Species variation in the ouabain sensitivity of cardiac Na+/K+-ATPase. A possible role for membrane lipids

Disrupting Na+ ion homeostasis and Na+/K+ ATPase activity in breast cancer cells directly modulates glycolysis in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Glycolytic flux is regulated by the energy demands of the cell. Upregulated glycolysis in cancer cells may therefore result from increased demand for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), however it is unknown what this extra ATP turnover is used for. We hypothesise that an important contribution to the increased glycolytic flux in cancer cells results from the ATP demand of Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) due to altered sodium ion homeostasis in cancer cells.

METHODS

Live whole-cell measurements of intracellular sodium [Na+]i were performed in three human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231, HCC1954, MCF-7), in murine breast cancer cells (4T1), and control human epithelial cells MCF-10A using triple quantum filtered 23Na nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Glycolytic flux was measured by 2H NMR to monitor conversion of [6,6-2H2]D-glucose to [2H]-labelled L-lactate at baseline and in response to NKA inhibition with ouabain. Intracellular [Na+]i was titrated using isotonic buffers with varying [Na+] and [K+] and introducing an artificial Na+ plasma membrane leak using the ionophore gramicidin-A. Experiments were carried out in parallel with cell viability assays, 1H NMR metabolomics of intracellular and extracellular metabolites, extracellular flux analyses and in vivo measurements in a MDA-MB-231 human-xenograft mouse model using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoroglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET).

RESULTS

Intracellular [Na+]i was elevated in human and murine breast cancer cells compared to control MCF-10A cells. Acute inhibition of NKA by ouabain resulted in elevated [Na+]i and inhibition of glycolytic flux in all three human cancer cells which are ouabain sensitive, but not in the murine cells which are ouabain resistant. Permeabilization of cell membranes with gramicidin-A led to a titratable increase of [Na+]i in MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells and a Na+-dependent increase in glycolytic flux. This was attenuated with ouabain in the human cells but not in the murine cells. 18FDG PET imaging in an MDA-MB-231 human-xenograft mouse model recorded lower 18FDG tumour uptake when treated with ouabain while murine tissue uptake was unaffected.

CONCLUSIONS

Glycolytic flux correlates with Na+-driven NKA activity in breast cancer cells, providing evidence for the 'centrality of the [Na+]i-NKA nexus' in the mechanistic basis of the Warburg effect.

Cardiac glycosides stimulate endocytosis of GLUT1 via intracellular Na+ ,K+ -ATPase α3-isoform in human cancer cells

Glucose transporter GLUT1 plays a primary role in the glucose metabolism of cancer cells. Here, we found that cardiac glycosides (CGs) such as ouabain, oleandrin, and digoxin, which are Na⁺ ,K⁺ -ATPase inhibitors, decreased the GLUT1 expression in the plasma membrane of human cancer cells (liver cancer HepG2, colon cancer HT-29, gastric cancer MKN45, and oral cancer KB cells). The effective concentration of ouabain was lower than that for inhibiting the activity of Na⁺ ,K⁺ -ATPase α1-isoform (α1NaK) in the plasma membrane. The CGs also inhibited [³ H]2-deoxy- d-glucose uptake, lactate secretion, and proliferation of the cancer cells. In intracellular vesicles of human cancer cells, Na⁺ ,K⁺ -ATPase α3-isoform (α3NaK) is abnormally expressed. Here, a low concentration of ouabain inhibited the activity of α3NaK. Knockdown of α3NaK significantly inhibited the ouabain-decreased GLUT1 expression in HepG2 cells, while the α1NaK knockdown did not. Consistent with the results in human cancer cells, CGs had no effect on GLUT1 expression in rat liver cancer dRLh-84 cells where α3NaK was not endogenously expressed. Interestingly, CGs decreased GLUT expression in the dRLh-84 cells exogenously expressing α3NaK. In HepG2 cells, α3NaK was found to be colocalized with TPC1, a Ca²⁺ -releasing channel activated by nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP). The CGs-decreased GLUT1 expression was significantly inhibited by a Ca²⁺ chelator, a Ca²⁺ -ATPase inhibitor, and a NAADP antagonist. The GLUT1 decrease was also attenuated by inhibitors of dynamin and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinases (PI3Ks). In conclusion, the binding of CGs to intracellular α3NaK elicits the NAADP-mediated Ca²⁺ mobilization followed by the dynamin-dependent GLUT1 endocytosis in human cancer cells.

