Alpha1-adrenoceptors are required for normal male sexual function

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists are extensively used in the treatment of hypertension and lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Among the side effects, ejaculatory dysfunction occurs more frequently with drugs that are relatively selective for alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors compared with other drugs of this class. This suggests that alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors may contribute to ejaculation. However, this has not been studied at the molecular level.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The physiological contribution of each alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype was characterized using alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype-selective knockout (KO) mice (alpha(1A)-, alpha(1B)- and alpha(1D)-AR KO mice) since the subtype-specific drugs available are only moderately selective. We analysed the role of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors in the blood pressure and vascular response as well as ejaculation by determining these variables in alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype-selective KO mice and in mice with all their alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes deleted (alpha(1)-AR triple-KO mice).

KEY RESULTS

The pregnancy rate was reduced by 50% in alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor KO mice, and this reduction was dramatically enhanced in alpha(1)-adrenoceptor triple-KO mice. Contractile tension of the vas deferens in response to noradrenaline was markedly decreased in alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor KO mice, and this contraction was completely abolished in alpha(1)-adrenoceptor triple-KO mice. This attenuation of contractility was also observed in the electrically stimulated vas deferens.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results demonstrate that alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, particularly alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors, are required for normal contractility of the vas deferens and consequent sperm ejaculation as well as having a function in fertility.

Examining the in vivo role of the amino terminus of the essential myosin light chain

The functional significance of the actin binding region at the amino terminus of the cardiac essential myosin light chain (ELC) remains obscure. Previous experiments carried out in vitro indicated that modulation of residues 5-14 could induce an inotropic effect, increasing maximal ATPase activity at submaximal Ca(2+) concentrations (Rarick, H. M., Opgenorth, T. J., von Geldern, T. W., Wu-Wong, J. R., and Solaro, R. J. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 27039-27043). Using transgenesis, we effected a cardiac-specific replacement of ELC with a protein containing a 10-amino acid deletion at positions 5-14. Both the ventricular (ELC1vDelta5-14) and atrial (ELC1aDelta5-14) isoforms lacking this peptide were stably incorporated into the sarcomere at high efficiencies. Surprisingly when the kinetics of skinned fibers isolated from the ELC1vDelta5-14 or ELC1aDelta5-14 mice were examined, no alterations in either unloaded shortening or maximum shortening velocities were apparent. Myofibrillar Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was also unchanged in these preparations. No significant changes in the fiber kinetics in the cognate compartments were observed when either deletion-containing protein replaced endogenous ELC1v or ELC1a. The data indicate that the previously postulated importance of this region in mediating critical protein interactions between the cardiac ELCs and the carboxyl-terminal residues of actin in vivo should be reassessed.

PKA-dependent phosphorylation of cardiac myosin binding protein C in transgenic mice

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the physiological role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated, cardiac myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C) phosphorylation.

METHODS

A cardiac MyBP-C cDNA lacking nine amino acids, which contained a phosphorylation site, was made, and subsequently used to generate multiple lines of transgenic mice. Upon confirming that a partial replacement of endogenous protein with transgenic protein occurred, the biochemical and physiological consequences were studied. PKA-dependent phosphorylation assays were used to estimate the phosphorylation states of major cardiac PKA substrates. Myofibril Mg-ATPase activities were also measured. Isolated working heart and whole animal exercise studies were used to measure the physiological changes.

RESULTS

Transgenic mice displayed a compensatory response, with PKA-mediated phosphorylation of both troponin I and phospholamban showing significant increases. The remaining endogenous cardiac MyBP-C also showed increased phosphorylation levels. Maximal Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was increased. Significant functional changes at both the whole organ and whole animal levels also occurred. Parameters reflecting cardiac contractility and relaxation increased about 22 and 25%, respectively, in the mutant relative to wild type mice (n=5, P<0.001). In young adults the capacity for stress exercise, quantitated using an exercise treadmill regimen, was substantially enhanced (n=6, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac MyBP-C phosphorylation plays an important physiological role and that the protein's degree of phosphorylation is coordinated with the phosphorylation levels of other proteins within the contractile apparatus.

Three-dimensional MR microscopy of a transgenic mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Scientists are now able to alter the genetics of vertebrate embryos routinely to produce animal models of human developmental diseases. However, our understanding of structural changes in these animal models is limited by current methodologies. Histological techniques, although providing great anatomic detail, display only "static" data (one time point only) in two dimensions. Ultrasound may be used to generate continuous time course data, but is limited by interobserver variation, limited acoustic windows, and relatively low resolution.

OBJECTIVE

To apply the high resolution, non-destructive, and three-dimensional acquisition capabilities of magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy to compare the hearts of normal mice versus an established transgenic mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Transgenic mice exhibiting dilated cardiomyopathy were developed via the introduction of a mutated, heart-specific gene (myosin light chain). Postmortem cardiac imaging was performed on the transgenic mice and normal controls. MR imaging was performed on a Bruker 3T imaging magnet using a custom radiofrequency coil following contrast perfusion of the atrial and ventricular chambers. Image resolution was 156 microm isotropic voxels. MR images were compared to gross pathologic specimens. Imaging data were post-processed using custom software to calculate the volumes of the atria and ventricles and to display the three-dimensional morphology of the chambers and myocardium.

