Testosterone administration induces protection against global myocardial ischemia

We tested the hypothesis that chronic testosterone treatment would promote a cardioprotective phenotype against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. For this study, 3-month-old F344 male rats underwent sham-surgery, orchiectomy (ORX), or ORX plus 21 days testosterone treatment (1.0 mg testosterone/day). At sacrifice, cardiac performance was assessed in a working heart model of I/R (25 min of global ischemia and 45 min of reperfusion). ORX reduced serum testosterone by approximately 98% and testosterone administration elevated serum testosterone to a concentration of 4.6-fold over that of Sham-operated controls (p<0.05). ORX did not significantly impair recovery of cardiac performance following I/R, but did increase cardiac release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) during pre- and post-ischemia (p<0.05). Testosterone administration prevented the ORX-induced increase in LDH during both pre- and post-ischemia and increased post-ischemic recovery of aortic flow, cardiac output, cardiac work, left ventricular developed pressure, and contractility (p<0.05) during reperfusion. Testosterone administration also increased left ventricular expression of catalase, but did not affect the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, or sarcolemmal K (ATP) channel protein Kir6.2. Neither circulating nor cardiac concentrations of estradiol were altered by either treatment. We conclude that administration of high-dose testosterone confers cardioprotection through yet to be identified androgen-dependent mechanism(s).

p38 MAPK links oxidative stress to autophagy-related gene expression in cachectic muscle wasting

Oxidative stress is a primary trigger of cachectic muscle wasting, but the signaling pathway(s) that links it to the muscle wasting processes remains to be defined. Here, we report that activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (phosphorylation) and increased oxidative stress (trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal protein modification) in skeletal muscle occur as early as 8 h after lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/kg) and 24 h after dexamethasone (25 mg/kg) injection (intraperitoneal) in mice, concurrent with upregulation of autophagy-related genes, Atg6, Atg7, and Atg12. Treating cultured C2C12 myotubes with oxidant hydrogen peroxide (4 h) resulted in increased p38 phosphorylation and reduced FoxO3 phosphorylation along with induced Atg7 mRNA expression without activation of NF-kappaB or FoxO3a transcriptional activities. Furthermore, inhibition of p38alpha/beta by SB202190 blocked hydrogen peroxide-induced atrophy with diminished upregulation of Atg7 and atrogenes [muscle atrophy F-box protein (MAFbx/Atrogin-1), muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF-1), and Nedd4]. These findings provide direct evidence for p38alpha/beta MAPK in mediating oxidative stress-induced autophagy-related genes, suggesting that p38alpha/beta MAPK regulates both the ubiquitin-proteasome and the autophagy-lysosome systems in muscle wasting.

Calpain-1 is required for hydrogen peroxide-induced myotube atrophy

Recent reports suggest numerous roles for cysteine proteases in the progression of skeletal muscle atrophy due to disuse or disease. Nonetheless, a specific requirement for these proteases in the progression of skeletal muscle atrophy has not been demonstrated. Therefore, this investigation determined whether calpains or caspase-3 is required for oxidant-induced C2C12 myotube atrophy. We demonstrate that exposure to hydrogen peroxide (25 microM H2O2) induces myotube oxidative damage and atrophy, with no evidence of cell death. Twenty-four hours of exposure to H2O2 significantly reduced both myotube diameter and the abundance of numerous proteins, including myosin (-81%), alpha-actinin (-40%), desmin (-79%), talin (-37%), and troponin I (-80%). Myotube atrophy was also characterized by increased cleavage of the cysteine protease substrate alphaII-spectrin following 4 h and 24 h of H2O2 treatment. This degradation was blocked by administration of the protease inhibitor leupeptin (10 microM). Using small interfering RNA transfection of mature myotubes against the specific proteases calpain-1, calpain-2, and caspase-3, we demonstrated that calpain-1 is required for H2O2-induced myotube atrophy. Collectively, our data provide the first evidence for an absolute requirement for calpain-1 in the development of skeletal muscle myotube atrophy in response to oxidant-induced cellular stress.

Redox regulation of diaphragm proteolysis during mechanical ventilation

Prevention of oxidative stress via antioxidants attenuates diaphragm myofiber atrophy associated with mechanical ventilation (MV). However, the specific redox-sensitive mechanisms responsible for this remain unknown. We tested the hypothesis that regulation of skeletal muscle proteolytic activity is a critical site of redox action during MV. Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to five experimental groups: 1) control, 2) 6 h of MV, 3) 6 h of MV with infusion of the antioxidant Trolox, 4) 18 h of MV, and 5) 18 h of MV with Trolox. Trolox did not attenuate MV-induced increases in diaphragmatic levels of ubiquitin-protein conjugation, polyubiquitin mRNA, and gene expression of proteasomal subunits (20S proteasome alpha-subunit 7, 14-kDa E2, and proteasome-activating complex PA28). However, Trolox reduced both chymotrypsin-like and peptidylglutamyl peptide hydrolyzing (PGPH)-like 20S proteasome activities in the diaphragm after 18 h of MV. In addition, Trolox rescued diaphragm myofilament protein concentration (mug/mg muscle) and the percentage of easily releasable myofilament protein independent of alterations in ribosomal capacity for protein synthesis. In summary, these data are consistent with the notion that the protective effect of antioxidants on the diaphragm during MV is due, at least in part, to decreasing myofilament protein substrate availability to the proteasome.

Antioxidant administration attenuates mechanical ventilation-induced rat diaphragm muscle atrophy independent of protein kinase B (PKB Akt) signalling

Oxidative stress promotes controlled mechanical ventilation (MV)-induced diaphragmatic atrophy. Nonetheless, the signalling pathways responsible for oxidative stress-induced muscle atrophy remain unknown. We tested the hypothesis that oxidative stress down-regulates insulin-like growth factor-1-phosphotidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B serine threonine kinase (IGF-1-PI3K-Akt) signalling and activates the forkhead box O (FoxO) class of transcription factors in diaphragm fibres during MV-induced diaphragm inactivity. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of five experimental groups: (1) control (Con), (2) 6 h of MV, (3) 6 h of MV with infusion of the antioxidant Trolox, (4) 18 h of MV, (5) 18 h of MV with Trolox. Following 6 h and 18 h of MV, diaphragmatic Akt activation decreased in parallel with increased nuclear localization and transcriptional activation of FoxO1 and decreased nuclear localization of FoxO3 and FoxO4, culminating in increased expression of the muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases, muscle atrophy factor (MAFbx) and muscle ring finger-1 (MuRF-1). Interestingly, following 18 h of MV, antioxidant administration was associated with attenuation of MV-induced atrophy in type I, type IIa and type IIb/IIx myofibres. Collectively, these data reveal that the antioxidant Trolox attenuates MV-induced diaphragmatic atrophy independent of alterations in Akt regulation of FoxO transcription factors and expression of MAFbx or MuRF-1. Further, these results also indicate that differential regulation of diaphragmatic IGF-1-PI3K-Akt signalling exists during the early and late stages of MV.

Mechanical ventilation promotes redox status alterations in the diaphragm

Oxidative stress is an important mediator of diaphragm muscle atrophy and contractile dysfunction during prolonged periods of controlled mechanical ventilation (MV). To date, specific details related to the impact of MV on diaphragmatic redox status remain unknown. To fill this void, we tested the hypothesis that MV-induced diaphragmatic oxidative stress is the consequence of both an elevation in intracellular oxidant production in conjunction with a decrease in the antioxidant buffering capacity. Adult rats were assigned to one of two experimental groups: 1) control or 2) 12 h of MV. Compared with controls, diaphragms from MV animals demonstrated increased oxidant production, diminished total antioxidant capacity, and decreased glutathione levels. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA and protein levels increased (23.0- and 5.1-fold, respectively) following MV. Thioredoxin reductase-1 and manganese superoxide dismutase mRNA levels were also increased in the diaphragm following MV (2.4- and 1.6-fold, respectively), although no change was detected in the levels of either protein. Furthermore, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase mRNA were not altered following MV, although protein content decreased -1.3- and -1.7-fold, respectively. We conclude that MV promotes increased oxidant production and impairment of key antioxidant defenses in the diaphragm; collectively, these changes contribute to the MV-induced oxidative stress in this key inspiratory muscle.