Off-target effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 blockers: empagliflozin does not inhibit Na+/H+ exchanger-1 or lower [Na+]i in the heart

AIMS

Emipagliflozin (EMPA) is a potent inhibitor of the renal sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) and an effective treatment for type-2 diabetes. In patients with diabetes and heart failure, EMPA has cardioprotective effects independent of improved glycaemic control, despite SGLT2 not being expressed in the heart. A number of non-canonical mechanisms have been proposed to explain these cardiac effects, most notably an inhibitory action on cardiac Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1), causing a reduction in intracellular [Na+] ([Na+]i). However, at resting intracellular pH (pHi), NHE1 activity is very low and its pharmacological inhibition is not expected to meaningfully alter steady-state [Na+]i. We re-evaluate this putative EMPA target by measuring cardiac NHE1 activity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The effect of EMPA on NHE1 activity was tested in isolated rat ventricular cardiomyocytes from measurements of pHi recovery following an ammonium pre-pulse manoeuvre, using cSNARF1 fluorescence imaging. Whereas 10 µM cariporide produced near-complete inhibition, there was no evidence for NHE1 inhibition with EMPA treatment (1, 3, 10, or 30 µM). Intracellular acidification by acetate-superfusion evoked NHE1 activity and raised [Na+]i, reported by sodium binding benzofuran isophthalate (SBFI) fluorescence, but EMPA did not ablate this rise. EMPA (10 µM) also had no significant effect on the rate of cytoplasmic [Na+]i rise upon superfusion of Na+-depleted cells with Na+-containing buffers. In Langendorff-perfused mouse, rat and guinea pig hearts, EMPA did not affect [Na+]i at baseline nor pHi recovery following acute acidosis, as measured by 23Na triple quantum filtered NMR and 31P NMR, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that cardiac NHE1 activity is not inhibited by EMPA (or other SGLT2i's) and EMPA has no effect on [Na+]i over a wide range of concentrations, including the therapeutic dose. Thus, the beneficial effects of SGLT2i's in failing hearts should not be interpreted in terms of actions on myocardial NHE1 or intracellular [Na+].

Ouabain reduces the expression of the adhesion molecule CD18 in neutrophils

Ouabain, a hormone that inhibits Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, modulates many aspects of the inflammatory response. It has been previously demonstrated that ouabain inhibits neutrophil migration in several inflammation models in vivo, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying this effect. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the effect of ouabain on molecules related to neutrophil migration. For this purpose, neutrophils obtained from mouse bone marrow were treated with ouabain (1, 10, and 100 nM) in vitro. Neutrophil viability was assessed by annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Ouabain treatment did not affect neutrophil viability at different times (2, 4, and 24 h). However, basal neutrophil viability was decreased after 4 h. Thus, we assessed the effect of ouabain on the adhesion molecule CD18, an integrin β2 chain protein, and on the chemokine receptor CXCR2 after 2 h of treatment. CD18 expression was reduced (by 30%) by 1 nM ouabain. However, the expression of CXCR2 on the neutrophil membrane was not affected by ouabain treatment (1, 10, and 100 nM). Moreover, ouabain (1, 10, and 100 nM) did not modulate the zymosan-induced secretion of CXCL1 (a chemokine receptor CXCR2 ligand) in macrophage cultures. These data suggest that the inhibitory effect of ouabain on neutrophil migration is related to reduced CD18 expression, indicating a novel mechanism of action.

Overexpression of the Na+ /Ca2+ exchanger influences ouabain-mediated spontaneous Ca2+ activity but not positive inotropy

Administration of digitalis in heart failure (HF) increases quality of life but does not carry a prognostic benefit. Digitalis is an indirect inhibitor of the Na⁺ /Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX), which is overexpressed in HF. We therefore used the cardiac glycoside ouabain in Ca²⁺ imaging experiments and patch-clamp experiments in isolated ventricular myocytes from nonfailing transgenic NCX overexpressor mice (OE). In field-stimulated myocytes, ouabain (1-100 μm) increased the amplitude of the Ca²⁺ transient in OE and wild-type (WT) similarly. Ouabain-mediated spontaneous Ca²⁺ -activity was significantly more pronounced in OE compared to WT myocytes at higher concentrations (100 μm). Also, at very high concentrations (1000 μm) of ouabain, the number of cells with hypercontraction leading to cell death was higher in OE. Ouabain (10 μm) shortened the action potential duration in both genotypes. Our findings suggest that the proarrhythmic but not the inotropic effects of cardiac glycosides are enhanced by increased NCX expression. This may offer an explanation for the observed lack of prognostic benefit but increased quality of life in HF, which is accompanied by NCX upregulation.

Much More than a Cardiotonic Steroid: Modulation of Inflammation by Ouabain

Since the discovery of ouabain as a cardiotonic steroid hormone present in higher mammals, research about it has progressed rapidly and several of its physiological and pharmacological effects have been described. Ouabain can behave as a stress hormone and adrenal cortex is its main source. Direct effects of ouabain are originated due to the binding to its receptor, the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, on target cells. This interaction can promote Na⁺ transport blockade or even activation of signaling transduction pathways (e.g., EGFR/Src-Ras-ERK pathway activation), independent of ion transport. Besides the well-known effect of ouabain on the cardiovascular system and blood pressure control, compelling evidence indicates that ouabain regulates a number of immune functions. Inflammation is a tightly coordinated immunological function that is also affected by ouabain. Indeed, this hormone can modulate many inflammatory events such as cell migration, vascular permeability, and cytokine production. Moreover, ouabain also interferes on neuroinflammation. However, it is not clear how ouabain controls these events. In this brief review, we summarize the updates of ouabain effect on several aspects of peripheral and central inflammation, bringing new insights into ouabain functions on the immune system.