RESULTS

Of the seven mice scanned, four exhibited normal right atrial (average = 14.8 microl +/- 1.4), left atrial (average = 8.5 microl +/-0.3), right ventricular (average = 12.9 microl +/-2.7), and left ventricular (average 3.3 microl +/-0.5) volumes. Three mice exhibited dilatation of the right and left cardiac chambers (RA average = 23.9 microl +/-5.6; LA average = 15.9 microl +/-4.8; RV average = 32.5 microl +/- 6.8; LV average 24.0 microl +/-1.4). The gross morphology was verified upon autopsy of the animals and correlated with the animal's genotype. The differences in volumes between the normal and dilated cardiomyopathy mice were statistically significant (P values ranged from 0.001 to 0.024 for the different chambers).

CONCLUSION

MR microscopy is a potentially useful tool for developmental biology research. The imaging of mouse hearts is feasible, and these methods provide quantitative and qualitative morphologic data of a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy not available using traditional methods.

Transgenic modeling of a cardiac troponin I mutation linked to familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Multiple mutations in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) have been associated with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Two mutations are located in the cTnI inhibitory domain, a highly negatively charged region that alternately binds to either actin or troponin C, depending on the intracellular concentration of calcium. This region is critical to the inhibition of actin-myosin crossbridge formation when intracellular calcium is low. We modeled one of the inhibitory domain mutations, arginine145-->glycine (TnI(146Gly) in the mouse sequence), by cardiac-specific expression of the mutated protein in transgenic mice. Multiple lines were generated with varying degrees of expression to establish a dose relationship; the severity of phenotype could be correlated directly with transgene expression levels. Transgenic mice overexpressing wild-type cTnI were generated as controls and analyzed in parallel with the TnI(146Gly) animals. The control mice showed no abnormalities, indicating that the phenotype of TnI(146Gly) was not simply an artifact of transgenesis. In contrast, TnI(146Gly) mice showed cardiomyocyte disarray and interstitial fibrosis and suffered premature death. The functional alterations that seem to be responsible for the development of cardiac disease include increased skinned fiber sensitivity to calcium and, at the whole organ level, hypercontractility with diastolic dysfunction. Severely affected lines develop a pathology similar to human familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but within a dramatically shortened time frame. These data establish the causality of this mutation for cardiac disease, provide an animal model for understanding the resultant pathogenic structure-function relationships, and highlight the differences in phenotype severity of the troponin mutations between human and mouse hearts.

Myosin light chain replacement in the heart

Myosin-actin cross-bridge kinetics are an important determinant for cardiac systolic and diastolic function. We compared the effects of myosin light chain substitutions on the ability of the fibers to contract in response to calcium and in their ability to produce power. Transgenesis was used to effect essentially complete replacement of the target contractile protein isoform specifically in the heart. Atrial and ventricular fibers derived from the various transgenic (TG) lines were skinned, and the force-velocity relationships, unloaded shortening velocities, and Ca(2+)-stimulated Mg(2+)-ATPase activities were determined. Replacement with an ectopic isoform resulted in significant changes in cross-bridge cycling kinetics but without any overt effects on morbidity or mortality. To confirm that this result was not light chain specific, a modified alpha-myosin heavy chain isoform that resulted in significant changes in force development was also engineered. The animals appeared healthy and have normal lifespans, and the changes in force development did not result in significant remodeling or overt hypertrophy. We conclude that myosin light chains can control aspects of cross-bridge cycling and alter force development. The myosin heavy chain data also show that changes in the kinetics of force development and power output do not necessarily lead to activation of the hypertrophic response or significant cardiac remodeling.

In vivo analysis of an essential myosin light chain mutation linked to familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Mutations in cardiac motor protein genes are associated with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Mutations in both the regulatory (Glu22Lys) and essential light chains (Met149Val) result in an unusual pattern of hypertrophy, leading to obstruction of the midventricular cavity. When a human genomic fragment containing the Met149Val essential myosin light chain was used to generate transgenic mice, the phenotype was recapitulated. To unambiguously establish a causal relationship for the regulatory and essential light chain mutations in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, we generated mice that expressed either the wild-type or mutated forms, using cDNA clones encompassing only the coding regions of the gene loci. Expression of the proteins did not lead to a hypertrophic response, even in senescent animals. Changes did occur at the myofilament and cellular levels, with the myofibrils showing increased Ca(2+) sensitivity and significant deficits in relaxation in a transgene dose-dependent manner. Clearly, mice do not always recapitulate important aspects of human hypertrophy. However, because of the discordance of these data with data obtained in transgenic mice containing the human genomic fragment, we believe that the concept that these point mutations by themselves can cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy should be revisited.

