restored by addition of 3 mM L-arginine but not D-arginine. Longer periods of reperfusion progressively decreased L-NAME-induced vasocontraction. After 270 minutes of reperfusion, L-NAME-induced vasocontraction was virtually abolished. Myocardial ischemia without reperfusion did not increase PMN adherence to ECs. However, PMN adherence to LAD ECs was significantly increased after 20 minutes of reperfusion (39 +/- 6 to 105 +/- 9 PMNs/mm2, p < 0.01), and incubation of LAD segments with L-arginine significantly attenuated this increase in PMN adherence. After 270 minutes of reperfusion, PMN adherence to LAD ECs was further increased to 224 +/- 10 PMNs/mm2 (p < 0.001). This increase in PMN adherence was almost completely blocked by MAb R15.7, a monoclonal antibody against CD18 of PMNs, and was significantly attenuated by MAb RR1/1, a monoclonal antibody against intercellular adhesion molecule-1 of ECs (p < 0.01). These results indicate that decreased basal release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion precedes enhanced PMN adherence to the coronary endothelium, which may lead to PMN-induced myocardial injury.

Mechanism of the cardioprotective effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 in feline myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

We studied the effects of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in a feline model of myocardial ischemia (1.5 hr) and reperfusion (4.5 hr). Myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion resulted in severe myocardial injury, endothelial dysfunction, high cardiac myeloperoxidase activity indicative of neutrophil accumulation in the ischemic myocardium, and significant neutrophil adherence to the ischemic coronary endothelium. In contrast, intravenous administration of TGF-beta 1 (20 micrograms/kg) 30 min prior to reperfusion significantly attenuated myocardial necrosis (13.8% +/- 3.5% vs. 32.2% +/- 2.9% of area-at-risk, P < 0.01) and attenuated endothelial dysfunction (P < 0.01) associated with ischemia-reperfusion. Moreover, myeloperoxidase activity in the ischemic myocardium was significantly lower than vehicle controls (0.2 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.3 units/100 mg of tissue, P < 0.01) and neutrophil adherence to ischemic coronary endothelium was significantly (P < 0.01) attenuated in TGF-beta 1-treated cats. These results demonstrate that TGF-beta 1 exerts a significant cardioprotective effect in a feline model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. The mechanism of this protective effect appears to relate to endothelial preservation by TGF-beta 1 inhibiting circulating neutrophils from adhering to the endothelium, a critical step in neutrophil-induced reperfusion injury.

Cytokines and growth factors in endothelial dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this focused review is to call attention to the important interrelationships between growth factors (e.g., transforming growth factor-beta) and cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor [TNF]) on endothelial function as characterized by the ability of the endothelium to release endothelium-derived relaxing factor.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion leads to a severe degree of endothelial dysfunction characterized by an impaired vasodilator response to endothelial-dependent vasodilators. The reduction in endothelial-dependent responses occurs rapidly after the onset of reperfusion. Endothelial dysfunction was studied in coronary artery as well as superior mesenteric artery rings, and the effects of cytokines, transforming growth factor-beta, and free radicals were assessed.

RESULTS

Oxygen-derived free radicals (i.e., superoxide anion) and cytokines (i.e., TNF) contribute to this endothelial dysfunction, which is characterized by a loss of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, now known to be identical to nitric oxide. Agents such as superoxide dismutase or transforming growth factor-beta can significantly preserve endothelial integrity during ischemia-reperfusion states.

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial dysfunction is an early and critical phenomenon occurring in ischemia-reperfusion injury both in the coronary and the mesenteric circulations.

Protective actions of S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock

The anti-shock effects of an organic nitric oxide donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), were tested in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock. Administration of SNAP at a dose of 10 mcg/kg injection followed by 10 mcg/kg/h infusion neither significantly decreased mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) nor significantly altered bleedout volumes in hemorrhagic rats, indicating that SNAP did not modify the severity of the shock protocol. However, hemorrhaged rats treated with SNAP maintained post-reinfusion MABP at significantly higher values than hemorrhaged rats receiving 0.9% NaCl (final MABP 81 +/- 3.0 mmHg vs. 54 +/- 1.1 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.001). SNAP also significantly increased survival times following hemorrhagic shock (113 +/- 4 min in SNAP treated rats compared with 70 +/- 4.5 min in vehicle treated rats, p < 0.001). The overall survival rates were 87.5% when treated with SNAP and 0% with 0.9% NaCl (p < 0.01). In hemorrhagic shock rats receiving only vehicle, a significant accumulation of neutrophils in intestinal tissue occurred as indicated by a higher MPO activity in intestinal tissue (MPO activity, 1.26 +/- 0.31 vs. 0.14 +/- 0.05U/100 mg in sham hemorrhagic shock rats, p < 0.02). Administration of SNAP significantly attenuated the neutrophil accumulation in the intestinal tissue (MPO activity, 0.42 +/- 0.09U/100 mg, p < 0.05 compared with hemorrhagic rats receiving only the vehicle). Moreover, endothelial dysfunction of superior mesenteric artery rings occurred in hemorrhagic shock rats given only 0.9% NaCl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antishock and endothelial protective actions of a NO donor in mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion

