Thromboxane B2 in cardiac lymph. Effect of superoxide dismutase and catalase during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

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

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

Nitric oxide donors protect cultured rat astrocytes from 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced toxicity

MPP+ is thought to mediate MPTP's toxicity on dopamine neurons by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration. However, astrocytic injuries are also observed in MPTP/MPP+-treated rats. Because nitric oxide (NO.) is suggested to be cytoprotective, we examined the effects of nitroprusside (SNP), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), and 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) on MPP+-induced toxicity in astrocytes. Incubation of astrocytes with MPP+ for 2 days produced a dose-dependent toxicity, including increase in lactate level and lipid peroxidation, decrease of metabolic activity and cell damage. SNP, SNAP, and SIN-1 all attenuated MPP+-induced toxicity. The same protection was not achieved with N-acetylpenicillamine or ferrocyanide, structural analogues of SNAP or SNP but devoid of NO.. Further, the effect was not attributed to the increased cGMP levels or blockade of MPP+ accumulation in astrocytes. Notably, catalase, dimethyl sulfoxide and ferricyanide, an extracellular electron acceptor, were also effective in inhibiting MPP+ damage. NO. donors and analogues were also tested against damage produced by rotenone, an irreversible complex I inhibitor. Only ferricyanide and SNP effectively protected rotenone's toxicity. These results concluded that (1) NO. may protect astrocytes from MPP+-induced free radical formation, and (2) prevention of energy depletion/free radicals production alleviate MPP+-induced toxicity.

Hemostatic changes after dietary coenzyme Q10 supplementation in swine

Improved cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have been observed in several clinical studies of dietary supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). We elucidated the effect of CoQ10 on certain hemostatic parameters that may influence the progression of heart disease. Twelve Yorkshire swine were randomized to receive diet supplementation with either CoQ10 or placebo for 20 days. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at the end of the feeding period. At the end of the protocol, there were no significant differences in hemostatic parameters in the placebo group. A significant increase in total serum CoQ10 level (from 0.39 +/- 0.06 to 0.96 +/- 0.04 microgram/ml, p < 0.001) was noted after the feeding period in the CoQ10-supplemented group. We observed significant inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation (-9.9%) and a decrease in plasma fibronectin (-20.2%), thromboxane B2 (TXB2, -20.6%), prostacyclin (-23.2%), and endothelin-1 (ET-1, -17.9%) level. There were no changes in the plasma concentrations of the natural antithrombotics [antithrombin-III (AT-III), protein S, and protein C] after CoQ10 supplementation. CoQ10 supplementation in a dose of 200 mg daily is associated with mild antiaggregatory changes in the hemostatic profile. Clinical beneficial effects of CoQ10 may be related in part to a diminished incidence of thrombotic complications.

The effects of using a leukocyte removal filter during cold blood cardioplegia

During myocardial ischemia, neutrophils and platelets exert negative effects on the myocardium. In this study, we used a leukocyte removal filter during cardioplegia, and investigated its effect on myocardial damage during reperfusion by measuring the plasma levels of granulocyte components, platelet components, and cardiac enzymes [creatinine phosphokinase (CK) and creatinine phosphokinase myocardial band (CK-MB)] in 24 patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass. The patients were divided into two groups of 12 according to whether or not a filter was placed in the cardioplegic route. Blood samples were drawn directly from the coronary sinus before aortic cross clamping, and at 1, 5, and 15 min after declamping. Group F, which had the filter, showed better cardiac enzyme and lipid peroxidation results than group N, which did not. The results of this study suggest that the application of a filter during cold blood cardioplegia may reduce myocardial damage.

Antioxidant effectiveness in ischemia-reperfusion tissue injury

In summary, much evidence supports the formation of toxic oxygen metabolites in ischemic reperfused tissue. Tissues are equipped with both an intracellular and extracellular antioxidant defense system. The defense system can also be divided into enzymatic and nonenzymatic defenses. Important components of a nonenzymatic antioxidant include alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and beta-carotene as well as other compounds that can react with radicals to form less reactive products such as sulfur-containing amino acids. Extracellular fluid comprises a second line of defense against oxidant injury. These extracellular antioxidants include ceruloplasmin, albumin, transferrin, haptoglobin, and uric acid. The oxidant injury can potentially occur during ischemia and reperfusion due to (1) an excess production of oxygen free radicals, (2) a decrease in antioxidant defenses, or (3) both. Because antioxidants function by removing the toxic oxygen metabolites, they are generally highly effective in reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury.