Comparative Genomic Analysis of a Novel Vibrio sp. Isolated from an Ulcer Disease Event in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

Ulcer diseases are a recalcitrant issue at Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) aquaculture cage-sites across the North Atlantic region. Classical ulcerative outbreaks (also called winter ulcer disease) refer to a skin infection caused by Moritella viscosa. However, several bacterial species are frequently isolated from ulcer disease events, and it is unclear if other undescribed pathogens are implicated in ulcer disease in Atlantic salmon. Although different polyvalent vaccines are used against M. viscosa, ulcerative outbreaks are continuously reported in Atlantic salmon in Canada. This study analyzed the phenotypical and genomic characteristics of Vibrio sp. J383 isolated from internal organs of vaccinated farmed Atlantic salmon displaying clinical signs of ulcer disease. Infection assays conducted on vaccinated farmed Atlantic salmon and revealed that Vibrio sp. J383 causes a low level of mortalities when administered intracelomic at doses ranging from 10⁷-10⁸ CFU/dose. Vibrio sp. J383 persisted in the blood of infected fish for at least 8 weeks at 10 and 12 °C. Clinical signs of this disease were greatest 12 °C, but no mortality and bacteremia were observed at 16 °C. The Vibrio sp. J383 genome (5,902,734 bp) has two chromosomes of 3,633,265 bp and 2,068,312 bp, respectively, and one large plasmid of 201,166 bp. Phylogenetic and comparative analyses indicated that Vibrio sp. J383 is related to V. splendidus, with 93% identity. Furthermore, the phenotypic analysis showed that there were significant differences between Vibrio sp. J383 and other Vibrio spp, suggesting J383 is a novel Vibrio species adapted to cold temperatures.

Functional support for a novel mechanism that enhances tissue oxygen extraction in a teleost fish

A successful spawning migration in salmon depends on their athletic ability, and thus on efficient cardiovascular oxygen (O₂) transport. Most teleost fishes have highly pH-sensitive haemoglobins (Hb) that can release large amounts of O₂ when the blood is acidified at the tissues. We hypothesized that plasma-accessible carbonic anhydrase (paCA; the enzyme that catalyses proton production from CO₂) is required to acidify the blood at the tissues and promote tissue O₂ extraction. Previous studies have reported an elevated tissue O₂ extraction in hypoxia-acclimated teleosts that may also be facilitated by paCA. Thus, to create experimental contrasts in tissue O₂ extraction, Atlantic salmon were acclimated to normoxia or hypoxia (40% air saturation for more than six weeks), and the role of paCA in enhancing tissue O₂ extraction was tested by inhibiting paCA at rest and during submaximal exercise. Our results show that: (i) in both acclimation groups, the inhibition of paCA increased cardiac output by one-third, indicating a role of paCA in promoting tissue O₂ extraction during exercise, recovery and at rest; (ii) the recruitment of paCA was plastic and increased following hypoxic acclimation; and (iii) maximal exercise performance in salmon, and thus a successful spawning migration, may not be possible without paCA.

Effects of Loma morhua (Microsporidia) infection on the cardiorespiratory performance of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua (L)

The microsporidian Loma morhua infects Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the wild and in culture and results in the formation of xenomas within the gill filaments, heart and spleen. Given the importance of the two former organs to metabolic capacity and thermal tolerance, the cardiorespiratory performance of cod with a naturally acquired infection of Loma was measured during an acute temperature increase (2 °C h(-1)) from 10 °C to the fish's critical thermal maximum (CT(Max)). In addition, oxygen consumption and swimming performance were measured during two successive critical swimming speed (U(crit)) tests at 10 °C. While Loma infection had a negative impact on cod cardiac function at warm temperatures, and on metabolic capacity in both the CT(Max) and U(crit) tests (i.e. a reduction of 30-40%), it appears that the Atlantic cod can largely compensate for these Loma-induced cardiorespiratory limitations. For example, (i) CT(Max) (21.0 ± 0.3 °C) and U(crit) (~1.75 BL s(-1)) were very comparable to those reported in previous studies using uninfected fish from the same founder population; and (ii) our data suggest that tissue oxygen extraction, and potentially the capacity for anaerobic metabolism, is enhanced in fish infected with this microsporidian.

