Effect of hypoxia on persistent sodium current in ventricular myocytes from 3-week infarcted rat heart

AIM: To investigate the effect of hypoxia on persistent sodium current (INap) in single ventricular myocyte isolated from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) heart of rats and to study the mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias that occur after AMI. METHODS: AMI model was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record the current in epicardial myocytes in infarcted region from rats at 3 week after AMI. RESULTS: In normoxic conditions, the current density of INap in cardiomyocytes of fake operation (FO) and AMI hearts was 0.144±0.022 pA/pF (n=9), 0.121±0.013 pA/pF (n=9，P<0.01)， respectively, which was blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX). The amplitude of INap was gradually increased with the prolongation of hypoxia time, but the increase in extent of INap in FO cells was significant bigger than that in AMI cells. The INap was blocked by 1 mmol/L glutathione. CONCLUSIONS: After AMI, the amplitude of INaP in infarcted and noninfarcted myocardium showed differences both in normoxic and hypoxic conditions, which increased dispersion of repolarization. This may be one of the reasons of reentrant ventricular arrhythmias that occur after AMI.     

Adaptive changes in heart during acclimation to hypoxia in the rat

AIM:To study the changes in myocardial blood flow (MBF), capillarization and cardiac function in the rat during acclimation to hypoxia. METHODS:Myocardial capillary density (CD) and capillary/myocyte ratio (C/M) was assayed by alkaline phosphatase histochemistry. Biomicrosphere method was used to determine MBF in the rat after 5, 15 or 30 days hypobaric hypoxic exposure (5 000 m). RESULTS:In the course of hypoxia, MBF and cardiac function increased in the right ventricle. However, in the left ventricle, acute hypoxia caused an increase in MBF and a decrease in cardiac function. Both returned to the control level on continued hypoxic exposure. Neovascularization occurred after 15 day or 30 day of hypoxic exposure in both ventricles, judged from the significant increment of C/M ratio albeit the CD remained unchanged in the right ventricle. CONCLUSION:Our findings indicate that adaptive changes in rat heart during acclimation to hypoxia include: ① persistent increase in MBF, hypertrophy associated with increase in capillarity and enhanced cardiac function of the right ventricle; ② increase in MBF and depression of cardiac function at first, then followed by recovery of MBF and increase in capillarity accompanied with recovery of left ventricular function.     

早熟大粒无核葡萄新品种‘超级无核’

 ‘超级无核’葡萄系从美国引进葡萄新品种‘Superior Seedless’优选单株培育出的优良品种。无核、大粒、早熟、优质、早实、丰产、生长势强健、耐病、耐不利栽培条件, 是适合高温、高湿、少日照地区栽培的无核葡萄新品种。     

Role of mitochondrial permeability transition pore in TNFα-induced cardioprotection in isolated rat hearts subjected to hypoxia and reoxygenation

AIM: To investigate whether tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) pretreatment can inhibit mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in isolated rat hearts subjected to hypoxia and reoxygenation. METHODS: Isolated perfused rat hearts were subjected to 30 min regional hypoxia (occlusion of left anterior descending artery) and 120 min reoxygenation. The infarct size, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release during reoxygenation and ventricular hemodynamic parameters were measured. RESULTS: Pretreatment with TNFα at concentration of 1×104 U/L for 7 min followed by 10 min washout reduced the infarct size and LDH release, and improved the left ventricular performance (left ventricular developed pressure and rate-pressure product) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure during hypoxia and reoxygenation. Administration of atractyloside (Atr, an opener of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, 20 μmol/L) for 20 min (last 5 min of hypoxia and first 15 min of reoxygenation) and paxilline (Pax, a calcium activated potassium channel antagonist, 1 μmol/L) for 5 min before hypoxia attenuated the reduction of infarct size and LDH release and improved the left ventricular performance induced by TNFα. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that in the isolated rat heart model, TNFα protects myocardium against hypoxia and reoxygenation injury via inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening as well as activating calcium, activated potassium channel.     

