PKA-mediated eNOS phosphorylation in the protection of ischemic preconditioning against no-reflow

A historical literature review of coronary microvascular obstruction and intra-myocardial hemorrhage as functional/structural phenomena

The analysis of experimental data demonstrates that platelets and neutrophils are involved in the no-reflow phenomenon, also known as microvascular obstruction (MVO). However, studies performed in the isolated perfused hearts subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) do not suggest the involvement of microembolization and microthrombi in this phenomenon. The intracoronary administration of alteplase has been found to have no effect on the occurrence of MVO in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Consequently, the major events preceding the appearance of MVO in coronary arteries are independent of microthrombi, platelets, and neutrophils. Endothelial cells appear to be the target where ischemia can disrupt the endothelium-dependent vasodilation of coronary arteries. However, reperfusion triggers more pronounced damage, possibly mediated by pyroptosis. MVO and intra-myocardial hemorrhage contribute to the adverse post-infarction myocardial remodeling. Therefore, pharmacological agents used to treat MVO should prevent endothelial injury and induce relaxation of smooth muscles. Ischemic conditioning protocols have been shown to prevent MVO, with L-type Ca ²⁺ channel blockers appearing the most effective in treating MVO.

Acute Effects of Ischemic Intra-Conditioning on 30 m Sprint Performance

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of ischemic intra-conditioning applied during rest intervals on 30 m sprint performance. Thirty-four trained male (n = 12) and female (n = 22) track and field and rugby athletes volunteered to participate in the study (age = 19.6 ± 4 years; training experience = 5.3 ± 1.9 years). In a randomized and counterbalanced order, participants performed six sets of 30 m sprints under three different testing conditions: without ischemic intra-conditioning, and with ischemic intra-conditioning at 60% or 80% arterial occlusion pressure applied bilaterally before the first trial of the sprint and during the rest periods between all sprint trials. During experimental sessions, subjects perform 6 × 30 m sprints with a 7 min rest interval between attempts. The cuffs were applied following a 1 min rest period and lasted for 5 min before being released at the 6th minute to allow for reperfusion (1 min + 5 min ischemic intra-conditioning + 1 min reperfusion). The two-way repeated measures ANOVA did not show statistically significant condition × set interaction for time of the sprint (p = 0.06; η² = 0.05). There was also no main effect of ischemic intra-conditioning for any condition (p = 0.190; η² = 0.05). This study indicates that ischemic intra-conditioning did not enhance the performance of 30 m sprints performed by athletes. However, ischemic intra-conditioning did not decrease performance either.

Ischemia during rest intervals between sets prevents decreases in fatigue during the explosive squat exercise: a randomized, crossover study

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of ischemia, used only before particular sets of a lower limb resistance exercise on power output. Ten healthy resistance-trained males (age = 26 ± 6 years; body mass = 90 ± 9 kg; training experience = 9 ± 7 years) performed two experimental sessions (with ischemia; control without ischemia) following a randomized crossover design. During the ischemic condition, the cuffs were inflated to 60% of arterial occlusion pressure. The cuffs were applied before each set for 4.5 min and released 30 s before the start of the set as the reperfusion (4.5 min ischemia + 0.5 min reperfusion). In the control condition, ischemia was not applied. During the experimental sessions, the subjects performed the Keiser machine squat exercise protocol which consisted of 5 sets of two repetitions, at a load of 60% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), with 5 min rest intervals between sets. The repetitions were performed with maximal velocity. The two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant interaction effect for power output (p < 0.01; η² = 0.26). There was also a statistically significant main effect of condition for power output (p = 0.02; η² = 0.40). The post hoc analysis for interaction did not show significant differences between conditions in particular sets. The post hoc analysis for the main effect of the condition revealed that power output was significantly lower in the control group compared to the group where ischemic was used (p = 0.02). The t-test comparisons for particular sets showed a significant lower power output in set 3 (p = 0.03); set 4 (p < 0.01) and set 5 (p < 0.01) for the control condition when compared to the ischemic condition. The results indicate that ischemia applied before each set and released 30 s prior to the start of the squat exercise did not increase power output performance. However, we observed a significantly lower decline in power for the ischemic condition (4.5 min ischemia + 0.5 min reperfusion) in sets 3–5 compared to the control condition. Thus repeated ischemia with reperfusion used between sets can be an effective form of performance enhancement by preventing or at least diminishing fatigue during resistance exercise.

Ischemia preconditioning alleviates ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced coronary no-reflow and contraction of microvascular pericytes in rats

BACKGROUND

Ischemia preconditioning (IPC) ameliorates coronary no-reflow induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and pericytes play an important role in microvascular function. However, it is unclear whether IPC exerts a protective effect on coronary microcirculation and regulates the pericytes.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess whether IPC improves coronary microvascular perfusion and reduces pericyte constriction after myocardial I/R injury.