Steelhead trout Oncorhynchus mykiss metabolic rate is affected by dietary Aloe vera inclusion but not by mounting an immune response against formalin-killed Aeromonas salmonicida

The oxygen consumption (MO2) of two groups of 10° C acclimated steelhead trout Oncorhynchus mykiss was measured for 72 h after they were given a 100 µl kg(-1) intraperitoneal injection of formalin-killed Aeromonas salmonicida (ASAL) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). In addition, plasma cortisol levels were measured in fish from both groups prior to, and 1 and 3 h after, they were given a 30 s net stress. The first group was fed an unaltered commercial diet for 4 weeks, whereas the second group was fed the same diet but with 0·5% (5 g kg(-1) ) Aloe vera powder added; A. vera has potential as an immunostimulant for use in aquaculture, but its effects on basal and acute phase response (APR)-related metabolic expenditures and stress physiology, are unknown. Injection of ASAL v. PBS had no measurable effect on the MO2 of O. mykiss indicating that the APR in this species is not associated with any net increase in energy expenditure. In contrast, incorporating 0·5% A. vera powder into the feed decreased routine metabolic rate by c. 8% in both injection groups and standard metabolic rate in the ASAL-injected group (by c. 4 mg O2 kg(-1) h(-1) ; 5%). Aloe vera fed fish had resting cortisol levels that were approximately half of those in fish on the commercial diet (c. 2·5 v. 5·0 ng ml(-1) ), but neither this difference nor those post-stress reached statistical significance (P > 0·05).

Cold-acclimation leads to differential regulation of the steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) coronary microcirculation

The regulation of vascular resistance in fishes has largely been studied using isolated large conductance vessels, yet changes in tissue perfusion/vascular resistance are primarily mediated by the dilation/constriction of small arterioles. Thus we adapted mammalian isolated microvessel techniques for use in fish and examined how several agents affected the tone/resistance of isolated coronary arterioles (<150 μm ID) from steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) acclimated to 1, 5, and 10°C. At 10°C, the vessels showed a concentration-dependent dilation to adenosine (ADE; 61 ± 8%), sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 35 ± 10%), and serotonin (SER; 27 ± 2%) (all values maximum responses). A biphasic response (mild contraction then dilation) was observed in vessels exposed to increasing concentrations of epinephrine (EPI; 34 ± 9% dilation) and norepinephrine (NE; 32 ± 7% dilation), whereas the effect was less pronounced with bradykinin (BK; 12.5 ± 3.5% constriction vs. 6 ± 6% dilation). Finally, a mild constriction was observed after exposure to acetylcholine (ACh; 6.5 ± 1.4%), while endothelin (ET)-1 caused a strong dose-dependent increase in tone (79 ± 5% constriction). Acclimation temperature had varying effects on the responsiveness of vessels. The dilations induced by EPI, ADE, SER, and SNP were reduced/eliminated at 5°C and/or 1°C as compared with 10°C. In contrast, acclimation to 5 and 1°C increased the maximum constriction induced by ACh and the sensitivity of vessels to ET-1 (but not the maximum response) at 1°C was greater. Acclimation temperature had no effect on the response to NE, and responsiveness to BK was variable.

Effect of acute and chronic hypoxia on the swimming performance, metabolic capacity and cardiac function of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Low water oxygen content (hypoxia) is a common feature of many freshwater and marine environments. However, we have a poor understanding of the degree to which diminished cardiac function contributes to the reduction in fish swimming performance concomitant with acute exposure to hypoxia, or how fish cardiorespiratory physiology is altered by, or adapts to, chronic hypoxia. Thus, we acclimated adult Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) to either approximately 8-9 kPa O(2) (40-45% air saturation) or approximately 21 kPa O(2) (100% air saturation; normoxia) for 6-12 weeks at 10 degrees C, and subsequently measured metabolic variables [routine oxygen consumption (M(O(2)), maximum (M(O(2)), metabolic scope] and cardiac function (cardiac output, Q; heart rate, f(H); and stroke volume, V(S)) in these fish during critical swimming speed (U(crit)) tests performed at both levels of water oxygenation. Although surgery (flow probe implantation) reduced the U(crit) of normoxia-acclimated cod by 14% (from 1.74 to 1.50 BL s(-1)) under normoxic conditions, exposure to acute hypoxia lowered the U(crit) of both groups (surgery and non-surgery) by approximately 30% (to 1.23 and 1.02 BL s(-1), respectively). This reduction in swimming performance was associated with large decreases in maximum M(O(2)) and metabolic scope (> or = 50%), and maximum f(H) and Q (by 16 and 22%), but not V(S). Long-term acclimation to hypoxia resulted in a significant elevation in normoxic metabolic rate as compared with normoxia-acclimated fish (by 27%), but did not influence normoxic or hypoxic values for U(crit), maximum M(O(2)) or metabolic scope. This was surprising given that resting and maximum values for Q were significantly lower in hypoxia-acclimated cod at both levels of oxygenation, because of lower values for V(S). However, hypoxia-acclimated cod were able to consume more oxygen for a given cardiac output. These results provide important insights into how fish cardiorespiratory physiology is impacted by short-term and prolonged exposure to hypoxia, and further highlight the tremendous capacity of the fish cardiorespiratory system to deal with environmental challenges.