Exercise and myocardial tolerance to ischaemia-reperfusion

It is well established that both short-term (1-5 days) and long-term (weeks to months) high intensity exercise (i.e. 70-75%VO2max) provides cardioprotection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury. However, it is unclear if moderate intensity exercise will also provide cardioprotection.

AIM

Therefore, these experiments compared the protective effects of moderate vs. high intensity exercise in providing defense against ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of three-experimental groups: (1) sedentary (control); (2) moderate intensity treadmill exercise (60 min day(-1) at approximately 55%VO2max); or (3) high intensity treadmill exercise (60 min day(-1) at approximately 75%VO2max). Hearts were exposed to 20 min of global ischaemia followed by 30 min reperfusion in an isolated working heart preparation.

RESULTS

Compared with sedentary rats, both moderate and high intensity exercised rats maintained a higher (P < 0.05) percentage of pre-ischaemia cardiac output and cardiac work (cardiac output x systolic blood pressure) during reperfusion. No differences in the percent recovery of cardiac output and heart work existed (P > 0.05) between the two exercise groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These data reveal that both moderate and high intensity exercise training provide equivalent protection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

Short-term exercise improves myocardial tolerance to in vivo ischemia-reperfusion in the rat

These experiments examined the independent effects of short-term exercise and heat stress on myocardial responses during in vivo ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Female Sprague-Dawley rats (4 mo old) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups: 1) control, 2) 3 consecutive days of treadmill exercise [60 min/day at 60-70% maximal O2 uptake (VO2 max)], 3) 5 consecutive days of treadmill exercise (60 min/day at 60-70% VO2 max), and 4) whole body heat stress (15 min at 42 degrees C). Twenty-four hours after heat stress or exercise, animals were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated, and the chest was opened by thoracotomy. Coronary occlusion was maintained for 30-min followed by a 30-min period of reperfusion. Compared with control, both heat-stressed animals and exercised animals (3 and 5 days) maintained higher (P < 0.05) left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), maximum rate of left ventricular pressure development (+dP/dt), and maximum rate of left ventricular pressure decline (-dP/dt) at all measurement periods during both ischemia and reperfusion. No differences existed between heat-stressed and exercise groups in LVDP, +dP/dt, and -dP/dt at any time during ischemia or reperfusion. Both heat stress and exercise resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in the relative levels of left ventricular heat shock protein 72 (HSP72). Furthermore, exercise (3 and 5 days) increased (P < 0.05) myocardial glutathione levels and manganese superoxide dismutase activity. These data indicate that 3-5 consecutive days of exercise improves myocardial contractile performance during in vivo I/R and that this exercise-induced myocardial protection is associated with an increase in both myocardial HSP72 and cardiac antioxidant defenses.

Short-term exercise training can improve myocardial tolerance to I/R without elevation in heat shock proteins

We examined the effects of 3 days of exercise in a cold environment on the expression of left ventricular (LV) heat shock proteins (HSPs) and contractile performance during in vivo ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following three groups (n = 12/group): 1) control, 2) exercise (60 min/day) at 4 degrees C (E-Cold), and 3) exercise (60 min/day) at 25 degrees C (E-Warm). Left anterior descending coronary occlusion was maintained for 20 min, followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Compared with the control group, both the E-Cold and E-Warm groups maintained higher (P < 0.05) LV developed pressure, first derivative of pressure development over time (+dP/dt), and pressure relaxation over time (-dP/dt) throughout I/R. Relative levels of HSP90, HSP72, and HSP40 were higher (P < 0.05) in E-Warm animals compared with both control and E-Cold. HSP10, HSP60, and HSP73 did not differ between groups. Exercise increased manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity in both E-Warm and E-Cold hearts (P < 0.05). Protection against I/R-induced lipid peroxidation in the LV paralleled the increase in MnSOD activity whereas lower levels of lipid peroxidation were observed in both E-Warm and E-Cold groups compared with control. We conclude that exercise-induced myocardial protection against a moderate duration I/R insult is not dependent on increases in myocardial HSPs. We postulate that exercise-associated cardioprotection may depend, in part, on increases in myocardial antioxidant defenses.

Gene expression of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes following exercise: modulation by age

Both age and exercise training are associated with tissue specific alterations in the catecholaminergic system. We examined the effect of short-term exercise training on tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene expression in adrenals and specific brain regions with aging. In addition, we examined activator protein-1 and cyclic AMP response element transcription factor binding activity in the adrenal medulla. Male, six- and 24-month-old F-344 rats were exercised by treadmill running for five consecutive days. One group was killed immediately and a second group was killed 2h after the last training session. Exercise significantly elevated tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA equally in adrenals of both young and old rats. Training had no effect on dopamine beta-hydroxylase messenger RNA in adrenals of young, but levels were elevated in old rats. Binding activities of both activator protein-1 and cyclic AMP response element binding protein were diminished with age in the adrenal medulla. Exercise training had no significant effect on the binding activity of cyclic AMP response element binding protein in either young or old animals, whereas activator protein-1 binding activity increased equally in young and old animals. Exercise training revealed divergent changes in tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA in brain catecholaminergic neurons. In the locus coeruleus and the ventral tegmental areas, training elevated tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA levels only in young rats. In the substantia nigra, there was no change in young, but a 45% increase in tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA in old rats. In the ventral tegmental area, training increased tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression 80% in young but not in old rats. These results indicate that short-term exercise training increases tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA levels in young animals in the adrenals, the locus coeruleus and the ventral tegmental area. The responses for exercise training of aged animals differed from the young in brain noradrenergic and dopaminergic nuclei, especially in the substantia nigra, and to some extent in the locus coeruleus and the ventral tegmental area.

Exercise training increases heat shock protein in skeletal muscles of old rats

PURPOSE

The effects of chronic exercise training on the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) in skeletal muscle of senescent animals are unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic exercise training on skeletal muscle HSP expression in both young and old rats.

METHODS

Young adult (3 months) and old (23 months) female Fisher 344 rats were assigned to either a sedentary control or an endurance exercise trained group (N = 6 per group). Exercised animals ran (60 min.d-1, 5 d.wk-1) on a treadmill at approximately 77% VO2peak for 10 wk. After completion of the training program, the soleus (SOL), plantaris (PL), and the red (RG) and white portions (WG) of the gastrocnemius muscles were excised, and citrate synthase (CS) activity and the relative levels of HSP72 were determined.

RESULTS

Training resulted in increases (P < 0.05) in VO2peak in both young (67.6 +/- 3.1 vs 86.9 +/- 1.6 mL.kg-1.min-1) and old animals (54.5 +/- 1.8 vs 68.2 +/- 2.2 mL.kg-1.min-1). Training increased CS activity and the relative levels of HSP72 (P < 0.05) in all four skeletal muscles in both young and old animals. Specifically, compared with age-matched sedentary controls, exercise training resulted in increased (P < 0.05) levels of HSP72 in skeletal muscles of both young (SOL + 22%, PL +94%, RG + 44%, WG + 243%) and old animals (SOL +15%, PL +73%, RG +38%, WG +150%).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings reveal that the exercise-induced accumulation of HSP72 in skeletal muscle differs between fast and slow muscles. Further, these data indicate that the exercise-induced accumulation of HSP72 in highly oxidative skeletal muscles (SOL and RG) is similar between young and old animals. In contrast, aging is associated with a blunted expression of HSP72 in fast skeletal muscles (PL and WG) in response to chronic exercise.