Genetic manipulation of the rabbit heart via transgenesis

BACKGROUND

Transgenesis using cardiac-specific expression has been valuable in exploring cardiac structure-function relationships. To date, cardiac-selective studies have been confined to the mouse. However, the utility of the mouse is limited in certain, possibly critical, aspects with respect to cardiovascular function.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To establish the potential validity of transgenic methodology for remodeling a larger mammalian heart, we explored cardiac-selective expression in transgenic rabbits. The murine alpha- and beta-cardiac myosin heavy chain gene promoters were used to express a reporter gene, and transgene expression was quantified in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscles as well as in nonmuscle tissues. Although neither promoter exactly mimics endogenous patterns of myosin heavy chain expression, both are able to drive high levels of transgene expression in the cardiac compartment. Neither promoter is active in smooth muscle or nonmuscle tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Directed organ-specific expression is feasible in a larger animal with existing reagents, and cardiac-selective transgenic manipulation is possible in the rabbit.

In vivo modeling of myosin binding protein C familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C) is an integral part of the striated muscle sarcomere. As is the case for other sarcomeric genes in human populations, multiple mutations within the gene have been linked to familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Although some MyBP-C lesions are the result of missense mutations, most show truncated polypeptides lacking either the myosin or myosin and titin binding sites. Previously, we generated transgenic (TG) mice with cardiac-specific expression of a MyBP-C mutant lacking the myosin and titin binding domains. Surprisingly, the mutant protein was stable and made up a majority of the MyBP-C species, with concomitant reductions in endogenous MyBP-C such that overall MyBP-C stoichiometry was conserved. In the present study, we created a second series of TG mice that express, in the heart, a mutant MyBP-C lacking only the myosin binding site. In contrast to the previous data for the MyBP-C lacking both titin and myosin binding sites, only very modest levels of protein were found, consistent with data obtained from human biopsies in which mutated MyBP-C could not be detected. Despite normal levels of wild-type MyBP-C, there were significant changes in the structure and ultrastructure of the heart. Fiber mechanics showed decreased unloading shortening velocity, maximum shortening velocity, and relative maximal power output.

Abnormal cardiac structure and function in mice expressing nonphosphorylatable cardiac regulatory myosin light chain 2

A role for myosin phosphorylation in modulating normal cardiac function has long been suspected, and we hypothesized that changing the phosphorylation status of a cardiac myosin light chain might alter cardiac function in the whole animal. To test this directly, transgenic mice were created in which three potentially phosphorylatable serines in the ventricular isoform of the regulatory myosin light chain were mutated to alanines. Lines were obtained in which replacement of the endogenous species in the ventricle with the nonphosphorylatable, transgenically encoded protein was essentially complete. The mice show a spectrum of cardiovascular changes. As previously observed in skeletal muscle, Ca(2+) sensitivity of force development was dependent upon the phosphorylation status of the regulatory light chain. Structural abnormalities were detected by both gross histology and transmission electron microscopic analyses. Mature animals showed both atrial hypertrophy and dilatation. Echocardiographic analysis revealed that as a result of chamber enlargement, severe tricuspid valve insufficiency resulted in a detectable regurgitation jet. We conclude that regulated phosphorylation of the regulatory myosin light chains appears to play an important role in maintaining normal cardiac function over the lifetime of the animal.

A mouse model of myosin binding protein C human familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins, including the cardiac isoform of myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C), and multiple mutations which cause truncated forms of the protein to be made are linked to the disease. We have created transgenic mice in which varying amounts of a mutated MyBP-C, lacking the myosin and titin binding domains, are expressed in the heart. The transgenically encoded, truncated protein is stable but is not incorporated efficiently into the sarcomere. The transgenic muscle fibers showed a leftward shift in the pCa2+-force curve and, importantly, their power output was reduced. Additionally, expression of the mutant protein leads to decreased levels of endogenous MyBP-C, resulting in a striking pattern of sarcomere disorganization and dysgenesis.

Functional significance of cardiac myosin essential light chain isoform switching in transgenic mice

The different functions of the ventricular- and atrial-specific essential myosin light chains are unknown. Using transgenesis, cardiac-specific overexpression of proteins can be accomplished. The transgenic paradigm is more useful than originally expected, in that the mammalian heart rigorously controls sarcomeric protein stoichiometries. In a clinical subpopulation suffering from heart disease caused by congenital malformations of the outflow tract, an ELC1v-->ELC1a isoform shift correlated with increases in cross-bridge cycling kinetics as measured in skinned fibers derived from the diseased muscle. We have used transgenesis to replace the ventricular isoform of the essential myosin light chain with the atrial isoform. The ELC1v--> ELC1a shift in the ventricle resulted in similar functional alterations. Unloaded velocities as measured by the ability of the myosin to translocate actin filaments in the in vitro motility assay were significantly increased as a result of the isoform substitution. Unloaded shortening velocity was also increased in skinned muscle fibers, and at the whole organ level, both contractility and relaxation were significantly increased. This increase in cardiac function occurred in the absence of a hypertrophic response. Thus, ELC1a expression in the ventricle appears to be advantageous to the heart, resulting in increased cardiac function.