Inhibitory efficacy of bufadienolides on Na+,K+-pump activity versus cell proliferation

Bufadienolides are cytotoxic drugs that may form the basis for anticancer agents. Due to structural and functional similarity to cardiotonic glycosides, application is restricted. We, therefore, investigated correlation of their putative anticancer effects with inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺pumps. The natural bufalin and three derivatives were tested. The anticancer effects of the drugs were checked by observing their inhibitory effects on proliferation of rat liver cancer cells using MTT assay. Inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺-pump was determined by measuring pump-mediated current of rat α1/β1 and α2/β1 Na⁺,K⁺pumps expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

All tested bufadienolides inhibited cell proliferation and Na⁺,K⁺pump activity. An activity coefficient A=100xIC₅₀^{Na,K pump}/IC₅₀^{proliferation} was used to describe drug effectivity as anticancer drug. Natural bufalin exhibited lowest effectivity on cell proliferation, and also the A value for rat α1 isoform was the lowest (0.08), the α2 isoform was much less sensitive (A=1.00). The highest A values were obtained for the BF238 derivative with A=0.88 and 2.64 for the α1 and α2 isoforms, respectively. Therefore, we suggest that search for bufalin derivatives with high anticancer effect and low affinity for both Na⁺,K⁺pump isoforms may be a promising strategy for development of anticancer drugs.

•

Effects of bufadienolides on Na pump are not correlated with their cytotoxicity.

•

Bufadienolides with high anticancer effect but low side effect may exist.

•

BF238 may form a basis for further anticancer drug research and development.

Rise in DPA Following SDA-Rich Dietary Echium Oil Less Effective in Affording Anti-Arrhythmic Actions Compared to High DHA Levels Achieved with Fish Oil in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Stearidonic acid (SDA; C18:4n-3) has been suggested as an alternative to fish oil (FO) for delivering health benefits of C ≥ 20 long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA). Echium oil (EO) represents a non-genetically-modified source of SDA available commercially. This study compared EO and FO in relation to alterations in plasma and tissue fatty acids, and for their ability to afford protection against ischemia-induced cardiac arrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Rats were fed (12 weeks) diets supplemented with either EO or FO at three dose levels (1, 3 and 5% w/w; n = 18 per group). EO failed to influence C22:6n-3 (DHA) but increased C22:5n-3 (DPA) in tissues dose-dependently, especially in heart tissue. Conversely, DHA in hearts of FO rats showed dose-related elevation; 14.8%-24.1% of total fatty acids. Kidney showed resistance for incorporation of LC n-3 PUFA. Overall, FO provided greater cardioprotection than EO. At the highest dose level, FO rats displayed lower (p < 0.05) episodes of VF% (29% vs. 73%) and duration (22.7 ± 12.0 vs. 75.8 ± 17.1 s) than the EO group but at 3% EO was comparable to FO. We conclude that there is no endogenous conversion of SDA to DHA, and that DPA may be associated with limited cardiac benefit.

AKT activation promotes PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome-associated cataract development

Mutations in the human phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene cause PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS), which includes cataract development among its diverse clinical pathologies. Currently, it is not known whether cataract formation in PHTS patients is secondary to other systemic problems, or the result of the loss of a critical function of PTEN within the lens. We generated a mouse line with a lens-specific deletion of Pten (PTEN KO) and identified a regulatory function for PTEN in lens ion transport. Specific loss of PTEN in the lens resulted in cataract. PTEN KO lenses exhibited a progressive age-related increase in intracellular hydrostatic pressure, along with, increased intracellular sodium concentrations, and reduced Na+/K+-ATPase activity. Collectively, these defects lead to lens swelling, opacities and ultimately organ rupture. Activation of AKT was highly elevated in PTEN KO lenses compared to WT mice. Additionally, pharmacological inhibition of AKT restored normal Na+/K+-ATPase activity in primary cultured lens cells and reduced lens pressure in intact lenses from PTEN KO animals. These findings identify a direct role for PTEN in the regulation of lens ion transport through an AKT-dependent modulation of Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and provide a new animal model to investigate cataract development in PHTS patients.