The immune and stress responses of Atlantic cod to long-term increases in water temperature

Sea-caged cod are limited in their movements in the water column, and thus can be exposed to large seasonal ( approximately 0-20 degrees C) temperature fluctuations. To investigate the physiological response of Atlantic cod to summer-like increases in temperature, we exposed 10 degrees C acclimated juvenile cod to a graded thermal challenge (1 degrees C increase every 5 days) and measured: (1) plasma cortisol and glucose levels; (2) the respiratory burst activity of blood leukocytes; and (3) the expression of specific immune-related genes [MHC Class I, Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), beta2-microglobulin (beta2-M), Immunoglobulin M (IgM)-light (L) and -heavy (H) chains] in the blood using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). The experiment was stopped at 19.1 degrees C, with 26.7% of the fish surviving to this point. Plasma glucose levels increased slightly at 16 and 18 degrees C (by 1.39- and 1.74-fold, respectively), in contrast, cortisol levels were elevated significantly (by 2.9-fold) at 16 degrees C but returned to control levels thereafter. The effect of increasing temperature on the expression of immune related genes in blood cells (leukocytes) was variable and depended on the gene of interest. The expression of IgM-H remained stable for the duration of the experiment. In contrast, IL-1beta expression was increased significantly (by approximately 25-fold) at 19 degrees C as compared to time-matched control fish, and changes in the expression of beta2-M, MHC Class I and IgM-L followed a pattern similar to that seen for cortisol: increasing at 16 degrees C (by 4.2-, 5.3- and 17-fold, respectively), but returning to pre-stress levels by 19 degrees C. Interestingly, increasing temperatures had no effect on respiratory burst activity. This study is the first to examine the effects of a chronic regimen of increasing temperature on the stress physiology and immunology of a marine teleost, and suggests that immune function is influenced by complex interactions between thermal effects and temperature-induced stress (elevated circulating cortisol levels).

Responses to hypoxia and recovery: repayment of oxygen debt is not associated with compensatory protein synthesis in the Amazonian cichlid,Astronotus ocellatus

Oxygen consumption, as an indicator of routine metabolic rate (RoMR), and tissue-specific changes in protein synthesis, as measured by 3H-labelled phenylalanine incorporation rates, were determined in Astronotus ocellatus to investigate the cellular mechanisms behind hypoxia-induced metabolic depression and recovery. RoMR was significantly depressed, by approximately 50%, when dissolved oxygen levels reached 10%saturation (0.67±0.01 mg l–1 at 28±1°C). This depression in RoMR was accompanied by a 50–60% decrease in liver,heart and gill protein synthesis, but only a 30% decrease in brain protein synthesis. During recovery from hypoxia, an overshoot in RoMR to 270% of the normoxic rate was observed, indicating the accumulation of an oxygen debt during hypoxia. This conclusion was consistent with significant increase in plasma lactate levels during the hypoxic exposure, and the fact that lactate levels rapidly returned to pre-hypoxic levels. In contrast, a hyperactivation of protein synthesis did not occur, suggesting the overshoot in oxygen consumption during recovery is attributed to an increase in cellular processes other than protein synthesis.

Cardiovascular and haematological responses of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) to acute temperature increase

For fish to survive large acute temperature increases (i.e. >10.0 degrees C) that may bring them close to their critical thermal maximum (CTM), oxygen uptake at the gills and distribution by the cardiovascular system must increase to match tissue oxygen demand. To examine the effects of an acute temperature increase ( approximately 1.7 degrees C h(-1) to CTM) on the cardiorespiratory physiology of Atlantic cod, we (1) carried out respirometry on 10.0 degrees C acclimated fish, while simultaneously measuring in vivo cardiac parameters using Transonic probes, and (2) constructed in vitro oxygen binding curves on whole blood from 7.0 degrees C acclimated cod at a range of temperatures. Both cardiac output (Q) and heart rate (fh) increased until near the fish's CTM (22.2+/-0.2 degrees C), and then declined rapidly. Q(10) values for Q and fh were 2.48 and 2.12, respectively, and increases in both parameters were tightly correlated with O(2) consumption. The haemoglobin (Hb)-oxygen binding curve at 24.0 degrees C showed pronounced downward and rightward shifts compared to 20.0 degrees C and 7.0 degrees C, indicating that both binding capacity and affinity decreased. Further, Hb levels were lower at 24.0 degrees C than at 20.0 degrees C and 7.0 degrees C. This was likely to be due to cell swelling, as electrophoresis of Hb samples did not suggest protein denaturation, and at 24.0 degrees C Hb samples showed peak absorbance at the expected wavelength (540 nm). Our results show that cardiac function is unlikely to limit metabolic rate in Atlantic cod from Newfoundland until close to their CTM, and we suggest that decreased blood oxygen binding capacity may contribute to the plateau in oxygen consumption.