Postconditioning of zacopride depresses ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in rats

ATM: To investigate the effects of postconditioning of zacopride, a specific agonist of inwardly rectifying potassium channel (K_ir), on ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and the involved electrophysiological mechanisms. METHODS: Langendorff-perfused SD rat hearts or anesthetized rats were subjected to coronary artery occlusion for 15 min followed by 15 min of reperfusion to induce ischemia/reperfusion arrhythmias. Zacopride was applied 3 min before reperfusion. Various arrhythmias were monitored and compared in different groups. The single rat ventricular myocyte was isolated by collagenase digestion. The effects of zacopride on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) and ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K_ATP) were observed by the technique of whole-cell patch clamping. RESULTS: Post-conditioning of 0.1~10 μmol/L zacopride significantly prevented the hearts from reperfusion arrhythmias. During reperfusion, 0.1 μmol/L zacopride showed the maximum effect, with decreasing the number of premature ventricular beats (PVB), reducing the incidences of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF), and shorte-ning the duration of VT and VF (P<0.01). The postconditioning effects were partly reversed by 1 μmol/L BaCl₂(P<0.01), suggesting that the antiarrhythmic effect of zacopride was mediated by K_ir. In the in vivo study, 1.5~5 μg/kg zacopride had positive effects on reperfusion-induced VT and VF and negative effect on PVB. At the dose of 1.5 μg/kg, zacopride showed the most potent antiarrhythmic effect, which compared favourably with that of a classical antiarrhythmic agent, lidocaine. Furthermore, zacopride significantly inhibited hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced DADs (P<0.01). Zacopride had no effect on K_ATP.CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of zacopride on ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrhythmias is mediated by the activation of K_ir. Augmentation of K_ir cuvrent, thus diminishing the DADs, might be the critical mechanisms underlying postconditioning of zacopride.     

Chronic inhibition of cilazapril on pulmonary vascular and myocardial cell proliferation in hypoxic rats

AIM: To explore the mechanism of cilazapril inhibiting proliferation of pulmonary vascular and myocardial cells in hypoxic rats. METHODS: 30 male Wistar rats were used and divided into three groups: normal control (group A)， intermittent hypoxia for 4 weeks (group B) and intermittent hypoxia for 4 weeks plus cilazapril treatment (group C). The cell proliferation and structural remodeling in pulmonary vasculature and myocardium during hypoxia were studied by biochemical analysis, radioimmunoassay, immunohistochemistry, terminal deoxyuridine tripnosphate nick end labeling and correlated with hemodynamic. RESULTS: (1) The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and the right ventricle to left ventricle plus ventricular septum ratio (R/L±S) were significantly higher in the hypoxic rat than that in control animals, while increased thickness of the pulmonary vascular wall and vascular lumen with decrease in the caliber as well as myocardial hypertrophy were observed in hypoxic rats. (2) The proliferative index (PI) of pulmonary arteria and myocardium was significantly higher in group B and C than that in group A. The distribution of ET-1 positive cells was seen in pulmonary arterial wall and cardiomyocytes. The ET-1 immunoreactivity was group B>group C>group A by turns. (3) The concentrations of plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) were significantly higher in group B than that in group A. However, the ET-1 and ACE were significantly lower in group C than those in group B. (4) The ET-1 and ACE had a significant positive correlation with R/L+S, mPAP and PI, respectively. The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that ET-1 and ACE were major factor affecting PI. CONCLUSION: The pulmonary vascular and myocardial structural remodeling are one of the pathogenesis accompanied with excessive cell proliferation in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (PH). Cilazapril effectively prevents and treats the hypoxic PH by inhibiting cell proliferation and structural remodeling of pulmonary circulation, as induced by ET-1 and ACE.     

Effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress on cardiac myocyte apoptosis in mouse congestive heart failure induced by myocardial infraction

AIM: To explore the effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress on cardiac myocyte apoptosis in mouse congestive heart failure induced by myocardial infraction.METHODS: The mouse model of heart failure was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary to produce acute myocardial infarction. Thirty-two mice were divided into 4 groups: sham group and groups of post-operation at time points of 2, 4 or 6 weeks, respectively. The ventricular dilatation and left ventricular functions were assessed by echocardiography. The expression of GRP78, CHOP, caspase-12, cleaved caspase-12, JNK and phosphorylated-JNK was detected by Western blotting. The cardiac myocyte apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL).RESULTS: The cardiac expression of endoplasmic reticulum chaperones GRP78 was significantly increased in the hearts with functional failure. The upregulated expression of CHOP, phosphorylated-JNK and cleaved caspase-12 illuminated that the CHOP-JNK- caspase-12 dependent pathways for endoplasmic reticulum-initiated apoptosis were activated in the heart with functional failure by myocardial infraction. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the congestive heart failure induced by myocardial infraction is associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress and activation of CHOP, JNK, caspase-12 dependent pathways for endoplasmic reticulum-initiated apoptosis.     

