Inhibition of sodium-hydrogen exchange reduces infarct size in the isolated rat heart--a protective additive to ischaemic preconditioning

OBJECTIVES

Inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange with amiloride analogues has been shown to protect the ischaemic and reperfused heart. The aim of this study was to examine if preischaemic or postischaemic treatment with the selective Na+/H+ exchange inhibitor ethyl-isopropyl amiloride (EIPA, 1 microM) influenced infarct size in an isolated rat heart model of regional ischaemia and reperfusion, and if any such protection was additive to the protection afforded by ischaemic preconditioning.

METHODS

Langendorff perfused rat hearts were subjected to 30 or 45 min of regional ischaemia and 120 min of reperfusion. The risk zone was determined by fluorescent particles and infarct size was determined by staining with triphenyltetrazolium chloride.

RESULTS

Treatment with EIPA for 20 min before 30 min regional ischaemia significantly reduced infarct size (in % of the risk zone) compared to untreated controls [3.1 (SEM 1.0)% v 38.1(5.8)%, P < 0.001], a protection similar to that afforded by ischaemic preconditioning [6.1(2.5)%]. Combination of preischaemic EIPA treatment and ischaemic preconditioning also reduced infarct size [5.2(2.0)%, P < 0.01 v control group]. When EIPA was added to the buffer only during the first 30 min of reperfusion, no protection was observed [infarct size = 37.8(5.8)%, NS v control group]. In order to clarify if the protection observed with EIPA treatment was additive to protection by ischaemic preconditioning, another set of experiments was performed. In these experiments regional ischaemia was extended to 45 min. Preischaemic EIPA treatment reduced infarct size also in this model compared to controls [15.3(2.9)% v 64.3(2.9)%, P < 0.001], as did ischaemic preconditioning [23.5(4.2)%, P < 0.001 v controls, NS v EIPA treated hearts]. Combination of ischaemic preconditioning and preischaemic EIPA treatment further reduced infarct size significantly [3.9(0.6)%, P < 0.05 v all other groups with 45 min regional ischaemia].

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange reduces infarct size in the isolated rat heart infarct model if the exchanger is inhibited during the ischaemic period, and this protection is additive to the protection afforded by ischaemic preconditioning.

Endothelin-1 causes accumulation of leukocytes in the pulmonary circulation

We previously reported that the endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced increase in microvascular permeability in isolated rat lungs required leukocytes in the perfusate. The present study examines whether intravenous administration of ET-1 in rats causes an inflammatory reaction in the lungs. Histological examination of the lung specimens 2 hr following ET-1 infusion showed adhesion of leukocytes to the vascular endothelium in pulmonary vessels and sequestration of leukocytes in the pulmonary capillaries. Microscopic examination of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed that leukocytes had migrated into the alveoli. Simultaneously a depletion of peripheral blood leukocytes was observed. These effects were reversible by 24 hr. Monitoring of systemic hemodynamic effects showed a continued reduced cardiac stroke volume and increasing heart rate after 2 hr. In isolated rat lungs, ET-1 caused a rapid increase in pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary microvascular pressure, and edema formation. Compared with Krebs-albumin-perfused lungs, blood-perfusion accelerated the edemagenic effect of ET-1. ET-1 plays a role in the regulation of leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in the pulmonary circulation. This has potential importance for the edemagenic effect of ET-1.

Rat and rabbit heart infarction: effects of anesthesia, perfusate, risk zone, and method of infarct sizing

Rabbits and rats are becoming popular models for in vitro as well as in situ studies of myocardial infarction. In the present analysis we evaluated the results of several of our completed investigations and tested whether blood-free perfusate, anesthesia, or risk zone size affects infarction in these species. In addition, the influence of the method used for determining infarct size (histology or histochemistry) was examined in rabbits. All hearts experienced 30 min of regional ischemia followed by either 2-3 h of reperfusion in animals in which infarct size was assessed by staining with triphenyltetrazolium chloride or 72 h in those in which histological methods were used to measure infarct size. Eighteen rabbit and seven rat hearts perfused with Krebs buffer, seventeen open-chest rabbits, eight rats anesthetized with pentobarbital, and ten conscious rabbits were studied. Risk zone size measured with fluorescent particles was plotted against infarct size. Infarct size was linearly correlated with risk zone size and did not differ among models for each species. In rat hearts the regression line passed through the origin so that zero infarction occurred with zero risk zone size. However, in the rabbit heart there was no apparent infarction for risk zone sizes < 0.3 cm3. Although the relationship between risk zone and infarction was found to be remarkably independent of the model chosen, the nonzero intercept for the rabbit heart can be an important, previously unrecognized source of experimental variability when infarct size is expressed as a percentage of the risk zone.