Changes in free and total plasma cortisol levels in juvenile haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) exposed to long-term handling stress

We measured changes in free and total plasma cortisol levels, plasma glucose, gill hsp70 levels, and growth in haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) subjected to a long-term handling stress (15 s out of water, each day, for 4 weeks), and the effect of this long-term stress on the ability of haddock to respond to an acute stressor. The acute stressor was a single handling stress, and fish were sampled at 1, 6, and 12 h post-stress. During the long-term stress study, free and total plasma cortisol levels increased significantly (10-fold) in the stressed group after the second week. However, the percentage of free cortisol was already significantly elevated by the first week (control 17%, stressed 55%), and remained high during the second week (control 35% and stressed 65%). After 3 and 4 weeks of handling, both free and total cortisol declined in stressed fish to levels that were not significantly different from pre-stress values. Control fish grew significantly more than stressed fish (by 32% and 18%, respectively) over the 4 week study, and condition factor only increased in control fish. Although fish from the control group showed elevated total plasma cortisol levels (to 47 ng mL(-1)) 1 h after the acute stress, and the levels in stressed fish were comparable to those for the control fish, no significant increase in plasma cortisol was measured in the group subjected to the long-term stress. Free plasma cortisol levels did not increase significantly in either group following the acute stress. However, free plasma cortisol levels were significantly higher in long-term stress group, as compared with the control group, at 6 h post-stress. Plasma glucose and gill hsp70 levels were not altered by either the long-term stress or acute stressor. Our data indicate that cortisol (free and total), but not glucose or hsp70, appears to be adequate to assess short- and long-term stress in haddock.

Cardiorespiratory modifications, and limitations, in post-smolt growth hormone transgenic Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

In recent years, there has been a great deal of interest in how growth hormone (GH) transgenesis affects fish physiology. However, the results of these studies are often difficult to interpret because the transgenic and non-transgenic fish had very different environmental/rearing histories. This study used a stable line of size-matched GH Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) that were reared in a shared tank with controls (at 10 degrees C, for approximately 9 months) to perform a comprehensive examination of the cardiorespiratory physiology of GH transgenic salmon, and serves as a novel test of the theory of symmorphosis. The GH transgenic salmon had a 3.6x faster growth rate, and 21 and 25% higher values for mass-specific routine and standard oxygen consumption (M(O(2))), respectively. However, there was no concurrent increase in their maximum M(O(2)), which resulted in them having an 18% lower metabolic scope and a 9% reduction in critical swimming speed. This decreased metabolic capacity/performance was surprising given that the transgenics had a 29% larger heart with an 18% greater mass-specific maximum in situ cardiac output, a 14% greater post-stress blood haemoglobin concentration, 5-10% higher red muscle and heart aerobic enzyme (citrate synthase or cytochrome oxidase) activities, and twofold higher resting and 1.7x higher post-stress, catecholamine levels. However, gill surface area was the only cardiorespiratory parameter that was not enhanced, and our data suggest that gill oxygen transfer may have been limiting. Overall, this research: (1) shows that there are significant metabolic costs associated with GH transgenesis in this line of Atlantic salmon; (2) provides the first direct evidence that cardiac function is enhanced by GH transgenesis; (3) shows that a universal upregulation of post-smolt (adult) GH transgenic salmon cardiorespiratory physiology, as suggested by symmorphosis, does not occur; and (4) supports the idea that whereas differences in arterial oxygen transport (i.e. cardiac output and blood oxygen carrying capacity) are important determinants of inter-specific differences in aerobicity, diffusion-limited processes must be enhanced to achieve substantial intra-specific improvements in metabolic and swimming performance.

Exhaustive exercise does not affect the preferred temperature for recovery in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

We tested the hypothesis that juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) would select a temperature colder than their acclimation temperature (16 deg +/-1 deg C) to minimize postexhaustive exercise metabolic demands and enhance oxygen availability. After an initial 3-h exploratory period in a thermal gradient (6 degrees -25 degrees C), fish selected a temperature of approximately 14 degrees C and had a baseline exploratory swimming activity of approximately 60 cm min(-1). Subsequently, experimental (chased) fish were individually removed, exhaustively exercised for 1.5 min, and replaced. Both control (unchased) and experimental fish were allowed to explore the thermal gradient for another 2 h. Immediately after being chased, trout had a metabolic profile that was consistent with being exhausted; levels of plasma and muscle lactate were 4.38+/-0.25 mmol L(-1) and 28.0+/-2.0 mmol kg(-1), respectively, and levels of muscle glycogen, adenosine triphosphate, and phosphocreatine were 3.89+/-0.95, 4.23+/-0.62, and 3.07+/-0.73 mmol kg(-1), respectively. Although exploratory swimming activity of the chased fish was significantly lower (by 81%) as compared with control fish during the first 5 min postchase, differences in the mean, median, and mode values for selected temperatures during the next 2 h were neither large (<1 degrees C) nor significant (P>0.05). Contrary to our initial hypothesis, these findings suggest that juvenile rainbow trout do not select a colder temperature to decrease metabolic rate following exhaustive exercise. Instead, rainbow trout selected a temperature marginally cooler than their acclimation temperature (16 degrees C) regardless of whether they had been previously exhausted.