The physiological significance of the cardiotonic steroid/ouabain-binding site of the Na,K-ATPase

The Na,K-ATPase is the membrane "pump" that generates the Na(+) and K(+) gradients across the plasma membrane that drives many physiological processes. This enzyme is highly sensitive to inhibition by cardiotonic steroids, most notably the digitalis/ouabain class of compounds, which have been used for centuries to treat congestive heart failure and arrhythmias. The amino acids that constitute the ouabain-binding site are highly conserved across the evolutionary spectrum. This could be fortuitous or could result from this site being conserved because it has an important biological function. New physiological approaches using genetically engineered mice are being used to define the biological significance of the "receptor function" of the Na,K-ATPase and its regulation by potential endogenous cardiotonic steroid-like compounds. These studies extend the reach of earlier studies involving the biochemical purification of endogenous regulatory ligands.

Na+/K+-ATPase inhibition by ouabain induces CaMKII-dependent apoptosis in adult rat cardiac myocytes

The positive inotropic effect produced by Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibition has been used for the treatment of heart failure for over 200 years. Recently, administration of toxic doses of ouabain has been shown to induce cardiac myocyte apoptosis. However, whether prolonged administration of non-toxic doses of ouabain can also promote cardiac myocyte cell death has never been explored. The aim of this study was to assess whether non-toxic doses of ouabain can induce myocyte apoptosis and if so, to examine the underlying mechanisms. For this purpose, cardiac myocytes from rat and cat, two species with different sensitivity to digitalis, were cultured for 24h in the presence or absence of 2 microM (rat) and 25 nm-2 microM ouabain (cat). Cell viability and apoptosis assays showed that ouabain produced, in the rat, a 43+/-5% decrease in cell viability due to apoptosis (enhanced caspase-3 activity, increased Bax/Bcl-2 and TUNEL-positive nuclei) and necrosis (LDH release and trypan blue staining). Similar results were obtained with 25 nM ouabain in the cat. Ouabain-induced reduction in cell viability was prevented by the NCX inhibitor KB-R7943 and by the CaMKII inhibitors, KN93 and AIP. Furthermore, CaMKII overexpression exacerbated ouabain-induced cell mortality which in contrast was reduced in transgenic mice with chronic CaMKII inhibition. However, KN93 failed to affect ouabain-induced inotropy. In addition, whereas ERK(1/2) inhibition with PD-98059 had no effect on cell mortality, PI3K inhibition with wortmannin, exacerbated myocyte death. We conclude that ouabain triggers an apoptotic cascade that involves NCX and CaMKII as a downstream effector. Ouabain simultaneously activates an antiapoptotic cascade involving PI3K/AKT which is however, insufficient to completely repress apoptosis. The finding that KN93 prevents ouabain-induced apoptosis without affecting inotropy suggests the potential use of CaMKII inhibitors as an adjunct to digitalis treatment for cardiovascular disease.

Sodium pump reduction correlates with aortic clamp time in pediatric heart surgery

Myocardial depression after cardiac surgery is modulated by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the underlying heart disease. The sodium pump is a key component for myocardial function. We hypothesized that the change in sodium pump expression during CPB correlates with intraoperative and postoperative laboratory and clinical parameters in neonates and children with various congenital heart defects. Sodium pump isoforms alpha1 (ATP1A1) and alpha3 (ATP1A3) mRNA expression in right atrial myocardium, excised before and after CPB, was quantified. Groups were assigned according to presence (VO group, n = 8) or absence (NO group, n = 8) of right atrial volume overload. CPB and aortic clamp time correlated with postoperative troponin-I values and ICU stay. ATP1A1 (P = 0.008) and ATP1A3 (P = 0.038) mRNA expression were significantly reduced during CPB. Longer aortic clamp times were associated with lower postoperative ATP1A1 (P = 0.045) and ATP1A3 (P = 0.002) mRNA expression. Low postoperative ATP1A1 (P = 0.043) and ATP1A3 (P = 0.002) expressions were associated with high troponin-I values. These results were restricted to the VO group. No correlation of sodium pump mRNA expression was found with the duration of ICU stay or ventilation. The postoperative troponin-I and clinical parameters correlated with the length of CPB, regardless of volume overload. In contrast, only dilated right atrium seemed to be susceptible to CPB in terms of sodium pump expression, showing a reduction during the operation and a correlation of sodium pump with postoperative troponin-I values.

Membrane basis for fish oil effects on the heart: linking natural hibernators to prevention of human sudden cardiac death

The concept that diet-induced changes in membrane lipids could modify heart function partly arose from observations that membrane composition and physical properties were closely associated with the capacity of the heart to respond appropriately to torpor and hibernation. Observations of natural hibernators further revealed that behavior of key membrane-bound enzymes could be influenced through the lipid composition of the cell membrane, either by changing the surrounding fatty acids through reconstitution into a foreign lipid milieu of different composition, or by alteration through diet. Myocardial responsiveness to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation, including initiation of spontaneous dysrhythmic contractions, was altered by both hibernation and dietary modulation of membrane fatty acids, suggesting modified vulnerability to cardiac arrhythmia. Subsequent studies using whole-animal models recognized that vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation decreased as the polyunsaturated: saturated fat (P:S) ratio of the diet increased. However, dietary fish oils, which typically contain at least 30% saturated fatty acids and only 30% long-chain n-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), exhibit antiarrhythmic effects that exceed the predicted influence of the P:S ratio, suggesting properties unique to the long-chain n-3 PUFA. Large-scale clinical trials and epidemiology have confirmed the arrhythmia prevention observed in vitro in myocytes, papillary muscles, and isolated hearts and in whole-animal models of sudden cardiac death. Some progress has been made towards a biologically plausible mechanism. These developments highlight nature's ability to provide guidance for the most unexpected applications.