Splanchnic artery occlusion (SAO) of the celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric arteries for 2 hr, followed by a 2-hr reperfusion period in cats produces a severe form of circulatory shock characterized by endothelial dysfunction, increased lysosomal leakage, and severe hypotension resulting from release of proteases, oxygen-derived free radicals, and other humoral mediators into the circulation. Administration of 0.75 mg/kg/hr of C873754, a nitric oxide (NO) donor, 10 min prior to reperfusion, significantly attenuated the accumulation of plasma cathepsin D from 12 +/- 3 U/ml in the SAO + vehicle group to 5 +/- 1 U/ml (P < 0.05) in the C87-3754 treated SAO group. A similar attenuation of plasma myocardial depressant factor (MDF) activity was observed in the C87-3754 treated cats (P < 0.02). Administration of C87-3754 significantly increased short term (i.e., 2-hr) survival rate (P < 0.05, compared to the vehicle group). Moreover, C87-3754 attenuated the SAO shock induced decline in release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from isolated superior mesenteric artery (SMA) rings stimulated by acetylcholine and A23187. Additionally, C87-3754 significantly decreased PMN adherence to the superior mesenteric venous endothelium in vitro. Thus, treatment with the NO donor, C87-3754 reduced the accumulation of humoral mediators into the plasma while significantly attenuating endothelial dysfunction and improving short term survival.

Coronary endothelial and cardiac protective effects of a monoclonal antibody to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

BACKGROUND

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a major ligand on endothelial cells for adherence of activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). The major purpose of this study was to study the effects of RR1/1, a monoclonal antibody against ICAM-1 (i.e., MAb RR1/1), on myocardial injury and endothelial dysfunction associated with myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Either MAb RR1/1 (2 mg/kg, n = 7), an antibody that was found to bind selectively to endothelial cells in the cat, or MAb R3.1 (2 mg/kg, n = 7), a nonbinding control antibody, was given as an intravenous bolus 10 minutes before reperfusion. Two hundred eighty minutes later, hearts were excised. The left ventricle area-at-risk (AAR) was similar in MAb RR1/1 (29 +/- 2%) and MAb R3.1 (30 +/- 3%) groups. In MAb R3.1-treated cats, 90 minutes of myocardial ischemia plus 4.5 hours of reperfusion induced a significant myocardial injury (necrotic tissue/AAR, 28 +/- 2%), high myeloperoxidase activity (0.65 +/- 0.16 units/100 mg ischemic tissue), and a marked decrease in endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in isolated left anterior descending coronary arteries (vasorelaxation to acetylcholine, 29 +/- 3%) with no change in endothelium-independent vasorelaxation (relaxation to NaNO2, 91 +/- 3%). However, cats treated with MAb RR1/1 developed significantly less myocardial necrosis (10 +/- 2% of the AAR, p less than 0.01), lower myeloperoxidase activity in ischemic myocardial tissue (0.2 +/- 0.03 units/100 mg ischemic tissue, p less than 0.01), and enhanced vasorelaxant responses to endothelial-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (53 +/- 5%) compared with ischemic/reperfused cats treated with Mab R3.1. Furthermore, addition of MAb RR1/1 in vitro significantly inhibited unstimulated PMN adherence to ischemic-reperfused coronary artery endothelium.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ICAM-1-dependent PMN adherence plays an important role in reperfusion injury, and that PMN adherence and infiltration contribute significantly to coronary endothelial dysfunction.

Beneficial effects of SPM-5185, a cysteine-containing NO donor in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion

Intravenous administration of SPM-5185 [N-nitratopivaloyl-S-(N'-acetylalanyl)-cysteine ethyl ester], a cysteine-containing nitric oxide (NO) donor, or SPM-5267 [pivaloyl-S-(N'-acetylalanyl)-cysteine ethyl ester], an analogue of SPM-5185 that lacks the NO moiety, was studied in a feline myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model. Administration of SPM-5185 (1 mg/kg), followed by a 2-mg.kg-1.h-1 infusion starting 10 min before reperfusion, resulted in significant protection 4.5 h postreperfusion. In the myocardial ischemia (MI)+SPM-5267 group, 38 +/- 4% of the area at risk was necrotic, whereas the necrotic area/area at risk was only 7 +/- 2% in the MI+SPM-5185 group (P less than 0.01). Moreover, SPM-5185 treatment markedly attenuated the endothelial dysfunction observed in the left anterior descending coronary artery after reperfusion by 50%. These beneficial effects occurred despite the absence of a significant change in myocardial oxygen demand, as measured by the pressure-rate index. In vitro experiments demonstrated that SMP-5185, but not SPM-5267, decreased adherence of neutrophils to the coronary vascular endothelium and decreased production of superoxide radicals. Therefore, a likely mechanism of the observed cardioprotection by SPM-5185 involves attenuation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte-induced endothelial dysfunction.