METHODS

Rats were randomly divided into three groups: the sham group, the I/R group, and the IPC + I/R group. The left anterior descending artery (LAD) of rats in the I/R group were ligated for 45 min, and the rats in the IPC + I/R group received 4 episodes of 6min occlusion followed by 6min reperfusion before the LAD was ligated. After 24 h of reperfusion, the area of no-reflow, and area at risk were evaluated with thioflavin-S and Evens blue staining, and infarct size with triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining, respectively. Besides, fluorescent microspheres were perfused to enable visualization of the non-obstructed coronary vessels. Cardiac pericytes and microvascular were observed by immunofluorescence, and the diameter of microvascular at the site of the pericyte somata was analyzed.

RESULTS

The infarct size, and area of no-reflow in the IPC + I/R group were significantly reduced compared with the I/R group (infarct size, 33.5% ± 11.9% vs. 49.2% ± 9.4%, p = 0.021；no-reflow, 12.7% ± 5.2% vs. 26.6% ± 5.0%, p < 0.001). IPC improved microvascular perfusion and reduced the percentage of the blocked coronary capillary. Moreover, we found that cardiac pericytes were widely distributed around the microvascular in various regions of the heart, and expressed the contractile protein α-smooth muscle actin. The microvascular lumen diameter at pericyte somata was reduced after I/R (4.3 ± 1.0 μm vs. 6.5 ± 1.2 μm, p < 0.001), which was relieved in IPC + I/R group compared with the I/R group (5.2 ± 1.0 μm vs. 4.3 ± 1.0 μm, p < 0.001). Besides, IPC could reduce the proportion of apoptotic pericytes compared to the I/R group (22.1% ± 8.4% vs. 38.5% ± 7.5%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

IPC reduced no-reflow and inhibited the contraction of microvascular pericytes induced by cardiac I/R injury, suggesting that IPC might play a protective role by regulating the pericyte function.

The Effects of Ischemia During Rest Intervals on Bar Velocity in the Bench Press Exercise With Different External Loads

The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of ischemia used during rest periods on bar velocity changes during the bench press exercise at progressive loads, from 20 to 90% of 1RM. Ten healthy resistance trained men volunteered for the study (age = 26.3 ± 4.7 years; body mass = 89.8 ± 6.3 kg; bench press 1RM = 142.5 ± 16.9 kg; training experience = 7.8 ± 2.7 years). During the experimental sessions the subjects performed the bench press exercise under two different conditions, in a randomized and counterbalanced order: (a) ischemia condition, with ischemia applied before the first set and during every rest periods between sets, and (b) control condition where no ischemia was applied. During each experimental session eight sets of the bench press exercise were performed, against loads starting from 20 to 90% 1RM, increased progressively by 10% in each subsequent set. A 3-min rest interval between sets was used. For ischemia condition the cuffs was applied 3 min before the first set and during every rest period between sets. Ischemia was released during exercise. The cuff pressure was set to ∼80% of full arterial occlusion pressure. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant interaction effect for peak bar velocity (p = 0.04) and for mean bar velocity (p = 0.01). There was also a statistically significant main effect of condition for peak bar velocity (p < 0.01) but not for mean bar velocity (p = 0.25). The post hoc analysis for interaction showed significantly higher peak bar velocity for the ischemia condition compared to control at a load of 20% 1RM (p = 0.007) and at a load of 50% 1RM (p = 0.006). The results of the present study indicate that ischemia used before each set even for a brief duration of <3 min, has positive effects on peak bar velocity at light loads, but it is insufficient to induce such effect on higher loads.

Cardiac cAMP-PKA Signaling Compartmentalization in Myocardial Infarction

Under physiological conditions, cAMP signaling plays a key role in the regulation of cardiac function. Activation of this intracellular signaling pathway mirrors cardiomyocyte adaptation to various extracellular stimuli. Extracellular ligand binding to seven-transmembrane receptors (also known as GPCRs) with G proteins and adenylyl cyclases (ACs) modulate the intracellular cAMP content. Subsequently, this second messenger triggers activation of specific intracellular downstream effectors that ensure a proper cellular response. Therefore, it is essential for the cell to keep the cAMP signaling highly regulated in space and time. The temporal regulation depends on the activity of ACs and phosphodiesterases. By scaffolding key components of the cAMP signaling machinery, A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) coordinate both the spatial and temporal regulation. Myocardial infarction is one of the major causes of death in industrialized countries and is characterized by a prolonged cardiac ischemia. This leads to irreversible cardiomyocyte death and impairs cardiac function. Regardless of its causes, a chronic activation of cardiac cAMP signaling is established to compensate this loss. While this adaptation is primarily beneficial for contractile function, it turns out, in the long run, to be deleterious. This review compiles current knowledge about cardiac cAMP compartmentalization under physiological conditions and post-myocardial infarction when it appears to be profoundly impaired.

