Effect of myocardial volume overload and heart failure on lactate transport into isolated cardiac myocytes

Aerobic exercise-induced HIF-1α upregulation in heart failure: exploring potential impacts on MCT1 and MPC1 regulation

BACKGROUND

The terminal stage of ischemic heart disease develops into heart failure (HF), which is characterized by hypoxia and metabolic disturbances in cardiomyocytes. The hypoxic failing heart triggers hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) actions in the cells sensitized to hypoxia and induces metabolic adaptation by accumulating HIF-1α. Furthermore, soluble monocarboxylic acid transporter protein 1 (MCT1) and mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1), as key nodes of metabolic adaptation, affect metabolic homeostasis in the failing rat heart. Aerobic exercise training has been reported to retard the progression of HF due to enhancing HIF-1α levels as well as MCT1 expressions, whereas the effects of exercise on MCT1 and MPC1 in HF (hypoxia) remain elusive. This research aimed to investigate the action of exercise associated with MCT1 and MPC1 on HF under hypoxia.

METHODS

The experimental rat models are composed of four study groups: sham stented (SHAM), HF sedentary (HF), HF short-term exercise trained (HF-E1), HF long-term exercise trained (HF-E2). HF was initiated via left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, the effects of exercise on the progression of HF were analyzed by ventricular ultrasound (ejection fraction, fractional shortening) and histological staining. The regulatory effects of HIF-1α on cell growth, MCT1 and MPC1 protein expression in hypoxic H9c2 cells were evaluated by HIF-1α activatort/inhibitor treatment and plasmid transfection.

RESULTS

Our results indicate the presence of severe pathological remodelling (as evidenced by deep myocardial fibrosis, increased infarct size and abnormal hypertrophy of the myocardium, etc.) and reduced cardiac function in the failing hearts of rats in the HF group compared to the SHAM group. Treadmill exercise training ameliorated myocardial infarction (MI)-induced cardiac pathological remodelling and enhanced cardiac function in HF exercise group rats, and significantly increased the expression of HIF-1α (p < 0.05), MCT1 (p < 0.01) and MPC1 (p < 0.05) proteins compared to HF group rats. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of HIF-1α in hypoxic H9c2 cells dramatically downregulated MCT1 and MPC1 protein expression. This phenomenon is consistent with knockdown of HIF-1α at the gene level.

CONCLUSION

The findings propose that long-term aerobic exercise training, as a non- pharmacological treatment, is efficient enough to debilitate the disease process, improve the pathological phenotype, and reinstate cardiac function in HF rats. This benefit is most likely due to activation of myocardial HIF-1α and upregulation of MCT1 and MPC1.

The role of lactate in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases pose a major threat worldwide. Common cardiovascular diseases include acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure, atrial fibrillation (AF) and atherosclerosis. Glycolysis process often has changed during these cardiovascular diseases. Lactate, the end-product of glycolysis, has been overlooked in the past but has gradually been identified to play major biological functions in recent years. Similarly, the role of lactate in cardiovascular disease is gradually being recognized. Targeting lactate production, regulating lactate transport, and modulating circulating lactate levels may serve as potential strategies for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in the future. The purpose of this review is to integrate relevant clinical and basic research on the role of lactate in the pathophysiological process of cardiovascular disease in recent years to clarify the important role of lactate in cardiovascular disease and to guide further studies exploring the role of lactate in cardiovascular and other diseases. Video Abstract.

Current understanding of the contribution of lactate to the cardiovascular system and its therapeutic relevance

Research during the past decades has yielded numerous insights into the presence and function of lactate in the body. Lactate is primarily produced via glycolysis and plays special roles in the regulation of tissues and organs, particularly in the cardiovascular system. In addition to being a net consumer of lactate, the heart is also the organ in the body with the greatest lactate consumption. Furthermore, lactate maintains cardiovascular homeostasis through energy supply and signal regulation under physiological conditions. Lactate also affects the occurrence, development, and prognosis of various cardiovascular diseases. We will highlight how lactate regulates the cardiovascular system under physiological and pathological conditions based on evidence from recent studies. We aim to provide a better understanding of the relationship between lactate and cardiovascular health and provide new ideas for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, we will summarize current developments in treatments targeting lactate metabolism, transport, and signaling, including their role in cardiovascular diseases.