Cardiac venous endothelial dysfunction after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in dogs

Endothelial dysfunction is a prominent occurrence in coronary arteries after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. However, this has not been studied in coronary veins. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was studied in cardiac venous rings obtained from dogs subjected to 60 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 270 min of reperfusion, as well as from dogs subjected to sham ischemia-reperfusion. Myocardial ischemia resulted in a 96 +/- 2% decrease in coronary flow to the ischemic area 60 min after occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, which led to a significant degree of cardiac necrosis (i.e., 32.9 +/- 3.9% of area at risk). Cardiac venous rings isolated from sham ischemia-reperfusion dogs relaxed 68 +/- 3% to 200 microM ADP, 65 +/- 3% to 2 microM A23187, and 76 +/- 4% to 200 microM sodium nitrite (NaNO2). Corresponding values for cardiac venous rings isolated from ischemic-reperfused dogs were 32 +/- 3% for 200 microM ADP (P less than 0.01 vs. sham), 31 +/- 3% for 2 microM A23187 (P less than 0.01 vs. sham), and 74 +/- 3% for 200 microM NaNO2 (NS from sham). In rings from control dogs, vasorelaxation to ADP and A23187 was markedly inhibited by 4 mM NG-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and 10 methylene blue and restored after NG-nitro-L-arginine by 3 mM L-arginine. These results demonstrate that a significant degree of endothelial dysfunction occurred in cardiac venous rings after ischemia and reperfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Method of acetaldehyde measurement with minimal artifactual formation in red blood cells and plasma of actively drinking subjects with alcoholism

After alcohol consumption, a substantial amount of acetaldehyde that is reversibly bound to protein and nonprotein components of the red blood cells circulates in the blood and could cause extrahepatic toxicity. However, acetaldehyde measurement in human red blood cells is hampered by considerable ex vivo artifactual formation as a result of nonenzymatic oxidation of ethanol during protein precipitation. To eliminate this source of artifactual formation, free and reversibly bound acetaldehyde were trapped with semicarbazide from red blood cell hemolysates, and both the stroma and the hemoglobin were sequentially removed by centrifugation and ion-exchange chromatography in carboxymethyl Sephadex, respectively. The eluted semi-carbazone was dissociated with perchloric acid, and the acetaldehyde that was released in the protein-free supernatants was measured by head-space gas chromatography. Maximal retention of hemoglobin by carboxymethyl Sephadex and complete recovery of acetaldehyde and ethanol were achieved at a pH of 5.3. The artifactual formation decreased from 2.62 +/- 0.32 mumol of acetaldehyde per millimole of ethanol in the initial hemolysates to 1.38 +/- 0.20 mumol after removal of the stroma and to a level that is comparable to measurements in plasma (0.09 +/- 0.02 mumol) after removal of both the stroma and the hemoglobin. In 12 actively drinking subjects with alcoholism, with blood ethanol levels that ranged between 9 and 81 mmol/L, the concentrations of acetaldehyde in red blood cells (11.50 +/- 1.46 mumol/L; range: 7.5 to 22 mumol/L) were minimally affected by blood ethanol levels and were three times as high as those in the plasma (3.74 +/- 1.49 mumol/L).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The role of L-arginine in ameliorating reperfusion injury after myocardial ischemia in the cat

BACKGROUND

Myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion results in endothelial dysfunction characterized by a reduced release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). Because EDRF has been characterized as nitric oxide, we examined the ability of L-arginine, the substrate for nitric oxide synthesis, to protect in a feline model of myocardial ischemia plus reperfusion.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The effects of L-arginine were investigated in a 6-hour model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in pentobarbital-anesthetized cats. A bolus administration (30 mg/kg) of L-arginine, or its enantiomer D-arginine, was given followed by a continuous infusion of 10 mg/kg/min for 1 hour starting 10 minutes before reperfusion. Myocardial ischemia plus reperfusion in cats receiving D-arginine resulted in severe myocardial injury and endothelial dysfunction characterized by marked myocardial necrosis, high cardiac myeloperoxidase activity in ischemic cardiac tissue, and loss of acetylcholine- and A-23187-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in coronary artery rings. In contrast, myocardial ischemia plus reperfusion cats treated with L-arginine exhibited a reduced area of cardiac necrosis (16 +/- 2% versus 41 +/- 5% of area at risk, p less than 0.01), lower myeloperoxidase activity in the ischemic region (0.3 +/- 0.08 versus 0.8 +/- 0.10 units/100 mg tissue, p less than 0.05), and significant preservation of acetylcholine- (p less than 0.01) and A-23187- (p less than 0.01) induced endothelial-dependent relaxation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate the ability of L-arginine to reduce necrotic injury in a cat model of myocardial ischemia plus reperfusion, and this reduction in infarct size is associated with the preservation of endothelial function and attenuation of neutrophil accumulation in ischemic cardiac tissue.

Activated neutrophils aggravate endothelial dysfunction after reperfusion of the ischemic feline myocardium

Endothelial dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased stimulated release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), occurs after reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium. To better understand this endothelial dysfunction, isolated cat hearts were perfused under constant flow by the Langendorff procedure with Krebs-Henseleit solution devoid of blood cells. Following global ischemia (90 minutes) and reperfusion (20 minutes), coronary vasorelaxation to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (ACh) was 70 +/- 3% of initial values (p less than 0.01) compared with 90 +/- 4% in nonischemic control perfused hearts. No decrement occurred in response to the endothelium-independent vasodilator nitroglycerin (NTG). Coronary artery rings isolated from the ischemic left circumflex coronary artery showed a similar degree of endothelial dysfunction to ACh, with normal relaxation in response to NaNO2. Autologous cat neutrophils (100 million cells), activated with 100 nmol/L f-met-leu-phe infused into the heart directly before and throughout reperfusion, resulted in a further decrement in ACh-induced vasodilation, to 55 +/- 5% of initial response, with no effect on NTG-induced vasodilation. Similar results were obtained with coronary artery rings isolated from perfused cat hearts and exposed to neutrophils. This neutrophil-enhanced endothelial dysfunction was inhibited by human superoxide dismutase as well as by an antibody to the adherence glycoprotein complex CD-18 (i.e., MAbR 15.7). Therefore endothelial dysfunction occurs initially upon reperfusion of the previously ischemic heart and is aggravated by superoxide radicals produced by activated neutrophils.

Anti-ischaemic and endothelial protective actions of recombinant human osteogenic protein (hOP-1)

Osteogenic protein one (hOP-1), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) supergenic family, was studied for its anti-ischaemic properties in rats subjected to myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion. Ten minutes after ligation (i.e., just prior to reperfusion) of the left coronary artery, 2 or 20 micrograms/rat recombinant human (hOP-1) or its vehicle, was given intravenously. hOP-1 at 20 micrograms significantly reduced reperfusion injury 24 h later compared to rats receiving only vehicle (i.e., 0.9% NaCl). hOP-1 was also found to preserve rat coronary endothelial function (i.e., release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, EDRF) in perfused hearts following global ischaemia and reperfusion. Moreover, hOP-1 also significantly inhibited adherence of rat neutrophils to rat vascular endothelium in vitro. Thus, hOP-1 exerts significant anti-ischaemic effects. Some of this cardioprotection may be related to the ability of hOP-1 to preserve endothelial function and inhibit neutrophil adherence to the endothelium.

Splanchnic vascular endothelial dysfunction in rat endotoxemia: role of superoxide radicals

Intravenous lipopolysaccharide, 30 mg/kg, results in rapid systemic hypotension in anesthetized rats. Interaction of lipopolysaccharide with the vascular endothelium and blood borne cells results in the elaboration of cytokines and oxygen-derived free radicals, all of which can be injurious to normal endothelial function. To evaluate endothelial function, superior mesenteric artery rings were isolated from endotoxemic rats just prior to death. Endotoxemia significantly blunted superior mesenteric artery ring vasorelaxations to acetylcholine and to A23187 but not to NaNO2. Contraction of superior mesenteric artery rings from endotoxemic rats induced by U46619 was not altered. Treatment with human superoxide dismutase or U74006F, an aminosteroid, significantly preserved vasorelaxation to acetylcholine and A23187. However, the hydroxyl radical scavenger N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine did not protect the endothelium. Thus, intravenous lipopolysaccharide can induce endothelial dysfunction in superior mesenteric artery rings. Furthermore, because superoxide dismutase but not N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine preserves endothelial function, it is likely that superoxide radicals mediate the endothelial dysfunction observed in endotoxemic rats.

Mechanisms of the cardioprotective actions of WEB-2170, bepafant, a platelet activating factor antagonist, in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

The cardioprotective effects of WEB-2170, a specific platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist, were investigated in a feline model of myocardial ischemia (MI) and reperfusion. Either WEB-2170 (1-mg/kg bolus plus 2 mg/kg/hr) or its vehicle (0.9% NaCl) was administered 1 hr after left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion (i.e., 30 min before reperfusion). The cardiac area-at-risk (AAR) was similar in MI-reperfused (MI + R) cats given either WEB-2170 (31.5 +/- 3.6%) or vehicle (27.8 +/- 2.8%). However, in cats receiving only the vehicle, 1.5 hr of ischemia plus 4.5 hr of reperfusion resulted in significant myocardial injury (necrotic tissue/AAR, 37.7 +/- 4.5%), high plasma creatine kinase activity (29.4 +/- 4.1 I.U./micrograms of protein) and a marked decrease in endothelium-dependent relaxation in isolated left anterior descending coronary arteries to acetylcholine (33 +/- 4% of U-46619-induced vasocontraction) with no change in endothelium-independent relaxation to NaNO2 (91 +/- 1%). In contrast, MI + R cats treated with WEB-2170 developed significantly less myocardial necrosis (necrotic tissue/AAR, 12.0 +/- 2.8%, P less than .001), lower plasma creatine kinase activity (16.5 +/- 4.1 I.U./micrograms of protein, P less than .01) and enhanced vascular relaxation to acetylcholine (53 +/- 4.1%, P less than .01) compared to MI + R cats given only the vehicle. Furthermore, the addition of WEB-2170 to PMN suspensions in vitro significantly inhibited (P less than .01) PAF-induced polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adherence to endothelial cells (12 +/- 2.4 cells/field vs. 27 +/- 2.6 in the control group).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardioprotection and attenuation of endothelial dysfunction by organic nitric oxide donors in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion

