Cardiac beta-adrenoreceptors in the thyroxine-treated dog

Myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor function during the development of pacing-induced heart failure

The development of pacing-induced heart failure was studied in chronically instrumented, conscious dogs paced at a rate of 240 beats/min for 1 d (n = 6), 1 wk (n = 6), and 3-4 wk (n = 7). Left ventricular (LV) dP/dt was decreased (P < 0.0125) at 1 d, LV end-diastolic pressure and heart rate were increased (P < 0.0125) at 1 wk, but clinical signs of heart failure were only observed after 3-4 wk of pacing. Plasma norepinephrine rose (P < 0.0125) after 1 d of pacing, whereas LV norepinephrine was reduced (P < 0.0125) only after 3-4 wk of pacing. Both the fraction of beta-adrenergic receptors binding agonist with high affinity and adenylyl cyclase activity decreased (P < 0.0125) after 1 d of pacing. Total beta-adrenergic receptor density was not changed at any time point, but beta 1-adrenergic receptor density was decreased (P < 0.0125) after 1 wk. The functional activity of the guanine nucleotide binding protein, Gs, was not reduced, but the Gi alpha 2 isoform of the alpha subunit of the GTP-inhibitory protein rose after 3-4 wk of pacing. Thus, myocardial beta-adrenergic signal transduction undergoes change shortly (1d) after the initiation of pacing, before heart failure develops. The mechanism of beta-adrenergic receptor dysfunction in pacing-induced heart failure is characterized initially by elevated plasma levels of catecholamines, uncoupling of beta-adrenergic receptors, and a defect in the adenylyl cyclase catalytic unit. Selective down-regulation of beta 1-adrenergic receptors, increases in Gi alpha 2, and decreases in myocardial catecholamine levels occur as later events.

Glucose tolerance and gastric emptying in thyrotoxic rats

To clarify the contribution of gastrointestinal function to impaired oral glucose tolerance in hyperthyroidism, gastric emptying rate and portal and peripheral blood glucose responses to intragastric or intraduodenal glucose administration were investigated in experimental thyrotoxic rats. Glucose absorption from perfused intestine of thyrotoxic rats was also examined. Thyrotoxicosis was induced by subcutaneous (SC) thyroxine injection (50 micrograms/kg/d) for seven days. In intragastric glucose tolerance test, although insulin and glucagon responses were not significantly altered, increments in portal and peripheral blood glucose were significantly higher in thyrotoxic rats than in controls at 30 minutes. This phenomenon was almost normalized by the preadministration of phentolamine (2 mg/kg SC). In intraduodenal glucose tolerance test, blood glucose, insulin, and glucagon responses were similar in thyrotoxic and control rats. Gastric emptying rate in thyrotoxic rats was significantly higher than that in controls at 30 minutes, and that was also normalized by phentolamine administration. Absorption of glucose from perfused intestine was similar in thyrotoxic and control rats. These results suggest that an altered glucose tolerance to intragastric glucose load in thyrotoxic rats may primarily be due to rapid gastric emptying induced by increased alpha-adrenoceptor responses, and that glucose absorption from small intestine was not increased in short-term thyrotoxic rats.

Glucose intolerance in thyrotoxic rats: role of insulin, glucagon, and epinephrine

To elucidate the possible role of insulin, glucagon, and epinephrine on glucose intolerance in thyrotoxicosis, the secretion of insulin and glucagon in vivo (glucose, arginine, and epinephrine infusion tests) and in perfused pancreas and the hepatic action of insulin, glucagon, and epinephrine in perfused liver were investigated in experimental thyrotoxic rats (induced by thyroxine injection, 20 micrograms/kg sc, for 7 days). In thyrotoxic rats, fasting blood glucose (87 +/- 5 mg/dl, mean +/- SD) and plasma insulin (16 +/- 3 microU/ml) were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher than those in controls (74 +/- 5 mg/dl and 8 +/- 1 microU/ml), respectively. In glucose infusion test (0.5 g/kg iv), blood glucose, plasma insulin, and glucagon responses in thyrotoxic rats were not significantly different from those in controls. In arginine infusion test (5 mg/min for 20 min iv), the increments in blood glucose and plasma insulin after arginine in thyrotoxic rats were not significantly different from those in controls. Plasma glucagon response was almost the same in both groups. In epinephrine infusion test (100 micrograms/kg iv), the increments in blood glucose and plasma insulin in thyrotoxic rats were significantly greater than those in controls. In perfused pancreas, insulin and glucagon secretions in response to 16.7 mM glucose or 6.4 mM arginine in the presence of 5.5 mM glucose in thyrotoxic rats were not different from those in controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Propranolol and thyroxine-induced hypertrophic rabbit hearts: effect on heart size and regional O2 supply/consumption variables

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acute and chronic propranolol on heart size and regional O2 supply/consumption variables in thyroxine (T4)-treated rabbit hearts. New Zealand white rabbits were given 0.5 mg/kg T4 for 3 or 16 days with and without concomitant 2 mg/kg propranolol. Another group was given 16 days of propranolol alone and another 3-day T4 group was given 2 mg/kg propranolol 1 h before the experiment began. Another group served as control. Myocardial blood flows were determined using radioactive microspheres and small arteriolar and venous O2 saturations were determined using microspectrophotometry. Treatment with T4 for 3 or 16 days increased the heart weight/body weight ratio, myocardial blood flow, and regional O2 consumption. 16-day T4 treatment resulted in myocardial flow 195% and O2 consumption 300% above control group values. When propranolol was given chronically along with T4, heart weight/body weight ratios did not increase to the degree seen with 3 or 16 days of T4, alone. Propranolol given acutely in 3-day T4-treated animals, resulted in a reduced O2 consumption and O2 extraction, though not to the extent seen with chronic propranolol treatment of T4-treated animals. Acute propranolol treatment slightly reduced myocardial blood flow in 3-day T4-treated animals, while chronic treatment significantly reduced it. Chronic propranolol treatment in 16-day T4-treated animals resulted in a significant reduction in flow and O2 consumption. Thus, T4 treatment increased O2 consumption, flow, and heart size and these effects could be attenuated using acute and chronic propranolol.