Recovery of trout myocardial function following anoxia: preconditioning in a non-mammalian model

Studies with mammals and birds clearly demonstrate that brief preexposure to oxygen deprivation can protect the myocardium from damage normally associated with a subsequent prolonged hypoxic/ischemic episode. However, is not known whether this potent mechanism of myocardial protection, termed preconditioning, exists in other vertebrates including fishes. In this study, we used an in situ trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) working heart preparation at 10 degrees C to examine whether prior exposure to 5 min of anoxia (PO(2) < or = 5 mmHg) could reduce or eliminate the myocardial dysfunction that normally follows 15 min of anoxic exposure. Hearts were exposed either to a control treatment (oxygenated perfusion) or to one of three anoxic treatments: 1) anoxia with low P(out) [15 min of anoxia at an output pressure (P(out)) of 10 cmH(2)O]; 2) anoxia with high P(out) [10 min of anoxia at a P(out) of 10 cmH(2)O, followed by 5 min of anoxia at P(out) = 50 cmH(2)O]; and 3) preconditioning [5 min of anoxia at P(out) = 10 cmH(2)O, followed after 20 min of oxygenated perfusion by the protocol described for the anoxia with high P(out) group]. Changes in maximum cardiac function, measured before and after anoxic exposure, were used to assess myocardial damage. Maximum cardiac performance of the control group was unaffected by the experimental protocol, whereas 15 min of anoxia at low P(out) decreased maximum stroke volume (V(s max)) by 15% and maximum cardiac output (Q(max)) by 23%. When the anoxic workload was increased by raising P(out) to 50 cmH(2)O, these parameters were decreased further (by 23 and 38%, respectively). Preconditioning with anoxia completely prevented the reductions in V(s max) and Q(max) that were observed in the anoxia with high P(out) group and any anoxia-related increases in the input pressure (P(in)) required to maintain resting Q (16 ml. min(-1). kg(-1)). Myocardial levels of glycogen and lactate were not affected by any of the experimental treatments; however, lactate efflux was sevenfold higher in the preconditioned hearts. These data strongly suggest that 1) a preconditioning-like mechanism exists in the rainbow trout heart, 2) increased anaerobic glycolysis, fueled by exogenous glucose, was associated with anoxic preconditioning, and 3) preconditioning represents a fundamental mechanism of cardioprotection that appeared early in the evolution of vertebrates.

Gut blood flow in fish during exercise and severe hypercapnia

This paper reviews the effects of exercise and hypercapnia on blood flow to the splanchnic circulation. Brief struggling behaviours are known to decrease blood flow to the gut (GBF). Likewise, prolonged swimming in unfed fish has been shown to reduce GBF in proportion to the increased oxygen uptake. Therefore, the normal postprandial increase in GBF theoretically should be impaired whenever fish are active. However, indirect evidence suggests that GBF is spared to some degree when fed fish swim continuously but at a cost (10-15%) to their critical swimming speed. Severe respiratory acidosis can be created by the new intensive aquaculture settings that use oxygen injection into re-circulated water. The only study so far to examine the effects of severe hypercapnia on GBF and its regulation showed that routine GBF and alpha-adrenergic control of GBF remained normal in unfed white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). However, severe hypercapnia produced a hyperactive state and increased sensitivity of GBF to struggling. As a result, routine GBF was maintained for a short period of time. Thus, environmental changes such as severe hypercapnia can indirectly impact GBF through altered struggling behaviour, but the implications of the overall reduction in GBF to food assimilation have yet to be established.

Cardiorespiratory responses of white sturgeon to environmental hypercapnia

Cardioventilatory variables and blood-gas, acid-base status were measured in cannulated white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) maintained at 19 degrees C during normocapnic and hypercapnic (Pw(CO(2)) approximately 20 Torr) water conditions and after the injection of adrenergic analogs. Hypercapnia produced significant increases in arterial PCO(2), ventilatory frequency, and plasma concentration of cortisol and epinephrine, and it produced significant decreases in arterial pH and plasma concentration of glucose but no change in arterial PO(2), hematocrit, and concentration of lactate or norepinephrine. Hypercapnia significantly increased cardiac output (Q) by 22%, mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 8%, and heart rate (HR) by 8%. However, gut blood flow (GBF) remained constant. In normocapnic fish, phenylephrine significantly constricted the splanchnic circulation, whereas isoproterenol significantly increased Q and produced a systemic vasodilation. During hypercapnia, propranolol significantly decreased Q, GBF, MAP, and HR, whereas phentolamine significantly decreased MAP and increased GBF. These changes suggest that cardiovascular function in the white sturgeon is sensitive to both alpha- and beta-adrenergic modulation. We found microspheres to be unreliable in predicting GBF on the basis of our comparisons with simultaneous direct measurements of GBF. Overall, our results demonstrate that environmental hypercapnia (e.g., as is experienced in high-intensity culture situations) elicits stress responses in white sturgeon that significantly elevate steady-state cardiovascular and ventilatory activity levels.