The effects of two nitric oxide (NO) donors were evaluated in a 6-h model of feline myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. After 80 min of a 90-min ischemic period, SIN-1 or C87-3754 or their respective controls (i.e., 0.9% NaCl or C88-3934, a control compound which does not release NO) were given i.v. as a bolus (0.1 mg/kg) and infused at 1 mg/kg/h for the entire 4.5-h reperfusion period. Administration of the active NO donors significantly decreased the necrotic area/area-at-risk ratio from 29 +/- 3% in the vehicle group to 9 +/- 2 and 11 +/- 5% in the SIN-1 and C87-3754 groups, respectively (P less than .001). The inactive NO donor C88-3934 failed to reduce infarct size (31 +/- 3%). Neither NO donor reduced the accumulation of neutrophils in the necrotic area when compared to their respective control groups, but both agents significantly attenuated coronary endothelial dysfunction as shown by a vasorelaxation to acetylcholine of 62 +/- 2 and 64 +/- 3% in the SIN-1- and C87-3754-treated arteries, as compared to only a 27 +/- 3 and 34 +/- 4% vasorelaxation in the vehicle and inactive NO donor groups, respectively (P less than .001). Our studies show that SIN-1 and C87-3754 exert beneficial effects in a 6-h model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Both NO donors decreased myocardial necrosis and decreased the reperfusion-induced endothelial dysfunction without significantly altering the pressure-rate index (i.e., an index of myocardial oxygen demand).

Low doses of superoxide dismutase and a stable prostacyclin analogue protect in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

The effects of low dose human superoxide dismutase and low dose taprostene, a stable analogue of prostacyclin, were investigated separately and together in a model of myocardial ischemia (1.5 h) with reperfusion (4.5 h) in open chest, anesthetized cats. Taprostene (60 ng/kg per min), human superoxide dismutase (0.25 mg/kg per h), both agents together, or their vehicle, were infused intravenously in cats starting 0.5 h after occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Neither low dose taprostene nor low dose human superoxide dismutase exerted any endothelial or myocardial protection in this model. However, the two agents together showed a significant endothelial and myocardial protection in cats with myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Compared with cats that were untreated or received only taprostene or human superoxide dismutase, cats receiving both agents exhibited a lower plasma creatine kinase activity at every time point observed after reperfusion, a reduced area of cardiac necrosis (7 +/- 2% vs. 21 +/- 5% area at risk, p less than 0.001), lower myeloperoxidase activity in the ischemic region (p less than 0.01) and a significant preservation of vasorelaxant responses of left anterior descending coronary rings to endothelium-dependent vasodilators, acetylcholine (p less than 0.001) and A-23187 (p less than 0.001). Taprostene appears to act additively with human superoxide dismutase to inhibit neutrophil adherence and activation and to inactivate superoxide radicals, and thus reduce cellular injury 4.5 h after reperfusion of the ischemic heart. Use of this agent may allow low doses of superoxide dismutase to be used more effectively in early myocardial ischemia.

Novel beneficial mechanisms of defibrotide, a prostacyclin enhancing agent in splanchnic artery occlusion and reperfusion in rats

To further clarify the protective mechanism(s) of defibrotide in splanchnic artery occlusion (SAO) shock, we observed the effect of defibrotide on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) accumulation in the intestinal tissue, gastric lysosomal hydrolases and endothelial function of the ischemia-reperfused superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Pentobarbital anesthetized rats were subjected to occlusion of both the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries for 90 min followed by 2 h reperfusion. The rats receiving only the vehicle for defibrotide exhibited a marked increase in intestinal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and a significant endothelial dysfunction manifested by the loss of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. Only 2 of 6 rats (33%) survived 2 h of reperfusion. In contrast, those rats treated with defibrotide exhibited significantly attenuated PMN accumulation in intestinal tissue, enhanced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in SMA rings, prolonged survival time and increased survival rate to 6 of 7 (i.e., 86%). However, addition of defibrotide in vitro had no direct effect on LTB4 activated PMN adherence to vascular endothelium. Moreover, defibrotide preserved gastric lysosomal membranes in vitro. These results indicate that the protective effect of intravenous administration of defibrotide on SAO shock may be related to its endothelial preserving effect reducing PMN adherence and protection of endothelial and lysosomal membrane integrity.

