Inhibition of endothelin on taurine-transportation in rat cardiac myocytes

AIM:To investigate the effect of endothelin(ET) on taurine transportation in rat cardiac myocytes in vitro.METHODS: In cultured cardiac myocytes of neonatal rats, taurine transportation velocity was measured by radio-ligand method. RESULTS: ET(10^-10-10^-8 mol/L) could inhibit taurine transportation in a dose-dependent manner.10^-10,10^-9 and 10^-8mol/L of ET significantly decreased taurine transpotation by 13%, 38% and 71%, respectively (P＜0.01), compared with control group. H₇,BQ123 and Pre-PMA can reverse the inhibition of ET on taurine transportation dramatically(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:The binding of ET and ET-A receptor might activate protein kinase C,which inhibits taurine transportation in cultured myocytes of rats.     

Changes in the expression of endothelin system in rats with chronic heart failing

AIM: To study the changes of endothelin system during chronic heart failure (CHF) and imply the relationship between endothelin system and the course of CHF by observing the mRNA expression of endothelin receptors (ET_AR and ET_BR) and PreproET₁ in early stage and later stage of CHF caused by left coronary artery ligation. METHODS: The mRNA expression of ET_A, ET_B receptors and PreproET₁ were detected by RT-PCR technique. The plasma concentrations of ET₁ and ANP were determined by RIA method. RESULTS: The plasma concentrations of ET₁ and ANP, and the mRNA expression of ET receptors and PreproET₁ in the lefe ventricle increased significantly in early stage (myocardial infarction 10 d). While the plasma concentrations of ET₁ and ANP in later stage (myocardial infarction 70 d) were higher than those in the early stage. However, the mRNA expression of ET_AR, ET_BR and PreproET₁ decreased significantly. The mRNA expression of ET_AR in myocardial infarction (MI) 70 d rats had no difference with those in sham-operated rats and the mRNA expression of ET_BR and PreproET₁ in MI 70 d rats was lower significantly than those in MI 10 d rats, but significantly higher than those in sham-operated rats. CONCLUSION: The changes of ET receptors and PreproET₁ mRNA expression are involved in the cardiac function modulation during the different stages in chronic heart failure.     

A study of inductive factors of embryonic stem cells differentiating into cardiac myocytes in vitro

AIM: To study cellular and molecular mechanisms of cardiac development associated genes expression and its function during early stage cardiomyogenesis. METHODS: (1) Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC) line D3 culture.(2) Inductive culture of ESC differentiated into cardiac myocytes in vitro. (3) Identification of ESC-derived cardiac myocytes: RNA isolation; synthesis of specific primer and RT-PCR; Label of RT-PCR products with dATP as probes, purifyed by sephadex G-50 columns, determined the yield of DNA. RNA dot hybridization. RESULTS: 80% of ESC differentiated into cardiomyocytes by improved conditional medium. Cardiomyocytes contracted in a synchronous manner. The results of RT-PCR and RNA blot showed that cardiac genes were expressed abundantly and specifically during the early cardiomyogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: ESC were able to be differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Different concentrations and components of RA, DMSO and FCS affected ESC cardiomyogenesis in vitro. The optimal result obtained was from the conditional medium, a mixturce of 2 nmol/L retinoic acid (RA), 0.6% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 20% fetal calf serum (FCS).     

Study of platelet aggregations in patients with coronary heart disease and the effect of ticlopidine treatment

AIM: To investigate the platelet aggregations in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD) and the effect of ticlopidine treatment. METHODS: Platelet aggregations induced by adenosine diphosphate(ADP), epinephrine(EPI), collagen(Coll), arachidonic acid(ACA) in CHD group before and after ticlopidine treatment were measured by turbidity assay. RESULTS: Maximum ratios of platelet aggregations (max%) induced by ADP, EPI in CHD group (0.78±0.23, 0.86±0.25) were significantly higher than that of control group (0.65±0.19, 0.73±0.21, P＜0.05). After the treatment with ticlopidine, they were lowered obviously (0.68±0.18, P＜0.05;0.75±0.20, P＜0.05). There were no difference in max% induced by Coll and ACA between two groups and there were no significantly changes of max% induced by Coll and ACA by ticlopidine in CHD group. CONCLUSION: The platelet aggregations were increased in patients with coronary heart disease and could be inhibited by ticlopidine.     