Cardiopulmonary bypass reduces atrial Na+-K+-ATPase expression in children

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may induce serious side effects, potentially leading to myocardial failure. The Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase is a key component for myocardial function. Due to its developmental regulation, results from adult studies cannot be adopted to the situation in childhood. Right atrial myocardium from patients with left-to-right shunts at atrial level (VO, n=8) and those without (NO, n=8) was excised during heart surgery before and after CPB. Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase isoforms ATP1A1 (p=0.008) and ATP1A3 (p=0.038) decreased during CPB, which decrease was restricted to the VO group. This study highlights the importance of the underlying heart defect for susceptibility to the effects of CPB, showing a reduced Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase mRNA expression only in patients with left-to-right shunts on the atrial level. This seemed to be an early molecular event, as apart from one, none of the patients showed heart failure before or after surgery.

Ouabain stimulates unidirectional and net potassium efflux in resting mammalian skeletal muscle

The present study compared ouabain-sensitive unidirectional K+ flux into (JinK) and out of (JoutK) perfused rat hindlimb skeletal muscle in situ and mouse flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) in vitro. In situ, 5 mM ouabain inhibited 54 ± 4% of the total JinK in 28 ± 1 min, and increased the net and unidirectional efflux of K+ within 4 min. In contrast, 1.8 mM ouabain inhibited 40 ± 8% of the total JinK in 38 ± 2 min, but did not significantly affect JoutK. In vitro, 1.8 and 0.2 mM ouabain decreased JinK to a greater extent (83 ± 5%) than in situ, but did not significantly affect 42K loss rate compared with controls. The increase in unidirectional K+ efflux (JoutK) with 5 mM ouabain in situ was attributed to increased K+ efflux through cation channels, since addition of barium (1 mM) to ouabain-perfused muscles returned JoutK to baseline values within 12 min. Perfusion with 5 mM ouabain plus 2 mM tetracaine for 30 min decreased JinK 46 ± 9% (0.30 ± 0.03 to 0.16 ± 0.02 µmol·min–1·g–1), however tetracaine was unable to abolish the ouabain-induced increase in unidirectional K+ efflux. In both rat hindlimb and mouse FDB, tetracaine had no effect on JoutK. Perfusion of hindlimb muscle with 0.1 mM tetrodotoxin (TTX, a Na+ channel blocker) decreased JinK by 15 ± 1%, but had no effect on JoutK; subsequent addition of ouabain (5 mM) decreased JinK a further 32 ± 2%. The ouabain-induced increase in unidirectional K+ efflux did not occur when TTX was perfused prior to and during perfusion with 5 mM ouabain. We conclude that 5 mM ouabain increases the unidirectional efflux of K+ from skeletal muscle through a barium and TTX-sensitive pathway, suggestive of voltage sensitive Na+ channels, in addition to inhibiting Na+/K+-ATPase activity.Key words: cardiac glycoside, Na,K pump, K+ channels, Na+ channels, perfused rat hindlimb, flexor digitorum brevis, TTX, barium, tetracaine.

Species differences in the effects of an endogenous inotropic factor (EIF) on the myocardium and aortic smooth muscle

Possible species differences and organ specificity in contractile or relaxation effects of an endogenous inotropic factor (EIF) isolated and purified from porcine heart left ventricle were examined in guinea pig and rat isolated atria, trabeculae and aortic smooth muscle rings. EIF demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in contractile force in guinea pig and rat atria and right ventricle trabeculae. The magnitude of the contractile effect was significantly lower in both the preparations of rat species as compared with guinea pig. In rat isolated aortic rings, EIF had no effect on the basal muscle tone. However, when rings were pre-contracted with phenylephrine EIF caused dose-dependent relaxation of the muscle. When aortic rings isolated from guinea pig were used, EIF induced a dose-dependent contraction which could be blocked by pre-treating the rings with either 2 microM phentolamine or 20 microM prazosin. When these same pre-treated rings were pre-contracted with histamine before the addition of EIF, a dose-dependent relaxation of guinea pig aortic smooth muscle rings was observed. Also depletion of catecholamines from the pre-synaptic nerve terminals innervating the aortic rings, using either 0.6 mM rauwolscine or reserpinizing (5 mg/Kg) the guinea pig 24 hours before sacrificing the animal, completely prevented EIF-induced contraction of the aortic rings. Instead EIF caused a dose dependent relaxation of the histamine pre-contracted aortic rings similar to that observed in rat aortic rings. The relaxation effect of EIF was demonstrated to be endothelium dependent and nitric oxide mediated in both species since EIF-induced relaxation could be inhibited by 2 microM L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Atropine (0.2 microM) or Indomethacin (10 microM) had no significant effect on EIF-induced relaxation of either guinea pig or rat aortic smooth muscle.

