Evaluation of the effect of evan's blue and triphenyltetrazolium chloride dyes on myeloperoxidase activity in canine cardiac tissue

Enhancing Techniques for Determining Inflammatory Edema Formation and Neutrophil Accumulation in Murine Skin

Inflammatory edema formation and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (neutrophil) accumulation are common components of cutaneous vascular inflammation, and their assessment is a powerful investigative and drug development tool but typically requires independent cohorts of animals to assess each. We have established the use of a mathematical formula to estimate the ellipsoidal-shaped volume of the edematous wheal or bleb after intradermal injections of substances in mice pretreated intravenously with Evans blue dye (which binds to plasma albumin) to act as an edema marker. Whereas previous extraction of Evans blue dye with formamide is suitable for all strains of mice, we report this quicker and more reliable assessment of edema volume in situ. This therefore allows neutrophil accumulation to be assessed from the same mouse using the myeloperoxidase assay. Importantly, we examined the influence of Evans blue dye on the spectrometry readout at the wavelength at which myeloperoxidase activity is measured. The results indicate that it is feasible to quantify edema formation and neutrophil accumulation in the same mouse skin site. Thus, we show techniques that can assess edema formation and neutrophil accumulation at the same site in the same mouse, allowing paired measurements and reducing the total use of mice by 50%.

A Flow Cytometry Method for Dissecting the Cell Differentiation Process of Entamoeba Encystation

Amoebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica infection, a protozoan parasite belonging to the phylum Amoebozoa. This parasite undergoes a fundamental cell differentiation process from proliferative trophozoite to dormant cyst, termed “encystation.” The cysts formed by encystation are solely responsible for the transmission of amoebiasis; therefore, Entamoeba encystation is an important subject from both biological and medical perspectives. Here, we have established a flow cytometry strategy for not only determining the percentage of formed cysts but also for monitoring changes in cell populations during encystation. This strategy together with fluorescence microscopy enables visualization of the cell differentiation process of Entamoeba encystation. We also standardized another flow cytometry protocol for counting live trophozoites. These two different flow cytometry techniques could be integrated into 96-well plate-based bioassays for monitoring the processes of cyst formation and trophozoite proliferation, which are crucial to maintain the Entamoeba life cycle. The combined two systems enabled us to screen a chemical library, the Pathogen Box of the Medicine for Malaria Venture, to obtain compounds that inhibit either the formation of cysts or the proliferation of trophozoites, or both. This is a prerequisite for the development of new drugs against amoebiasis, a global public health problem. Collectively, the two different 96-well plate-based Entamoeba bioassay and flow cytometry analysis systems (cyst formation and trophozoite proliferation) provide a methodology that can not only overcome the limitations of standard microscopic counting but also is effective in applied as well as basic Entamoeba biology.

A fast black-blood sequence for four-dimensional cardiac manganese-enhanced MRI in mouse

The increasing number of mouse models of cardiac diseases requires improvements in the current MRI tools. Anatomic and functional cardiac phenotyping by MRI calls for both time and space resolution in three dimensions. Black-blood contrast is often needed for the accurate delineation of myocardium and chambers, and is consistent with manganese contrast enhancement. In this article, we propose a fast, three-dimensional, time-resolved (four-dimensional), black-blood MRI sequence that allows mouse heart imaging at 10 periods of the cardiac cycle within 30  min at an isotropic resolution of 200  µm. Two-dimensional imaging was possible within 80  s. Blood cancellation was achieved by employing bipolar gradients without the use of a double inversion recovery preparation scheme. Saturation slices were added in two-dimensional experiments for better blood nulling. The rapidity of the two-dimensional acquisition protocol allowed the measurement of the time course of contrast enhancement on manganese infusion. Owing to the very high contrast-to-noise ratio, manganese-enhanced MRI in four dimensions made possible the accurate assessment of regional cardiac volumes in healthy animals. In experimentally infarcted mice, the size of the ischemic zone could be measured easily with this method. The technique might be valuable in evaluating mouse heart diseases and their follow-up in longitudinal studies.

Histochemical assessment of early myocardial infarction using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride in blood-perfused porcine hearts

INTRODUCTION

Although the chemical mechanism of the triphenyltetrazolium (TTC) reaction, for macroscopic detection of myocardial infarction, has been described previously, literature reports on correct tissue preparation and the use of this technique in intact large animals are lacking.