Tongmai Yangxin pill reduces myocardial No-reflow via endothelium-dependent NO-cGMP signaling by activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Tongmai Yangxin pill (TMYX) is derived from the Zhigancao decoction recorded in Shang han lun by Zhang Zhongjing during the Han dynasty. TMYX is used for the clinical treatment of chest pain, heartache, and qi-yin-deficiency coronary heart disease. Previous studies have confirmed that TMYX can improve vascular endothelial function in patients with coronary heart disease by upregulating nitric oxide activity and then regulating vascular tension. Whether TMYX can further improve myocardial NR by upregulating NO activity and then dilating blood vessels remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to reveal whether TMYX can further improve myocardial NR by upregulating NO activity and then dilating blood vessels. The underlying cAMP/PKA and NO-cGMP signaling pathway-dependent mechanism is also explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The left anterior descending coronary arteries of healthy adult male SD rats were ligated to establish the NR model. TMYX (4.0 g/kg) was orally administered throughout the experiment. Cardiac function was measured through echocardiography. Thioflavin S, Evans Blue, and TTC staining were used to evaluate the NR and ischemic areas. Pathological changes in the myocardium were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. An automated biochemical analyzer and kit were used to detect the activities of myocardial enzymes and myocardial oxidants, including CK, CK-MB, LDH, reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, malonaldehyde, and NO. The expression levels of genes and proteins related to the cAMP/PKA and NO/cGMP signaling pathways were detected via real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. A microvascular tension sensor was used to detect coronary artery diastolic function in vitro.

RESULTS

TMYX elevated the EF, FS, LVOT peak, LVPWd and LVPWs values, decreased the LVIDd, LVIDs, LV-mass, IVSd, and LV Vols values, demonstrating cardio-protective effects, and reduced the NR and ischemic areas. Pathological staining showed that TMYX could significantly reduce inflammatory cell number and interstitial edema. The activities of CK, LDH, and MDA were reduced, NO activity was increased, and oxidative stress was suppressed after treatment with TMYX. TMYX not only enhanced the expression of Gs-α, AC, PKA, and eNOS but also increased the expression of sGC and PKG. Furthermore, TMYX treatment significantly decreased ROCK expression. We further showed that TMYX (25-200 mg/mL) relaxed isolated coronary microvessels.

CONCLUSIONS

TMYX attenuates myocardial NR after ischemia and reperfusion by activating the cAMP/PKA and NO/cGMP signaling pathways, further upregulating NO activity and relaxing coronary microvessels.

Impact of Ischemic Intra-Conditioning on Power Output and Bar Velocity of the Upper Limbs

This study evaluated the effects of ischemic conditioning on power output and bar velocity in the bench press exercise. Ten healthy males (age: 25 ± 2 years; body mass: 92 ± 8 kg; bench press one repetition maximum -1RM: 145 ± 13 kg), took part in two experimental sessions (with and without ischemia), 1 week apart in random and counterbalanced order. In the ischemic condition, cuffs placed around the upper part of the arms were inflated to 80% of arterial occlusion pressure before each set, while in the control condition there was no blood flow restriction. The exercise protocol included 5 sets of three repetitions each, against a resistance equal to 60% 1RM, with 5 min recovery intervals between sets. There was a main effect of condition for mean power output (MP) and mean bar velocity (MV) (p = 0.01), with overall MP being higher in ischemia than in control by 5.6 ± 4.1% (mean ± 90% compatibility limits), a standardized effect size (ES) of 0.51. Overall MV was also higher by 5.5 ± 4.0%, ES = 0.63. Peak power output (PP) and peak bar velocity (PV) were similar in set 1 of the control and ischemia condition (1039 ± 105 vs. 1054 ± 82 W; 684 ± 74 vs. 696 ± 53 W; 1.09 ± 0.07 vs. 1.12 ± 0.09 m/s; 0.81 ± 0.05 vs. 0.82 ± 0.05 m/s, p = 0.67 to 0.99, mean ± standard deviation). However, from set 3 onward (p = 0.03 to 0.001), PP and PV were higher in ischemia compared with control, with the highest difference observed in set 5 (10.9 ± 5.9%, ES = 0.73 for PP and 8.6 ± 4.6%; ES = 0.89 for PV). These results indicate that ischemia used before each set of the bench press exercise increases power output and bar velocity and this may be used as performance-enhancing stimulus during explosive resistance training.