The generation of a lactate-rich environment stimulates cell cycle progression and modulates gene expression on neonatal and hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes

In situ tissue engineering strategies are a promising approach to activate the endogenous regenerative potential of the cardiac tissue helping the heart to heal itself after an injury. However, the current use of complex reprogramming vectors for the activation of reparative pathways challenges the easy translation of these therapies into the clinic. Here, we evaluated the response of mouse neonatal and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to the presence of exogenous lactate, thus mimicking the metabolic environment of the fetal heart. An increase in cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity was observed in the presence of lactate, as determined through Ki67 and Aurora-B kinase. Gene expression and RNA-sequencing data revealed that cardiomyocytes incubated with lactate showed upregulation of BMP10, LIN28 or TCIM in tandem with downregulation of GRIK1 or DGKK among others. Lactate also demonstrated a capability to modulate the production of inflammatory cytokines on cardiac fibroblasts, reducing the production of Fas, Fraktalkine or IL-12p40, while stimulating IL-13 and SDF1a. In addition, the generation of a lactate-rich environment improved ex vivo neonatal heart culture, by affecting the contractile activity and sarcomeric structures and inhibiting epicardial cell spreading. Our results also suggested a common link between the effect of lactate and the activation of hypoxia signaling pathways. These findings support a novel use of lactate in cardiac tissue engineering, modulating the metabolic environment of the heart and thus paving the way to the development of lactate-releasing platforms for in situ cardiac regeneration.

hCINAP serves a critical role in hypoxia‑induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via modulating lactate production and mitochondrial‑mediated apoptosis signaling

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a major cause of heart failure and is associated with insufficient myocardial oxygen supply. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying hypoxia‑induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis are not completely understood. In the present study, the role of human coilin interacting nuclear ATPase protein (hCINAP) in cardiomyocytes was investigated. AC16 cells were divided into the following four groups: i) Small interfering (si)RNA‑control (Ctrl); (ii) siRNA‑hCINAP; (iii) empty vector; and (iv) hCINAP‑Flag. Protein expression was assessed using western blotting. MTT and apoptosis assays were conducted to detect cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. CCK8 assays and apoptosis assays were used to detect cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. hCINAP promoter activity was examined by luciferase reporter assay. hCINAP expression was induced in a hypoxia‑inducible factor‑1α‑dependent manner under hypoxic conditions. Compared with the siRNA‑Ctrl group, hCINAP knockdown inhibited apoptosis, whereas compared with the vector group, hCINAP overexpression increased apoptosis under hypoxic conditions. Mechanistically, compared with the siRNA‑Ctrl group, hCINAP knockdown decreased hypoxia‑induced lactate accumulation via regulating lactate dehydrogenase A activity. Moreover, the results indicated that hCINAP was associated with mitochondrial‑mediated apoptosis via Caspase signaling. Collectively, the present study suggested that hCINAP was an important regulator in hypoxia‑induced apoptosis and may serve as a promising therapeutic target for AMI.

Pivotal role of membrane substrate transporters on the metabolic alterations in the pressure-overloaded heart

Cardiac pressure overload (PO), such as caused by aortic stenosis and systemic hypertension, commonly results in cardiac hypertrophy and may lead to the development of heart failure. PO-induced heart failure is among the leading causes of death worldwide, but its pathological origin remains poorly understood. Metabolic alterations are proposed to be an important contributor to PO-induced cardiac hypertrophy and failure. While the healthy adult heart mainly uses long-chain fatty acids (FAs) and glucose as substrates for energy metabolism and to a lesser extent alternative substrates, i.e. lactate, ketone bodies, and amino acids (AAs), the pressure-overloaded heart is characterized by a shift in energy metabolism towards a greater reliance on glycolysis and alternative substrates. A key-governing kinetic step of both FA and glucose fluxes is at the level of their substrate-specific membrane transporters. The relative presence of these transporters in the sarcolemma determines the cardiac substrate preference. Whether the cardiac utilization of alternative substrates is also governed by membrane transporters is not yet known. In this review, we discuss current insight into the role of membrane substrate transporters in the metabolic alterations occurring in the pressure-overloaded heart. Given the increasing evidence of a role for alternative substrates in these metabolic alterations, there is an urgent need to disclose the key-governing kinetic steps in their utilization as well. Taken together, membrane substrate transporters emerge as novel targets for metabolic interventions to prevent or treat PO-induced heart failure.