METHODS

We investigated the special requirements for TTC staining in blood-perfused porcine hearts, validated the various handling steps and provided detailed information for precise and easy use of this histochemical method. The left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 45 min followed by 6 h of reperfusion in an open chest preparation using anesthetised domestic pigs. The hearts were excised and the organ-handling steps and TTC-staining procedure validated.

RESULTS

The protocol includes (i) intracoronary saline perfusion, (ii) pressure-controlled determination of the non-ischemic region by Evans blue dye, (iii) a freeze-thaw cycle, (iv) a triphenyltetrazolium incubation period, and (v) a bleach cycle with 4% paraformaldehyde. The TTC-staining results were confirmed by histology of transitional regions of the infarct area, area-at-risk and non-risk-region.

DISCUSSION

If some special features associated with blood-perfused porcine hearts are considered carefully, reliable results for subsequent infarct size calculations can be obtained and large potential errors excluded.

Effect of a plant histaminase on asthmalike reaction induced by inhaled antigen in sensitized guinea pig

This study evaluates the effects of a copper amine oxidase (histaminase) purified from the pea seedling as a free or immobilized enzyme on asthmalike reactions to inhaled antigen in actively sensitized guinea pig in vivo. Male albino guinea pigs, sensitized with ovalbumin, were challenged with the antigen given by aerosol; free histaminase or CNBr-Sepharose immobilized histaminase was given intraperitoneally (20 microg, 3 or 24 h before antigen challenge) or by aerosol (4 microg, 30 min before or during ovalbumin aerosol). The following parameters were examined: latency time for the onset of respiratory abnormalities, cough severity score, and occurrence and duration of dyspnea. We also evaluated lung histopathology, mast cell degranulation, and lung myeloperoxidase and malonydialdehyde levels. Histaminase significantly reduced the severity of cough and the occurrence of dyspnea and delayed the onset of respiratory abnormalities. Both enzymes prevented bronchial constriction, pulmonary air space inflation, leukocyte infiltration (evaluated as myeloperoxidase activity), and lipoperoxidation of cell membranes (evaluated as malonyldialdehyde production). No relevant differences in pharmacological potency were noted between free or immobilized enzyme. This study provides evidence that histaminase counteracts acute allergic asthmalike reaction in actively sensitized guinea pigs, raising the possibility of new therapeutic strategies for allergic asthma in humans.

MOB-1 and TNF-alpha interact to induce microvascular lung injury

We have recently identified the alpha-chemokine mob-1 as a highly inducible gene in several rat models of microvascular lung injury, whose expression was suppressed by inhibition of tumor necrosis TNF-alpha (TNF-alpha). This work provides further insight into the relationship between mob-1 and TNF-alpha in the development of lung injury assessed by pulmonary edema and leukosequestration. First, pulmonary mob-1 and TNF-alpha were upregulated in animals subjected to lung injury produced by the intratracheal administration of recombinant TNF-alpha and recombinant mob-1, respectively. Second, mob-1 inhibition by intratracheal anti-mob-1 antibody attenuated lung injury induced by recombinant TNF-alpha. Third, pretreatment with anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody administered intratracheally abrogated recombinant mob-1-induced microvascular lung injury. In vitro, mob-1 and TNF-alpha increased each other's production in RAW 264.7 cells and mob-1 or TNF-alpha inhibition prevented endotoxin-induced upregulation of TNF-alpha or mob-1, respectively, from these cells. Together, these data suggest that mob-1 and TNF-alpha interact to promote lung inflammation.

Oxidant production and immune response after stretch injury in skeletal muscle

PURPOSE

This study investigated oxidant production and associated immune response after acute muscle stretch injury.

METHODS

A standardized single stretch injury was performed on the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of 36 male New Zealand white rabbits while contralateral control limbs underwent a sham surgery. Animals were sacrificed 0, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after injury. Potential sites of oxidant production, measured with a dichlorofluorescein (DCF) probe, were evaluated using two separate buffers.