Antibody to CD-18 exerts endothelial and cardiac protective effects in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

We studied the effects of MAbR15.7, an antibody directed against the common beta-chain (CD-18) of a family of neutrophil adherence glycoproteins, on endothelial dysfunction and myocardial injury in a model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in cats. Pentobarbital-anesthetized cats were subjected to 1.5 h occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and 4.5 h of reperfusion. MI + R resulted in severe myocardial injury and endothelial dysfunction, including significant elevation of plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, marked myocardial necrosis, high cardiac myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in ischemic cardiac tissue, and loss of response of LAD coronary rings to the endothelium-dependent vasodilators, acetylcholine (ACh) and A-23187. In contrast, MAbR15.7-treated cats exhibited a lower plasma CK activity at every time point observed after 2 h, a reduced area of cardiac necrosis (2 +/- 1 vs. 30.8 +/- 2.5% of area-at-risk, P less than 0.001), lower MPO activity in the ischemic region (P less than 0.01), and significantly preserved vasorelaxant responses of LAD coronary rings to endothelium-dependent vasodilators, ACh (P less than 0.001), and A-23187 (P less than 0.001). These results indicate that myocardial ischemia and reperfusion induces significant myocardial injury and endothelial dysfunction in the cat involving a CD18-dependent neutrophil adherence mechanism. Inhibition of neutrophil adherence to the endothelium exerts significant protective effects in this model of reperfusion injury.

Gender differences in the response of hepatic fatty acids and cytosolic fatty acid-binding capacity to alcohol consumption in rats

To investigate possible gender differences in the response of hepatic fatty acids and cytosolic fatty acid-binding capacity to ethanol consumption, both female and male rats (41 days of age) were pair fed liquid diets (with a littermate of the same sex) for 28 days. The diets contained 36% of energy either as ethanol or as additional carbohydrate. After ethanol feeding, the hepatic concentration of fatty acids increased 155% in females (P less than 0.01), whereas there was only a trend for an increase (22%) in males. This was associated with a much smaller increase of cytosolic fatty acid-binding capacity in females (58%) than in males (161%). Whereas the ethanol-induced increase in fatty acid-binding capacity provided an ample excess of binding sites for the fatty acids in males, the increase in females was barely sufficient for the binding of the large increase of fatty acids produced by ethanol in the females. The cytosolic protein responsible for this binding, the liver fatty acid-binding protein of the cytosol (L-FABPc), also promotes esterification of the fatty acids. In keeping with the postulated role of this protein, the ethanol-induced increases in hepatic triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and cholesterol esters were smaller in females than in males. The gender difference in cholesterol esters was associated with parallel changes in acyl-CoA transferase activity. A possible implication of the relatively small and most likely inadequate increase in liver fatty acid-binding capacity and fatty acid esterification during alcohol consumption in the females is that under these circumstances the risk for development of a potentially deleterious accumulation of fatty acids in the liver is increased, thereby contributing to the enhanced vulnerability of females to alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity.

Time course of endothelial dysfunction and myocardial injury during coronary arterial occlusion

The time course of the effects of permanent myocardial ischemia without reperfusion on the coronary vascular endothelium and myocardium were investigated in anesthetized cats. The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was occluded for 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, or 6.0 h. Coronary rings from the ischemic LAD and the nonischemic left circumflex (LCX) arteries were tested for their responsiveness to the endothelium-dependent vasodilators acetylcholine (ACh, 0.1-100 nM) and the calcium ionophore A23187 (1-1,000 nM), and the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitrite (NaNO2, 0.1-100 microM). Vasorelaxation was not significantly impaired in response to ACh after 1.5 h of ischemia and only moderately impaired after 3.0 h of ischemia (63 +/- 5% of control). However, after 4.5 h of ischemia the ACh-induced response was decreased to 33 +/- 4% of control and further declined to 31 +/- 4% of control after 6.0 h (P less than 0.001 from 1.5 h). There was no significant decrease in LCX ring vasorelaxant responses to vasodilators at all times, and the LAD rings only showed a moderately decreased response to NaNO2 after 6.0 h of ischemia (82 +/- 4% relaxation, P less than 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy revealed very little endothelial damage at 4.5 and 6.0 h, with only some subendothelial swelling noted. Damage to the myocardium did not become significant until after 4.5 h of ischemia, and cardiac myeloperoxidase activity, indicative of neutrophil accumulation, was not significant at any time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protective actions of a leukotriene B4 antagonist in splanchnic ischemia and reperfusion in rats

