Altered cardiac Na(+)/H(+) exchange in phospholipase D-treated sarcolemmal vesicles

Expression of phospholipase D isozymes in scar and viable tissue in congestive heart failure due to myocardial infarction

The phospholipase D (PLD) associated with the cardiac sarcolemmal (SL) membrane hydrolyses phosphatidylcholine to produce phosphatidic acid, an important phospholipid signaling molecule known to influence cardiac function. The present study was undertaken to examine PLD isozyme mRNA expression, protein contents and activities in congestive heart failure (CHF) subsequent to myocardial infarction (MI). MI was induced in rats by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. At 8 weeks after the surgical procedure, hemodynamic assessment revealed that these experimental rats were at a moderate stage of CHF. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed that PLD1 and PLD2 mRNA amounts were unchanged in viable left ventricular (LV) tissue of the failing heart. Furthermore, this technique demonstrated the presence of PLD1 and PLD2 mRNA in the scar tissue. While SL PLD1 and PLD2 protein contents were elevated in the viable LV tissue of the failing heart, SL PLD1 activity was significantly decreased, whereas SL PLD2 activity was significantly increased. On the other hand, although PLD1 protein was undetectable, PLD2 protein and activity were detected in the scar tissue. Our findings suggest that differential changes in PLD isozymes may contribute to the pathophysiology of CHF and may also be involved in the processes of scar remodeling.

Oxidant-induced pHi/Ca2+ changes in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. The role of atrial natriuretic peptide

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oxidative stress on PLD activity, [Ca2+]i and pHi levels and the possible relationship among them. Moreover, since atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) protects against oxidant-induced injury, we investigated the potential protective role of the hormone in rat aortic smooth muscle (RASM) cells exposed to oxidative stress. Water-soluble 2,2'-Azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) was used as free radical generating system, since it generates peroxyl radicals with defined reaction and the half time of peroxyl radicals is longer than other ROS. A significant increase of PLD activity was related to a significant decrease in pHi, while [Ca2+]i levels showed an increase followed by a decrease after cell exposure to AAPH. [Ca2+]i changes and pHi fall induced by AAPH were prevented by cadmium which inhibits a plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase coupled to Ca2+/H+ exchanger, that operates the efflux of Ca2+ coupled to H+ influx. The involvement of PLD in pHi and [Ca2+]i changes was confirmed by calphostin-c treatment, a potent inhibitor of PLD, which abolished all AAPH-induced effects. Pretreatment of RASM cells with pharmacological concentrations of ANP attenuated the AAPH effects on PLD activity as well as [Ca2+]i and pHi changes, while no effects were observed with physiological ANP concentrations, suggesting a possible role of the hormone as defensive effector against early events of the oxidative stress.

Ion fluxes in giant excised cardiac membrane patches detected and quantified with ion-selective microelectrodes

We have used ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) to quantify ion fluxes across giant membrane patches by measuring and simulating ion gradients on both membrane sides. Experimental conditions are selected with low concentrations of the ions detected on the membrane side being monitored. For detection from the cytoplasmic (bath) side, the patch pipette is oscillated laterally in front of an ISE. For detection on the extracellular (pipette) side, ISEs are fabricated from flexible quartz capillary tubing (tip diameters, 2-3 microns), and an ISE is positioned carefully within the patch pipette with the tip at a controlled distance from the mouth of the patch pipette. Transport activity is then manipulated by solution changes on the cytoplasmic side. Ion fluxes can be quantified by simulating the ion gradients with appropriate diffusion models. For extracellular (intrapatch pipette) recordings, ion diffusion coefficients can be determined from the time courses of concentration changes. The sensitivity and utility of the methods are demonstrated with cardiac membrane patches by measuring (a) potassium fluxes via ion channels, valinomycin, and Na/K pumps; (b) calcium fluxes mediated by Na/Ca exchangers; (c) sodium fluxes mediated by gramicidin and Na/K pumps; and (d) proton fluxes mediated by an unknown electrogenic mechanism. The potassium flux-to-current ratio for the Na/K pump is approximately twice that determined for potassium channels and valinomycin, as expected for a 3Na/2K pump stoichiometery (i.e., 2K/charge moved). For valinomycin-mediated potassium currents and gramicidin-mediated sodium currents, the ion fluxes calculated from diffusion models are typically 10-15% smaller than expected from the membrane currents. As presently implemented, the ISE methods allow reliable detection of calcium and proton fluxes equivalent to monovalent cation currents <1 pA in magnitude, and they allow detection of sodium and potassium fluxes equivalent to <5 pA currents. The capability to monitor ion fluxes, independent of membrane currents, should facilitate studies of both electrogenic and electroneutral ion-coupled transporters in giant patches.

Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cardiac sarcolemmal Na(+)/H(+) exchange

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion activates the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, which induces arrhythmias, cell damage, and eventually cell death. Inhibition of the exchanger reduces cell damage and lowers the incidence of arrhythmias after ischemia-reperfusion. The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are also known to be cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic during ischemia-reperfusion challenge. Some of the action of PUFAs may occur via inhibition of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. The purpose of our study was to determine the capacity for selected PUFAs to alter cardiac sarcolemmal (SL) Na(+)/H(+) exchange. Cardiac membranes highly enriched in SL vesicles were exposed to 10-100 microM eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) or docosahexanoic acid (DHA). H(+)-dependent (22)Na(+) uptake was inhibited by 30-50% after treatment with > or =50 microM EPA or > or =25 microM DHA. This was a specific effect of these PUFAs, because 50 microM linoleic acid or linolenic acid had no significant effect on Na(+)/H(+) exchange. The SL vesicles did not exhibit an increase in passive Na(+) efflux after PUFA treatment. In conclusion, EPA and DHA can potently inhibit cardiac SL Na(+)/H(+) exchange at physiologically relevant concentrations. This may explain, in part, their known cardioprotective effects and antiarrhythmic actions during ischemia-reperfusion.