RESULTS

Nonmitochondrial oxidant production measured under basal buffer conditions (0.1 M potassium phosphate) was increased in both injured and control limbs at 24 h (P < 0.01) and was greater in the injured limb at 12 and 48 h (P < 0.01). There was also an interaction of time and injury (P < 0.05). Maximum oxidant production by neutrophils and macrophages, stimulated by the induced buffer (including 1.7 mM ADP, 0.1 mM NADPH, 0.1 mM FeCl3), was increased in both injured and control limbs at 4 h (P < 0.01) and was greater in the injured limb at 48 h (P < 0.01). Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, indicating the presence of activated neutrophils, was higher in the injured limb at 4 and 48 h (P < 0.01). The activities of superoxide radical producing and quenching enzymes, xanthine oxidase (XO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were elevated at 24 (P < 0.01) and 4 h (P < 0.05), respectively, but showed no difference between injured and control limbs.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that acute muscle stretch injury and the required surgeries to generate the injury result in a biphasic increase in oxidant production in both injured and control limbs, suggesting a systemic immune response. The increase in oxidant production at 4 h may be caused by an increase in activated neutrophils, whereas XO activity may contribute to oxidant generation at 24 h.

Complement and polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation each play a role in determining myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Cobra venom factor (CVF) transiently activates polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) by complement activation, followed by rapid complement depletion and gradual reversal of PMN activation. Utilizing these sequential changes caused by CVF, the individual and combined effects of complement and PMNs on myocardial infarct size (IS) were investigated. Rats were treated with CVF, and/or anti-PMNs. Complement was depleted, but circulating PMNs were being activated at 4h after CVF administration, and at 36h after, complement was depleted, but PMNs were in a near basal condition. Under anesthesia, the rats had a 30-min coronary occlusion followed by 6h of reperfusion. The IS was assessed by tetrazolium staining. CVF, as well as anti-PMNs, reduced myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the risk area and the reduced MPO resulted in a reduced IS, which was also the effect of anti-PMNs, but complement depletion by CVF, during which circulating PMNs were activated, failed to reduce the IS despite low MPO activity. These results suggest that complement and the condition of PMNs each play a role in determining the IS, and ischemic reperfusion injury might be produced even by relatively low myocardial MPO activity.

Perfusion with lipopolysaccharide negative blood eliminates lipopolysaccharide induced lung injury

We investigated whether perfusion with control blood improves pulmonary functions compromised by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion. This was an animal study in a research laboratory at a university hospital by using Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 19), each weighing 325 to 350 g. All animals were pretreated with a 24 hour infusion of either LPS (5 mg/kg) or vehicle, after which, excised lungs were reperfused for 2 hours with either LPS+ or control blood. Three groups were studied: (1) group S (n = 6); LPS pretreated lungs reperfused with LPS containing blood to mimic persistent sepsis, (2) group N (n = 6); LPS pretreated lungs reperfused with control blood to mimic the removal of the septic blood components, and (3) group C (n = 7); vehicle pretreated lungs reperfused with normal blood as a control. Blood gas exchange, shunt fraction (Qs/Qt), alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (A-aDO2), and variables for lung mechanics were measured. Leukosequestration was quantified with a myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. The PO2 (mm Hg) values at 90 min after reperfusion in groups S, N, and C were 67.8 +/- 7.0*, 85.2 +/- 9.2, and 90.1 +/- 7.5, respectively (*p < 0.05; vs. group N and C). In addition to PO2, A-aDO2 and Qs/Qt significantly deteriorated in group S. MPO activity in the lungs after LPS infusion was significantly higher than that after vehicle infusion (1.7 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.12 +/- 0.04 units/g tissue; p < 0.001). Subsequent reperfusion with LPS+ blood (group S) increased MPO activity to 3.1 +/- 0.6 (p < 0.05), but reperfusion with normal blood (group N) caused a significant decrease to 1.1 +/- 0.2 (p < 0.05). MPO activity in group C did not significantly change compared with those after vehicle infusion. Reperfusion with control blood normalized lung function compromised by pretreatment with LPS and significantly reduced leukosequestration. These results favor the possibility that the removal of LPS+ blood components may eliminate septic lung injury.