Pentobarbital-anesthetized rats were subjected to occlusion of both the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries for 90 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h. All seven rats given only the vehicle died within 2 h of reperfusion, whereas rats treated with LY-255283 (3 or 10 mg/kg iv), a leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor antagonist given 10 min before reperfusion, exhibited significantly higher survival rates of 57% (4 out of 7) and 75% (6 out of 8), respectively, 2 h after reperfusion. Rats given 1 mg/kg of LY-255283 showed no significant improvement in survival. Splanchnic artery occlusion (SAO)-shock rats treated with LY-255283 (3 or 10 mg/kg) exhibited significantly attenuated accumulation of plasma free amino-nitrogenous compounds and of a myocardial depressant factor. Treatment with LY-255283 (10 mg/kg) markedly (P less than 0.01) ameliorated the deficits of endothelium-dependent relaxation of isolated superior mesenteric artery (SMA) rings in untreated SAO-shock rats. LY-255283 at 10 mg/kg significantly attenuated the increased myeloperoxidase activity in the intestinal tissue of SAO-shock rats. Moreover, LY-189444, a closely related compound having no LTB4 antagonist activity, did not protect rats in SAO shock, whereas a lipoxygenase inhibitor confirmed protection in SAO shock. These results suggest that LTB4 plays a pivotal role in endothelial dysfunction occurring in SAO-shock rats by chemoattraction and activation of neutrophils on the surface of vascular endothelial cells. Moreover, LY-255283 but not LY-189444 inhibited the adherence of rat neutrophils to isolated SMA endothelium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of ethanol consumption on bioactivation and hepatotoxicity of N-nitrosodimethylamine in rats

To study the effects of ethanol on the hepatotoxicity of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), 5 mg NDMA/kg body weight was injected intraperitoneally 3 times a week for 6 weeks into rats pair-fed liquid diets containing 36% of energy either as ethanol or as additional carbohydrates. Another group of rats was pair-fed with the same diets but injected with saline instead of NDMA. Co-administration of ethanol and NDMA produced much higher elevations of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and glutamic dehydrogenase activities than the administration of either agent alone. The combined treatment also slightly increased focal necrosis, whereas other liver lesions (steatosis and fibrosis) and the functional impairment of mitochondrial respiration were not affected significantly. Microsomal low Km NDMA demethylation, as well as NDMA denitrosation, were inhibited markedly by incubation with an antibody against P450IIE1, suggesting the involvement of this alcohol-inducible P450 in both NDMA bioactivation reactions. The addition of ethanol inhibited P450-dependent demethylation and denitrosation of NDMA in liver microsomes, whereas both activities were enhanced markedly by chronic ethanol administration. At ethanol concentrations similar to those prevailing in the blood of alcohol-fed animals at the time of NDMA administration, hepatic microsomal demethylation and denitrosation remained significantly higher in ethanol-fed rats given NDMA than in controls. Our results suggest that bioactivation plays a critical role in the hepatotoxicity of NDMA and its aggravation by chronic alcohol consumption.

Beneficial effects of transforming growth factor-beta and tissue plasminogen activator in splanchnic artery occlusion and reperfusion in cats

We studied the effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and their combination in cats subjected to splanchnic artery occlusion (SAO) with reperfusion. Untreated anesthetized cats subjected to total occlusion of the celiac, superior, and inferior mesenteric arteries for 120 min, followed by reperfusion, uniformly died within 120 min after reperfusion. The mean survival time was 75 +/- 8 min. Plasma amino-nitrogen concentrations and cathepsin D and myocardial depressant factor (MDF) activities were markedly elevated following reperfusion. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) rings isolated from cats subjected to SAO with reperfusion exhibited a significant loss of vasorelaxation to the endothelium-dependent dilators acetylcholine and A-23187. Administration of tPA (1 mg/kg) intravenously just before reperfusion did not prolong survival time (81 +/- 10 min) nor did it influence any biochemical or cardiovascular responses following reperfusion or ameliorate the depressed endothelium-dependent relaxation of SMA rings. In contrast, TGF-beta (50 micrograms/cat) ameliorated the SAO postreperfusion state in terms of survival rate and plasma MDF activity, and protected against depressed endothelium-dependent relaxation of SMA rings. TGF-beta alone slightly increased the survival time to 102 +/- 11 min. However, combined treatment with tPA (1 mg/kg) and TGF-beta (50 micrograms/cat) preserved endothelium-dependent relaxation and prevented increases in plasma amino-nitrogen more prominently than TGF-beta given alone and significantly increased the survival time to 118 +/- 3 min (p less than 0.01). These results indicate that TGF-beta exerts beneficial effects in SAO followed by reperfusion in cats, and tPA has an augmenting action on some of the beneficial effects of TGF-beta. These findings suggest that TGF-beta alone or in combination with tPA may be potentially useful therapeutic regimens in splanchnic ischemia shock by preserving splanchnic parenchymal and endothelial cells.