Effects of vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid on skeletal muscle contractile properties

Initial experiments were conducted using an in situ rat tibialis anterior (TA) muscle preparation to assess the influence of dietary antioxidants on muscle contractile properties. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two dietary groups: 1) control diet (Con) and 2) supplemented with vitamin E (VE) and alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) (Antiox). Antiox rats were fed the Con rats' diet (AIN-93M) with an additional 10,000 IU VE/kg diet and 1.65 g/kg alpha-LA. After an 8-wk feeding period, no differences existed (P > 0.05) between the two dietary groups in maximum specific tension before or after a fatigue protocol or in force production during the fatigue protocol. However, in unfatigued muscle, maximal twitch tension and tetanic force production at stimulation frequencies < or = 40 Hz were less (P < 0.05) in Antiox animals compared with Con. To investigate which antioxidant was responsible for the depressed force production, a second experiment was conducted using an in vitro rat diaphragm preparation. Varying concentrations of VE and dihydrolipoic acid, the reduced form of alpha-LA, were added either individually or in combination to baths containing diaphragm muscle strips. The results from these experiments indicate that high levels of VE depress skeletal muscle force production at low stimulation frequencies.

Exercise, heat shock proteins, and myocardial protection from I-R injury

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and protecting cells during episodes of acute stress. Specifically, HSPs of the 70 kDa family (i.e., HSP72) are important in preventing ischemia-reperfusion induced apoptosis, necrosis, and oxidative injury in a variety of cell types including the cardiac myocyte. Evidence indicates that HSP72 may contribute to cellular protection against a variety of stresses by preventing protein aggregation, assisting in the refolding of damaged proteins, and chaperoning nascent polypeptides along ribosomes. Endurance exercise is a physiological stress that can be used to elevate myocardial levels of HSP72. It is now clear that endurance exercise training can elevate myocardial HSP72 by 400-500% in young adult animals. Importantly, an exercise-induced elevation in myocardial HSPs is associated with a reduction in ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury in the heart. Although it seems likely that exercise-induced elevations in myocardial levels of HSPs play an important role in this protection against an I-R insult, new evidence suggests that other factors may also be involved. This is an important area for future research.

Mechanism for obesity-induced increase in myocardial lipid peroxidation

OBJECTIVE

To determine the mechanisms underlying the obesity-induced increase in myocardial lipid peroxidation in the fa/fa rat. We hypothesized that elevated heart work (ie rate-pressure product), an increased rate of superoxide (O2*-)) production, total myocardial lipid content, and/or insufficient antioxidant defenses are potential contributors to myocardial lipid peroxidation in obesity.

DESIGN

Comparative, experimental study of myocardial tissue in 16-week-old lean control (Fa/?, normal diet), obese high-fat fed (Fa/?, 45% dietary fat), and obese fatty (fa/fa, normal diet) Zucker rats.

MEASUREMENTS

Myocardial work (heart rate x systolic blood pressure), myocardial lipid content, oxidative and antioxidant enzyme activities (citrate synthase (CS), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD)), the rate of papillary muscle superoxide radical production in vitro, thiol content, basal and post-oxidative challenge myocardial lipid peroxidation levels using thiobarbituric reactive acid substances (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxides (PEROX) as indices of lipid peroxidation.

RESULTS

Compared to lean controls, the high-fat fed and fatty animals had similar elevations (P<0.05) in myocardial TBARS and PEROX (23%, 25% and 29% 45%, respectively; P<0.05), and elevated susceptibilities to oxidative stress in vitro following exposure to oxidizing agents (P<0.05). Resting heart work was slightly higher (P<0.05) in both the high-fat fed and fatty animals compared to controls. Myocardial lipid content, SOD activities and non-protein thiol (glutathione) levels were elevated (P<0.05) in high-fat fed and fatty animals compared to controls. The rate of superoxide formation by isolated papillary muscles in vitro did not differ among groups (P<0.05). Regression analysis revealed that the myocardial lipid content contributed most to myocardial lipid peroxidation (R2=0.76, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Myocardial oxidative injury is closely associated with myocardial lipid content, but is not closely correlated with heart work, insufficient antioxidant defenses or a greater rate of superoxide production.

Optimal light dose for interstitial photodynamic therapy in treatment for malignant brain tumors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The primary goal was to determine the maximal tolerable light dose that can be administered to patients undergoing multifiber interstitial photodynamic therapy (PDT) of malignant brain tumors at a fixed dose of photosensitizer.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen patients (12 glioblastomas, 5 anaplastic astrocytoma, and 1 malignant ependymoma) were included in this study. The total light dose delivered to the tumor was divided into three groups of six patients each: 1,500-3,700 J, 3,700-4,400 J, and 4,400-5,900 J.

RESULTS

Five patients (all glioblastomas) demonstrated postoperative permanent neurologic deficits. None of the patients in 1,500-3,700 J, two patients in 3,700-4,400 J, and three patients in 4,400-5,900 J had neurologic deficits. Glioblastomas recurred more often than anaplastic astrocytomas. Increasing the light dose did not make a difference in local/regional control of glioblastomas. Patients with anaplastic astrocytomas survived (mean, 493 days) longer than patients with glioblastomas (mean, 116.5 days) after PDT. Four patients had prolonged survival (more than a year) after PDT.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing the total light dose delivered to the tumor increases the odds of having a permanent neurologic deficit but does not increase survival or time to tumor progression. There was no difference in local or marginal recurrence with increasing light dose. Recurrent anaplastic astrocytomas tend to do better than recurrent glioblastomas with PDT.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of cerebrum with adipose tissue

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) of the central nervous system are uncommon embryonal neoplasms, rarely occurring in adults. Differentiation into specific mesenchymal tissues, such as cartilage, bone, skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, or adipose tissue, is rare. We report a case of a 51-year-old woman with a PNET of cerebrum that showed extensive mature adipose tissue differentiation. This is the second case, to our knowledge, of PNET of cerebrum with adipose tissue elements that has been described.

Improved cardiac performance after ischemia in aged rats supplemented with vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid

The purpose of these experiments was to examine the effects of dietary antioxidant supplementation with vitamin E (VE) and alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) on biochemical and physiological responses to in vivo myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) in aged rats. Male Fischer-334 rats (18 mo old) were assigned to either 1) a control diet (CON) or 2) a VE and alpha-LA supplemented diet (ANTIOX). After a 14-wk feeding period, animals in each group underwent an in vivo I-R protocol (25 min of myocardial ischemia and 15 min of reperfusion). During reperfusion, peak arterial pressure was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in ANTIOX animals compared with CON diet animals. I-R resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in myocardial lipid peroxidation in CON diet animals but not in ANTIOX animals. Compared with ANTIOX animals, heart homogenates from CON animals experienced significantly less (P < 0.05) oxidative damage when exposed to five different in vitro radical producing systems. These data indicate that dietary supplementation with VE and alpha-LA protects the aged rat heart from I-R-induced lipid peroxidation by scavenging numerous reactive oxygen species. Importantly, this protection is associated with improved cardiac performance during reperfusion.