The shifted balance of arginine metabolites in acute myocardial infarction patients and its clinical relevance

The arginine metabolism as a target for cardioprotection in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains insufficiently understood. Arginine, ornithine, citrulline, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and proline plasma levels were measured using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry in 70 consecutive STEMI patients upon admission and at 6-month follow-up and were compared with left ventricular function, volumes, and infarct characteristics determined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and with 5-year clinical outcomes. Baseline median concentration of arginine was higher by 49% (P = 0.002) when compared to 6-month measurements and was correlated with an ischemia risk area (R = 0.34, P = 0.004) and infarct size (R = 0.33, P = 0.006). Following ischemia median citrulline/arginine index decreased when compared with 6-month result (P = 0.002), while citrulline/ornithine and arginine/ADMA ratios maintained unchanged indicating a shift of arginine metabolism from nitric oxide synthase (NOS) towards arginase. The 6-month arginine concentration reached the area under the ROC curve of 0.67 (95% confidence interval 0.54–0.81) for prediction of death, myocardial infarction or heart failure hospitalization and its value of < 29 µM was associated with lower event free survival (P = 0.02). In STEMI patients, during ischemia conversion of elevated plasma arginine was shifted from NOS towards arginase. Decreased 6-month arginine concentrations were associated with worse long-term outcomes.

Effects of Ischemic Preconditioning as a Warm-Up on Leg Press and Bench Press Performance

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been used to increase performance in sports. The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of IPC with different warm-up methods on the number of repetitions and total volume in resistance exercise (RE). Sixteen healthy men recreationally trained in RE participated in this study. After the anthropometric evaluation and familiarization, a one-repetition maximum (1RM) test and retest were performed in the bench press (BP) and in the leg press 45° (LP) exercise. After these tests, participants were randomly assigned to one of the five protocols: a) IPC; b) SHAM; c) a specific warm-up (SW); d) aerobic exercise (AE), and e) active stretching (AS) prior to performing 3 sets at 80% 1RM until concentric failure. The number of repetitions was higher following IPC compared to the SW following three sets both for the BP and LP. Similarly, the number of repetitions for IPC was higher in comparison to SHAM following three sets for the LP. The number of repetitions was higher following IPC compared to AE following 1^st and 2^nd sets for the LP and following the 2^nd set for the BP. Finally, the number of repetitions was higher following IPC compared to AS following 1^st and 2^nd sets for the LP. The total volume was higher following IPC compared to SHAM, SW, AE, and AS for both the BP and LP. The IPC protocol increased the number of maximum repetitions and the total volume when compared to the other tested methods, thus indicating a better utilization during the pre-work warm-up. These results indicate positive associative responses to IPC with performance maintenance, which is of importance for both athletes and coaches.

Tongmai Yangxin pill reduces myocardial no-reflow by regulating apoptosis and activating PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tongmai Yangxin pill (TMYX) is derived from the Zhigancao decoction recorded in Shang han lun by Zhang Zhongjing during the Han dynasty and was further improved by Professor Ruan Shiyi, a cardiovascular expert at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. TMYX is used for the clinical treatment of chest pain, heartache, and qi-yin-deficiency coronary heart disease and can improve vascular endothelial function in patients with angina pectoris or coronary heart disease by up-regulating nitric oxide activity and then regulating vascular tension. Whether TMYX can further improve myocardial no-reflow by up-regulating NO activity and then dilating blood vessels remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to reveal whether TMYX can further improve myocardial NR by up-regulating NO activity and then dilating blood vessels. The mechanism underlying PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway activation and apoptosis regulation is also explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The left anterior descending coronary arteries of healthy adult male SD rats were ligated to establish a NR model. The rats were assigned to 14 groups: control, sham, NR, TMYX (4.0 g/kg), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), Tongxinluo capsule (TXL), PI3K blocker (LY), TMYX + LY, SNP + LY, TXL + LY, eNOS blocker (L-NAME), TMYX + L-NAME, SNP + L-NAME, and TXL + L-NAME groups. Cardiac function was measured through echocardiography. Thioflavin S, Evans Blue, and TTC staining were adopted to evaluate NR and ischemic areas. Cell inflammation degree and edema were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Automated biochemical analyzer and kit were used to detect the activities of myocardial oxidants, including reactive oxygen species, super oxide dismutase, malonaldehyde, and NO. The expression levels of genes and proteins in the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway and apoptosis were detected via real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. A microvascular tension sensor was adopted to detect coronary artery diastolic function in vitro.