Neutrophil-mediated vasoconstriction and endothelial dysfunction in low-flow perfusion-reperfused cat coronary artery

We investigated the interaction between activated cat polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and coronary vascular endothelial cells in vitro. It was shown that 1) 90 minutes of low-flow perfusion without reperfusion had no deleterious effects on endothelium-dependent vasodilation, whereas 90 minutes of low-flow perfusion and 20 minutes of reperfusion with a blood cell-free solution induced a 20-25% endothelial dysfunction; 2) activated PMNs produced endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction in coronary artery rings isolated from cat hearts undergoing 90 minutes of low-flow perfusion and 20 minutes of reperfusion with a blood cell-free Krebs-Henseleit solution; 3) addition of the superoxide free radical scavenger, superoxide dismutase (150 micrograms/ml), or an antibody directed against CD18 of PMN adherence glycoprotein complex (MAbR15.7, 20 micrograms/ml) attenuated PMN-induced vasoconstriction significantly, but addition of a hydroxyl radical scavenger [N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine, 150 micrograms/ml], a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, or a lipoxygenase inhibitor had no protective effect; 4) exposure of rings to a superoxide radical-generating system (i.e., xanthine and xanthine oxidase) produced significant vasoconstriction that was similar to that observed with activated PMNs and was inhibited by superoxide dismutase; and 5) activated PMNs produced a marked coronary endothelial dysfunction characterized by a decreased response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilators acetylcholine and A23187. Addition of either superoxide dismutase or MAbR15.7 protected against endothelial dysfunction. These results indicate that activated PMNs produce significant vasoconstriction and endothelial dysfunction in coronary arteries isolated from low-flow perfusion-reperfused hearts. These effects appear to be mediated primarily by superoxide radicals generated by activated PMNs that either inactivate or inhibit the synthesis and release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor. We conclude that activated PMNs are able to induce endothelial dysfunction by releasing free radicals and possibly other substances.

Mechanisms of inhibition of nitric oxide production in a murine model of splanchnic artery occlusion shock

Nitric oxide has been thought to be a major endothelium-derived relaxing factor which is synthesized from L-arginine and can be selectively inhibited by L-NG-monomethyl arginine. On the other hand, another endothelium-derived vasorelaxant, defined as endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, has been reported. We compared their role in regulating the splanchnic vascular tone in splanchnic artery occlusion shock in the rat. Administration of L-NG-monomethyl arginine (100 mg/kg) given 5 min prior to reperfusion of splanchnic arteries which were occluded for 45 min, produced a significant increase in mean arterial blood pressure. However, the indices of the severity of shock status, including survival time, survival rate and increases in hematocrit, plasma cathepsin D and myocardial depressant factor activity following splanchnic artery occlusion shock were not exacerbated by administration of L-NG-monomethyl arginine. Addition of L-NG-monomethyl arginine (1 mg/ml) induced a small but significant increase in basal vascular tone of superior mesenteric artery rings, but it failed to totally block acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation (48 +/- 4% relaxation). Although there were no significant changes in basal vascular tone after administration of glibenclamide (30 micrograms/ml), acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation was significantly attenuated (58 +/- 4% relaxation). When L-NG-monomethyl arginine and glibenclamide were added together, acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation was almost totally abolished (18 +/- 2% relaxation). Our results indicate that rat splanchnic artery endothelial cells may produce both endothelium-derived relaxing and hyperpolarizing factor. Endothelium-derived relaxing factor plays an important role in the regulation of basal vascular tone of the splanchnic circulation, while endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor may be important in modulating the mesenteric blood flow following splanchnic artery occlusion shock.

Cardioprotective and endothelial protective effects of [Ala-IL8]77 in a rabbit model of myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion

1 We studied the effects of a form of interleukin-8 (i.e., [Ala-IL8]77) on endothelial dysfunction and myocardial injury in rabbits. Pentobarbitone-anaesthetized rabbits were subjected to 1.5 h occlusion of the marginal coronary artery and 3.5 h reperfusion. [Ala-IL8]77 (50 micrograms or its vehicle) was given i.v. as a bolus 10 min prior to reperfusion. [Ala-IL8]77 was also studied in isolated perfused hearts of rabbits. 2 Myocardial ischaemia plus reperfusion in untreated rabbits produced severe endothelial dysfunction and myocardial injury, including marked myocardial necrosis, elevated cardiac myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in ischaemic cardiac tissue, and loss of response of marginal coronary rings to the endothelium-dependent vasodilators, acetylcholine (ACh) and A23187. 3 Administration of [Ala-IL8]77 10 min prior to reperfusion resulted in significant protective effects in post-ischaemic reperfusion. Compared with untreated rabbits, [Ala-IL8]77 caused a reduced necrotic zone (P less than 0.01), lower MPO activity in the necrotic zone (P less than 0.05), and significantly preserved vasorelaxant responses of marginal coronary artery rings to endothelium-dependent vasodilators, ACh (P less than 0.001) and A23187 (P less than 0.001). 4 These results indicate that myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion result in a severe endothelial dysfunction and myocardial injury which involved the interaction of neutrophils and endothelial cells. However, [Ala-IL8]77 did not appear to exert a direct endothelial protective effect in the absence of neutrophils in rabbit isolated perfused hearts. 5 Inhibition of neutrophil accumulation in the myocardium, perhaps by prevention of endothelial dysfunction resulting from [Ala-IL8]77, leads to significant protective effects in ischaemia and reperfusion in rabbits.