Vitamin E deficiency fails to affect myocardial performance during in vivo ischemia-reperfusion

Vitamin E content of cardiac tissue has been proposed to play a major role in the damage caused by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I-R). Previous studies using in vitro models have examined vitamin E deficiency and I-R-induced myocardial damage with equivocal results. The purpose of this study was to use an in vivo model of myocardial I-R to determine the effects of vitamin E deficiency on myocardial I-R-induced damage. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (4-mo old) were assigned to either: 1) control diet (CON), or 2) vitamin E deficient diet (VE-DEF). The CON diet was prepared to meet AIN-93M standards, which contains 75 IU vitamin E/kg diet. The VE-DEF diet was the AIN-93M diet prepared with tocopherol stripped corn oil and no vitamin E. Following a 14-week feeding period, significant differences (p < 0.05) existed in mean myocardial VE levels between groups (mean values +/- SEM: CON = 48.2 +/- 3.5; VE-DEF = 12.4 +/- 1.4 micrograms VE/g wet weight). Animals from both experimental groups were subjected to an in vivo I-R protocol consisting of 25 minutes of left coronary artery occlusion followed by 10 minutes of reperfusion. No group differences (p > 0.05) existed in cardiac performance (peak arterial pressure or ventricular work) or the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias during the I-R protocol. VE-DEF animals had significantly higher (p < 0.05) levels of myocardial lipid peroxidation and lower (p < 0.05) protein thiols following I-R compared to the CON animals. These data suggest that although vitamin E deficiency increases oxidative damage resulting from myocardial I-R, it does not affect cardiac performance during the insult.

Effect of combined supplementation with vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid on myocardial performance during in vivo ischaemia-reperfusion

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute significantly to myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. Recently the combination of the antioxidants vitamin E (VE) and alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) has been reported to improve cardiac performance and reduce myocardial lipid peroxidation during in vitro I-R. The purpose of these experiments was to investigate the effects of VE and alpha-LA supplementation on cardiac performance, incidence of dysrhythmias and biochemical alterations during an in vivo myocardial I-R insult. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (4-months old) were assigned to one of the two dietary treatments: (1) control diet (CON) or (2) VE and alpha-LA supplementation (ANTIOXID). The CON diet was prepared to meet AIN-93M standards, which contains 75 IU VE kg-1 diet. The ANTIOXID diet contained 10 000 IU VE kg(-1) diet and 1.65 g alpha-LA kg(-1) diet. After the 14-week feeding period, significant differences (P<0.05) existed in mean myocardial VE levels between dietary groups. Animals in each experimental group were subjected to an in vivo I-R protocol which included 25 min of left anterior coronary artery occlusion followed by 10 min of reperfusion. No group differences (P>0.05) existed in cardiac performance (e.g. peak arterial pressure or ventricular work) or the incidence of ventricular dysrhythmias during the I-R protocol. Following I-R, two markers of lipid peroxidation were lower (P<0.05) in the ANTIOXID animals compared with CON. These data indicate that dietary supplementation of the antioxidants, VE and alpha-LA do not influence cardiac performance or the incidence of dysrhythmias but do decrease lipid peroxidation during in vivo I-R in young adult rats.

Glucocorticoid-induced alterations in the rate of diaphragmatic fatigue

These experiments tested the hypothesis that in vitro diaphragmatic fatigue resistance is enhanced in animals treated with glucocorticoids. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (4 months old) were randomly assigned to a control (N =12) or glucocorticoid treatment group (N =12). Treatment animals were injected daily for 8 days with prednisolone (5 mg kg(-1)); control animals were injected with the same volume of the vehicle. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, the following in vitro diaphragmatic contractile properties were examined in costal diaphragm strips: maximal twitch (P(t)) half time to peak tension (1/2 TPT), half relaxation time (1/2 RT), force-frequency relationship, and the rate of fatigue development. Diaphragmatic fatigue was assessed by monitoring the decrease in force production (measured as percent of initial force) over a 60-min contractile period. The in vitro fatigue protocol incorporated a supramaximal stimulus delivered at 30 Hz every 2 s with a train duration of 250 ms (duty cycle 12.5%). Citrate synthase (CS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and water content of the costal diaphragm were also determined. Glucocorticoid administration induced an 18.9% (P<0.05) decrease in animal body weight when compared to the control. Similar weight losses also occurred in the diaphragm with a decrease (P<0.05) in mass of 16.5% compared to the control. Furthermore, prednisolone treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of type IIb fibres with no change in the CSA area of type I and IIa fibres. 1/2 TPT and 1/2 RT were significantly prolonged (P<0.05) in the glucocorticoid treated rats whereas the force-frequency curve was unaltered (P>0.05). Fatigue resistance was greater in the glucocorticoid group (P<0.05); the relative force production differed between groups at the end of 1 min of contractions and remained different throughout the 60-min fatigue protocol. Citrate synthase, SOD, and water content were not different between groups. These experiments support the hypothesis that costal diaphragm strips of glucocorticoid-treated rats possess a greater resistance to fatigue. We postulate that this fatigue resistance is due to glucocorticoid-induced changes muscle fibre type composition.

Expression of a restrictive receptor for interleukin 13 is associated with glial transformation

We have previously documented that the vast majority of high-grade gliomas over-express binding sites for interleukin 13 (IL13) in situ. We now extend this analysis to evaluate the distribution of the binding of IL13 among other brain tumors. Tumor specimens from patients with low-grade gliomas, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, pilocytic astrocytomas, gliosarcomas, medulloblastomas, meningiomas, and metastases to the brain were analyzed and compared to a new series of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) samples. Serial tumor tissue sections were incubated with 125I-labeled (i) IL13, (ii) antibody against transferrin (Tf) receptor, and (iii) epidermal growth factor (EGF). Most (17/18) GBMs stained specifically for IL13 binding sites while sections from 3/11 low-grade gliomas, 5/5 high-grade gliomas (grade III), 3/5 oligodendrogliomas (all three were anaplastic), and 1/2 gliosarcomas also showed specific binding for IL13. We did not detect IL13 binding sites in medulloblastomas (0/4) and found them only in 2/20 meningiomas. Metastases to the brain (4/12, i.e., lung adenocarcinomas and renal cell carcinoma) showed some binding of 125I-IL13. The presence of receptors for Tf was ubiquitous among all studied tumors while EGF receptor expression was much more variable. Since it appears that primarily the least differentiated forms of gliomas possess IL13 binding sites in abundance, it is plausible that IL 13 receptor expressed in low-grade gliomas might be a prognostically significant marker associated with their progression to high-grade gliomas. Finally, we demonstrate that the glioma-associated IL13 receptor is truly more restrictive in nature also due to its selective representation among brain tumors of glial origin.

Detrimental effects of short-term glucocorticoid use on the rat diaphragm

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of short-term, high doses of glucocorticoids on both body and diaphragm weights as well as contractile characteristics of the rat diaphragm.

SUBJECTS

Adult, female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups: a control group (n=16) and a prednisolone group (n=16).

METHODS

The prednisolone group received prednisolone at a dosage of 5 mg/kg, and the control group received sham saline injections for 5 days. Animals were weighed prior to and after completion of the drug injection period. At the completion of the drug injection period, the animals were sacrificed, and the diaphragm, soleus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles were removed and weighed. A small strip of the costal diaphragm was connected to a force transducer, and the following contractile characteristics were measured: maximal specific isometric tetanic tension, peak isometric twitch specific tension, one-half relaxation time, and time to peak tension.

RESULTS

Both body and diaphragm weights decreased by 15% in the prednisolone group as compared with the control group. Maximal specific isometric tetanic tension was reduced 13% in the prednisolone group as compared with the control group. There was no difference in any twitch contractile characteristics between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

These data support the hypothesis that glucocorticoid treatment over a 5-day period results in a decrease in specific tension as well as diaphragm and body weight. These results may have implications for the treatment of patients receiving high doses of glucocorticoids for acute medical conditions.