RESULTS

TMYX reduced NR and ischemic areas; suppressed LV-mass; enhanced EF, FS, LVOT peak, and LVSV; and improved cardiac structure and function. Moreover, it decreased creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, and lactic dehydrogenase activities. TMYX increased NO and super oxide dismutase activities; inhibited malonaldehyde activity; reduced muscle fiber swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration; and improved vasodilation in vitro. In the NR myocardium, TMYX stimulated myocardial PI3K activities and PI3K (Tyr458) phosphorylation and enhanced Akt activities and Akt phosphorylation at Tyr315. TMYX increased the activities of eNOS and the phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser¹¹⁷⁷ in the NR myocardium and attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis by increasing the expression of Bcl-2 and decreasing that of caspase-3 and Bax. All these effects of TMYX were abolished by the specific inhibitors of PI3K (LY) and eNOS (L-NAME).

CONCLUSIONS

TMYX attenuates myocardial NR after ischemia and reperfusion by activating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway and regulating apoptosis, further up-regulating NO activity and relaxing coronary microvessels.

What's in a prick? Vaccines and the cardiovascular system

Evidence suggests a crucial role for vaccines in cardiovascular disease, mediated not only by disease prevention but also by immunomodulatory effects. This review attempts to briefly present the effects of pathogens and vaccines on the cardiovascular system and potential mechanisms for the development of vaccines against cardiovascular diseases per se. Current epidemiological evidence regarding vaccine effectiveness in different categories of heart disease is discussed, as well as current international guidelines' recommendations. In summary, cardiologists should strive to promote vaccination against specific pathogens with proven beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases.

Ischemic Preconditioning Improves Resistance Training Session Performance

da Silva Novaes, J, da Silva Telles, LG, Monteiro, ER, da Silva Araujo, G, Vingren, JL, Silva Panza, P, Reis, VM, Laterza, MC, and Vianna, JM. Ischemic preconditioning improves resistance training session performance. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in a resistance exercise (RE) training session on the number of repetitions performed, total volume, and rating of perceived exertion in recreationally trained and normotensive men. Sixteen recreationally trained and normotensive men completed 3 RE sessions in a counterbalanced and randomized order: (a) IPC protocol using 220 mm Hg followed by RE (IPC), (b) IPC cuff control protocol with 20 mm Hg followed by RE (CUFF), and (c) no IPC (control) followed by RE (CON). RE was performed with 3 sets of each exercise (bench press, leg press, lateral pulldown, hack machine squat, shoulder press, and Smith back squat) until concentric muscular failure, at 80% of one repetition maximum, with 90 seconds of rest between sets and 2 minutes of rest between exercises. Ischemic preconditioning and CUFF consisted of 4 cycles of 5 minutes of occlusion/low pressure alternating with 5 minutes of no occlusion (0 mm Hg) using a pneumatic tourniquet applied around the subaxillary region of the upper arm. For each condition, the number of repetitions completed, total volume of work performed, and rating of perceived exertion were determined. No significant difference was found for rating of perceived exertion between any experimental protocol. Ischemic preconditioning significantly (p < 0.05) increased the number of repetitions across exercises. Consequently, total volume performed (sum of total number of repetitions x load for each exercise) was significantly higher in IPC (46,170 kg) compared with CON (34,069 kg) and CUFF (36,590 kg) across all exercises. This work may have important implications for athletic populations because it demonstrates increase in muscle performance outcomes during a single RE session. Therefore, performing IPC before RE could be an important exercise prescription recommendation to increase maximum repetition performance and total volume of work performed and thus potentially increase desired training adaptations (i.e., strength and hypertrophy).

Limb ischemic preconditioning ameliorates renal microcirculation through activation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway after acute kidney injury

Purpose

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) resulting from administration of iodinated contrast media (CM) is the third leading cause of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Deteriorated renal microcirculation plays an important role in CI-AKI. Limb ischemic preconditioning (LIPC), where brief and non-injurious ischemia/reperfusion is applied to a limb prior to the administration of the contrast agent, is emerging as a promising strategy for CI-AKI prevention. However, it is not known whether the renal protection of LIPC against CI-AKI is mediated by regulation of renal microcirculation and the molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown.

Methods

In this study, we examined the renal cortical and medullary blood flow in a stable CI-AKI model using 5/6-nephrectomized (NE) rat. The LIPC and sham procedures were performed prior to the injection of CM. Furthermore, we analyzed renal medulla hypoxia using in vivo labeling of hypoxyprobe. Pharmacological inhibitions and western blotting were used to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Results

In this study, we found LIPC significantly ameliorated CM-induced reduction of medullary blood flow and attenuated CM-induced hypoxia. PI3K inhibitor (wortmannin) treatment blocked the regulation of medullary blood flow and the attenuation of hypoxia of LIPC. Phosphorylation of Akt/eNOS was significantly decreased via wortmannin treatment compared with LIPC. Nitric oxide synthase-inhibitor [Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)] treatment abolished the above effects and decreased phosphorylation of eNOS, but not Akt.

Conclusions

Collectively, the results demonstrate that LIPC ameliorates CM-induced renal vasocontraction and is mediated by activation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.