The role of intrapulmonary nitric oxide generation in the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome

This study was conducted to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). An experimental model of endotoxemia-induced ARDS was prepared in guinea pigs and the following parameters were measured: pulmonary vascular permeability, the nitrate and nitrite concentrations in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the activities of constitutive and inducible NO synthase in lung tissue following the administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Following the intravenous administration of 0.5 mg/kg LPS, the pulmonary vascular permeability increased, as did the concentrations of nitrate and nitrite in the BALF and blood. The activities of both constitutive and inducible NO synthase (NOS) increased significantly in the lung tissue 4 h after the intravenous administration of LPS, the constitutive form showing significantly higher activity than the inducible form. Furthermore, the increase of vascular permeability in the lungs after LPS injection was blocked by the subcutaneous administration of N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine. These observations indicate that the intrapulmonary generation of NO may play an important role in the development of ARDS.

Dose-dependent suppression of the neutrophil respiratory burst by lidocaine

BACKGROUND

Oxygen radical production is thought to be fundamental to the pathogenesis of post-ischaemic reperfusion injury which is routinely managed with lidocaine. Attention has, therefore, focused on the suppression of the neutrophil respiratory burst with a therapeutic endpoint. The widest application of lidocaine remains in local analgesia.

METHODS

A standard chemiluminescence technique was used to assess the human neutrophil leukocyte response to increasing doses of lidocaine in the presence or absence of particulate hydroxyapatite.

RESULTS

No reduction of oxygen radical production was seen at the drug concentration of 1 mg/ml. A clear, concentration-dependent inhibition was seen at 2 mg/ml, 3 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml and 8 mg/ml concentrations. These drug concentrations may be reached at or near the site of injection in local anaesthetic use.

CONCLUSION

Lidocaine showed profound anti-inflammatory action in this experimental system. Controlled studies in the clinical setting would identify the optimal analgesic and anti-inflammatory dosage, whilst preserving host defence without compromising tissue repair.

Apoptosis in ischemic and reperfused rat myocardium

Apoptosis has been observed previously in hearts subjected to either continuous ischemia or ischemia followed by reperfusion. The purpose of this study was to compare the timing and extent of apoptosis in both continuously ischemic and reperfused myocardium. We show that rats subjected to continuous coronary artery occlusion display characteristic signs of apoptosis solely in the ischemic myocardium after only 2.25 hours of ischemia, as illustrated by positive in situ end labeling (ISEL) of apoptotic cardiomyocyte nuclei in tissue sections and/or the presence of DNA "ladders" in agarose gels. In contrast, reperfusion after a 45-minute occlusion accelerated the process, with apoptosis becoming evident solely in the reperfused myocardium after only 1 hour of reperfusion. ISEL and DNA ladder intensity increased with duration of ischemia or reperfusion. The volume of myocardium in which ISEL was observed was smaller in the reperfused hearts, and the ISEL-stained nuclei represented 23% and 33% of the total nuclei in the reperfused and permanently occluded myocardium, respectively. Therefore, the data suggest that reperfusion lowers the extent of apoptosis in ischemic myocardium but, paradoxically, accelerates the residual apoptosis, possibly because of reperfusion injury. A large accumulation of neutrophils was observed in both the permanently occluded and reperfused myocardium, suggesting that the inflammatory response may have contributed to apoptosis in both settings. This study therefore confirms that both ischemic and reperfused rat myocardium can undergo apoptotic cell death. However, the data suggest that although reperfusion lowers the number of myocytes undergoing apoptosis, it accelerates apoptosis in the nonsalvageable cells.

The PAF antagonist TCV-309 reduces graft PMN infiltration and enhances early function of 24-hour-preserved rat kidneys with long warm ischemia

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment with TCV-309, a PAF antagonist, improves life-sustaining function of renal grafts that have suffered warm ischemia (WI) prior to cold storage (CS) and whether TCV-309 influences leukocyte sequestration in tissues. Syngeneic kidneys with 20 min of WI and 24 hr of CS were transplanted into bilateral nephrectomized rats. In the treated group, TCV-309 was administered (i.v. 1 mg/kg) 5 min before reperfusion. Rats in the control group received saline. On day 14, 80% rats survived in the treated group, which was higher than the controls (0%). At 24 hr of reperfusion, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, a marker enzyme for PMNs, in the treated kidney was significantly lower than the controls, but did not differ from the normal values. The MPO activity in the controls was higher than the normal values. In conclusion, the PAF antagonist improves posttransplant function of rat kidneys subjected to a period of WI and CS. PMNs are involved in postischemic renal injury, which is, at least partially, mediated by PAF. The effectiveness of PAF antagonist in treatment of recipients may lead to its clinical application in transplantation of ischemically injured kidneys.