Electrophysiological evidence of an increase in cold tolerance of cardiac muscles in mice after energy restriction

Life-prolonging energy restriction (ER) has been known to extend longevity. The heart was selected as the target organ of ER and the electrophysiological properties of ER on the heart were investigated. Action potential parameters were measured on ventricular papillary muscles of C57BL/6 mice (2-6 months of age). Resting membrane potential (Rm) did not change even when the temperature was lowered to 20 degrees C in ER mice (-67.5 +/- 0.8 mV), however, the membrane was depolarized in the control (-61.1 +/- 1.1 mV). Action potential duration measured at 30 and 50% repolarization was significantly prolonged in ER mice at 20-35 degrees C. Ouabain (10 microM) decreased Rm in ER mice at 20 degrees C (-68.6 +/- 1.0 to -63.6 +/- 0.8 mV), but failed to decrease Rm in the control (-60.6 +/- 1.8 to -62.1 +/- 1.2 mV). There were no significant differences in extracted Na, K-ATPase activity or affinity and binding capacity of ouabain between ER and control hearts. These results indicate that in ER mice the lack of effect of temperature on Rm was not due to a change in the physicochemical properties of Na, K-ATPase. The present study collectively suggests that ER increases cold tolerance in the heart of mice.

Cachectin/TNF-mediated lactate production in cultured myocytes is linked to activation of a futile substrate cycle

The cytokine cachectin/TNF induces a rapid increase in lactate production and in glucose metabolism in L6 myocytes in culture; glucose uptake was maximal after 17 h, while elevated glucose utilization and lactate production persisted for up to 32 h. These increases are suggestive of increased glycolytic activity, and were associated with a 10% decrease in cellular oxygen consumption and a comparable decrease in the production of 14C-labelled CO2 from 14C-labelled glucose. This decrease in aerobic metabolism, however, could account for only a small fraction of the energetic requirement for increased glycolytic activity. Furthermore, maximal stimulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) by dichloroacetate (DCA) treatment in conjunction with cachectin/TNF abolished lactate production, but increased glucose uptake persisted. Taken together, this suggests that the primary effect of cachectin/TNF on myocyte carbohydrate metabolism is to increase glycolysis. Correspondingly, we postulated that cachectin/TNF must activate one or more ATP-depleting cellular processes to account for the lack of feed-back inhibition on glycolysis by the ATP produced. This led to the identification of a futile substrate cycle between fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate as a novel energy sink that is activated by cachectin/TNF. Cachectin/TNF treatment led to increased activity of both phosphofructokinase (PFK) and fructose bisphosphate phosphatase (FBP) in myocytes in culture, detectable after 1 h of incubation and persisting for up to 16 h. The possible role of cachectin/TNF-mediated futile substrate cycling in increased glycolytic activity, increased energy expenditure, heat production and tissue wasting during bacterial infections is discussed.

Significance of binding to Na,K-ATPase in the tissue distribution of ouabain in guinea pigs

Ouabain binds specifically to Na,K-ATPase on the plasma membrane and therefore serves to measure the tissue concentration of Na,K-ATPase. We examined the role of ouabain binding to Na,K-ATPase in its overall tissue distribution. The tissue-to-plasma concentration ratio (Kp,vivo) was defined in each tissue after intravenous administration of 3H-ouabain in guinea pigs, and specific binding of ouabain to Na,K-ATPase was measured in tissue homogenate to obtain the dissociation constant and binding capacity in each tissue. A predicted tissue-to-plasma concentration ratio (Kp,vitro) was calculated using the obtained binding parameters and the volume of extracellular space in each tissue. The absolute values of Kp,vitro were comparable to those of Kp,vivo, except in brain. Regression analysis showed that the specific binding capacity of Na,K-ATPase in each tissue is the main factor in the tissue variation of Kp,vivo. Therefore, the binding of ouabain to Na,K-ATPase plays a significant role in the tissue distribution of ouabain.

Differences in fatty acid composition of various tissues of the marmoset monkey (Lithrix jacchus after different lipid supplemented diets

1. The fatty acid composition of different muscles, organs and blood components of the marmoset monkey were examined after long-term feeding of several well defined lipid supplemented diets. 2. Similarities between the fatty acid composition of cardiac and skeletal muscles which persisted after all diets suggest that biopsy of skeletal muscle may have an important diagnostic value in this and other primate species. 3. The relationship between the dietary intake of individual fatty acids and their proportions in different tissues is both complex and variable. 4. However, the lipid metabolism of Callithrix jacchus recommends this small non-human primate as a most suitable species for the study of lipid nutrition.