Cardiorespiratory responses of the toad (Bufo marinus) to hypoxia at two different temperatures

Central vascular blood flows and ventilation were measured in conscious toads (Bufo marinus) at 15 and 25 degrees C. The animals were exposed to hypoxia (Fi(O)(sum)=0.10 and 0.05, where Fi(O)(sum) is the fractional oxygen concentration of inspired air) at both temperatures. In addition, the cardiorespiratory responses to hypercapnia (Fi(CO)(sum)=0.05) and atropine injection (5 mg kg(−)(1); 7.4 μmol kg(−)(1)) were studied at 25 degrees C. At 25 degrees C, systemic blood flow (q_dot (sys)) exceeded pulmocutaneous blood flow (q_dot (pc)), indicating a large net right-to-left shunt (q_dot (pc)/ q_dot (sys) was 0.39). q_dot (pc)/ q_dot (sys) was reduced significantly to 0.22 at 15 degrees C. At both temperatures, q_dot (pc) increased significantly during hypoxia (from 26.2 to 50.8 ml min(−)(1)kg(−)(1) at 25 degrees C and from 11. 2 to 18.9 ml min(−)(1)kg(−)(1) at 15 degrees C), whereas q_dot (sys) changed little (from 77.2 to 66.2 ml min(−)(1)kg(−)(1) at 25 degrees C and from 54.3 to 50.1 ml min(−)(1)kg(−)(1) at 15 degrees C). As a result, the net right-to-left shunt was greatly reduced, while total cardiac output remained almost unaffected. The ventilatory response was more pronounced during hypercapnia but, since q_dot (pc) and q_dot (sys) were affected similarly, there was no change in the shunt pattern. In undisturbed toads at 25 degrees C, atropine injection increased q_dot (pc) and eliminated the net right-to-left shunt. This is consistent with the known vagal innervation of the pulmonary artery.The present study shows that the cardiac right-to-left shunt that prevails in undisturbed and resting toads is reduced with increased temperature and during hypoxia. These findings are consistent with the general view that the cardiac right-to-left shunt is regulated and reduced whenever oxygen delivery is compromised or metabolic rate is increased.

Mechanisms of isoflurane-induced myocardial preconditioning in rabbits

BACKGROUND

Isoflurane has cardioprotective effects that mimic the ischemic preconditioning phenomenon. Because adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels and adenosine receptors are implicated in ischemic preconditioning, the authors wanted to determine whether the preconditioning effect of isoflurane is mediated through these pathways.

METHODS

Myocardial infarct size was measured in seven groups of propofol-anesthetized rabbits, each subjected to 30 min of anterolateral coronary occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Groups differed only in the pretreatments given, and controls received no pretreatment. An ischemia-preconditioned group was pretreated with 5 min of coronary occlusion and 15 min of reperfusion. An isoflurane-preconditioned group was pretreated with 15 min end-tidal isoflurane, 1.1%, and then 15 min of washout. An isoflurane-plus-glyburide group was administered 0.33 mg/kg glyburide intravenously before isoflurane pretreatment. An isoflurane plus 8-(p-sulfophenyl)-theophylline (SPT) group received 7.5 mg/kg SPT intravenously before isoflurane. Additional groups were administered identical doses of glyburide or SPT, but they were not pretreated with isoflurane. Infarct size and area at risk were defined by staining. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance or covariance.

RESULTS

Infarct size, expressed as a percentage of the area at risk (IS:AR) was 30.2+/-11% (SD) in controls. Ischemic preconditioning and isoflurane preexposure reduced myocardial infarct size significantly, to 8.3+/-5% and 13.4+/-8.2% (P<0.05), respectively. Both glyburide and SPT pretreatment eliminated the preconditioning-like effect of isoflurane (IS:AR = 30.0+/-9.1% and 29.2+/-12.6%, respectively; P = not significant). Neither glyburide nor SPF alone increased infarct size (IS:AR = 33.9+/-7.6% and 31.8+/-12.7%, respectively; P = not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

Glyburide and SPT abolished the preconditioning-like effects of isoflurane but did not increase infarct size when administered in the absence of isoflurane. Isoflurane-induced preconditioning and ischemia-induced preconditioning share similar mechanisms, which include activation of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels and adenosine receptors.