Short-term exercise training improves diaphragm antioxidant capacity and endurance

These experiments tested the hypothesis that short-term endurance exercise training would rapidly improve (within 5 days) the diaphragm oxidative/antioxidant capacity and protect the diaphragm against contraction-induced oxidative stress. To test this postulate, male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 weeks old) ran on a motorized treadmill for 5 consecutive days (40-60 min x day(-1)) at approximately 65% maximal oxygen uptake. Costal diaphragm strips were excised from both sedentary control (CON, n=14) and trained (TR, n=13) animals 24 h after the last exercise session, for measurement of in vitro contraction properties and selected biochemical parameters of oxidative/antioxidant capacity. Training did not alter diaphragm force-frequency characteristics over a full range of submaximal and maximal stimulation frequencies (P > 0.05). In contrast, training improved diaphragm resistance to fatigue as contraction forces were better-maintained by the diaphragms of the TR animals during a submaximal 60-min fatigue protocol (P < 0.05). Following the fatigue protocol, diaphragm strips from the TR animals contained 30% lower concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides compared to CON (P < 0.05). Biochemical analysis revealed that exercise training increased diaphragm oxidative and antioxidant capacity (citrate synthase activity +18%, catalase activity +24%, total superoxide dismutase activity +20%, glutathione concentration +10%) (P < 0.05). These data indicate that short-term exercise training can rapidly elevate oxidative capacity as well as enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses in the diaphragm. Furthermore, this up-regulation in antioxidant defenses would be accompanied by a reduction in contraction-induced lipid peroxidation and an increased fatigue resistance.

Heat stress attenuates skeletal muscle atrophy in hindlimb-unweighted rats

This study tested the hypothesis that elevation of heat stress proteins by whole body hyperthermia is associated with a decrease in skeletal muscle atrophy induced by reduced contractile activity (i.e. , hindlimb unweighting). Female adult rats (6 mo old) were assigned to one of four experimental groups (n = 10/group): 1) sedentary control (Con), 2) heat stress (Heat), 3) hindlimb unweighting (HLU), or 4) heat stress before hindlimb unweighting (Heat+HLU). Animals in the Heat and Heat+HLU groups were exposed to 60 min of hyperthermia (colonic temperature approximately 41.6 degrees C). Six hours after heat stress, both the HLU and Heat+HLU groups were subjected to hindlimb unweighting for 8 days. After hindlimb unweighting, the animals were anesthetized, and the soleus muscles were removed, weighed, and analyzed for protein content and the relative levels of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72). Compared with control and HLU animals, the relative content of HSP72 in the soleus muscle was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in both the Heat and Heat+HLU animals. Although hindlimb unweighting resulted in muscle atrophy in both the HLU and Heat+HLU animals, the loss of muscle weight and protein content was significantly less (P < 0.05) in the Heat+HLU animals. These data demonstrate that heat stress before hindlimb unweighting can reduce the rate of disuse muscle atrophy. We postulate that HSP70 and/or other stress proteins play a role in the control of muscle atrophy induced by reduced contractile activity.

Endurance training reduces the rate of diaphragm fatigue in vitro

PURPOSE

The present study examined the effects of endurance training on the contractile and biochemical properties of the rat costal diaphragm in vitro.

METHODS

Sixty-four rats were divided into two groups: exercise trained (T) and control (C). Training consisted of treadmill running 5 d x wk(-1), 60 min x d(-1) at approximately 70% of VO2max, over a 10-wk period.

RESULTS

Control diaphragm strips produced an average of 12% less force from minute 15 to 50 of a 60-min in vitro fatigue protocol, compared with the T diaphragm strips (P < 0.01). T diaphragms had 10.1% higher citrate synthase (CS) and 12.1% higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities compared with the C (P < 0.05). Despite a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in Type IIb myosin heavy chains (MHC) and an increase (P < 0.05) in Type I MHC in T diaphragms, maximal shortening velocity (Vmax) in the diaphragm was not different between T and C animals. No differences were observed in specific force or the relative proportions of myosin light chains between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that endurance training reduces the rate of diaphragm fatigue in vitro but has no effect on Vmax or specific force.

Analysis of cellular responses to free radicals: focus on exercise and skeletal muscle

Muscular exercise results in an increased production of radicals and other forms of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recent evidence suggests that radicals and other ROS are an underlying aetiology in exercise-induced disturbances in muscle redox status. These exercise-induced redox disturbances in skeletal muscle are postulated to contribute to both muscle fatigue and/or exercise-induced muscle injury. To defend against ROS, muscle cells contain complex cellular defence mechanisms to reduce the risk of oxidative injury. Two major classes (enzymic and non-enzymic) of endogenous protective mechanisms work together to reduce the harmful effects of oxidants in the cell. Primary antioxidant enzymes include superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1; SOD), GSH peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9; GPX), and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6); these enzymes are responsible for removing superoxide radicals, H2O2 and organic hydroperoxides, and H2O2 respectively. Important non-enzymic antioxidants include vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, GSH and ubiquinones. Vitamin E, beta-carotene and ubiquinone are located in lipid regions of the cell, whereas GSH and vitamin C are in aqueous compartments of the cell. Regular endurance training promotes an increase in both total SOD and GPX activity in actively-recruited skeletal muscles. High-intensity exercise training has been shown to be generally superior to low-intensity exercise in the upregulation of muscle SOD and GPX activities. Also, training-induced upregulation of antioxidant enzymes is limited to highly-oxidative skeletal muscles. The effects of endurance training on non-enzymic antioxidants remain a relatively uninvestigated area.

The effects of exercise duration on adrenal HSP72/73 induction in rats

This study investigated the effects of varying durations of exercise training on heat shock proteins 72 and 73 (HSP72/73) induction in the rat adrenal gland. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (120 days old) were assigned to either a sedentary control group (C) or one of the three endurance exercise training groups. Trained animals ran on a treadmill at approximately 75% VO2max for 10 weeks (4-5 days week-1) at one of the three different exercise durations (30 min day-1=T30, 60 min day-1=T60, or 90 min day-1=T90). All durations of exercise training resulted in an increase in the HSP72 levels (P < 0.0001). The magnitude of the training-induced elevation in the HSP72 levels in the adrenal gland increased as a function of the training duration ( approximately 60-fold increase in T90; approximately 40-fold increase in T60; and approximately 15-fold increase in T30). Longer exercise durations (>60 min day-1), also resulted in small but significant increase in HSP73 level ( approximately 1.2-fold increase in both T60 and T90; P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that the physiological stress created by chronic treadmill running can induce both HSP72 and HSP73 in rat adrenal gland. Increased levels of adrenal HSP72/73 expression during rigorous exercise, may be one of the adaptive mechanisms of the adrenals to cope with an increased dose of stress.

Receptor for interleukin 13 is abundantly and specifically over-expressed in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

We have recently documented that the vast majority of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) over-express a receptor (R) for interleukin 13 (IL13) in situ. We have now evaluated further the degree of relative specificity of the binding of IL13 to GBM when compared with other growth factor receptors. Tumor samples of 11 patients with GBM, 7 various normal brain samples, and several cell lines in culture were examined. Same patient tissue sections were incubated with 125I-labeled: IL13, monoclonal antibody HB21 against human transferrin (Tf) receptor, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and an IL4 antagonist, IL4.Y124D. All 11 GBMs stained specifically, densely, and relatively homogeneously for both IL13R and TfR. Seven GBM specimens showed specific binding for 125I-EGF, but it was less homogeneous when compared with IL13R or TfR. Two of the GBMs studied demonstrated extremely high density of the EGFR. Furthermore, we did not detect significant presence of the IL4R in the studied GBM specimens in situ. All sections of non-malignant brain tissues examined showed avid binding by the TfR with lack of consistent and specific binding of 125I-IL13 or -EGF. Thus, it appears that the GBM-associated IL13R is considerably more specific to GBM that the one for Tf and more frequently and homogeneously expressed than the EGFR. These results render further support for the hIL13R being a new unique candidate for delivery of variety of anti-GBM therapies.