Interleukin-2 pretreatment improves the contractility of isolated rat ventricular myocytes during hypoxia and reoxygenation

AIM: To investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on the cell contractility in cardiomyocytes during hypoxia and reoxygenation.METHODS: Glucose-free Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) solution, gassed with 95% N2 and 5% CO2 for hypoxia, were used. The cell contractility were determined after 20 min of hypoxia and 30 min of reoxygenation by the video tracking system. The parameters of cell contractility included peak velocity of cell shortening (+dL/dtmax), peak velocity of cell relengthening (-dL/dtmax), contraction amplitude (dL) and end-diastolic cell length.RESULTS: It was shown that during hypoxia, the cell contraction was depressed. All the parameters were unable to return to the pre-hypoxia level during reoxygenation. Pretreatment with IL-2 at 2×103 U/L attenuated the inhibitory effect of hypoxia/reoxygenation on contractility in single ventricular myocytes. The effect of IL-2 was reduced in the presence of 10-8 mol/L nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), a selective κ-opioid receptor antagonist. On blockade of protein kinase C with 3×10-6 mol/L chelerythrine, the effect of IL-2 was significantly attenuated. The effect of IL-2 was also blocked by 10-4 mol/L 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), a mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel blocker. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study provide evidence that pretreatment with IL-2 at 2×103 U/L attenuates the effect of hypoxia/reoxygenation on cell contraction in the isolated ventricular myocytes. The κ-opioid receptor mediates the effect of IL-2, in which activation of PKC and opening of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mito KATP) channel are involved.     

Effect of breviscapin on INa channel current in isolated rat ventricular myocytes

AIM: To investigate the effects of breviscapine on INa channel in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. METHODS: Single cell of rat ventricular myocyte was isolated by enzymatic dissociation. The whole-cell patch-clamp recording technique was used to observe the change of INa channel current influenced by breviscapine. RESULTS: Breviscapine decreased the INa channel current in a dose-dependent and voltage-dependent manner in rat ventricular myocytes. The current-voltage curve was significantly decreased. Breviscapin at concentrations of 1, 3, 30, 100 mg/L respectively decreased INa current density, which were (7.98±0.60)%, (37.73±2.31)%, (65.58%±2.90)% and (88.09±5.60)%, respectively. INa was inhibited in a voltage-dependent manner, showing a significant attenuating effect at test potentials from -30 mV to 0. The INa inactivation curve was shifted to left and the activation curve was shifted to right. Breviscapine step down the recovery curve significantly. CONCLUSION: Breviscapine concentration-dependently decreased INa channel current in rat ventricular myocytes.     

Protection of maFGF against anoxia/reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts

AIM: To investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of modified acidic fibroblast growth factor (maFGF) in anoxic reperfusion of rat hearts. METHODS: Using Langendorff apparatus, we established the model of anoxia/reperfusion of isolated hearts to compare the protective effects of maFGF and acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF). The changes of left ventricle development pressure (LVDP) and maximal rates of rise of ventricular pressure(dp/dtmax), maximal rates of decline of ventricular pressure (dp/dtmin) were determined, changes of LDH and MDA levels，SOD activity in efflux from coronary artery were also detected at different time point. RESULTS: Pretreatment with maFGF and aFGF produced a similar protective effect on myocardium during anoxia /reperfusion, including promoting obviously heart functional recovery after myocardial anoxia/reperfusion and reversing changes of LDH, MDA contents and SOD activity induced by anoxic/reperfusion. CONCLUSION: maFGF has a protective effect on anoxia/reperfusion heart, and the mechanism of this effect may be related to suppression of lipid peroxidation.     