The effect of chronic treatment with trandolapril on cyclic AMP-and cyclic GMP-dependent relaxations in aortic segments of rats with chronic heart failure

1 Characteristics of cyclic GMP- and cyclic AMP-mediated relaxation in aortic segments of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) and the effects of chronic treatment with an angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, trandolapril, were examined 8 weeks after coronary artery ligation. 2 Cardiac output indices of coronary artery-ligated and sham-operated rats were 125+/-8 and 189+/-10 ml min(-1) kg(-1), respectively (P<0.05), indicating the development of CHF at this period. 3 The maximal relaxant response of aortic segments to 10 microM acetylcholine in rats with CHF and sham-operated rats was 64.0+/-5.7 and 86.9+/-1.9%, respectively (P<0.05), whereas the relaxant response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) remained unchanged. Tissue cyclic GMP content in rats with CHF was lower than that of sham-operated rats. 4 In endothelium-intact segments of rats with CHF, the maximal relaxant response to 10 microM isoprenaline (44.5+/-6.7%) was lower that sham-operated rats (81.3+/-2.5%, P<0.05) and the concentration-response curve for NKH477, a water-soluble forskolin, was shifted to the right without a reduction in the maximal response. Isoprenaline-induced relaxation of aortic segments was attenuated by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in sham-operated rats, but not in rats with CHF. Relaxation to 30 microM dibutyryl cyclic AMP in rats with CHF (26.8+/-2.7%) was lower than that in sham-operated rats (63.4+/-11.8%, P<0.05). 5 Trandolapril (3 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) was orally administered from the 2nd to 8th week after the operation. Aortic blood flow of rats with CHF (38.5+/-3.6 ml min(-1)) was lower than that of sham-operated rats (55.0+/-3.0 ml min(-1)), and this reduction was reversed (54.1+/-3.4 ml min(-1)) by treatment with trandolapril. The diminished responsiveness described above was normalized in the trandolapril-treated rat with CHF (i.e., the maximal relaxation to acetylcholine, 94.7+/-1.0%; that to isoprenaline, 80.5+/-2.8%; that to dibutyryl cyclic AMP, 54.7+/-6.2%). However, aortic segments of trandolapril-treated rats with CHF, L-NAME did not attenuate isoprenaline-induced relaxation and the tissue cyclic GMP level was not fully restored, suggesting that the ability of the endothelium to produce NO was still partially damaged. 6 The results suggest that vasorelaxation in CHF, diminished mainly due to dysfunction in endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production and cyclic AMP-mediated signal transduction, was partially restored by long-term treatment with trandolapril. The mechanism underlying the restoration may be attributed in part to prevention of CHF-induced endothelial dysfunction.

Effects of long-term treatment with trandolapril on sarcoplasmic reticulum function of cardiac muscle in rats with chronic heart failure following myocardial infarction

1 Calcium transport activity of isolated cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) including Ca2+ uptake and release is decreased in animals with chronic heart failure (CHF) following myocardial infarction. The present study was undertaken to determine whether an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, trandolapril, improves cardiac sarcoplasmic reticular function in animals with CHF following myocardial infarction. 2 CHF was induced by left coronary artery ligation in rats, which resulted in an infarction of approximately 45% of the left ventricle. Aortic flow and cardiac output index were decreased, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was increased 8 weeks after the operation, suggesting the development of CHF. 3 The developed force transients of cardiac skinned fibres of the rats with CHF were decreased when the skinned fibre was preloaded for 0.25-1 min with 10(-5) M Ca2+ (48-88%) and when preloaded with 10(-6) M Ca2+ and then exposed to 0.1-1 mM caffeine (45-93%). 4 The [3H]-ryanodine-binding activity in SR-enriched fractions was reduced by 23% in the CHF group. These results suggest that the amount of Ca2+ released from SR is decreased due to a reduced rate of SR Ca2+ uptake and a downregulation of the SR Ca2+-release channel. 5 Rats were treated orally with 3 mg kg(-1) day(-1) trandolapril from the 2nd to the 8th week after the coronary artery ligation. Treatment with trandolapril attenuated the reduction in aortic flow and cardiac output index and the increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and improved the developed force transients of the skinned fibre of the animal with CHF without causing a reduction of infarct size. Treatment with trandolapril also attenuated the reduction in ryanodine receptor density in the viable left ventricle of the rat with CHF. 6 It is concluded that long-term treatment with trandolapril attenuates cardiac SR dysfunction in rats with CHF and that the mechanism underlying this effect is, at least in part, attributed to prevention of downregulation of Ca2+ release channel.