Immunometabolic cross-talk in the inflamed heart

Inflammatory processes underlie many diseases associated with injury of the heart muscle, including conditions without an obvious inflammatory pathogenic component such as hypertensive and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Persistence of cardiac inflammation can cause irreversible structural and functional deficits. Some are induced by direct damage of the heart muscle by cellular and soluble mediators but also by metabolic adaptations sustained by the inflammatory microenvironment. It is well established that both cardiomyocytes and immune cells undergo metabolic reprogramming in the site of inflammation, which allow them to deal with decreased availability of nutrients and oxygen. However, like in cancer, competition for nutrients and increased production of signalling metabolites such as lactate initiate a metabolic cross-talk between immune cells and cardiomyocytes which, we propose, might tip the balance between resolution of the inflammation versus adverse cardiac remodeling. Here we review our current understanding of the metabolic reprogramming of both heart tissue and immune cells during inflammation, and we discuss potential key mechanisms by which these metabolic responses intersect and influence each other and ultimately define the prognosis of the inflammatory process in the heart.

Lactate is a potent inhibitor of the capsaicin receptor TRPV1

Tissue ischemia results in an accumulation of lactate and local or systemic lactic acidosis. In nociceptive sensory neurons, lactate was reported to sensitize or activate the transient receptor potential ion channel TRPA1 and acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). However, it is unclear how lactate modulates the TRPV1 regarded as the main sensor for acidosis in sensory neurons. In this study we investigated the effects of lactate (LA) on recombinant and native TRPV1 channels and on TRPV1-mediated release of neuropeptides from mouse nerves. TRPV1-mediated membrane currents evoked by protons, capsaicin or heat are inhibited by LA at concentrations ranging from 3 μM to 100 mM. LA inhibits TRPV1-mediated proton-induced Ca²⁺-influx in dorsal root ganglion neurons as well as proton-evoked neuropeptide release from mouse nerves. Inhibition of TRPV1 by LA is significantly stronger on inward currents as compared to outward currents since LA affects channel gating, shifting the activation curve towards more positive potentials. The mutation I680A in the pore lower gate displays no LA inhibition. Cell-attached as well as excised inside- and outside-out patches suggest an interaction through an extracellular binding site. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that lactate at physiologically relevant concentrations is a potent endogenous inhibitor of TRPV1.

Lactate up-regulates the expression of lactate oxidation complex-related genes in left ventricular cardiac tissue of rats

Background

Besides its role as a fuel source in intermediary metabolism, lactate has been considered a signaling molecule modulating lactate-sensitive genes involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism. Even though the flux of lactate is significantly high in the heart, its role on regulation of cardiac genes regulating lactate oxidation has not been clarified yet. We tested the hypothesis that lactate would increase cardiac levels of reactive oxygen species and up-regulate the expression of genes related to lactate oxidation complex.

Methods/Principal Findings

Isolated hearts from male adult Wistar rats were perfused with control, lactate or acetate (20mM) added Krebs-Henseleit solution during 120 min in modified Langendorff apparatus. Reactive oxygen species (O₂^●-/H₂O₂) levels, and NADH and NADPH oxidase activities (in enriched microsomal or plasmatic membranes, respectively) were evaluated by fluorimetry while SOD and catalase activities were evaluated by spectrophotometry. mRNA levels of lactate oxidation complex and energetic enzymes MCT1, MCT4, HK, LDH, PDH, CS, PGC1α and COXIV were quantified by real time RT-PCR. Mitochondrial DNA levels were also evaluated. Hemodynamic parameters were acquired during the experiment. The key findings of this work were that lactate elevated cardiac NADH oxidase activity but not NADPH activity. This response was associated with increased cardiac O₂^●-/H₂O₂ levels and up-regulation of MCT1, MCT4, LDH and PGC1α with no changes in HK, PDH, CS, COXIV mRNA levels and mitochondrial DNA levels. Lactate increased NRF-2 nuclear expression and SOD activity probably as counter-regulatory responses to increased O₂^●-/H₂O₂.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence for lactate-induced up-regulation of lactate oxidation complex associated with increased NADH oxidase activity and cardiac O₂^●-/H₂O₂ driving to an anti-oxidant response. These results unveil lactate as an important signaling molecule regulating components of the lactate oxidation complex in cardiac muscle.

Changes to both cardiac metabolism and performance accompany acute reductions in functional capillary supply

BACKGROUND

The relative importance of arteriole supply or ability to switch between substrates to preserve cardiac performance is currently unclear, but may be critically important in conditions such as diabetes.

METHODS

Metabolism of substrates was measured before and after infusion of polystyrene microspheres in the perfused working heart to mimic random capillary loss due to microvascular disease. The effect of acute loss of functional capillary supply on palmitate and glucose metabolism together with function was quantified, and theoretical tissue oxygen distribution calculated from histological samples and ventricular VO(2) estimated.