Antioxidants and exercise

Muscular exercise results in an increased production of radicals and other forms of reactive oxygen species. Further more, growing evidence implicates cytotoxic ROS as an underlying cause in exercise-induced disturbances in muscle redox status that could result in muscle fatigue or injury. Muscle cells contain complex cellular defense mechanisms to minimize the risk for oxidative injury. Two major classes of endogenous protective mechanisms work together to reduce the harmful effects of oxidants in the cell: (1) enzymatic and (2) nonenzymatic antioxidants. Key antioxidant enzymes include superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. These enzymes are responsible for removing superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide or organic hydroperoxides, and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. Important nonenzymatic antioxidants include vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, GSH, uric acid, ubiquinone, and bilirubin. Vitamin E, beta-carotene, and ubiquinone are located in lipid regions of the cell, whereas uric acid, GSH, and bilirubin are in aqueous compartments of the cell. Although numerous animal experiments have demonstrated that the addition of antioxidants can improve muscular performance, to date, limited evidence shows that dietary supplementation with antioxidants improves human performance. This is an important area for future research.

Exercise training-induced alterations in skeletal muscle antioxidant capacity: a brief review

Cellular oxidants include a variety of reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and chlorinating species. It is well established that the increase in metabolic rate in skeletal muscle during contractile activity results in an increased production of oxidants. Failure to remove these oxidants during exercise can result in significant oxidative damage of cellular biomolecules. Fortunately, regular endurance exercise results in adaptations in the skeletal muscle antioxidant capacity, which protects myocytes against the deleterious effects of oxidants and prevents extensive cellular damage. This review discusses the effects of chronic exercise on the up-regulation of both antioxidant enzymes and the glutathione antioxidant defense system. Primary antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase will be discussed as well as glutathione, which is an important nonenzymatic antioxidant. Growing evidence indicates that exercise training results in an elevation in the activities of both superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase along with increased cellular concentrations of glutathione in skeletal muscles. It seems plausible that increased cellular concentrations of these antioxidants will reduce the risk of cellular injury, improve performance, and delay muscle fatigue.

Exercise-induced alterations in skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain phenotype: dose-response relationship

This study investigated the effects of exercise training duration on the myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform distribution in rat locomotor muscles. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (120 days old) were assigned to either a sedentary control group or to one of three endurance exercise training groups. Trained animals ran on a treadmill at approximately 75% maximal O2 uptake for 10 wk (4-5 days/wk) at one of three different exercise durations (30, 60, or 90 min/day). Training resulted in increases (P < 0.05) in citrate synthase activity in the soleus and extensor digitorum longus in both the 60 and 90 min/day duration groups and in the plantaris (Pla) in all three exercise groups. All durations of training resulted in a reduction (P < 0.05) in the percentage of MHCIIb and an increase (P < 0.05) in the percentage of MHCIIa in the Pla. The magnitude of change in the percentage of MHCIIb in the Pla increased as a function of the training duration. In the extensor digitorum longus, 90 min of daily exercise promoted a decrease (P < 0.05) in percentage of MHCIIb and increases (P < 0.05) in the percentages of MHCI, MHCIIa, and MHCIId/x. Finally, training durations >/=60 min resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in the percentage of MHCI and a concomitant decrease (P < 0.05) in the percentage of MHCIIa in the soleus. These results demonstrate that increasing the training duration elevates the magnitude of the fast-to-slow shift in MHC phenotype in rat hindlimb muscles.

Exercise and beta-adrenergic regulation of rat cardiac myosin isoforms

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effects of both exercise and beta-adrenergic receptor blockade on the expression of native cardiac myosin isoforms. Specifically, this experiment tested two hypotheses: 1) treatment of sedentary rats with the beta blocker, propranolol, will promote increased ventricular V3 (slow) native myosin content with a concomitant reduction of V1 (fast) myosin isoforms; and 2) endurance exercise training will result in an increased sympathetic drive and therefore will retard the propranolol-induced shift in cardiac myosin isoform expression.

METHODS

Adult, male Sprauge-Dawley rats (120 days old) were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1) exercise-sham (ES); 2) exercise-propranolol (EP); 3) sedentary-sham (SS); and 4) sedentary-propranolol (SP). Propranolol (30 mg drug/kg body wt) and sham (saline) injections (i.p.) were administered 30 minutes prior to daily exercise. Both ES and EP groups completed six weeks (5 day/wk) of treadmill running at approximately 65-70% VO2max.

RESULTS

Data analysis revealed that exercise training did not alter (p > 0.05) ventricular myosin isoforms in the sham injected animals. In contrast, propranolol treatment resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the slow (V3) myosin isoform and a concomitant decrease in the V1 isoform in both sedentary and exercise trained animals.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed increase in V3 myosin isoform in propranolol treated rats supports the notion that beta-adrenergic stimulation is an important regulator of cardiac myosin isoform expression. However, our hypothesis that exercise training would retard the propranolol-induced shift in cardiac myosin was not supported.

Exercise training protects against contraction-induced lipid peroxidation in the diaphragm

Endurance exercise training promotes a small but significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activity in the costal diaphragm (DIA) of rodents. It is unclear if these training-induced improvements in muscle antioxidant capacity are large enough to reduce oxidative stress during prolonged contractile activity. To test the hypothesis that training-related increases in DIA antioxidant capacity reduces contraction-induced lipid peroxidation, we exercise trained adult female Sprague-Dawley (n = 7) rats on a motor-driven treadmill for 12 weeks at approximately 75% maximal O2 consumption (90 min/day). Control animals (n = 8) remained sedentary during the same 12-week period. After training, DIA strips from animals in both experimental groups were excised and subjected to an in vitro fatigue contractile protocol in which the muscle was stimulated for 60 min at a frequency of 30 Hz, every 2 s, with a train duration of 330 m. Compared to the controls, endurance training resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in diaphragmatic non-protein thiols and in the activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Following the contractile protocol, lipid peroxidation was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the trained DIA compared to the controls. These data support the hypothesis that endurance exercise training-induced increases in DIA antioxidant capacity protect the muscle against contractile-related oxidative stress.

Obesity is associated with increased myocardial oxidative stress

OBJECTIVE

To determine: 1) whether obesity predisposes the myocardium to oxidative stress as evidenced by higher tissue levels of myocardial lipid peroxidation, and 2) what cellular mechanisms are responsible for this predisposition.

DESIGN

Comparative, descriptive study of the myocardial tissue of lean and obese Fatty Zucker animals.

ANIMALS

12 month old lean (-/fa; n = 6; mean body weight = 590 g) and obese (fa/fa; na = 7; mean body weight= 882 g) male Fatty Zucker rats.

MEASUREMENTS

Basal lipid peroxidation (assessed using thiobarbituric reactive acid substances (TBARS) and cumene hydroperoxide equivalents), oxidative and antioxidant enzyme activities (citrate synthase (CS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT), thiol content, heat shock protein expression (HSP72/73) and TBARS concentrations following an iron-mediated challenge in vitro.

RESULTS

Compared to lean, lipid peroxidation was greater (P < 0.05) in the left ventricle (LV) from obese rats as indicated by higher levels of lipid hydroperoxides (mean = 11.48 vs 13.7 cumene hydroperoxide equivalents (CHPE)/mg lipid) and TBARS (mean = 11.1 vs 13.9 nMol/mg lipid.). The activity of the manganese isoform of superoxide dismutase in the LV was higher (P < 0.05) in obese animals, compared to controls (mean = 135 vs 117 U/mg protein). In contrast, LV catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities did not differ (P > 0.05) between groups. Also, LV levels of HSP 72 (inducible) and 73 (constitutive) did not differ (P > 0.05)( between lean and obese animals. Following an iron-stimulated oxidative challenge in vitro, TBARS concentration was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in LV of obese rats compared to the lean (mean = 12.7 vs 16.7 nMol/mg lipid).