Changes in fatty acid compositions of myocardial lipids in rats with heart failure following myocardial infarction

Changes in fatty acid composition of myocardial lipids were examined in rats with heart failure following myocardial infarction. Left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) was decreased and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was elevated 24 h, 1 and 12 weeks after left coronary artery ligation (CAL), suggesting the development of heart failure at these periods in this model. Hearts were isolated 24 h, 1 week and 12 weeks after the operation. Myocardial lipids in the infarcted scar tissue, non-infarcted remaining left ventricle including interseptum and right ventricle were separated into phospholipid (PL), triacylglycerol (TG), diacylglycerol (DAG) and free fatty acid (FFA) fractions. In the scar tissue PL content markedly decreased whereas TG, DAG and FFA contents increased 24 h after CAL. Despite a marked decrease in constituted fatty acids of PL fraction in the scar tissue the percentage of arachidonic acid in PL was elevated 12 weeks after CAL, suggesting that release of arachidonic acid during PL degradation was suppressed. In the non-infarcted viable left ventricle PL content remained unchanged throughout the experiment whereas TG, DAG and FFA contents were elevated 24 h after CAL. Despite no changes in PL and other lipid contents in the non-infarcted tissue the percentage of linoleic acid in PL was reduced and that of docosahexaenoic acid in PL was elevated 12 weeks after CAL. Our findings showed that myocardial lipid composition of the non-infarcted left ventricle was altered only in an early stage of the development of heart failure and fatty acid compositions of PL was exchanged in a late stage of the development of heart failure. The exchange may be related to cardiac dysfunction or myocardial remodelling in the rat with heart failure.

Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticular function in rats with chronic heart failure following myocardial infarction

Sarcoplasmic reticular function of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) following coronary artery ligation was examined. The coronary artery ligation produced 43% infarction of the left ventricle and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure 8 weeks after the operation, suggesting the development of CHF by this period. The developed force transients of the skinned fiber of coronary artery-ligated rats were decreased when the skinned fiber was preloaded for 0.25-0.5 min with 10(-5)M Ca2+ (53-70%) and when preloaded with 10(-6)M Ca2+ and then exposed to 0.1-1 mM caffeine (39-87%). The results suggest that the rate of Ca2+ uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and its ability to release Ca2+ were reduced in the failing heart. [3H]Ryanodine binding activities in homogenates and SR-enriched fractions were significantly reduced in the coronary artery-ligated group (32% and 21%, respectively). The results suggest that the amount of Ca2+ released from SR decreased due to decreased Ca2+ uptake rate of SR and down-regulation of the SR Ca(2+)-release channel, which contributes to cardiac dysfunction in failing hearts following acute myocardial infarction.

Effects of long-term treatment with trandolapril on augmented vasoconstriction in rats with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND

Despite the clinical relevance of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, their effects on impaired vascular function in patients and animals with chronic heart failure (CHF) have not been fully understood. This study was undertaken to determine whether long-term treatment with an ACE inhibitor improved the altered contractile properties of vessels from rats with CHF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Twelve weeks after coronary artery ligation, the rats were sacrificed and the isometric tension development of thoracic aorta, pulmonary artery, and mesenteric artery with and without endothelium was examined. Contractile responses to norepinephrine and prostaglandin F2 alpha were augmented in endothelium-intact, but not in endothelium-denuded, thoracic aorta and pulmonary artery segments of the rat with CHF. The contractile response to angiotensin II was augmented in endothelium-denuded mesenteric artery segments of the rat with CHF, which was attenuated by indomethacin or diclofenac sodium but not by bunazosin. Trandolapril (3 mg/kg/d) was administered orally from the 2nd to 12th week after the operation. Treatment with trandolapril reversed the augmented contractile response of the rat with CHF to norepinephrine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and angiotensin II almost to the levels in the sham-operated rat.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that an ACE inhibitor is capable of reversing altered vascular function in the rat with CHF, suggesting that vascular beds are possible sites of action for ACE inhibitors in the therapy for CHF.

Impairment of cGMP- and cAMP-mediated vasorelaxations in rats with chronic heart failure

To elucidate pathophysiological alterations in vascular relaxation in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)- and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated vasorelaxations in pulmonary artery (PA) and thoracic aorta (TA) of rats were examined 12 wk after coronary artery ligation. Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation was attenuated in endothelium-intact segments of both arteries, whereas sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation was attenuated only in endothelium-intact TA segments of rats with CHF. Vasorelaxations elicited by isoproterenol and NKH-477, a water-soluble forskolin analogue, were diminished mainly in PA segments of the CHF rat. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced decrease in cGMP level was less in endothelium-intact TA segments of the rat with CHF (0.20 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.99 +/- 0.26 pmol/mg protein in control), suggesting that basal nitric oxide (NO) production is reduced in CHF. Treatment with L-NAME attenuated the isoproterenol-induced relaxation only in endothelium-intact TA segments in control rats but not in CHF rats. The results suggest that both cGMP- and cAMP-mediated relaxations are impaired in CHF, and a reduction of NO synthesis, presumably in endothelial cells, plays a significant role in pathophysiological alterations in vessels of rats with CHF.