RESULTS

Microsphere infusion led to a dose-dependent decrease in rate-pressure product (RPP) and oxygen consumption (P<0.001). Microsphere infusion also increased work/unit oxygen consumption of hearts ('efficiency') by 25% (P<0.01). When corrected for cardiac work palmitate oxidation remained tightly coupled to very low workloads (RPP<2500 mmHg/min), illustrating a high degree of metabolic control. Arteriole occlusion by microspheres decreased the density of patent capillaries (P<0.001) and correspondingly increased the average capillary supply area by 40% (P<0.01). Calculated rates of oxygen consumption declined from 16.6±7.2 ml/100 ml/min to 12.4±9 ml/100 ml/min following arteriole occlusion, coupled with increases in size of regions of myocardial hypoxia (Control=22.0% vs. Microspheres=42.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac mechanical performance is very sensitive to arteriolar blockade, but metabolite switching from fatty acid to glucose utilisation may also support cardiac function in regions of declining PO(2).

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Preserving functional capillary supply may be critical for maintenance of cardiac function when metabolic flexibility is lost, as in diabetes.

Half-molar sodium lactate infusion improves cardiac performance in acute heart failure: a pilot randomised controlled clinical trial

Introduction

Acute heart failure (AHF) is characterized by inadequate cardiac output (CO), congestive symptoms, poor peripheral perfusion and end-organ dysfunction. Treatment often includes a combination of diuretics, oxygen, positive pressure ventilation, inotropes and vasodilators or vasopressors. Lactate is a marker of illness severity but is also an important metabolic substrate for the myocardium at rest and during stress. We tested the effects of half-molar sodium lactate infusion on cardiac performance in AHF.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, randomised, controlled, open-label, pilot clinical trial in 40 patients fulfilling two of the following three criteria for AHF: (1) left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, (2) acute pulmonary oedema or respiratory failure of predominantly cardiac origin requiring mechanical ventilation and (3) currently receiving vasopressor and/or inotropic support. Patients in the intervention group received a 3 ml/kg bolus of half-molar sodium lactate over the course of 15 minutes followed by 1 ml/kg/h continuous infusion for 24 hours. The control group received only a 3 ml/kg bolus of Hartmann’s solution without continuous infusion. The primary outcome was CO assessed by transthoracic echocardiography 24 hours after randomisation. Secondary outcomes included a measure of right ventricular systolic function (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)), acid-base balance, electrolyte and organ function parameters, along with length of stay and mortality.

Results

The infusion of half-molar sodium lactate increased (mean ± SD) CO from 4.05 ± 1.37 L/min to 5.49 ± 1.9 L/min (P < 0.01) and TAPSE from 14.7 ± 5.5 mm to 18.3 ± 7 mm (P = 0.02). Plasma sodium and pH increased (136 ± 4 to 146 ± 6 and 7.40 ± 0.06 to 7.53 ± 0.03, respectively; both P < 0.01), but potassium, chloride and phosphate levels decreased. There were no significant differences in the need for vasoactive therapy, respiratory support, renal or liver function tests, duration of ICU and hospital stay or 28- and 90-day mortality.

Conclusions

Infusion of half-molar sodium lactate improved cardiac performance and led to metabolic alkalosis in AHF patients without any detrimental effects on organ function.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01981655. Registered 13 August 2013.

[Hyperlactatemia in surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation and cardiac surgery. Is it a predictive factor of postoperative morbidity?]

INTRODUCTION

Increased serum lactate in postoperative cardiac surgery is very common and its pathogenesis is due to multiple factors. The elevation of serum lactate is associated with tissue hypoxia (hyperlactatemia type A) and non-hypoxic (hyperlactatemia type B) metabolic disorders. The aim of the study was to assess the evolution of postoperative lactate in surgical atrial fibrillation ablation during cardiac surgery, and to determine whether lactate levels could be predictors of morbimortality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A case-control study was conducted on 32 patients undergoing surgical atrial fibrillation ablation and cardiac surgery (Maze group) and 32 matched patients (Control group), operated on between 2011 and 2012. An analysis was made of the levels of postoperative lactate, perioperative morbimortality and hospital length of stay. A univariate and multivariate study was performed for a composite endpoint of morbimortality, and prolonged length of stay.