Protective effects of taurine on LPS-induced myocardial damage in rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of taurine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced myocardial damage in rats. METHODS: Healthy male SD rats (n=30) were randomly divided into control group (CON), LPS model group (LPS) and taurine treatment group (TAU). The rats in CON group and LPS group were intravenously injected with normal saline, and the rats in TAU group were injected with taurine (100 mg/kg). After 2 h, the rats in LPS group and TAU group were intraperitoneally injected with LPS at 10 mg/kg, and the rats in CON group were injected with normal saline. Six hours after injection of LPS, the blood samples were collected for determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. The myocardial tissues were processed for histological examination and the analysis of Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with CON group, LPS significantly reduced SOD activity in the serum and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) protein expression in the myocardial tissues, increased the serum content of MDA and levels of TNF-α and IL-6. LPS also significantly elevated the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and up-regulated the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in the myocardial tissues. Taurine pretreatment significantly elevated SOD activity and HO-1 protein expression level, decreased the levels of COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6 and phosphorylated NF-κB. Histological observation showed that taurine reduced inflammatory response in the myocardial tissue. CONCLUSION: Taurine attenuates LPS-induced myocardial damage in rats. The beneficial effects of taurine may be associated with its reduction of p-NF-κB/COX-2 signaling by activation of HO-1/CO.     

Hypoxia simulated to high altitude promotes right ventricular ACE2 activity in adult SD rats independent of pulmonary artery hypertension

AIM: To determine the right ventricular angiotensin converting enzyme2 (ACE2) activity in adult SD rats under normoxia and hypoxia environment, and to detect the relationship between ACE2 and high altitude heart disease initially. METHODS: Adult male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were raised under hypoxia environment simulated to high altitude (5 000 m, 23 h/d), then divided into hypoxia 1 d, 15 d and 30 d groups randomly. The control group was set up under normoxia environment. The right ventricular function, ponderal index, pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular ACE2 activity were determined. The effect of captopril or nitrendpine on cardiac ACE2 activity in hypoxia 30 d group was also observed. RESULTS: The dramatic up-regulation of cardiac ACE2 expression of mRNA and protein and its activity in hypoxia 30 d group was observed, together with obvious increase in right ventricular function, ponderal index and pulmonary artery pressure. Although captopril or nitrendipine depressed pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac function dramatically, no significant alteration of right ventricular ACE2 activity was detected. CONCLUSION: Chronic hypoxic exposure promotes the ACE2 expression and activity in right ventricular, indicating that ACE2 may be correlated to the changes of cardiac architecture and function induced by hypoxia. Up-regulation of ACE2 expression maybe contribute to the increase in right ventricular ACE2 activity, and pulmonary artery hypertension may not be the main reason for the changes of ACE2 activity under hypoxia environment.     

Inhibitory effect of zacopride on ouabain-induced arrhythmias in adult rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of zacopride, an inward rectifier potassium channel agonist, on ouabain-induced arrhythmias in adult rats, and to explore the underlying electrophysiological mechanism.METHODS: Using ouabain to establish in vitro and in vivo arrhythmic rat models, the effects of zacopride on ouabain-induced arrhythmias were observed. The technique of whole-cell patch clamp was used to observe the effects of zacopride on inward rectifier potassium current (I_K1), resting membrane potential (RMP) and delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) in single rat ventricular myocyte. RESULTS: Zacopride at 1 μmol/L significantly reduced total number of premature ventricular beats, and the duration and incidence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation induced by ouabain in rat hearts in vitro (P<0.05). In anesthetized rats, zacopride at 15 μg/kg significantly reduced total number of premature ventricular beats, and the duration and incidence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation induced by ouabain (P<0.05). I_K1 was significantly inhibited by ouabain (P<0.05), which was partially and even completely reversed by zacopride at 0.1~10 μmol/L. RMP value was significantly reduced by ouabain (P<0.05), and then increased to different levels after treatment with zacopride (0.1~10 μmol/L). Zacopride at 1 μmol/L showed its maximal effect and RMP was restored to normal level. Moreover, zacopride at 1 μmol/L markedly suppressed ouabain-induced DADs in single rat ventricular myocyte. The incidence of DADs decreased from 91.67% to 12.50% after zacopride was applied (P<0.05), and this effect was abolished by 1 μmol/L BaCl₂. CONCLUSION: Inward rectifier potassium channel agonist zacopride significantly inhibits ouabain-induced ventricular arrhythmias in adult rats. The mechanism is related to increased RMP level and inhibition of DADs by activation of I_K1 channel.     