Long-term treatment with angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors attenuates the loss of cardiac beta-adrenoceptor responses in rats with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND

Cardiac contractile force in response to beta-adrenoceptor agonists and beta-adrenergic receptor density are decreased in failing human hearts. The effects of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor on cardiac responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation in failing hearts are not established. The present study was undertaken to determine whether ACE inhibitor may improve cardiac beta-adrenergic responsiveness in animals with chronic heart failure (CHF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

CHF was induced by left coronary artery ligation in rats. Cardiac output and stroke volume indices decreased 12 weeks after the operation. In sham-operated rats, dobutamine and isoprenaline increased cardiac output and stroke volume indices. In contrast, cardiac output and stroke volume responses to dobutamine and isoprenaline were severely blunted in the CHF rat. Cardiac beta 1-adrenergic receptor density was decreased while its dissociation constant (Kd) was not altered in the viable tissue of the left ventricle of the CHF rat, which is consistent with beta-adrenergic receptor downregulation. Cardiac norepinephrine content decreased in the CHF rats. Rats were treated orally with ACE inhibitors, 3 mg/kg trandolapril or 10 mg/kg enalapril once daily, or 5 mg/kg captopril twice daily from the 2nd to the 12th weeks after the operation. Treatment with ACE inhibitors attenuated the reduction in cardiac output and stroke volume indices and improved the inotropic response to dobutamine and isoprenaline and reversed partially the cardiac norepinephrine content in the CHF rat. ACE inhibitor treatment also attenuated the reduction in beta 1-adrenergic receptor density in the viable tissue of the left ventricle of the CHF rat.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that ACE inhibitor treatment attenuates the blunting of cardiac responses to beta-adrenergic agonists in the CHF rat and that one of the mechanisms underlying this effect is prevention of cardiac beta 1-adrenergic receptor downregulation.

Effects of long-term therapy with ACE inhibitors, captopril, enalapril and trandolapril, on myocardial energy metabolism in rats with heart failure following myocardial infarction

Although pharmacological therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has proved to be effective in patients with heart failure (HF), the experimental basis of this effect has not yet been addressed. In the present study, animals with HF were treated with an oral administration of 10 mg/kg/day captopril, 10 mg/kg/day enalapril and 3 mg/kg/day trandolapril from the 2nd to 12th week after the operation. HF was induced by permanent occlusion of the left coronary artery of the rat at 2 mm from its origin. Treatment of the HF rats with the ACE inhibitors enhanced the decrease in mean arterial blood pressure, attenuated the rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, an indirect marker of preload, and diminished the reduction in cardiac output and stroke volume indices of the HF animal. Treatment also reversed the reduction in ATP, creatine phosphate, creatine and the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate of the viable left and right ventricles of the HF animal. The improvement of the cardiac output index and high-energy phosphate levels of the HF rat by the ACE inhibitors was associated with the recovery of the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate. In sham-operated animals, treatment with the ACE inhibitors reduced mean arterial pressure and left ventricular systolic pressure, but not metabolic variables concerning myocardial energy metabolism. The present results provide evidence that ACE inhibitor therapy improves cardiac function and myocardial energy metabolism of experimental animals with chronic heart failure. The mechanism underlying the benefit of long-term treatment with ACE inhibitors is probably attributable to recovery or preservation of the mitochondrial function and reduction in preload.

Diminished responsiveness to cardiac beta 1-adrenoceptor agonists in rats with chronic heart failure following myocardial infarction

The present study was undertaken to determine whether cardiac response to beta 1-adrenergic agonists is altered in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), and whether this alteration is related to beta-adrenergic receptor down-regulation in the viable tissue of the left ventricle of these rats. For this purpose, the cardiac response to denopamine, a selective beta 1-adrenergic agonist, and the change in cardiac beta-adrenoceptor density were examined in rats with CHF. A non-selective beta-adrenergic agonist, isoprenaline, was also examined as a comparison. Cardiac output and stroke volume indices were reduced 12 weeks after left coronary artery ligation, suggesting that CHF had developed at this time. Denopamine (2, 4 and 8 micrograms/kg i.v.), and isoprenaline (0.01 microgram/kg i.v.) increased the cardiac output and stroke volume indices in sham-operated rats, whereas such increases were attenuated in the CHF rat. The cardiac beta-adrenergic receptor density, measured by [3H]CGP-12177 binding assay, was reduced in homogenates and microsomal membranes in the viable tissue of the left ventricle of the CHF rat (homogenates: 29% reduction, microsomal membrane: 23% reduction). These results suggest that the cardiac responsiveness to denopamine is diminished in the CHF rat and this alteration is accounted for, in part, by a decrease in cardiac beta-adrenoceptor density.