RESULTS

Lactate levels were significantly higher at 6, 12 and 24h in the Maze group. The univariate analysis showed that being in the Maze group (OR 3.88; 95% CI 1.3-11.1; P=.01) and an elevated lactate at 12h (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.01-1.7; P=.04) were significant predictors of major complications, mortality, and longer hospital stays. In the multivariate analysis, surgical atrial fibrillation ablation (Maze group) was an independent predictor of major complications (OR 4.13; 95% CI 1.312.9; P=.015) for the morbimortality composite endpoint (OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.3-11.6; P=.01), and prolonged length of stay in the Intensive Care Unit (OR 5.7; 95% CI 2.01-15.7; P=.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The atrial fibrillation surgical ablation may be a not-yet-described cause of type B hyperlactatemia, with serum peak values being reached between 4-24h after cardiac surgery. The predictive value of this elevation, its correlation with morbimortality, its sensitivity and specificity to discriminate the significant thresholds needs to be defined.

Rescue of heart lipoprotein lipase-knockout mice confirms a role for triglyceride in optimal heart metabolism and function

Hearts utilize fatty acids as a primary source of energy. The sources of those lipids include free fatty acids and lipoprotein triglycerides. Deletion of the primary triglyceride-hydrolyzing enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL) leads to cardiac dysfunction. Whether heart LPL-knockout (hLPL0) mice are compromised due a deficiency in energetic substrates is unknown. To test whether alternative sources of energy will prevent cardiac dysfunction in hLPL0 mice, two different models were used to supply nonlipid energy. 1) hLPL0 mice were crossed with mice transgenically expressing GLUT1 in cardiomyocytes to increase glucose uptake into the heart; this cross-corrected cardiac dysfunction, reduced cardiac hypertrophy, and increased myocardial ATP. 2) Mice were randomly assigned to a sedentary or training group (swimming) at 3 mo of age, which leads to increased skeletal muscle production of lactate. hLPL0 mice had greater expression of the lactate transporter monocarboxylate transporter-1 (MCT-1) and increased cardiac lactate uptake. Compared with hearts from sedentary hLPL0 mice, hearts from trained hLPL0 mice had adaptive hypertrophy and improved cardiac function. We conclude that defective energy intake and not the reduced uptake of fat-soluble vitamins or cholesterol is responsible for cardiac dysfunction in hLPL0 mice. In addition, our studies suggest that adaptations in cardiac metabolism contribute to the beneficial effects of exercise on the myocardium of patients with heart failure.

Reduced sarcolemmal expression and function of the NBCe1 isoform of the Na⁺-HCO₃⁻ cotransporter in hypertrophied cardiomyocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats: role of the renin-angiotensin system

AIMS

Electroneutral (NBCn1) and electrogenic (NBCe1) isoforms of the Na(+)-HCO3(-) cotransporter (NBC) coexist in the heart. We studied the expression and function of these isoforms in hearts of Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), elucidating the direct implication of the renin-angiotensin system in the NBC regulation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used myocytes from Wistar, SHR, losartan-treated SHR (Los-SHR), and Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. We found an overexpression of NBCe1 and NBCn1 proteins in SHR that was prevented in Los-SHR. Hyperkalaemic-induced pHi alkalization was used to study selective activation of NBCe1. Despite the increase in NBCe1 expression, its activity was lower in SHR than in Wistar or Los-SHR. Similar results were found in Ang II-induced hypertrophy. A specific inhibitory antibody against NBCe1 allowed the discrimination between NBCe1 and NBCn1 activity. Whereas in SHR most of the pHi recovery was due to NBCn1 stimulation, in Wistar and Los-SHR the activity of both isoforms was equitable, suggesting that the deteriorated cardiac NBCe1 function observed in SHR is compensated by an enhanced activity of NBCn1. Using the biotin method, we observed greater level of internalized NBCe1 protein in SHR than in the non-hypertophic groups, while with immunofluorescence we localized the protein in endosomes near the nucleus only in SHR.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that Ang II is responsible for the impairment of the NBCe1 in hypertrophied hearts. This is due to retained transporter protein units in early endosomes. Moreover, NBCn1 activity seems to be increased in the hypertrophic myocardium of SHR, compensating impaired function of NBCe1.

Intracellular lactate signaling cascade in atrial remodeling of mitral valvular patients with atrial fibrillation

Background

Atrial remodeling has emerged as the structural basis for the maintenance and recurrence of atrial fibrillation. Lactate signaling cascade was recently linked to some cardiovascular disorders for its regulatory functions to myocardial structural remodeling. It was hypothesized that lactate signaling cascade was involved in the maintenance and recurrence of atrial fibrillation by regulating atrial structural remodeling.