Sesamin Induces Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Activation via Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1

Sesamin, the most abundant lignan in sesame seed oil, has many biological activities. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms behind the regulatory effects of sesamin on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and nitric oxide (NO) generation in endothelial cells (ECs) remain unclear. Sesamin induced the intracellular level of NO and eNOS phosphorylation in ECs in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, sesamin induced levels of intracellular calcium, leading to the phosphorylation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) at Thr286, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase beta (CaMKKβ) at Ser511, protein kinase A (PKA) at Thr197, Akt at Ser473, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) at Thr172. In particular, blocking of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel by capsazepine (TRPV1 antagonist), as well as TRPV1 knockdown via TRPV1 silencing RNA, abrogated sesamin-induced PKA, Akt, AMPK, CaMKII, CaMKKβ, and eNOS phosphorylation and NO level in ECs. Furthermore, sesamin inhibited TNF-α-induced NF-κB translocation, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression, and monocyte adhesion. Sesamin triggered eNOS activity and NO production via activation of TRPV1-calcium signaling, which involved the phosphorylation of PKA, CaMKII, CaMKKβ, Akt, and AMPK. Sesamin may be useful for treating or preventing the endothelial dysfunction correlated with cardiovascular diseases.

Interaction between nitric oxide signaling and gap junctions during ischemic preconditioning: Importance of S-nitrosylation vs. protein kinase G activation

Much effort has been dedicated to exploring the mechanisms of IPC, and the GJ is one of the proposed targets of IPC. Several lines of evidence have indicated that NO affects GJ permeability regulation and expression of connexin isoforms. NO-induced stimulation of the sGC-cGMP pathway and the subsequent PKG activation could lead directly to connexin phosphorylation and GJ coupling modification. Additionally, because NO-induced cardioprotection against I/R injury beyond the cGMP/PKG-dependent pathway has been reported in isolated cardiomyocytes, it has been posited that NO-mediated GJ coupling might be independent from the activation of the NO-induced cGMP/PKG pathway during IPC. S-nitrosylation by NO exerts a major influence in IPC-induced cardioprotection. It has been suggested that NO-mediated cardioprotection during IPC was not dependent on sGC/cGMP/PKG but on SNO signaling. We need more researches to prove that which signaling pathway (S-nitrosylation or protein kinase G activation) is the major one modulating GJ coupling during IPC. The aim of review article is to discuss the possible signaling pathways of NO in regulating GJ during IPC.

Nitric-oxide synthase trafficking inducer is a pleiotropic regulator of endothelial cell function and signaling

Endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) and its bioactive product, nitric oxide (NO), mediate many endothelial cell functions, including angiogenesis and vascular permeability. For example, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis is inhibited upon reduction of NO bioactivity both in vitro and in vivo Moreover, genetic disruption or pharmacological inhibition of eNOS attenuates angiogenesis during tissue repair, resulting in delayed wound closure. These observations emphasize that eNOS-derived NO can promote angiogenesis. Intriguingly, eNOS activity is regulated by nitric-oxide synthase trafficking inducer (NOSTRIN), which sequesters eNOS, thereby attenuating NO production. This has prompted significant interest in NOSTRIN's function in endothelial cells. We show here that NOSTRIN affects the functional transcriptome of endothelial cells by down-regulating several genes important for invasion and angiogenesis. Interestingly, the effects of NOSTRIN on endothelial gene expression were independent of eNOS activity. NOSTRIN also affected the expression of secreted cytokines involved in inflammatory responses, and ectopic NOSTRIN overexpression functionally restricted endothelial cell proliferation, invasion, adhesion, and VEGF-induced capillary tube formation. Furthermore, NOSTRIN interacted directly with TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), leading to the suppression of NFκB activity and inhibition of AKT activation via phosphorylation. Interestingly, TNF-α-induced NFκB pathway activation was reversed by NOSTRIN. We found that the SH3 domain of NOSTRIN is involved in the NOSTRIN-TRAF6 interaction and is required for NOSTRIN-induced down-regulation of endothelial cell proteins. These results have broad biological implications, as aberrant NOSTRIN expression leading to deactivation of the NFκB pathway, in turn triggering an anti-angiogenic cascade, might inhibit tumorigenesis and cancer progression.