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.     

Alteration of Na+ currents in ventricular myocytes from 1-week infarcted rabbit heart

AIM:To study the current density and function of Na⁺ channel in cells from the epicardial border zone of the 1-week infarcted rabbit heart.METHODS:Rabbits were infarcted by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery.1 week later, INa was recorded using whole cel patch-clamp techniques in ventricular my ocytes from infarcted heart(IZs)and compared with the INa from noninfarcted heart(NZs).RESULTS:Peak I_Na current density(at -30 mV) was significantly reduced in IZs(22.48±4.62 PA/PF, n=14) compared with NZs(45.50±5.33 PA/PF, n=12), P＜0.01;V_0.5 of the availability curve(I/Imax curve)was shifted significantly in the hyperpolarizing direction in IZs(-89.1±5.6 mV, n=6) compared with NZs (-76.2±5.3 mV, n=5), P＜0.05.Recovery of I_Na from inactivation was significantly slower in IZs.CONCLUSIONS:I_Nais reduced, and its kinetics are altered in IZs.These changes may underlie the altered excitability and postrepolarization refractoriness of ventricular fibers of the IZs, thus contributing to reentrant arrhymias in the infarcted heart.     

Effects of cardiac contractility modulation applied to different locations of heart on cardiac functions in rabbits with heart failure

AIM: To investigate the effects of cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) applied to different locations of the heart on cardiac functions and cardiac dys-synchrony in the rabbits with chronic heart failure, and to explore the best pattern of CCM.METHODS: Forty rabbits were divided into 4 groups according to the location of receiving CCM: heart failure (HF) group, left ventricular anterior wall (LVAW-CCM) group, left ventricular posterior lateral wall (LVPLW-CCM) group and right ventricular apex (RVA-CCM) group. The model of chronic heart failure was made by ligating ascending aortic root of the rabbits. After 12 weeks, the electrical stimulations during the absolute refractory period were delivered in different locations of the heart, lasting 6 h everyday for 7 days. The changes of cardiac functions and cardiac dys-synchrony were observed by cardiac ultrasonic cardiogram before and after CCM stimulation. The plasma level of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was detected by ABC-ELISA method. Pulsed-wave Doppler was used to acquire aortic pre-ejection interval (APEI) and pulmonary pre-ejection internal (PPEI), and inter-ventricular mechanical delay (IVMD) was calculated to evaluate the cardiac dys-synchrony.RESULTS: Compared with HF group, left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) in LVAW-CCM group, LVPLW-CCM group and RVA-CCM group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were significantly increased (P<0.05), especially in LVAW-CCM group. Interventricular septal thickness (IVS) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) were similar among groups. No significant difference of plasma BNP level before CCM delivery among the 4 groups was observed. However, the plasma BNP level in control group was the highest, followed by LVPLW-CCM group and RVA-CCM group, and LVAW-CCM group was the lowest after CCM delivery. No change of IVMD was observed among groups before and after CCM delivery.CONCLUSION: The effect of CCM applied to different locations of the heart on cardiac functions is different.The optimal site of CCM delivery is left ventricular anterior wall. No influence of interventricular dys-synchrony was observed during application of CCM.     

Effects of Qili Qiangxin capsule on serum concentration of adiponectin and heart function in patients with coronary heart disease combined with congestive heart failure

AIM：To investigate the effects of Qili Qiangxin capsule on serum adiponectin (APN), serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and heart function in the patients of coronary heart disease combined with congestive heart failure. METHODS：One hundred and twenty patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, and both groups were given anti-failure routine therapy. The patients in treatment group were treated with Qili Qiangxin capsule and the patients in control group were treated with placebo. The patients in the 2 groups were given a certain dose of the drugs for 6 months. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function classification, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD),left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and 6-min walking test (6-MWT) were observed before and after treatment. The levels of APN, NT-proBNP were measured by ELISA before and after treatment. RESULTS：With the increase in the class of NYHA heart function, the serum concentrations of APN and NT-proBNP in the heart failure cases increased significantly. After 6-month treatment, the effective rate in experimental group was 91.7% and that in control group was 75.0%. A significant difference was found between the 2 groups (P<0.01). After treatment, LVEDD and LVESD in both groups were decreased significantly, and LVEF in both groups was increased significantly. The serum concentrations of APN and NT-proBNP decreased significantly (P<0.05). 6-MWT result was improved significantly. Compared with control group, more obvious effect was observed in experimental group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION：Treatment with Qili Qiangxin capsule reduces the levels of APN and NT-proBNP in the patients with coronary heart disease combined with congestive heart failure.     