Prolonged swimming, recovery and repeat swimming performance of mature sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka exposed to moderate hypoxia and pentachlorophenol

Mature, wild sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) demonstrated their remarkable stamina and recovery abilities by performing three consecutive critical swimming speed tests with only a 45 min interval for recovery between subsequent tests. Although the repeated swimming challenges were performed without a full recovery, normoxic fish swam just as well on the second swim, and the majority of fish swam only marginally more poorly on the third swim. In addition, metabolic loading in these fish, as measured by the rate of oxygen consumption, ventilation rate and plasma lactate levels during recovery, did not appear to be cumulative with successive swims. Fish, however, did not recover as well after a similar level of initial swimming performance under moderately hypoxic conditions (water PO2&gt;100 mmHg; 1 mmHg=0.1333 kPa). Four out of the five fish did not swim again and their high plasma lactate levels indicated a greater anaerobic effort. In another group of fish, metabolic loading (elevated control rates of oxygen consumption) was induced with an overnight sublethal exposure to pentachlorophenol, but these fish swam as well as normoxic fish on the first swim, and five of the six fish swam for a third time at a marginally lower critical swimming speed. In contrast to expectations, pentachlorophenol pretreatment and moderate hypoxia were not additive in their effects. Instead, the effects resembled those of pentachlorophenol pretreatment alone. The results are discussed in terms of what aspects of fatigue might impair the repeat swimming performance of sockeye salmon.

Beta-receptors and stress protein 70 expression in hypoxic myocardium of rainbow trout and chinook salmon

We examined the in vivo effect of acute hypoxemia on myocardial cell-surface (sarcolemmal) beta-adrenoreceptor density (Bmax) and binding affinity (KD) and on stress protein 70 (sp70) expression by exposing rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss; 2.1-2.7 kg) to hypoxic water (3 mg/l O2) at 15 degrees C for 6 h. This degree of hypoxia was the minimum O2 level that these trout could tolerate without losing equilibrium and struggling violently. Hypoxic exposure reduced arterial PO2 (PaO2) from 98 to 26 mmHg and arterial oxygen content (CaO2) from 10.8 to 7.4 vol/100 vol, but did not elevate epinephrine and norepinephrine levels above 10 and 30 nM, respectively. Despite the substantial reduction in blood oxygen status, the Bmax and KD of myocardial cell-surface beta-adrenoreceptors were unaffected by 6 h of hypoxic exposure. In addition, acute hypoxemia did not increase myocardial sp70 expression. The failure of short-term hypoxia to decrease trout myocardial beta-adrenoreceptor density clearly contrasts with the established hypoxia-mediated down-regulation shown for mammals. To further investigate the influence of low PO2 on salmonid myocardial beta-adrenoreceptors, binding studies were performed on the spongy (continuously exposed to deoxygenated venous blood) and compact (perfused by oxygenated blood supplied by the coronary artery) myocardia of chinook salmon. The spongy myocardium has adapted to its microenvironment of continuous low PO2 by having 14% more cell-surface beta-adrenoreceptors compared with the compact myocardium. There was no tissue-specific difference in KD and no evidence of sexual dimorphism in Bmax or KD. We conclude from our studies that the salmonid heart is well adapted for sustained performance under hypoxic conditions. We found that wild chinook salmon had 2.8 x more cell-surface beta-adrenoreceptors compared with hatchery-reared rainbow trout. This difference suggests a significant degree of plasticity exists for fish myocardial beta-adrenoreceptors. The signals underlying such differences await further study, but are not likely to include moderate hypoxia and sexual dimorphism.

Anesthetic-induced preconditioning: previous administration of isoflurane decreases myocardial infarct size in rabbits

BACKGROUND

Experimental evidence suggests that ATP-sensitive potassium channels are involved in myocardial ischemic preconditioning. Because some pharmacologic effects of isoflurane are mediated by K(ATP) channels, the authors tested the hypothesis: Isoflurane administration, before myocardial ischemia, can induce or mimic myocardial preconditioning.

METHODS

Myocardial infarct size was measured in three groups of propofol-anesthetized rabbits, each subjected to 30 min of anterolateral coronary occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Groups differed in their pretreatment: Group 1 (control, N = 13) no pretreatment, Group 2 (ischemic preconditioning, N = 8), 5 min of coronary occlusion and 15 min of reperfusion; Group 3 (isoflurane pretreatment; N = 15), 15 min of isoflurane (1.1% end-tidal) and 15 min of washout. Hemodynamics were monitored serially. Myocardial infarct size and the area at risk were defined using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and fluorescent microspheres, respectively, and both were measured using computerized planimetry.

RESULTS

Infarct size expressed as a percentage of area at risk was 23.4 +/- 8.5% (mean +/- SD) in the isoflurane group compared with 33.1 +/- 13.3% in controls, and 8.7 +/- 6.2% in the ischemia-preconditioned group. Analysis for coincidental regressions, followed by tests for equality of slope and elevation, showed that the linear relationship between infarct size and area at risk was significantly (P < 0.05) different in all three groups because of differences in line elevation. Minor differences in hemodynamic variables were found between groups, which were unlikely to account for the significant differences in infarct size.

CONCLUSION

Preadministration of isoflurane, before myocardial ischemia, reduces myocardial infarct size, and mimics myocardial preconditioning.