Experimental hypothermia: effects of core cooling and rewarming on hemodynamics, coronary blood flow, and myocardial metabolism in dogs

Conflicting results have been reported as to the extent that cardiovascular function can be reestablished after rewarming from hypothermia. We measured hemodynamic function, myocardial metabolism and tissue water content in dogs core-cooled to 25 degrees C and later rewarmed. At 25 degrees C left ventricular (LV) systolic pressure (LVSP) was 54% +/- 4%, maximum rate of LV pressure rise (LV dP/dtmax) 44% +/- 5%, aortic pressure (AOP) 50% +/- 6%, heart rate (HR) 40% +/- 0%, cardiac output (CO) 37% +/- 5%, myocardial blood flow (MBF) 34% +/- 5%, and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) 8% +/- 1%, compared to precooling. Stroke volume (SV) and LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were unchanged. As normothermia (37 degrees C) was reestablished, the depression of cardiac function and myocardial metabolism remained the same as that at 25 degrees C: LVSP 71% +/- 6%, LV dP/dtmax 73% +/- 7%, SV 60% +/- 9%, AOP 70% +/- 6%, CO 57% +/- 9%, MBF 53% +/- 8%, and MVO2 44% +/- 8% HR, in contrast, recovered to precooling values. The arterial concentrations of glucose and free fatty acids (FFA) did not change significantly during the experimental period, whereas an increase in lactate of nonmyocardial origin appeared after rewarming. Increased myocardial contents of creatine phosphate and water were found during both hypothermia and rewarming. The present study demonstrates a persistent depression of cardiac function after hypothermia and rewarming in spite of adequate energy stores. Thus, a direct influence on myocardial contractile function by the cooling and rewarming process is suggested.

Phospholipid peroxidation in isolated perfused rat hearts subjected to hypothermia followed by rewarming: inverse relation to loss of function

In the present experimental study phospholipid peroxidation after hypothermia and rewarming was investigated in isolated buffer-perfused rat hearts. Stable normotherm perfusion (37 degrees C) for 20 min was followed by cooling to 14 degrees C, 4 h perfusion at 14 degrees C, and rewarming to 37 degrees C followed by 30 min normotherm perfusion. Seven hearts went through the whole protocol, whereas six hearts were subjected only to the initial stabilization period. Mechanical performance was measured by a balloon in the left ventricle (LV) permitting measurements of LV pressure and its derivatives. At the end of perfusion, hearts were freeze clamped in liquid nitrogen for phospholipid peroxidation measurements, phospholipid fatty acid composition, high-energy phosphate content (adenosine tri-, di-, and monophosphate and creatine phosphate), and tissue water content. After rewarming there was a significant reduction in mechanical performance and coronary flow. Tissue content of high-energy phosphates was decreased and tissue water content was increased. Levels of peroxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids (conjugated diens) in phospholipids and nonesterified fatty acids were not significantly changed (135.2 +/- 31.1 vs 74.3 +/- 7.6 nmol/g tissue dry wt and 1212 +/- 203 and 1685 +/- 197 nmol/g in control and rewarmed hearts. However, the amount of peroxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids expressed as a fraction of the phospholipids was significantly reduced by the cooling/rewarming procedure (1.28 +/- 0.22 vs 0.61 +/- 0.09 x 10(-3), P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Phospholipid peroxidation after 60 min of global ischaemia and 10 min of reperfusion. A study in the isolated rat heart

Peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes is thought to be a crucial factor in the cascade leading to reperfusion damage in the myocardium. However, some studies also describe increased lipid peroxidation in ischaemic tissue. The present study therefore examines phospholipid peroxidation after 60 min of global ischaemia and during the initial phase of reperfusion in isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. Lipids were extracted from these hearts and separated into phospholipid, triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid fractions. The phospholipid fraction was hydrolysed with phospholipase A2, and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography of the fatty acids derived from the phospholipids was performed. Peroxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids were separated from unchanged fatty acids and amounts of monohydroxy or monohydroperoxy isomers were quantified by measuring conjugated dienes by UV absorption (235 nm). Phospholipids from ischaemic as well as free-radical-exposed tissue contained increased levels of peroxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids (20.7 +/- 2.4 and 20.5 +/- 2.3 respectively, v 11.8 +/- 1.4 units/mg dry weight in controls). After 2-10 min of reperfusion, a significant increase in phospholipid peroxidation was no longer detected (12.5 +/- 1.2 units/mg). The amount and the composition of non-esterified fatty acids were examined by gas chromatography. Ischaemia significantly increased both the amount of non-esterified fatty acids (1.5 +/- 0.8 v 4.9 +/- 1.8 nmol/mg dry wt) as well as the percentage composed of arachidonic acid (3.4 +/- 3.2% v 7.4 +/- 1.4%). Fatty acid levels remained elevated during reperfusion (5.5 +/- 1.9 nmol/mg and 7.0 +/- 1.4%). In conclusion, our results have demonstrated that prolonged ischaemia alone caused phospholipid peroxidation as well as accumulation of non-esterified arachidonic acid. There was no sign of further phospholipid peroxidation during reperfusion.

Evidence that translocation of protein kinase C is a key event during ischemic preconditioning of rabbit myocardium

We used three interventions to test critically the theory that ischemic preconditioning is the result of translocation of cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC) into the membranes where it can be activated. If that theory were true then kinase activity should not be necessary during the preconditioning ischemia and thus blocking kinase activity at this time should not block protection. Secondly, since most translocation processes in the cell are accomplished by cytoskeletal microtubules, disrupting them with colchicine should also block protection from preconditioning. Finally, translocating PKC by transient exposure to PMA, should still require adenosine receptor activation to reactivate the PKC pathway during the subsequent ischemia. Blocking kinase activity with staurosporine during a 30 min insult completely blocks protection in preconditioned hearts but when staurosporine treatment was confined to the preconditioning episode protection was not blocked in five of the eight hearts studied. Microtubule disruption with colchincine did block the protective effect of preconditioning (38.3 +/- 1.9% infarction v 40.6 +/- 4.1% in non-preconditioned). Colchicine had no effect on infarct size in the non-preconditioned group. Five min PMA treatment plus 10 min washout significantly limited infarct size in isolated rabbit hearts subjected to 30 min regional ischemia (5.9 +/- 1.1% v 31 +/- 3.5% infarction in control). PMA's protection was blocked by adding the adenosine receptor blocker, SPT, during the sustained ischemia (38.1 +/- 6.1% infarction). All three of these experiments strongly support the translocation theory of ischemic preconditioning.

Ultrastructural changes in the myocardial myocytic mitochondria: crucial step in the development of oxygen radical-induced damage in isolated rat hearts?