Alteration of functional receptors in heart for human urotensin II in pressure overload- induced cardiac hypertrophy of rats

AIM:To investigate alteration of functional receptors for urotensin II in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy of rats. METHODS: In the rat cardiac hypertrophy model produced by constriction of the abdominal aorta, urotensin II binding sites in myocardial sarcolemma were determined with radioligand assay first day (early group) and 30th day (late group) after operation. RESULTS:Compared with control and sham group, in the early group,the blood pressure increased 54% and 43% respectively(P＜0.01),and heart/body weight ratio unchanged(P＞0.05),UII receptors were up-regulated by 184% and 159%(P＜0.01)respectively, While the affinity to UII was decreased (Kd increased 224% and 206 respectively,P＜0.01).In the late group, the blood pressure increased 85% and 67% (P＜0.01), and heart/body weight ratio increased 18% and 22% (P＜0.05) respectively,than that of control and sham group. UII receptors were down-regulated by 35% and 41%(P＜0.05) respectively while the affinity to UII was increased (Kd decreased 30% and 33% respectively, P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: The biphasic changes of UII receptor in myocardial sarcolemma induced by pressure-overload were observed,increasing in early stage, while decreasing in late stage, and these changes were involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.     

Protein expression of cyclin D2 and p16 in proliferation and differentiation of cultured cardiac myocytes

AIM:To investigate the protein expression of cyclin D₂ and p16 in proliferation and differentiation of cultured cardiac myocytes.METHODS:One-day-old Sparague-Dawley rats were used. Cardiac myocytes(CM) were collected by a trypsin-dispersal method and cultured. Cell growth line and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) were used to investigate the proliferation of CM. Ultra-thin sections were made to observe the ultrastructure of CM under transmission electron microscope. The expression of cyclin D₂ and p16 in CM were measured using immunocytochemistry and image analysis.RESULTS:①Results of cell growth line and FACS analysis showed that cultured CM could proliferate in the first 3 cultured days, but the ability decreased quickly, concomitant with differentiation. CM was obseved quiescent in cell cycle three days later. The ultrastructure of CM showed the large amount of myofilaments and mitochondrion. ②The protein expression of cyclin D₂ in 3,4,5 day CM group was 0.89 times(P＜0.05),0.80 times (P＜0.05) and 0.56 times (P＜0.01) of that in 1 day group, respectively. The expression of p16 in CM was increased during the culture process, 2,3,4,5 day group were 1.63 times, 1.72 times, 1.99 times and 2.84 times (P＜0.01) of that in 1 day group, respectively.CONCLUSION:Cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes could proliferate during the first 3 days after incubation, but the ability of proliferation decreased, from the fourth day, concomitant with differentiation. Cyclin D₂ and p16 play the key roles in CM postnatal development. Downregulation of cyclin D₂ and upregulation of p16 may induce CM differentiation.     

Effects of thyroid hormone on the myosin heavy chain mRNA expression in cardiac myocytes induced by angiotensin Ⅱ

AIM: To study the effect of thyroid hormone on the expressional change of myosin heavy chain(MHC) gene in cardiomyocyte induced by angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ) and its potential mechanism. METHODS: Cardiac myocyte was cultured according to the method of Simpson. 10^-8 mol/L T₃ and 10^-7 mol/L AngⅡ were added to the culture medium, respectively or synchronously. After 48 h, the expression of α and β-MHC mRNA in myocytes were detected by RT-PCR. The protein kinase C activation were detected by PepTag non-radioactive PKC assay. The incorporation of -Leucine and [³H]-thymine to test the protein and DNA synthesis in myocytes were also performed. RESULTS: AngⅡalone increased the incorporation of [³H]-Leucine of myocytes while it had no effect on the incorporation of [³H]-thy mine. The expression of β-MHC mRNA was increased and the expression of α-MHC mRNA was decreased significantly at the condition of AngⅡ. The enhanced PKC activation was induced by AngⅡalso. When AngⅡand T₃ were added to the culture medium synchronously, though the incorporation of [³H]-leucine and [³H]-thymine were not changed compared with AngⅡ treated alone. The α-MHC mRNA expression was increased and the β-MHC mRNA expression was decreased significantly. The PKC activation of the myocytes also was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: T₃ inhibited the expressional change of myosin heavy chain gene in cardiac myocytes induced by AngⅡ. The effect of T₃ on the change of PKC activation in cardiac myocytes may be one of its mechanisms.     