Aspiration-induced lung injury: role of complement

OBJECTIVES

To examine the role of complement in the development of acid aspiration-induced lung injury in the rat. It was postulated that inhibition or depletion of complement attenuates aspiration-induced lung injury.

DESIGN

Controlled animal trial.

SETTING

Animal Laboratory, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA.

SUBJECTS

Anesthetized rats.

INTERVENTIONS

Aspiration was induced by the intratracheal administration of 0.2 mL of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (n = 7) and lung injury was evaluated by determining water content, myeloperoxidase activity, protein concentration, and leukocyte count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Muscle PO2 was directly measured using a thin-film chamber oxygen sensor and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of complement inhibition by recombinant human soluble complement receptor type 1 (n = 8) or complement depletion by cobra venom factor (n = 7) on lung injury was evaluated.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Acid aspiration induced pulmonary leukosequestration, edema, and a microvascular permeability defect, along with tissue hypoxia. Pretreatment with soluble complement receptor type 1 (complement inhibition) or cobra venom factor (complement depletion) significantly reduced lung edema (-61 +/- 7%; p < .05), eliminated protein accumulation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (p < .01), and improved (p < .05) tissue oxygenation. In contrast, there was no effect of soluble complement receptor type 1 or of cobra venom factor on leukosequestration.

CONCLUSIONS

Acid aspiration induces lung injury through a complement-dependent mechanism that leads to microvascular permeability defects. Therefore, the possibility that complement inhibitors may have a salutary effect in humans with aspiration-induced lung injury should be investigated.

Interleukin-2-induced lung injury. The role of complement

Pulmonary edema and sepsis-like syndrome are grave complications of interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy. Recent animal studies have suggested IL-2-induced microvascular injury as the underlying mechanism. Since complement factors have been shown to mediate increased vascular permeability in diverse conditions that lead to pulmonary injury and recombinant human IL-2 is known to activate the complement system in patients undergoing IL-2 therapy, we hypothesized that complement factors play a pivotal role in the development of increased vascular permeability after IL-2 treatment. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the capacity of recombinant soluble human complement receptor type 1 (sCR1, BRL 55730), a new highly specific complement inhibitor, to attenuate IL-2-induced lung injury in the rat. Recombinant human IL-2 (intravenously for 60 minutes) at 10(6) U per rat (n = 4) elevated lung water content (37 +/- 6%, P < .05), myeloperoxidase activity (162 +/- 49%, P < .05), and serum thromboxane B2 (30 +/- 1 pg/100 microL, P < .01) and had no effect on serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha sCR-1 at 30 mg/kg (n = 5), but not at 10 mg/kg (n = 6), attenuated the elevation of lung water content (18 +/- 2%, P < .05) and myeloperoxidase activity (42 +/- 9%, P < .05) but failed to alter serum thromboxane B2 response to IL-2. These data suggest the involvement of complement in the pathogenesis of IL-2-induced pulmonary microvascular injury and point to the potential therapeutic capacity of complement inhibitors in combating this toxic effect of IL-2 therapy.

Platelet activating factor mediates interleukin-2-induced lung injury in the rat

Interleukin-2 was recently shown to cause acute lung injury characterized by microvascular permeability defect, interstitial edema, and leukosequestration. Similar responses can also be produced by platelet activating factor (PAF). Thus, the present study aimed to examine whether PAF plays a key role in the development of IL-2-induced lung injury in the anesthetized rat. Intravenous infusion (60 min) of recombinant human IL-2 at 10(5)-10(6) U/rat (n = 7-9) dose-dependently elevated lung water content (27 +/- 1%, P less than 0.01), myeloperoxidase activity (+84 +/- 23%, P less than 0.05), and serum thromboxane B2 (990 +/- 70%, P less than 0.01), but failed to alter blood pressure, hematocrit, serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and circulating leukocytes and platelets. Pretreatment (-30 min) with a potent and specific PAF antagonist, BN 50739 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, n = 6) prevented the pulmonary edema (P less than 0.05) and thromboxane B2 production (P less than 0.01), and attenuated the elevation of lung myeloperoxidase activity (+18 +/- 16%, P less than 0.05) induced by IL-2. These data suggest that PAF is involved in the pathophysiological processes leading to IL-2-induced lung injury, and point to the potential therapeutic capacity of PAF antagonists in preventing pulmonary edema during IL-2 therapy.