The present study focuses on the sequential development of myocardial ultrastructural changes produced by oxygen radicals. Isolated rat hearts were perfused with oxygen radicals, generated by hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase, for 5 and 10 min followed by a 35-min recovery period. The frequency of, and the association between, ultrastructural changes were examined by semiquantitative morphometry using the micrograph as unit. In each micrograph sarcolemmal, myocytic mitochondrial and myofilamental alterations were observed and graded as slight, moderate or severe. The myocytic nucleus and the endothelial cells were scored as normal or altered. Five min group: Among the cellular organelles examined, the myocytic mitochondria showed the highest frequency of alteration (in 15.3% of the micrographs). Among the grades of myocytic mitochondrial ultrastructural changes, slight alterations predominated (12.5%). Slight myocytic mitochondrial alterations were not significantly associated with the occurrence of ultrastructural changes of other cellular organelles. Endothelial ultrastructural alterations were sparse (1.5%). Ten min group: The frequency of altered organelles was greater when compared to the 5 min group. The myocytic mitochondria were still the most frequently altered component (61.7%), and myocytic mitochondrial ultrastructural alterations of all grades were strongly associated with the occurrence of other myocytic ultrastructural changes. In conclusion, the present study showed that myocytic mitochondrial changes predominated after both 5 and 10 min of oxygen radical exposure followed by recovery. In the 5 min group slight myocytic mitochondrial changes appeared independent of other myocardial changes, but in the 10 min group, however, myocytic mitochondrial changes were strongly associated with other myocardial ultrastructural changes. These results indicate that myocytic mitochondria are especially vulnerable to oxygen radicals, and further that myocytic mitochondrial ultrastructural changes may be a crucial step in the development of oxygen radical-induced myocardial damage.

Preconditioning protects ischemic rabbit heart by protein kinase C activation

Myocardial protection in the rabbit induced by ischemic preconditioning is thought to be adenosine receptor linked, but the signaling pathway responsible for the protection has yet to be identified. This study tests whether protein kinase C could be involved. Either of two inhibitors of protein kinase C, staurosporine (50 micrograms/kg) or polymyxin B (24 mg/kg), were administered to rabbits subjected to 30 min regional myocardial ischemia followed by 180 min reperfusion. Half of the rabbits were preconditioned while the other half served as nonpreconditioned controls. Nonpreconditioned hearts without drug or treated with staurosporine or polymyxin B resulted in 37.8 +/- 3.1, 40.5 +/- 2.8, and 42.0 +/- 7.0% infarction of the risk zone, respectively. Preconditioning limited infarct size to 7.3 +/- 2.7%. Both inhibitors blocked protection in preconditioned hearts with 36.2 +/- 2.7 and 40.9 +/- 2.5% of the risk zone infarcted, respectively. Activation of protein kinase C with 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or with 1-oleyl-2-acetyl glycerol (OAG) mimicked preconditioning in buffer-perfused hearts. PMA (0.01 nmol/min) or OAG (10 nmol/min) for 5 min was followed by 10 min of washout. Infarct size after 30 min regional ischemia was limited in the PMA and OAG groups (6.4 +/- 1.4 and 11.7 +/- 3.3 vs. 28.0 +/- 4.5% in untreated controls) and was equipotent with ischemic preconditioning (11.8 +/- 2.2%). Polymyxin B also blocked protection from ischemic preconditioning in the isolated heart (33.0 +/- 5.0%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Substrate preference of isolated perfused rat hearts during hypothermia and rewarming

Fatty acid and glucose oxidation rates were measured in isolated rat hearts undergoing hypothermia and rewarming. The hearts were perfused in the Langendorff mode with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer containing 11.1 mM glucose plus 0.6 mM albumin-bound oleic acid as energy substrates. The hearts were stabilized at 37 degrees C and thereafter cooled progressively to 15 degrees C over a period of 60 min. The hearts were kept at this temperature for 10 min and then rewarmed to 37 degrees C during the next 30 min. Control hearts were perfused at 37 degrees C throughout the whole perfusion period. Trace amounts of [14C]glucose or [14C]oleic acid were included in the perfusate, and the rate of substrate oxidation was determined on the basis of the radioactive CO2 production. In normothermic hearts steady state oxidation rates of glucose and oleate were found to be 0.17 +/- 0.01 and 0.51 +/- 0.07 mumol min-1 g-1 dry wt, respectively (mean +/- SEM). In response to hypothermia (15 degrees C) glucose oxidation was reduced by 76% (from 0.17 +/- 0.01 to 0.04 +/- 0.01 mumol min-1 g-1 dry wt) and oleate oxidation by 47% (from 0.51 +/- 0.07 to 0.27 +/- 0.02 mumol min-1 g-1 dry wt). Upon rewarming glucose and fatty acid oxidation rates returned to essentially the same values (0.12 +/- 0.02 and 0.45 +/- 0.04 mumol min-1 g-1 dry wt) as those observed under steady state normothermic conditions. The molar ratio between glucose and fatty acid oxidation was, however, significantly (P < 0.05) lower in hypothermic than in normothermic hearts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Ibsen and sunshine]