Effect of an Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) extract on infarct size in isolated rat hearts: the mechanisms involved

Tea made from Ilex paraguariensis (IP) dried and minced leaves is a beverage widely consumed by large populations in South America as a source of caffeine (stimulant action) and for its medicinal properties. However, there is little information about the action of IP on the myocardium in the ischemia-reperfusion condition. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of an aqueous extract of IP on infarct size in a model of regional ischemia. Isolated rat hearts were perfused by the Langendorff technique and subjected to 40 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 60 min of reperfusion (ischemic control hearts). Other hearts received IP 30 μg mL(-1) during the first 10 min of reperfusion in the absence or presence of l(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester [l-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor]. The infarct size was determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Post-ischemic myocardial function and coronary perfusion were also assessed. Cardiac oxidative damage was evaluated by using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration and the reduced glutathione (GSH) content. To analyze the mechanisms involved, the expressions of phosphorylated forms of eNOS and Akt were measured. In isolated mitochondria the Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening was determined. IP significantly decreased the infarct size and improved post-ischemic myocardial function and coronary perfusion. TBARS decreased, GSH was partially preserved, the levels of P-eNOS and P-Akt increased and mPTP opening diminished after IP addition. These changes were abolished by l-NAME. Therefore, our data demonstrate that acute treatment with IP only during reperfusion was effective in reducing myocardial post-ischemic alterations. These actions would be mediated by a decrease of mitochondrial permeability through IP-activated Akt/eNOS-dependent pathways.

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase protects against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity through a transient receptor potential channel vanilloid 1-mediated mechanism

Cardiotoxicity is one of the major life-threatening effects encountered in cancer chemotherapy with doxorubicin and other anthracyclines. Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) may alleviate doxorubicin toxicity although the mechanism remains elusive. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of ALDH2 overexpression on doxorubicin-induced myocardial damage with a focus on mitochondrial injury. Wild-type (WT) and transgenic mice overexpressing ALDH2 driven by chicken β-actin promoter were challenged with doxorubicin (15mg/kg, single i.p. injection, for 6days) and cardiac mechanical function was assessed using the echocardiographic and IonOptix systems. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate intracellular Ca(2+) regulatory and mitochondrial proteins, PKA and its downstream signal eNOS. Doxorubicin challenge altered cardiac geometry and function evidenced by enlarged left ventricular end systolic and diastolic diameters, decreased factional shortening, cell shortening and intracellular Ca(2+) rise, prolonged relengthening and intracellular Ca(2+) decay, the effects of which were attenuated by ALDH2. Doxorubicin challenge compromised mitochondrial integrity and upregulated 4-HNE and UCP-2 levels while downregulating levels of TRPV1, SERCA2a and PGC-1α, the effects of which were alleviated by ALDH2. Doxorubicin-induced cardiac functional defect and apoptosis were reversed by the TRPV1 agonist SA13353 and the ALDH-2 agonist Alda-1 whereas the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine nullified ALDH2/Alda-1-induced protection. Doxorubicin suppressed phosphorylation of PKA and eNOS, the effect of which was reversed by ALDH2. Moreover, 4-HNE mimicked doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocyte anomalies, the effect of which was ablated by SA13353. Taken together, our results suggested that ALDH2 may rescue against doxorubicin cardiac toxicity possibly through a TRPV1-mediated protection of mitochondrial integrity.

Protein S-nitrosylation in preconditioning and postconditioning

The coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide. This disease has a complex pathophysiology that includes multiple mechanisms. Among these is the oxidative/nitrosative stress. Paradoxically, oxidative/nitrosative signaling plays a major role in cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this context, the gas transmitter nitric oxide may act through several mechanisms, such as guanylyl cyclase activation and via S-nitrosylation of proteins. The latter is a covalent modification of a protein cysteine thiol by a nitric oxide-group that generates an S-nitrosothiol. Here, we report data showing that nitric oxide and S-nitrosylation of proteins play a pivotal role not only in preconditioning but also in postconditioning cardioprotection.

Cardiac microvascular barrier function mediates the protection of Tongxinluo against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Objective

Tongxinluo (TXL) has been shown to decrease myocardial necrosis after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) by simulating ischemia preconditioning (IPC). However, the core mechanism of TXL remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate the key targets of TXL against I/R injury (IRI) among the cardiac structure-function network.

Materials and Methods

To evaluate the severity of lethal IRI, a mathematical model was established according to the relationship between myocardial no-reflow size and necrosis size. A total of 168 mini-swine were employed in myocardial I/R experiment. IRI severity among different interventions was compared and IPC and CCB groups were identified as the mildest and severest groups, respectively. Principal component analysis was applied to further determine 9 key targets of IPC in cardioprotection. Then, the key targets of TXL in cardioprotection were confirmed.

Results

Necrosis size and no-reflow size fit well with the Sigmoid Emax model. Necrosis reduction space (NRS) positively correlates with I/R injury severity and necrosis size (R²=0.92, R²=0.57, P<0.01, respectively). Functional and structural indices correlate positively with NRS (R²=0.64, R²=0.62, P<0.01, respectively). TXL recovers SUR2, iNOS activity, eNOS activity, VE-cadherin, β-catenin, γ-catenin and P-selectin with a trend toward the sham group. Moreover, TXL increases PKA activity and eNOS expression with a trend away from the sham group. Among the above nine indices, eNOS activity, eNOS, VE-cadherin, β-catenin and γ-catenin expression were significantly up-regulated by TXL compared with IPC (P>0.05) or CCB (P<0.05) and these five microvascular barrier-related indices may be the key targets of TXL in minimizing IRI.