Effects of NKH477, a water-soluble forskolin derivative, on cardiac function in rats with chronic heart failure after myocardial infarction

Our study was designed to determine whether NKH477, a novel, potent and water-soluble forskolin derivative, may exert a positive inotropic effect in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) after myocardial infarction. Cardiac output and stroke volume indices were decreased and systemic vascular resistance was increased 12 wk after left coronary artery ligation, suggesting that CHF has developed at this time. Dobutamine (4 micrograms/kg i.v.) increased the cardiac output and stroke volume indices in sham-operated rats (22.7 +/- 1.9 and 15.1 +/- 2.0% increase, respectively), whereas such increases were attenuated in rats 12 wk after the induction of myocardial infarction (cardiac output index: 4.0 +/- 1.4% increase and stroke volume index: 2.2 +/- 1.8% increase, respectively). In contrast to beta-adrenoceptor agonist, NKH477 (3, 10 and 30 micrograms/kg i.v.) increased cardiac output and stroke volume indices in the rats with CHF. The beta-adrenergic receptor density, measured by [3H] CGP-12177 binding assay, was reduced in homogenates of the failing heart. These results suggest that the decrease in cardiac beta-adrenergic receptor density may account, in part, for the reduction in the responsiveness to beta-adrenoceptor agonists. The primary defects in the signal transduction from beta-adrenergic receptor to adenylate cyclase, such as the receptor down-regulation and the failure in signaling from adenylate cyclase, may be present in the CHF heart. It may be possible to reverse the cardiac dysfunction associated with CHF with NKH477.

Effects of trandolapril on cardiac angiotensin I converting enzyme activity in rats with chronic heart failure following myocardial infarction

The effects of long-term treatment with a novel angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, trandolapril, on ACE activity and cardiac function in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) were examined and compared with those of captopril and enalapril. Left coronary artery ligation of rats resulted in decreases in mean arterial pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, dP/dt, cardiac output and stroke volume indices, and increases in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and systemic vascular resistance 12 weeks after the operation. A significant increase in ACE activity of the myocardium, but not that of serum or other tissues, was detected in the CHF rat 12 weeks after the operation. Oral treatment with ACE inhibitors (10 mg/kg/day captopril, 10 mg/kg/day enalapril or 3 mg/kg/day trandolapril) from the 2nd to 12th week, attenuated the changes in cardiac output and stroke volume indices, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and systemic vascular resistance of the CHF rat. Treatment also attenuated the increase in the cardiac. ACE activity of CHF rats. A close relationship between the decrease in cardiac output index and the increase in cardiac ACE activity was detected. The results suggest that trandolapril, like other ACE inhibitors, exerts a beneficial effect on cardiac function in the CHF rat and that one of the mechanisms for this effect is attenuation of elevated cardiac ACE activity.

Improvement of cardiac function and myocardial energy metabolism of rats with chronic heart failure by long-term coenzyme Q10 treatment

The effects of long-term treatment with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on myocardial energy metabolism of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) were examined. Left coronary artery ligation resulted in decreases in blood pressure, left ventricular developed pressure, the first derivative of left ventricular developed pressure, cardiac output and stroke volume indices and caused an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure 12 weeks after the operation. Significant decreases in adenosine-5'-triphosphate, creatine phosphate, creatine and inorganic phosphate contents and the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate of the viable left and right ventricles were detected in the CHF rat. Oral administration of 5 mg/kg/day CoQ10 for 12 weeks attenuated the changes in the first derivative of left ventricular developed pressure, cardiac output and stroke volume indices of the CHF rat but did not significantly improve the survival of CHF animals. The developed infarct area was approximately 40% of the whole left ventricle, irrespective of treatment with or without CoQ10. There was no reversal in the decreased myocardial CoQ9 and CoQ10 contents of the CHF rat after treatment with exogenous CoQ10. In the right ventricle of CoQ10-treated animals, a significant recovery of creatine, inorganic phosphate and mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate, and a small restoration of creatine phosphate but not of adenosine-5'-triphosphate, were observed, which suggests an appreciable recovery of energy-producing ability in the right ventricle. In contrast, a significant restoration of tissue creatine and inorganic phosphate, but not of other variables, was detected in the left ventricle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Beneficial effects of quinidine on post-ischemic contractile failure of isolated rat hearts

The present study was undertaken to determine whether quinidine may improve ischemia/reperfusion-induced functional and metabolic injury of isolated rat hearts. Thirty-five-min ischemia and the subsequent 60-min reperfusion resulted in no post-ischemic force generation, an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (about 1500%) and a sustained rise in perfusion pressure (136 +/- 15% of initial). This was associated with an increase in the release of creatine kinase and ATP metabolites from the reperfused heart, a decrease in tissue high-energy phosphates, changes in tissue sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium contents, and a reduction in the triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC)-stained area, an indicator of infarction. Hearts were treated with 3-100 microM quinidine 3 min before ischemia. Quinidine at concentrations of 10 microM or greater resulted in post-ischemic contractile recovery in a concentration-dependent manner (61 +/- 8 to 95 +/- 8% of initial). Ischemia/reperfusion-induced metabolic and histologic alterations were also suppressed by treatment with quinidine in a concentration-dependent manner. The results suggest that quinidine has a cardioprotective effect in ischemic/reperfused hearts. Because transmembrane fluxes of ions, substrates, and enzymes were suppressed by treatment with quinidine, protection of cardiac cell membrane function and/or integrity against ischemia/reperfusion-induced ionic imbalance, presumably sodium imbalance, across the sarcolemma is a possible mechanism by which quinidine may act. Slightly higher levels of ATP were detected in the treated hearts at 10 and 15 min, but not at 35 min of ischemia. Such preservation of high-energy phosphates might also be beneficial for protecting myocardial cells against ischemic damage.