It is known that some people become depressed in winter, and that treatment with light can be effective in such cases. A reasonable explanation of this depression seems to be lack of sunshine. The connection may be that light possibly influences the secretion of certain amines in the brain. The author believes that Henrik Ibsen was among those who are more dependent than others on sunshine for optimal function. This may explain why his moving from often dark, cold and rainy Norway to warm, sunny Italy in 1864 meant so much to him. It was a dramatic event in his life and he used it in his writing, especially in the three plays: Emporer and Galilean, Ghosts and When We Dead Awaken. In each of these three plays, happiness in sunshine is used as a contrast to the sadder, dark and unhappy aspect of life. Ibsen, the earnest man and author was a sunshine poet. He really loved the sun, perhaps because he himself was among those who, without sun, become depressed and downhearted and loose their love of work.

Ibuprofen abolishes the increase in leucocyte chemiluminescence observed during ischemic myocardial failure, but fails to improve hemodynamic function

The aim of the study was to evaluate 1) whether the ability of leucocytes to produce oxygen radicals was increased by ischemia and 2) if ibuprofen pretreatment could influence leucocyte oxygen radical production, hemodynamic function, and myocardial oxygen consumption during acute ischemic myocardial failure. We studied two groups of anesthetized dogs (control and ibuprofen-treated), both subjected to coronary embolization with polystyrene microspheres (diameter 50 microns). The embolization procedure was ended when left-ventricular end-diastolic pressure in both groups exceeded 20 mm Hg. Before and after induction of ischemia leucocytes were isolated and stimulated with opsonized zymosan, and oxygen radical production was measured using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence technique. Significant increase occurred in oxygen radical production (from 10.9 +/- 2.2 to 16.3 +/- 2.3 x 10(5) counts x 10(6) cells-1 x 60 min-1) 90 min after failure in the control group, whereas in ibuprofen-pretreated dogs oxygen radical production was unchanged. Hemodynamic registrations and myocardial oxygen consumption 90 min after failure were, however, not significantly different in control dogs and dogs pretreated with ibuprofen. Thus, in the present study, within the first 90 min of acute ischemic failure, a decrease in the ability of leucocytes to produce oxygen radicals was not related to significant changes in myocardial function.

Oxygen radicals and scavenger enzymes in ischaemia-reperfusion injury of skeletal muscle

In this study the protective effects of removing oxygen free radicals during ischaemia and reperfusion of skeletal muscle were investigated. The bilateral gracilis muscle model was used in six dogs. Both muscles were made ischaemic for 4 h, followed by reperfusion for 60 min. To remove oxygen free radicals, superoxide dismutase and catalase were given 10 min before ischaemia and during the first 30 min of reperfusion in one muscle; the other muscle served as a control. Muscle blood flow was recorded during the first 35 min of reperfusion. At the end of reperfusion the contents of high-energy phosphates and glycogen were measured. Furthermore, the metabolic burst of leukocytes (chemiluminescence) was determined. Flow as well as creatine phosphate were always highest in the treated muscles as compared with the control muscles (p less than 0.05). Adenosine triphosphate and glycogen were highest in all but one case. Spontaneous leukocyte chemiluminescence was significantly reduced in venous blood from the control muscle and insignificantly reduced in blood from the treated muscle as compared with blood from the aorta. The results are indirect evidence that reactive oxygen metabolites play a role in the genesis of ischaemia-reperfusion injury of skeletal muscle and that treatment with scavenger enzymes may have protective effects.