Conclusions

Our study underlines the lethal IRI as one of the causes of myocardial necrosis. Pretreatment with TXL ameliorates myocardial IRI through promoting cardiac microvascular endothelial barrier function by simulating IPC.

Mitochondrial Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase is Upregulated in Response to Intermittent Hypoxic Preconditioning

Intermittent hypoxia preconditioning (IHP) has been shown to protect neurons against ischemic stroke injury. Studying how proteins respond to IHP may identify targets that can help fight stroke. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH) would respond to IHP and if so, whether such a response could be linked to neuroprotection in ischemic stroke injury. To do this, we subjected male rats to IHP for 20 days and measured the content and activity of DLDH as well as the three α-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes that contain DLDH. We also measured mitochondrial electron transport chain enzyme activities. Results show that DLDH content was indeed upregulated by IHP and this upregulation did not alter the activities of the three α-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes. Results also show that the activities of the five mitochondrial complexes (I-V) were not altered either by IHP. To investigate whether IHP-induced DLDH upregulation is linked to neuroprotection against ischemic stroke injury, we subjected both DLDH deficient mouse and DLDH transgenic mouse to stroke surgery followed by measurement of brain infarction volume. Results indicate that while mouse deficient in DLDH had exacerbated brain injury after stroke, mouse overexpressing human DLDH also showed increased brain injury after stroke. Therefore, the physiological significance of IHP-induced DLDH upregulation remains to be further investigated.

Mechanistic analysis of nonoxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion's protection on warm ischemic kidney uncovers greater eNOS phosphorylation and vasodilation

Protection of endothelial cell function may explain the benefits of nonoxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion (MP) for marginal kidney preservation. However, this hypothesis remains to be tested with a preclinical model. We postulated that MP protects the nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway, altered by static cold storage (CS), and improves renal circulation recovery compared to CS. The endothelium releases the vasodilator NO in response to flow via either increased endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression (KLF2-dependent) or activation of eNOS by phosphorylation (via Akt, PKA or AMPK). Using a porcine model of kidney transplantation, including 1 h of warm ischemia and preserved 24 h by CS or MP (n=5), we reported that MP did not alter the cortical levels of KLF2 and eNOS at the end of preservation, but significantly increased eNOS activating phosphorylation compared to CS. eNOS phosphorylation appeared AMPK-dependent and was concomitant to an increased NO-dependent vasodilation of renal arteries measured, ex situ, at the end of preservation. In vivo, laser Doppler showed that cortical microcirculation was improved at reperfusion in MP kidneys. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time, in a large-animal model, that MP protects the NO signaling pathway, confirming the value of MP for marginal kidney preservation.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on nitric oxide synthase activity and expression in ischemia-reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) mitigates ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury via a nitric oxide mechanism that is nitric oxide synthase (NOS) dependent. The purpose of this study was to investigate this NOS-dependent mechanism by examining isoform-specific, tissue-specific, and time-specific upregulation of NOS mRNA, protein, and enzymatic activity.

METHODS

We raised a gracilis flap in Wistar rats that were separated into early and late phases. Treatment groups included nonischemic control, IR, HBO-treated ischemia-reperfusion (IR-HBO), and nonischemic HBO control. We harvested tissue-specific samples from gracilis, rectus femoris, aorta, and pulmonary tissues and processed them by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot to determine upregulation of isoform-specific NOS mRNA and protein. We also harvested tissue for NOS activity to investigate upregulation of enzymatic activity. Data are presented as mean ± standard error of the mean with statistics performed by analysis of variance. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

There was no increase in NOS mRNA in the early phase. In the late phase, there was a significant increase in endothelial-derived NOS (eNOS) mRNA in IR-HBO compared with IR in gracilis muscle (79.4 ± 22.3 versus 36.1 ± 4.5; P < 0.05) and pulmonary tissues (91.0 ± 31.2 versus 30.2 ± 3.1; P < 0.01). There was a significant increase in the late-phase eNOS pulmonary protein IR-HBO group compared with IR (235.5 ± 46.8 versus 125.2 ± 14.7; P < 0.05). Early-phase NOS activity was significantly increased in IR-HBO compared with IR in pulmonary tissue only (0.049 ± 0.009 versus 0.023 ± 0.003; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The NOS-dependent effects of HBO on IR injury may result from a systemic effect involving an early increase in eNOS enzymatic activity followed by a late-phase increase in eNOS protein expression within the pulmonary tissues.