Priming by platelet-activating factor of endotoxin-induced lung injury and cardiovascular shock

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a glycerophospholipid known for its unusual potent vasoactive and proinflammatory activities. The present study examined whether PAF might serve as a priming factor in endotoxin-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) synthesis, cardiovascular shock, and lung injury in anesthetized rats. Intravenous infusion of PAF (1 pmol/kg/min for 60 minutes, n = 5) alone or endotoxin (0.1 micrograms/kg i.v. bolus, n = 5) failed to alter blood pressure, serum TNF alpha and thromboxane B2, platelet and leukocyte count, and hematocrit, nor was lung histology, myeloperoxidase activity, and water content changed. In contrast, the combined administration of PAF and endotoxin markedly elevated serum TNF alpha (1,359 +/- 362 pg/ml, n = 5, p less than 0.01) and thromboxane B2 (43 +/- 5 pg/100 microliters, n = 8, p less than 0.01) along with hypotension, hemoconcentration, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Most notably, the combined regimen caused neutrophil aggregation, adhesion, and accumulation into the lung parenchyma along with platelet-fibrin deposits in postcapillary venules, pulmonary edema, and increased lung myeloperoxidase activity. The role of PAF in this process was confirmed by 1) the prevention of the priming effect by pretreatment with the PAF antagonist BN 50739 (n = 5), and 2) the failure of lyso-PAF, the cardinal nonactive PAF-metabolite, to prime for endotoxin-induced production of TNF alpha (n = 4). These data suggest that PAF could serve as a key mediator in priming for endotoxin-induced tissue injury, especially the typical pulmonary pathophysiology of adult respiratory distress syndrome, a severe pathological outcome of septic shock, burns, and multiple organ injury.

Protective effect of gangliosides on myocardial hypoxic damage in the rat

The size of the infarct produced by ligation of the left coronary artery in the rat was decreased significantly in animals treated i.p. with 40 mg/kg per day of a ganglioside mixture (GMIX) for 7 days after surgery. Rats treated with GMIX had lower ventricular myeloperoxidase activity, indicating a lower leukocyte infiltration after infarction. The underperfused zone was also smaller in animals treated daily with GMIX 30 days after surgery. Control hearts, but not hearts obtained from animals pretreated for 15 days with 40 mg/kg per day of GMIX, released lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) during perfusion in a Langerdorff apparatus after ligation and reperfusion of the left coronary artery in vitro. Hearts made hypoxic in vitro by changing the perfusion gas to nitrogen for 20 min and later reoxygenating with 95% O2 -5% CO2 released LDH in the perfusate, but did not do so in the presence of 10 microM monosialotetraesosylganglioside. Gangliosides, therefore, seem to protect the rat heart against hypoxic damage.

Synergism between superoxide dismutase and sodium nitrite in cardioprotection following ischemia and reperfusion

The effects of acidified sodium nitrite (NaNO2), a releaser of nitric oxide (NO), combined with human superoxide dismutase (hSOD), were investigated in a 6-hour model of myocardial ischemia (MI) with reperfusion in open-chest, anesthetized cats. Acidified NaNO2 (12.5 mmol/kg/hr) was infused intravenously in cats starting 0.5 hour after occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, which was reperfused 1.5 hour following occlusion. Significantly lower plasma creatine phosphokinase activities were observed at all times beyond 3 hours for MI cats given NaNO2 + hSOD when compared with the other MI groups. The areas-at-risk expressed as percentages of the total left ventricular weights were not significantly different among any of the MI groups. However, the necrotic area expressed as a percentage of the myocardial area-at-risk was significantly lower in the MI + NaNO2 + hSOD-treated cats compared with all other MI groups. The NaNO2-treated group also produced a significant decrease in the necrotic area relative to the area-at-risk. Cardiac myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities indicated no significant difference in number of neutrophils attracted to the ischemic zone in the NaNO2 + hSOD-treated MI cats when compared with the other MI groups. Acidified NaNO2 + hSOD together exert significant protection on the myocardium subjected to ischemia and reperfusion injury. NaNO2 may act synergistically with hSOD to prolong the action of NO by scavenging free radicals that inactivate NO.