Amelioration of reperfusion injury following hypothermic, ischemic cardioplegia in isolated, infarcted rat hearts

The left coronary artery was ligated and myocardial infarction developed in 28 rats. Three weeks later, the hearts were excised and mounted in an apparatus for perfusion of non-working isolated hearts (Langendorff). Hypothermic (15 degrees C), ischemic cardioplegia was induced for either 2 or 3 1/2 h followed by reperfusion for 45 min. Half of the hearts were reperfused with an initially gradual rise in temperature and pressure of the perfusion fluid, whereas the other half was reperfused directly with the perfusate at 37 degrees C and 100 cm H2O pressure. The hearts were examined by transmission electron microscopy and randomized for stereological analysis based on point counting on electron micrographs. Cardioplegia of 2 h duration was tolerated better than cardioplegia for 3 1/2 h (interstitial edema; P = 0.03, fraction of altered mitochondria; P = 0.001). Particularly in the hearts undergoing the longest cardioplegia, myocardial injury was less severe following a gentle reperfusion as compared with those exposed to the clinically common abrupt technique (fraction of mitochondria in the myocyte; P = 0.03, fraction of altered mitochondria; P = 0.008). In the interstitium, the luminal area of capillaries was significantly increased and the endothelial swelling less pronounced in the groups undergoing the gentle reperfusion technique, (luminal/endothelial fraction; P = 0.01). The study shows that previously infarcted hearts are susceptible to ischemic damage even after 2 h of regular hypothermic, ischemic cardioplegia and that a gentle reperfusion technique significantly ameliorates reperfusion injury.

Effects of initial reperfusion temperature and pressure after prolonged cardioplegic ischemic arrest. A metabolic and functional study in rat hearts

The effects of temperature and pressure during early cardiac reperfusion after 3.5 hours of hypothermic, cardioplegic ischemia were investigated in isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. The hearts were randomized in two groups and subjected to different techniques of reperfusion. The group I hearts were exposed to rapidly rising perfusion pressure and temperature, and in group II slowly rising pressure and temperature were employed. After 60 min of reperfusion, left ventricular developed pressure, coronary flow and tissue content of high-energy phosphates were evaluated. Left ventricular pressure and coronary flow were significantly better preserved in group II. Recovery of adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate was significantly lower in group I (5.27 +/- 0.38 and 8.72 +/- 0.62 mumol x g dry weight-1) than in group II (9.31 +/- 0.41 and 14.97 +/- 0.62). The study thus demonstrated that functional recovery, restoration of coronary flow and normalization of high-energy phosphate stores after long periods of hypothermic cardioplegic ischemia can be considerably influenced by the employed reperfusion technique.

Mitochondrial calcium in hearts subjected to lipid peroxidation with contracture development

In the present study we have investigated isolated rat hearts perfused with oxygen radicals generated by xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine. The influence of verapamil (1 mg.1(-1] pretreatment on oxygen radical-induced contracture development and decrease in contractility was examined. In addition, we have measured mitochondrial calcium and magnesium levels in control hearts and hearts perfused with oxygen radicals with and without addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. The presence of oxygen radical-induced lipid peroxidation was confirmed by the increased level of conjugated diens in lipid extracts from oxygen radical-perfused hearts. Verapamil prevented contracture development in hearts perfused with oxygen radicals. Diastolic pressure measured with a left ventricle balloon was at the end of the experiments. 18 +/- 3 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) with verapamil and 66 +/- 9 mm Hg without (p less than 0.001). Perfusion with oxygen radicals resulted in a reduction in mitochondrial calcium from 14.63 +/- 0.93 to 8.26 +/- 0.61 nmol.mg-1 (p less than 0.001) which was partly reversed by superoxide dismutase and catalase. Mitochondrial magnesium levels were unchanged in all groups.

Functional impairment in isolated rat hearts induced by activated leukocytes: protective effect of oxygen free radical scavengers