Direct measurement of flow from the posterior lymph hearts of hydrated and dehydrated toads (Bufo marinus)

Flow from the posterior lymph hearts of Bufo marinus was measured using Doppler flow probes. These probes were placed on the posterior vertebral vein and recorded flow as lymph was ejected from the heart. In resting, hydrated toads, mean lymph flow from one of the paired posterior lymph hearts was 25.9 +/- 4.9 ml kg-1 h-1, stroke volume was 8.9 +/- 1.4 microL kg-1 and lymph heart rate was 47.5 +/- 3.7 beats min-1. We estimate that, together, the paired posterior lymph hearts are capable of generating flows that are approximately one-sixtieth of the resting cardiac output. Mean peak systolic pressure developed by the posterior lymph hearts was 1.62 +/- 0.08 kPa. Simultaneous measurements of lymph heart pressure development and flow revealed that the outflow pore of the heart opened at a pressure of 0.71 +/- 0.04 kPa, approximately 113 +/- 5 ms into systole. When toads were moderately disturbed, stroke volume increased by as much as fourfold with little change in lymph heart rate (&lt; 5 beats min-1). When toads were dehydrated, lymph flow decreased by 70% at 12h and by 80% and 24h. Since there was only a modest non-significant decrease in lymph heart rate (30%), this reduction in flow was attributed to decreases in stroke volume (approximately 80%). Lymph heart flow and stroke volume returned to control values 30 min after adding water back into the experimental chamber. Stroke volume was clearly more important in regulating lymph flow than lymph heart rate under these conditions in Bufo marinus.

Effects of swimming and environmental hypoxia on coronary blood flow in rainbow trout

Previous studies have suggested that trout cardiac performance is highly dependent on coronary blood flow during periods of increased activity or hypoxia. To examine the relationship between coronary perfusion and cardiac performance in swimming trout, cardiac output (Q), coronary blood flow (qcor), and dorsal aortic blood pressure were measured in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during normoxia and hypoxia (PO2 approximately 9 kPa). In normoxic trout, stepwise changes in cardiovascular variables were observed as the swimming speed was incrementally increased from 0.15 body lengths (bl)/s to 1.0 bl/s. At 1.0 bl/s, qcor and cardiac power output had both increased by approximately 110%, and coronary artery resistance (Rcor) had decreased by 40%. During hypoxia, resting qcor was 35% higher, and Rcor was 20% lower, compared with normoxic values. In hypoxic swimming trout, the maximum changes in qcor (155% increase) and Rcor (50% decrease) were recorded at 0.75 bl/s. In contrast, cardiac power output and Q increased by an additional 40 and 20%, respectively, as swimming speed was increased from 0.75 to 1.0 bl/s. The results indicate that 1) increases in qcor parallel changes in cardiac power output; 2) during hypoxia there are compensatory increases in cardiac performance and coronary perfusion; and 3) the scope for increasing qcor in swimming trout is approximately 150%. In addition, results from preliminary experiments suggest that beta-adrenergic, but not cholinergic, mechanisms are involved in the regulation of coronary blood flow during exercise.

Beta-adrenoreceptors in the trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) heart: characterization, quantification, and effects of repeated catecholamine exposure

Specific binding of the hydrophilic radioligand [3H]CGP-12177 to cell surface (functional) beta-adrenoreceptors was quantified in ventricular micropunches (2 mm diameter, 350 microns thickness) from seawater-acclimated rainbow trout held at 7-9 degrees. Binding was stereospecific, saturable, of high affinity, and displaceable by appropriate agonists and antagonists. Phentolamine failed to displace [3H]CGP at concentrations up to 10(-4) M, indicating an absence of [3H]CGP binding to alpha-adrenergic receptors. Trout ventricular beta-adrenoreceptors are exclusively of the beta 2 type. This conclusion is based on (1) the IC50 value for the beta 2-antagonist ICI 118551 (2.9 x 10(-6) M); (2) the inability of the beta 1-antagonist atenolol to displace [3H]CGP from beta-adrenoreceptors; and (3) the order of agonist-binding affinity (isoproterenol > epinephrine >> norepinephrine). The Bmax and Kd values for [3H]CGP binding to myocardial tissue were approximately 0.04 fmol micrograms protein-1 and 0.25 nM, respectively. The Bmax value indicates that the density of cell surface (functional) beta-adreno-receptors in the ventricle was 12,000 sites per cell or 3.38 sites per microns 2 of sarcolemma. The Kd and Bmax values for [3H]CGP binding to ventricular beta-adrenoreceptors were unaffected by the in vivo administration of five bolus catecholamine injections (4.0 micrograms kg-1 epinephrine, 2.0 micrograms kg-1 norepinephrine). This suggests that stress-induced increases in plasma catecholamines are unlikely to cause the down-regulation of heart beta-adrenoreceptors in fish. The method described here represents a simple but powerful technique for the quantification and characterization of adrenergic receptors in the fish heart.