Regional energy metabolism of failing hearts following myocardial infarction

To elucidate the relationship between functional alterations and disturbances in myocardial energy metabolism of rats with heart failure following coronary artery ligation, the left coronary artery of the rat was ligated and the time course of changes in cardiac function and myocardial energy state of the animal were examined for 12 weeks after the ligation. Coronary artery ligation resulted in approximately 40% infarction of the left ventricle, an increase in the right ventricular weight, a decrease in left ventricular developed pressure, an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure throughout the experiment, suggesting the development of cardiac failure after the operation. Cardiac output and stroke volume indices were not altered during the first 4 weeks, but were significantly decreased on the 8th and 12th weeks, suggesting that cardiac function had further aggravated by 8 weeks after the operation. Myocardial energy profiles of the scar tissue, the remaining left ventricle and interseptum, and the right ventricle were determined. Tissue ATP (27.54 +/- 0.82 to 26.38 +/- 1.58 mumol/g dry tissue; n = 8-10) and creatine phosphate (26.73 +/- 1.63 to 24.38 +/- 1.83 mumol/g dry tissue; n = 8-10) of the remaining viable left ventricle were lower than control (33.17 +/- 0.73 and 40.04 +/- 1.07 mumol/g dry tissue; n = 8) throughout the experiment. A marked decrease in tissue ATP and CP was seen in the scar tissue throughout the experiment. Increases in tissue lactate of the remaining left ventricle and the right ventricle were detected from 1 to 2 weeks after the operation, but returned to the control levels thereafter. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates of isolated myocardial bundles from the 8th and 12th weeks (21.03 +/- 2.22 and 17.79 +/- 3.24 ng oxygen/min/mg dry tissue; n = 8) were lower than control (33.15 +/- 1.95 ng oxygen/min/mg dry tissue; n = 5), and those of the interseptum (23.71 +/- 1.33 ng oxygen/min/mg dry tissue; n = 8) and the right ventricle (22.44 +/- 2.73 ng oxygen/min/mg dry tissue; n = 8) on the 12th week after the operation were lower than control (33.58 +/- 2.80 and 34.83 +/- 2.64 ng oxygen/min/mg dry tissue; n = 5). The results provide evidence for a decline in myocardial energy store and energy producing ability associated with the development of cardiac failure.

In vivo profile of myocardial energy metabolism of pressure-overloaded rat

Cardiac energy metabolism of pressure-overloaded rat hearts was examined under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Two, 4 and 6 weeks after constriction of the abdominal artery, the hemodynamic and metabolic profiles of hearts in vivo and of perfused hearts were determined. Significant increases in left ventricular weight/body weight (30 to 45% increase relative to the sham group), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (22 to 33% increase) and pressure-rate product (31 to 33% increase) were observed 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the operation, and a slight but significant decrease in heart rate was observed at 2 weeks after the operation. Tissue hydroxyproline content increased (17 to 93%) with time after pressure-overload. These findings are indicators of pressure-overloaded cardiac hypertrophy. The total high-energy phosphates of the in vivo rat myocardium under artificial respiration were lower than those of sham-operated rat myocardium 2 (23%) and 4 weeks (21%), but not 6 weeks after aortic constriction. The maximal oxygen consumption rates of mitochondria, when determined in the skinned cardiac fibers, also decreased 2 (47%) and 4 weeks (36%), but reversed 6 weeks after pressure-overload. However, the myocardial ATP, a utilizing form of high-energy phosphate, of pressure-overloaded rat myocardium remained normal at all times after cardiac hypertrophy. This suggests that alterations in hemodynamic variables of in vivo pressure-overloaded rats may not be attributable to a reduction in the myocardial energy production. In the perfused hearts isolated from pressure-overloaded rats, tissue ATP levels were similar to those of sham-operated rats, although the tissue creatine phosphate tended to be reduced in the pressure-overloaded animals at all stages of cardiac hypertrophy examined. Only a marginal decrease in the tissue high-energy phosphate (13%) was observed 4 weeks after the operation relative to that of sham-operated rats. In contrast, the developed tension of the perfused pressure-overloaded rat hearts was consistently lower (27 to 36%) than that of the sham-operated rat hearts. The results suggest that the high-energy phosphate levels of pressure-overloaded rat myocardium in vitro are unlikely to account for the observed decline in cardiac contractile function. The reduction of myocardial high-energy phosphates of pressure overloaded rats may be due to an adaptative change rather than a causal events.