Ischemia-reperfusion activates polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Depletion of PMN has been shown to reduce the size of experimental myocardial infarction. We have studied whether PMN activated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) would depress function of the isolated rat heart, and if this effect was mediated by oxygen free radicals (OFR). Cells and/or drugs were added to the perfusate into the aortic cannula for 10 min, followed by a 30 min recovery period. Oxygen free radicals formation was verified by chemiluminescence (CL). PMA-activated PMN (n = 13) caused CL response of 27,493 +/- 5113 counts (mean +/- S.E.M.) and reduced left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) to 30 +/- 9% and coronary flow (CF) to 49 +/- 7% of the baseline value at the end of the observation period. Addition of super-oxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (n = 11) reduced the CL response to 5623 +/- 806 counts, but did not influence either LVDP (36 +/- 15%) or CF (51 +/- 18%). Addition of thiourea (TU) to the activated cell suspension (n = 8) further reduced the CL response (3663 +/- 474 counts), and LVDP was 86 +/- 5% and CF was 87 +/- 3%. When TU + SOD + CAT was mixed with PMN + PMA (n = 11), the CL was almost abolished (117 +/- 21 counts) and LVDP was 73 +/- 8% and CF was 94 +/- 6%. When CF was reduced (n = 7) alike the CF reduction in the hearts receiving PMA + PMA, LVDP was not significantly changed at the end of the observation period (75 +/- 6%). Unactivated PMN (n = 8) caused minor response of LVDP and CF, similar to PMN + PMA + TU and PMN + PMA + SOD + CAT + TU. PMA alone (n = 8) was cardiotoxic and caused changes similar to PMN + PMA. This effect was not inhibited by scavengers (n = 6). The supernatant of the PMN + PMA suspension (n = 7) did not impair cardiac function, suggesting that no free PMA was available after mixing with PMN. We conclude that activated PMN in the coronary circulation depressed cardiac function and increased vascular resistance due to OFR production.

The selenium-deficient rat heart with special reference to tolerance against enzymatically generated oxygen radicals

The tolerance against two different levels of enzymatically generated oxygen radicals was studied in isolated Langendorff-perfused hearts from selenium (Se)-deficient and control rats. The glutathione peroxidase activity of the Se-deficient hearts was less than 5% of that of the controls. Examination of the ultrastructure was made after random sampling using morphometric methods. Selenium-deficient hearts demonstrated some areas with myocytes with intracellular oedema. Oxygen radicals (hydrogen peroxide and superoxide) were generated by adding xanthine oxidase for 12 min (high dose: 25 U/l; low dose: 12.5 U/l) and hypoxanthine to the buffer of isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. Left ventricle-developed pressure (LVDP) and high-energy phosphates (ATP and CP) were measured. After the low dose of oxygen radicals, LVDP was reduced to 32.7 +/- 6.5% (mean +/- SEM) of initial values in the Se-deficient group, but only to 58.3 +/- 8.4% in the control group (p less than 0.05). After the high dose, LVDP decreased abruptly to zero in both groups. However, ATP content was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower in Se-deficient than in control hearts. Perfusion with oxygen radicals (low dose) resulted in the appearance of mitochondrial damage in both groups, but intracellular oedema was still present only in the Se-deficient hearts. It is concluded that protection against oxygen radicals was reduced in Se-deficient hearts. This was probably due to loss of myocardial glutathione peroxidase activity.

Oxfenicine-induced accumulation of lipid in the rat myocardium

Oxfenicine inhibits myocardial metabolism of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of oxfenicine on triglyceride accumulation and the development of histologically visible lipid droplets. The beta-agonist isoproterenol was used to induce elevated arterial NEFA. Four groups of rats were used in the experiment (12 to 14 rats in each group), and each group received two subcutaneous injections, the second injection 25 min after the first, of oxfenicine-isoproterenol, oxfenicine-saline, saline-isoproterenol and saline twice, respectively. One hour after the second injection, the rats were anesthetized, and the hearts from six rats from each group were quickly removed and frozen for later analysis of triglyceride content. From the remaining rats blood samples were drawn for NEFA analysis, and biopsies were taken from the left ventricular wall before the hearts were frozen in liquid nitrogen and prepared for analysis of esters of carnitine and CoA. Quantitative morphometric techniques were used to determine the fractional volume of lipid droplets in myocardial biopsies. Our results show a marked increase in the triglyceride and lipid droplet content in all groups receiving oxfenicine or isoproterenol. The effect was most pronounced after treatment with both drugs. The close association between the increase in triglyceride and lipid droplet supports the notion that the lipid droplets are composed of triglycerides. Our finding that oxfenicine induces lipid droplet accumulation independent of NEFA increase supports the hypothesis that oxfenicine exerts its effect by inhibiting carnitine acyl transferase.