Blockade of L-type Ca2+ channels suppresses activation of calcineurin and development of right ventricle cardiac hypertrophy induced by chronic hypoxia

AIM: To study the role of calcineurin in the progression of right ventricle cardiac hypertrophy in the chronic hypoxia rats and examine the effect of Ca²⁺ channel blockers on the activation of calcineurin. METHODS: Sixty rats were divided into three groups: treatment group with amlodipine besylate ablets, chronic hypoxia group, normal control group with normal oxygen. The rats in treatment group and chronic hypoxia group were exposed to normobaric chronic hypoxia(10±0.5)% O₂ for 21 days. All hearts were removed immediately after dissection for further investigation. RESULTS: (1)The RV/(LV+S),RV/BW were significantly higher in hypoxia group than that of control group and treatment group(P<0.01,respectively); (2) Right ventricular cardiomyocytes [Ca²⁺]_i in treatment group were significantly higher than that of control group and lower that that of hypoxia group(P<0.01,respectively); (3) The activity of calcineurin of the heart in hypoxia group were significantly increased when compared with control group. Amlodipine besylate ablets apparently suppressed the activity of calcineurin(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Calcineurin possibly plays a role in the progression of right ventricle cardiac hypertrophy in the chronic hypoxia rats;Blockade of L-type Ca²⁺ channels with amlodipine besylate ablets effectively prevents its development possibly by inhibition of calcium inflow and suppression of the calcineurin activity.     

Effects of acetal hairy holly extractive compound R4 on rat cardiomyocyte injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation

AIM: To observe the effects of acetal hairy holly extractive compound R4(AHHECR4) on myocardial cell injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation. METHODS: The model of rat myocardial cell injury was induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the myocardial cells was measured by the method of xanthine oxidase. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined by the method of thiobarbituric acid. The activity of dehydrogenase (A) in mitochondria was detected by MTT assay. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and the content of NO in the culture medium were also evaluated. RESULTS: AHHECR4 at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L remarkably increased SOD activity and the value of A, and significantly inhibited MDA production and LDH leakage. Greatly increased content of NO in the culture medium was also observed. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that AHHECR4 has a protective effect on myocardial cells under the condition of hypoxia/reoxygenation injury.     

Changes in human atrial myocyte dimension among different ages

AIM:To observe the changes in right atrial myocyte dimensions with myocardial development. METHODS: Cell length, width, length/width and cross-sectional area were measured in right atrial myocytes isolated from 12 weaning , 10 young , 13 adult human hearts. RESULTS: Cell length, width, length/width and cross-sectional area, at weanling group were (70.2±1.3) μm, (8.0±0.2) μm, (9.0±0.2) and (50.9±2.6) μm², respectively, at young group were (93.5±1.6) μm, (11.7±0.3)μm, 8.1±0.2, (109.7±5.8) μm², and (100.9±2.2) μm, (12.1±0.3) μm, 8.5±0.2, (119.0±5.5) μm² for adult group. Clearly, young myocyte lenght, width, cross-sectional area were greater than that of myocytes at weanling group(P＜0.01) but adult myocytes length/width and cross-sectional area increase slightly compared with young group. The length/width ratio has no significant change through myocyte maturity, which is between 8-9. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that myocyte dimensions expect length/width ratio have increased progressively with maturity, the length/width ratio is preserved in atrial myocyte during the period of normal myocyte growth from weanling to adulthood, and these changes in myocyte dimensions are similar with ventricular myocytes changes from other mammalian species.     

Effect of breviscapin on Ito and IK1 channel current in isolated ventricular myocytes of rats

AIM: The effects of breviscapin on transient outward potassium current (I_to) and inward rectifier potassium current (I_K1) channel in isolated ventricular myocytes of rats were determined. The mechanism of breviscapin at the ionic channel level was explored. METHODS: Single ventricular myocyte of rats was isolated by enzymatic dissociation. The whole-cell patch-clamp recording technique was used to record the change of I_to and I_K1 channel current influenced by breviscapin. RESULTS: Breviscapin decreased the I_to channel current in a dose-dependent and voltage-dependent manner in ventricular myocytes of rats. (1) The current-voltage curve was significantly decreased. Breviscapin at concentrations of 0.02, 0.05, 0.08, 0.10 g·L^-1 respectively decreased I_to current density (10.07±0.50)%, (27.47±2.36)%, (42.72%±2.50)% and (56.09±5.60)%. I_to was inhibited in a voltage-dependent manner, showing a significant attenuating effect at test potentials from 0 to + 50 mV. (2) The I_to activation curve, the activation curve and the recovery curve were not altered. (3) Breviscapin did not affect I_K1. CONCLUSION: Breviscapin concentration-dependently decreases I_to channel current in ventricular myocytes of rat.     