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the notion that obesity predisposes the myocardium to oxidative stress. However, the postulate that obesity is associated with elevated myocardial antioxidant enzyme activities and HSPs was only partially supported by these findings.

Exercise training improves myocardial tolerance to in vivo ischemia-reperfusion in the rat

Experimental studies examining the effects of regular exercise on cardiac responses to ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) are limited. Therefore, these experiments examined the effects of endurance exercise training on myocardial biochemical and physiological responses during in vivo I/R. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (4 mo old) were randomly assigned to either a sedentary control group or to an exercise training group. After a 10-wk endurance exercise training program, animals were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated, and the chest was opened by thoracotomy. Coronary occlusion was achieved by a ligature around the left coronary artery; occlusion was maintained for 20 min, followed by a 10-min period of reperfusion. Compared with untrained, exercise-trained animals maintained higher (P < 0.05) peak systolic blood pressure throughout I/R. Training resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in ventricular nonprotein thiols, heat shock protein (HSP) 72, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and lactate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, compared with untrained controls, left ventricles from trained animals exhibited lower levels (P < 0. 05) of lipid peroxidation after I/R. These data demonstrate that endurance exercise training improves myocardial contractile performance and reduces lipid peroxidation during I/R in the rat in vivo. It appears likely that the improvement in the myocardial responses to I/R was related to training-induced increases in nonprotein thiols, HSP72, and the activities of SOD and PFK in the myocardium.

Exercise training reduces myocardial lipid peroxidation following short-term ischemia-reperfusion

PURPOSE

The purpose of these experiments was to test the hypothesis that endurance exercise training will reduce myocardial lipid peroxidation following short-term ischemia and reperfusion (I-R).

METHODS

Female Sprague-Dawley rats (4 months old) were randomly assigned to either a sedentary control group (N = 13) or to an exercise training group (N = 13). The exercise trained animals ran 4 d.wk-1 (90 min.d-1) at approximately 75% V02max. Following a 10-wk training program, animals were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and the chest was opened by thoracotomy. Coronary occlusion was achieved by a ligature around the left coronary artery; occlusion was maintained for 5 min followed by a 10-min period of reperfusion.

RESULTS

Although training did not alter (P > 0.05) myocardial activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase), training was associated with significant increase (P > 0.05) in heat shock protein (HSP72) in the left ventricle. Compared with controls, trained animals exhibited significantly lower levels (P < 0.05) of myocardial lipid peroxidation following I-R.

CONCLUSION

These data support the hypothesis that exercise training provides protection against myocardial lipid peroxidation induced by short-term I-R in vivo.

Schwannomas limited to the infratemporal fossa: report of two cases

Schwannomas limited to the infratemporal fossa are rare lesions that may also involve the maxillary sinus, the orbit and the retropharyngeal space. We present two cases of schwannoma arising from the extradural divisions of the trigeminal nerve, with corresponding areas of sensory loss. Both patients had been operated for spinal canal schwannomas previously. Complete tumor removal was accomplished in both cases. The schwannoma of the maxillary division was excised using an orbitozygomatic extradural approach. The schwannoma of the mandibular division was excised using a subtemporal-infratemporal approach. Trigeminal nerve function was preserved and complete recovery of function was achieved in each patient. Identification of an infratemporal schwannoma should alert the physician to consider the diagnosis of neurofibromatosis. The literature regarding schwannomas limited to the infratemporal fossa is reviewed.

Oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and the contracting diaphragm

Reactive oxygen species, including free radicals, are produced through a number of biochemical reactions, often as a consequence of aerobic metabolism. A system of antioxidant enzymes and scavenger substrates provides protection of membrane lipids, proteins, and DNA. An imbalance between production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant protection results in "oxidative stress." Oxidative stress is believed to contribute to numerous pathological conditions including atherosclerosis, obstructive lung disease, aging, and fatigue of skeletal muscles including the diaphragm. Strenuous exercise, inflammation, infection, obstructive lung diseases, etc. increase exposure of the diaphragm to reactive oxygen species. Emerging data indicate that reactive oxygen species alter diaphragm contractions primarily in response to low-frequency stimulation. The response of the diaphragm is profoundly influenced by the degree of oxidative stress, fatigue state, glutathione status, and age. Exercise training results in an upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activities in the diaphragm and thus could provide additional protection against oxidative stress.

Myosin phenotype and bioenergetic characteristics of rat respiratory muscles

These experiments examined the myosin phenotype and bioenergetic enzyme activities in rat respiratory muscles. Muscle samples were removed from adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 8) and analyzed to determine the myosin heavy chain (MHC) and light chain (MLC) isoform content as well as the activities of myofibrillar ATPase (mATPase), citrate synthase (CS; Krebs cycle enzyme), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; glycolytic enzyme). Analysis revealed that CS activity and the % type I MHC and %IId MHC isoforms were greater in the costal diaphragm (CO-D) compared with those in the crural diaphragm (CR-D). In contrast, the % type IIb MHC was higher in the CR-D compared with that in the CO-D. LDH and mATPase activity were lower in both the CO-D and CR-D compared with that in the parasternal intercostals (PI), external intercostals (EI), internal intercostals (II), rectus abdominis (RA), and sternomastoid (SM) muscles. CS activity, % type I MHC, %IIa MHC, and the ratio of slow to total alkali MLC (1s/1s + 1f + 3f) were greater in the CO-D and CR-D compared with those in all other respiratory muscles. The RA contained the highest (P < 0.05) % type IIb MHC and lowest CS activity compared with that in all other muscles. Finally, CS activity, mATPase activity, and MHC phenotype did not differ among the PI, EI, II, and SM muscles. These differences in biochemical properties provide the muscles of the respiratory pump with great versatility in functional properties.

Bioenergetic characteristics of the costal and crural diaphragm in mammals

These experiments compared oxidative and glycolytic enzyme activity in the costal and crural diaphragm in seven adult mammals (mouse, rat, rabbit, ferret, sheep, pig, cow) ranging in body mass from approximately 0.03 to 422 kg. Segments of the costal and crural diaphragm from the aforementioned species were homogenized to determine the activities of the glycolytic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the Krebs cycle enzyme, citrate synthase (CS). The results indicated that metabolic differences between the costal and crural diaphragm do not exist in all mammalian species. Specifically, CS activity differed (P < 0.05) between the costal and crural diaphragm (costal approximately 36% greater than crural) in only two species (rat and rabbit). Further, the oxidative capacity of the costal and crural diaphragm was significantly correlated with both breathing frequency and resting metabolic rate (r = 0.92 - 0.57; P < 0.05) across the species investigated. In contrast, glycolytic capacity was not significantly correlated (P > 0.05) with either breathing frequency or resting metabolic rate.

Exercise training-induced changes in respiratory muscles

Interest in the adaptive strategies of respiratory muscles in response to exercise training has grown in recent years. Animal studies have clearly demonstrated that regular endurance exercise training results in small but significant increases in oxidative and antioxidant enzyme activities in both inspiratory and expiratory muscles. Further, exercise training has been shown to promote a shift in the fast myosin heavy chain isoforms (e.g. from type IIb to IId) within the costal diaphragm of endurance-trained rodents. Human studies using numerous respiratory muscle training programmes have shown that respiratory muscle training results in an increased work capacity of the ventilatory musculature. However, the issue of whatever respiratory muscle training improves whole body endurance capacity remains controversial. Although some authors have reported that ventilatory muscle training results in improved whole body exercise, many investigators argue that respiratory muscle performance does not limit high intensity exercise tolerance or influence maximum oxygen table uptake (VO2max). The explanation for the divergent findings is unclear but may be due to variance in the exercise tasks used to evaluate exercise endurance. This is an interesting area for future research.