Methods

Biopsies of right atrial appendage and clinical data were collected from sex- and age-matched 30 persistent atrial fibrillation, 30 paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 30 sinus rhythm patients undergoing isolated mitral valve surgery and 10 healthy heart donors.

Results

Atrial fibrillation groups had higher atrial lactate expression and this upregulated expression was positively correlated with regulatory indicators of atrial structural remodeling as reflected by severe oxidative stress injury and mitochondrial control of apoptosis.

Conclusions

The present findings suggest a potential role for lactate signaling cascade in the maintenance and recurrence of atrial fibrillation and possibly represent new targets for therapeutic intervention in this disorder.

Thyroid hormone regulation of heart metabolism

Thyroid hormone regulates cardiac metabolism through multiple mechanisms. Traditionally, most cardiac metabolic studies have focused on presumed transcriptional actions by defining thyroid hormone-induced changes in mRNA or protein levels. Recent studies have established metabolic pathways in heart that rapidly respond to thyroid hormone. Functions have also been implicated for thyroid hormone receptors, which are separate from their transcriptional actions. Finally, thyroid through ligand binding may play a direct role in transactivation of mitochondrial DNA. This review will explore these newly identified modes of thyroid action on metabolism in heart.

Regulation of human airway ciliary beat frequency by intracellular pH

pHi affects a number of cellular functions, but the influence of pHi on mammalian ciliary beat frequency (CBF) is not known. CBF and pHi of single human tracheobronchial epithelial cells in submerged culture were measured simultaneously using video microscopy (for CBF) and epifluorescence microscopy with the pH-sensitive dye BCECF. Baseline CBF and pHi values in bicarbonate-free medium were 7.2 +/- 0.2 Hz and 7.49 +/- 0.02, respectively (n = 63). Alkalization by ammonium pre-pulse to pHi 7.78 +/- 0.02 resulted in a 2.2 +/- 0.1 Hz CBF increase (P < 0.05). Following removal of NH4Cl, pHi decreased to 7.24 +/- 0.02 and CBF to 5.8 +/- 0.1 Hz (P < 0.05). Removal of extracellular CO2 to change pHi resulted in similar CBF changes. Pre-activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (10 microM forskolin), broad inhibition of protein kinases (100 microM H-7), inhibition of PKA (10 microM H-89), nor inhibition of phosphatases (10 microM cyclosporin + 1.5 microM okadaic acid) changed pHi-mediated changes in CBF, nor were they due to [Ca2+]i changes. CBF of basolaterally permeabilized human tracheobronchial cells, re-differentiated at the air-liquid interface, was 3.9 +/- 0.3, 5.7 +/- 0.4, 7.0 +/- 0.3 and 7.3 +/- 0.3 Hz at basolateral i.e., intracellular pH of 6.8, 7.2, 7.6 and 8.0, respectively (n = 18). Thus, intracellular alkalization stimulates, while intracellular acidification attenuates human airway CBF. Since phosphorylation and [Ca2+]i changes did not seem to mediate pHi-induced CBF changes, pHi may directly act on the ciliary motile machinery.

Expression of MHC-beta and MCT1 in cardiac muscle after exercise training in myocardial-infarcted rats

To evaluate the hypothesis that increasing the potential for glycolytic metabolism would benefit the functioning of infarcted myocardium, we investigated whether mild exercise training would increase the activities of oxidative enzymes, expression of carbohydrate-related transport proteins (monocarboxylate transporter MCT1 and glucose transporter GLUT4), and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms. Myocardial infarction (MI) was produced by occluding the proximal left coronary artery in rat hearts for 30 min. After the rats performed 6 wk of run training on a treadmill, the wall of the left ventricle was dissected and divided into the anterior wall (AW; infarcted region) and posterior wall (PW; noninfarcted region). MI impaired citrate synthase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities in the AW (P < 0.01) but not in the noninfarcted PW. No differences in the expression of MCT1 were found in either tissues of AW and PW after MI, whereas exercise training significantly increased the MCT1 expression in all conditions, except AW in the MI rats. Exercise training resulted in an increased expression of GLUT4 protein in the AW in the sham rats and in the PW in the MI rats. The relative amount of MHC-beta was significantly increased in the AW and PW in MI rats compared with sham rats. However, exercise training resulted in a significant increase of MHC-alpha expression in both AW and PW in both sham and MI rats (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that mild exercise training enhanced the potential for glycolytic metabolism and ATPase activity of the myocardium, even in the MI rats, ensuring a beneficial role in the remodeling of the heart.