Hypoxia facilitates rapid pacing-induced calcium transient alternations in ventricular myocytes

AIM:To explore the effect of hypoxia on rapid pacing-induced calcium transient alternations in ventricular myocytes.METHODS:Ventricular myocytes were isolated from the heart of adult SD rats and cultured in serum-free hypoxic fluid to set up an in vitro model of hypoxia-induced cardiac injury. The calcium transient and its alternations were investigated under confocal laser scanning microscope. The mitochondrial function was also examined by WST-8 kit. RESULTS:Under normoxic condition, the ventricular myocytes were claviform. Low frequency of pacing, ranging from 60 to 240 min^-1, induced calcium transient, but not calcium transient alternations, which was elicited by the pacing over a threshold frequency of(288 ±27)min^-1. Exposure of the ventricular myocytes to hypoxia did not obviously affect the morphology of the cells, but reduced the threshold frequency of pacing to(227±26) min^-1(P<0.05). Additionally, exposure of the cells to hypoxia repressed the activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenase from(100.2±8.7)%(control group) to(57.6±7.5)%, which was partially blocked by L-type Ca²⁺ channel inhibitor. CONCLUSION:Hypoxia facilitates calcium transient alternations induced by rapid pacing, and the calcium transient alternations are involved in the hypoxia-injured mitochondria function.     

Effects of endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by increased expression of calcium-sensing receptor in myocardial hypoxia/re-oxygenation injury

AIM: To observe the effects of endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by the increase in expression of calcium-sensing receptor in myocardial hypoxia/re-oxygenation injury. METHODS: The primarily neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes were incubated for 4-5 d, then randomly divided into 5 groups: (1) sham control group; (2) hypoxia/re-oxygenation group; (3) H/Re+ NiCl2, CdCl2-reperfusion group; (4) H/Re+GdCl3, NiCl2, CdCl2-reperfusion group; (5) H/Re+caffeine,GdCl3, NiCl2, CdCl2-reperfusion group. The neonatal cells were in ischemia-mimetic solution for 3 h, and re-incubated cells in normal culture medium for 9 h to establish a model of H/Re. The activity of LDH was determined, the viability and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were assayed by MTT, the expressions of CaSR and caspase-12 in each group were analyzed using Western blotting, and the concentration of intracellular calcium was measured by laser confocal scanning microscope. RESULTS: The apoptosis index, the activity of LDH, the concentration of intracellular calcium, and quantitative expression of CaSR and caspase-12 in H/Re and activator groups were significantly higher than those in control group, while the viability and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were lower than those in control group. CONCLUSION: In myocardial hypoxia/re-oxygenation, CaSR induces endoplasmic reticulum stress by altering the intracellular calcium homeostasis. The induction of apoptosis may be due to the increase in the expreesions of caspase-12 and other proapoptotic proteins.     

The effect of Shenmai injection on cardiac myocyte apoptosis after hypoxia

AIM: To observe the effect of Shenmai injection, a chinese medicine, on apoptosis of cardiac myocytes after hypoxia. METHODS: Cardiac myocytes were separated from neonate rat heart and cultivated in vitro. Hypoxia condition was induced by mixture of 95%N2 and 5%CO2. Cells were exposed to hypoxia for 6 h or 12 h and treated with Shenmai injection (5 mL/L) from 24 h before hypoxia until the end of hypoxia. First, apoptosis was detected with Annexin V-FITC and PI staining by flowcytometry. Then, the activity of cardiac myocyte mitochondria was observed by MTT method. Mitochondria membrane potential and the activity of caspase 3,7 were also measured by laser scan microscopy and multi-detection microplate reader, respectively. RESULTS: The apoptotic cells became more and more with prolonged hypoxia. Shenmai injection enhanced mitochondria activity, kept membrane potential, inhibited the activation of caspase3,7 and then decreased apoptotic cells (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Hypoxia induces apoptosis in cardiac myocytes by mitochondria pathway. Shenmai injection can decrease cardiomyocyte apoptosis after hypoxia, the mechanism is related to mitochondria membrane potential stabilization and caspase inhibition.