Diaphragm structure and function in health and disease

The diaphragm is the primary muscle of inspiration, and as such uncompromised function is essential to support the ventilatory and gas exchange demands associated with physical activity. The normal healthy diaphragm may fatigue during intense exercise, and diaphragm function is compromised with aging and obesity. However, more insidiously, respiratory diseases such as emphysema mechanically disadvantage the diaphragm, sometimes leading to muscle failure and death. Based on metabolic considerations, recent evidence suggests that specific regions of the diaphragm may be or may become more susceptible to failure than others. This paper reviews the regional differences in mechanical and metabolic activity within the diaphragm and how such heterogeneities might influence diaphragm function in health and disease. Our objective is to address five principal areas: 1) Regional diaphragm structure and mechanics (GAF). 2) Regional differences in blood flow within the diaphragm (WLS). 3) Structural and functional interrelationships within the diaphragm microcirculation (DCP). 4) Nitric oxide and its vasoactive and contractile influences within the diaphragm (MBR). 5) Metabolic and contractile protein plasticity in the diaphragm (SKP). These topics have been incorporated into three discrete sections: Functional Anatomy and Morphology, Physiology, and Plasticity in Health and Disease. Where pertinent, limitations in our understanding of diaphragm function are addressed along with potential avenues for future research.

Mechanism of specific force deficit in the senescent rat diaphragm

Aging is associated with a decline in the maximal in vitro specific force in the rat costal diaphragm. The purpose of this study was to determine if this force deficit is associated with a decrease in the concentration of myofibrillar protein in diaphragm fibers of senescent rats. Isometric twitch and tetanic contractile properties were measured on diaphragm strips from young adult (9-month-old: n = 12) and senescent (26-month-old: n = 13) male specific pathogen free-barrier protected Fischer 344 rats. Maximal tetanic force (Po) normalized to the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the in vitro diaphragm strips was 16.4% lower in the senescent diaphragms (21.03 +/- 0.4 N/cm2) compared to the young adult (25.16 +/- 0.5 N/cm2) (p < 0.001). Diaphragm water content was significantly higher in the senescent group (75.9% of total wet mass) compared to the young adult (72.1% of total wet mass, p < 0.05). Subtracting the contribution of water from the CSA of the diaphragm strips significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the senescent specific Po deficit (from -16.4 to -6.4%). Further, correcting Po for the contribution of myofibrillar protein to CSA resulted in no age group differences in specific force. These data indicate that the age-related decline in diaphragm in vitro maximal specific Po can be explained by an age-related increase in the water content of the diaphragm muscle. Future experiments are necessary to determine the mechanism(s) responsible for this observation.

A comparison of maximal bioenergetic enzyme activities obtained with commonly used homogenization techniques

Homogenization of tissue for analysis of bioenergetic enzyme activities is a common practice in studies examining metabolic properties of skeletal muscle adaptation to disease, aging, inactivity or exercise. While numerous homogenization techniques are in use today, limited information exists concerning the efficacy of specific homogenization protocols. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of four commonly used approaches to homogenizing skeletal muscle for analysis of bioenergetic enzyme activity. The maximal enzyme activity (Vmax) of citrate synthase (CS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured from homogenous muscle samples (N = 48 per homogenization technique) and used as indicators to determine which protocol had the highest efficacy. The homogenization techniques were: (1) glass-on-glass pestle; (2) a combination of a mechanical blender and a teflon pestle (Potter-Elvehjem); (3) a combination of the mechanical blender and a biological detergent; and (4) the combined use of a mechanical blender and a sonicator. The glass-on-glass pestle homogenization protocol produced significantly higher (P < 0.05) enzyme activities compared to all other protocols for both enzymes. Of the four protocols examined, the data demonstrate that the glass-on-glass pestle homogenization protocol is the technique of choice for studying bioenergetic enzyme activity in skeletal muscle.

Characterization of the tumor invasion area in the rat intracerebral glioma

Tumor cell invasion surrounding intracerebrally implanted tumors in rats was studied by comparing the results of cerebral microangiography, fluorescence imaging of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and histopathology. Each comparison was on subsequent sections taken from an initial 1 mm coronal slice of brain taken through the cell injection site containing tumor using the RT-2 glioma model. Tumor extension was assessed at 3, 5, 7 and 9 days after tumor implantation. Analysis of the brain adjacent to tumor shows that the actual tumor cell invasion area is greater than the area of BBB disruption at later stages of tumor growth and the extent of tumor vascularization lies well within the area defined by the extent of tumor cell invasion. Furthermore, this study found that the size of the area of tumor cell invasion remains relatively stable in proportion to the solid tumor mass at various stages of growth such that the area of tumor invaded brain was approximately 2.5 times greater than the area outlined by solid tumor mass. We conclude that measurement of the solid tumor mass, tumor vascular area and region of blood-brain barrier disruption due to tumor, grossly underestimate the total tumor volume. Therapies aimed at controlling glial tumor growth must, therefore, include normal appearing regions of brain peripheral to the abnormal region defined as tumor and tumor invaded brain as defined by radiographic and imaging studies.

Clenbuterol-induced fiber type transition in the soleus of adult rats

This study examined the effects of 6 weeks of treatment with the beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, clenbuterol, on the soleus muscle of adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals (4 months old) were divided into two groups: clenbuterol treated (CL, n = 7) (2 mg.kg-1 body mass injected subcutaneously every other day), and control (CON, n = 7) (injected with isotonic saline). Post-treatment body weights were approximately 5% greater in the CL group compared to CON (P < 0.05). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of soleus myofibrillar protein indicated a clenbuterol-induced decrease (P < 0.05) in the relative percentage of type I myosin heavy chain (MHC) with a concomitant increase (P < 0.05) in type IIdx MHC, while the proportion of type IIa MHC was unaffected. ATPase fiber typing revealed increases (P < 0.05) in the proportion of type II fibers expressed both as a percentage of total fiber number and total cross-sectional area (CSA). Finally, mean type II fiber CSA was approximately 25% greater (P < 0.05) in the CL groups as compared to the CON group. These data indicate that clenbuterol treatment results in alterations in the MHC phenotype and an increased proportion of type II fiber CSA in the soleus of adult rats. These observations were due to an increase in the total number of type II fibers, as well as hypertrophy of these fibers. Thus, the relative increase in the number of histochemically determined type II fibers and the emergence of the normally unexpressed type IIdx MHC isoform in the soleus suggest a clenbuterol-induced transition of muscle fiber phenotype as well as selective hypertrophy of the type II fibers.

Effects of aging and obesity on respiratory muscle phenotype in Zucker rats

Because obesity results in an increased work of breathing, we tested the hypothesis that the oxidative properties and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform profiles in respiratory muscles would differ between lean and obese animals. Furthermore, we postulated that obesity-related changes in respiratory muscles would be independent of age. To test these hypothesis, samples of the costal diaphragm, crural diaphragm, and parasternal intercostal muscles were removed from three age groups (young, adult, and old) of obese and lean Zucker rats. Citrate synthase (CS) activity was measured as a marker of oxidative capacity, and MHC isoforms were identified with gel electrophoresis. Analysis revealed that CS activity was significantly higher in the crural and costal diaphragms and parasternal intercostal of obese animals compared with lean animals (P < 0.05); this obesity-related increased in CS activity was related independent of age. Furthermore, respiratory muscle percent type IIb MHC was lower and percent type I MHC isoforms were higher in obese animals compared with lean animals. These data support the notion that obesity results in a fast-to-slow shift in MHC phenotype and an increase in oxidative capacity in major inspiratory muscles. The shift in MHC isoforms in obese animals is also age related, whereas the obesity-mediated increase in oxidative capacity is relatively independent of age.