Two functional Na+/K(+)-ATPase isoforms in the left ventricle of guinea pig heart

Guinea pig left ventricular muscle contains two distinct molecular forms of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase catalytic alpha subunit. Sarcolemmal vesicles highly enriched in Na+/K(+)-ATPase were isolated by a new procedure that yielded specific activities of 60-100 mumol Pi.h-1.mg-1. SDS/PAGE of isolated sarcolemma after reduction and alkylation of the sulfhydryl groups and identification on immunoblots with specific anti-(alpha subunit) antibodies indicated the presence of two major polypeptides of 100 kDa and 103 kDa, respectively. The two alpha subunits were functional: the dose/response curves of Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity with ouabain, dihydroouabain and digitoxigenin were biphasic, revealing the presence of high-affinity [concentration of drug causing 50% inhibition (IC50) = 10 nM] and low-affinity (IC50 = 2 microM) forms with proportional contributions of 55% and 45%, respectively. The involvement of the high-affinity form in the positive inotropic effect of digitalis and of the low-affinity sites in both inotropy and toxicity are consistent with the literature data on rodents.

Continuous membrane voltage recordings in A10 vascular smooth muscle cells: effect of AVP

Continuous membrane voltage (V) recordings were obtained in A10 vascular smooth muscle cells (rat aorta) using glass microelectrodes. Resting membrane voltage in 262 impalements averaged 54.0 +/- 0.4 (SE) mV. Relative K+ conductance was characterized, and the contribution of electrogenic Na+-K+-ATPase to membrane voltage was investigated. Action potentials could be induced by application of 1 mM barium or 10(-4) M acetylcholine. In a few recordings, spontaneous spike activity occurred, and this could be abolished by 5 mM MgCl2 or by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Barium-induced action potentials were not dependent on the presence of extracellular Na+ and not inhibitable by 10(-6) M tetrodotoxin. Application of 10(-6) M [Arg8] vasopressin (AVP) for 30 s caused a typical biphasic membrane voltage response with an initial transient hyperpolarization of -9.5 +/- 1.1 mV and a more sustained subsequent depolarizing response averaging 28.2 +/- 1.3 mV (mean +/- SE, n = 58). The effect of AVP on membrane voltage was blocked by the V1-antagonist [beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionyl1,O-Me- Tyr2,Arg8]vasopressin. The initial hyperpolarizing component of the membrane voltage response to AVP became more prominent when V was predepolarized, for example, by a preceding AVP application. However, when AVP was applied during high K+ depolarization or in the presence of quinidine (1 mM), the initial hyperpolarizing response was practically abolished. The time course of the initial hyperpolarization was shown to be similar to the calcium transient observed in fura-2-loaded A10 cell suspensions after the application of AVP. We conclude that the initial AVP-induced hyperpolarization in A10 cells corresponds to an activation of Ca2+-activated K+ channels.

Plasma membrane lipids modulate the response to water deprivation in rat kidney

The lipid composition of biological membranes determines many of the cellular responses to stimuli such as hormones and drugs. It is known that the neonate has differences in renal function compared to the adult individual, which determine the characteristics of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics at this age. We studied the lipid composition of renal plasma membranes, the renal response to water deprivation, and the activity of plasma membrane gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) in newborn, 21-d-old, and adult rat. It was found that the cholesterol/phospholipid (CH/PL) ratio of newborn membranes was significantly higher than that of membranes from 21-d-old and adult rats, which were similar. These findings paralleled low ability to concentrate urine in the newborn and higher sensitivity of the neonatal kidney to water deprivation. Kidney membranes from 21-d-old and adult rats showed similar lipid composition, and the response to water deprivation was also similar. The changes observed in GGTP activity at different ages varied with the cholesterol content of kidney plasma membranes. These findings suggest participation of the lipid composition of kidney membranes in modulation of the renal response to water deprivation.

Differential effects of amiodarone and propranolol on lipid dynamics and enzymatic activities in cardiac sarcolemmal membranes

The amphiphilic cationic cardioactive drugs (pindolol, propranolol and amiodarone) were tested for their effects on lipid dynamics (measured by fluorescence depolarization) and on enzymatic activities up to 1 mM in purified cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles from adult rat. The vesicles were enriched 12- to 37-fold (with respect to tissue homogenate) in Na+/K+ ATPase, K+-stimulated p-nitrophenylphosphatase, 5'nucleotidase and adenylate cyclase, all of which are believed to be components of sarcolemma. Phospholipids and cholesterol content were enriched 5- and 13-fold respectively. There was very little contamination of the sarcolemmal vesicles by sarcoplasmic reticulum (as judged by Ca2+ ATPase and glucose-6-phosphatase activities) or mitochondria (as judged by cytochrome-c-oxidase activity). Pindolol had no effect on lipid dynamics and enzyme activities except for the isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase. The latter was also totally inhibited at 1 microM by propranolol which inhibited Mg2+ ATPase and increased fluidity above 20 microM. Amiodarone affected all the enzyme activities (except Na+/K+ ATPase): isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate (IC50 = 30 microM), Mg2+ ATPase (IC50 = 20 microM) and K+-stimulated-p-nitrophenylphosphatase were inhibited; 5'nucleotidase was activated above 2 microM. By contrast with propranolol, amiodarone decreased lipid mobility. The effect was linear with the concentration of the drug above 1 microM.