Alterations in cardiac beta-adrenoceptor responsiveness and adenylate cyclase system by congestive heart failure in dogs

The effects of congestive heart failure on the physiological and biochemical functions of the cardiac beta-adrenoceptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system were studied in dogs with right heart failure produced by progressive pulmonary artery constriction and tricuspid avulsion. The cardiac inotropic response to dobutamine was attenuated in congestive heart failure, as determined by the right and left ventricular dP/dt responses. Adrenergic beta-receptor density, measured by [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding, was reduced in membrane fractions of the failing right ventricle, but not in the left ventricle. The functional activity of the adenylate cyclase system was studied in vitro by measuring the net cyclic AMP production following additions of isoproterenol, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p), forskolin, or manganese chloride, which act either directly on the beta-adrenergic receptors or on one of the post-receptor components of the adenylate cyclase system. Congestive heart failure reduced the net production of cyclic AMP by isoproterenol, Gpp(NH)p, and forskolin in both the right and left ventricles, but did not alter the effect of manganese chloride. Thus, beta-receptor down-regulation is chamber-specific, occurring only in the hemodynamically stressed right ventricle. In contrast, the post-receptor defect of the adenylate cyclase system occurred in both ventricles of the heart failure dogs. This decreased activation of adenylate cyclase by beta-agonists may be responsible, at least in part, for the diminished cardiac inotropic response to catecholamines in congestive heart failure.

Catecholamine-induced cardiac hypertrophy in a denervated, hemodynamically non-stressed heart transplant

Studies of stress-induced cardiac hypertrophy suggest that myocardial mass is regulated by the circulating level of epinephrine. The trophic effect is mediated by cardiac beta-adrenergic receptors, and in the murine, rat, and dog heart, specifically by beta 2-adrenergic receptors. The well-characterized functional effects of catecholamines on heart have obscured their role as myocardial trophic hormones. Therefore, we compared the effect of beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation on the myocardial mass of both a working innervated heart and an essentially nonworking denervated heterotopically transplanted heart in the same rat; in this model, the neural and stretch parameters are nonoperational in the transplanted heart. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), an enzyme elevated in a dose-dependent manner in heart by isoproterenol, was assayed in both hearts to determine the relationship between ODC activity and myocardial mass in response to isoproterenol administration in working, innervated heart compared to denervated, nonworking heart. In both recipient and donor heart, the myocardial mass paralleled the ability of an isoproterenol bolus to stimulate ODC in the respective heart. However, beta-adrenergic receptor activity in the donor heart was decreased 5 days after transplantation as assessed by the differential ability of a single dose of isoproterenol to stimulate ODC activity. Beta-receptor coupling to ODC activity in the donor heart exceeded that of the recipient heart at 10 days posttransplantation suggesting a time-dependent elevation of beta-adrenergic receptor activity in donor heart. At all times, alterations in myocardial mass paralleled beta-adrenoceptor activity as assessed by the ability of isoproterenol administration to elevate ODC activity. The results support the concept that myocardial mass is regulated by the level of circulating hormones, particularly epinephrine.

Iodothyronines and iodotyrosines as hypothetical receptors for catecholamines and opiates

The signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism are similar to those of phaeochromocytoma and adrenergic stimulation. These changes have been attributed to increased beta receptor numbers in hyperthyroidism, resulting in adrenergic supersensitivity. Beta blockers are used in treatment of hyperthyroidism and inoperable phaeochromocytomas. Beta receptor numbers increase in direct proportion to the dose of thyroid hormone given. Hypothyroidism decreases the number of alpha and beta receptors with greater reduction in beta receptor numbers. Beta responses predominate in hyperthyroidism and alpha responses in hypothyroidism. Hypothyroid patients show increased sensitivity to opiates while hyperthyroid patients are tolerant to opiates. In the present paper it is proposed that the various iodothyronine amino acids are incorporated into the various catecholamine and opiate receptors, providing the phenyl binding sites in the receptors. T3 and T4 are proposed as part of beta 1 chronotropic and inotropic receptors and those mediating vasodilation. T2 and rT3 are proposed as part of alpha 1 and alpha 2 receptors and dopamine and opiate receptors. T2 is probably incorporated into beta 2 receptors causing bronchodilation. The different structural features of the various amino acids would account in part for the selectivity of various drugs for various receptors.

beta-Adrenoceptors in the hypertrophied right ventricle of the dog with pulmonary stenosis

1. Right ventricular hypertrophy was produced in dogs by banding of the pulmonary artery for 28 days (n = 7) and results were compared with those in sham-operated dogs (n = 5). 2. Myocardial noradrenaline and adrenaline levels were depressed in both the hypertrophied right ventricle and the non-hypertrophied left ventricle and plasma levels were increased compared to the control dogs. 3. Myocardial beta-adrenoceptors were assessed in membrane preparations of both ventricles by 3H-dihydroalprenolol binding. No change in binding site concentration (pmol/mg membrane protein) or in binding affinity was found in either the hypertrophied right ventricle or in the left ventricle. 4. Divergent results of studies on beta-adrenoceptors in ventricular hypertrophy are difficult to reconcile.