Different sensitivity of ATP + Mg + Na (I) and Pi + Mg (II) dependent types of ouabain binding to phospholipase A2

The effect of phospholipase A2 and of related agents on ouabain binding and Na, K-ATPase activity were studied in intact and detergent-treated membrane preparations of rat brain cortex and pig kidney medulla. It was found that phospholipase A2 (PLA2) may distinguish or dissociate ouabain binding complexes I (ATP + Mg + Na) and II (Pi + Mg), stimulating the former and inhibiting the latter. Procedures which break the permeability barriers of vesicular membrane preparations, such as repeated freezing-thawing, sonication or hypoosmotic shock failed to mimic the effect of PLA2, indicating that it was not acting primarily by opening the inside-out oriented vesicles. The detergent digitonin exhibited similar effects on ouabain binding in both ATP + Mg + Na and Pi + Mg media. Other detergents were ineffective. The ability of PLA2 to distinguish between ouabain binding type I and II can be manifested even in SDS-treated, purified preparations of Na, K-ATPase. The number of ATP + Mg + Na-dependent sites is unchanged, while the Pi + Mg-dependent sites are decreased in number in a manner similar to that seen in original membranes. This inhibition is completely lost in the reconstituted Na, K-ATPase system, where the ATP- as well as Pi-oriented ouabain sites are inhibited by PLA2.

Can changes in sarcolemmal membranes account for the altered inotropic responsiveness in hypertrophied heart?

Hypertrophy is an adaptive mechanism of the heart subjected to pressure overload. Ultrastructural, electrophysiological and mechanical changes occur during this adaptation. A decrease in the inotropic responsiveness of the hypertrophied heart has often been observed as compared to the normal heart. Four sarcolemmal mechanisms that could account for this modification have been described. The mechanism of action of each system (calcium channel, alpha-and beta-adrenergic systems, (Na+,K+)-ATPase) of the hypertrophied heart has been compared to that of the normal heart. In spite of the paucity of results available relating to the calcium channel, the lengthening of the action potential in every case of compensatory hypertrophy could be explained by an altered functioning of the calcium channel. alpha- and beta-adrenergic systems in the hypertrophied heart could be modified at the receptor level itself, or at another level in the cascade of events under their control. For example, two different models of hypertrophy showed a decreased inotropic responsiveness correlated to a defect in the GS regulatory protein. The modification of the ouabain-receptor (Na+,K+)-ATPase mediates a decrease and a prolongation of the inotropic response. According to the modifications of each system, a direct relationship does not seem to exist between the stimulated membrane system and the inotropic responsiveness of the hypertrophied heart.

Differences in phospholipid incorporation of 32P relevant to alpha 1-receptor coupling events in rat and rabbit aorta

Labelling of membrane phospholipids with 32P was compared in rat and rabbit aorta under basal conditions and during alpha 1-receptor stimulation. Incorporation of 32P proceeded at a significantly higher rate in rat tissue. The ratio of basal labelling following 30 min of incubation for rat/rabbit arteries was 4.8 for phosphatidylinositol diphosphate (PIP2), 6.0 for phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP), 9.0 for phosphatidylinositol (PI), 6.0 for phosphatidic acid (PA) and 18.7 for phosphatidylcholine (PC). Addition of 10(-5)M norepinephrine (NE) to labelled tissues resulted in a similar decrease in [32P]-PIP2 in both rat and rabbit tissues. Greater percent increases were seen in rabbit tissue of [32P]-PA (4-6 fold), and [32P]-PI (3-5 fold), when measured over the initial 10 minutes of agonist exposure. While NE caused a gradual increase of 32P incorporation into PC in rabbit aorta, reaching 180% above control after 10 minutes, PC labelling was not increased in rat aorta. Our findings provide evidence for the enhanced labelling of rat vs rabbit aorta phospholipids. This may account for differences in receptor responses and associated Ca+ movements which have been previously recognized to exist between aorta of these two species.

Phospholipid composition of cardiac (Na+ + K+)-ATPases from various species

There is a difference in phospholipid composition of cardiac (Na+ + K+)-ATPase preparations between species which are sensitive to ouabain and those which are not. Sphingomyelin is higher and phosphatidylcholine is lower in the enzymes from sensitive species than in those from insensitive ones. Lysophosphatidylcholine is detectable only in the latter preparations.