Pivotal role of microRNAs in cardiac development and heart diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNAs, which bind to the 3'-UTR of target mRNAs and negatively regulate the gene expression. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that miRNAs are involved in many biological processes such as embryo development, cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis. Heart development and heart diseases are complex processes controlled by various signaling pathways. Recent researches indicate the importance of miRNAs in the process of cardiac development and heart diseases. In this review, the role of miRNAs in cardiac development and the pathogenesis of heart diseases are overviewed. The insight into the regulating miRNAs will significantly expand the cardiovascular therapeutic strategies beyond classical pharmacology.     

Changes of AC activity and content of cAMP in hypothalamus of rats with fever and hypothermia

AIM:To observe the changes of AC activity and content of cAMP at different time point in hypothalamus of rats with fever and hypothermia. METHODS:Radioisotope method was used to measure the enzymatic activity of AC and the content of cAMP. RESULTS:(1)The fresh yeast caused fever after making model 4 h(P＜0.01). AC activity reached a peak value 3 h after making model (P＜0.05), subsequently AC activity rapidly decreased and increased again over normal level (P＜0.01);The change of cAMP content was positively related to the body temperature. (2) Aminopyrine induced rat hypothermia state after making model 15 min (P＜0.05). AC activity rapidly weakened and cAMP content rapidly descended to the lowest value at making model 45 min, subsequently AC activity and cAMP content in hypothalamus gradually increased again to normal range. CONCLUSION:(1)In fever model, it might be an important cause of febrile response that AC induced increase in intracellular cAMP content; (2) In hypothermia model, the significant decrease of AC activity and cAMP content indicate that cAMP might play a role in keeping hypothermia.     

Expression of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase during heart development in rats and relationship with cardiac hypertrophy

AIM： To investigate the expression of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase during the heart deve-lopment in rats and to analyze the relationship between short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS：The expression and activity of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in the hearts of Wistar rats with different ages were measured. Free fatty acids in serum and cardiac muscles were also determined. RESULTS：Compared with the fetal rats of 19 d, the expression and activity of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in the postnatal rats of 1 d, 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 16 weeks were increased, and free fatty acids in the serum and myocardium were obviously decreased. The difference began in evidence from the age of 2 weeks. The expression of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase was significantly up-regulated with negative correlation to free fatty acids in the serum and myocardium during heart development. Systolic blood pressure was similar in 2-week-old SHR and WKY rats, which significantly increased in SHR of 6 weeks and 16 weeks old compared with the age-matched WKY rats. The ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight was markedly elevated in SHR of 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 16 weeks old compared with the age-matched WKY rats, indicating that the appearance of cardiac hypertrophy occurred before the development of hypertension in SHR. Compared with the age-matched WKY rats, the expression and activity of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase were decreased and free fatty acids in the serum and myocardium were obviously higher in SHR. The expression of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase was significantly down-regulated with a negative correlation to free fatty acids in the serum and myocardium of SHR. CONCLUSION：The expression of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase is increased during the heart development, which may be associated with the increase in cardiac fatty acid utilization. The down-regulated expression of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in the hypertrophic heart may be responsible for the recapitulation of fetal energy metabolism.     

Restoration of cardiac function in failing beagle hearts by recombinant adeno-associated viral gene transfer of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase

AIM: Abnormal Ca2+ homeostasis is one basic cause of heart failure. Studies have recently shown that overexpression of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) by adenoviral/adeno-associated viral gene transfer restores contractile function ex vivo and in murine or rabbit models. We therefore hypothesized that an increase in SERC A2a protein will improve cardiac function in a pacing-induced big animal model of heart failure.METHODS: 17 beagles were randomized into control group (CG, n=4) and chronic heart failure group (n=11). Four weeks after right ventricular rapid pacing (230 beats/min), 11 beagles all got heart failure (documented by >29.3% decrease in ejection fraction). 4 of 11 were used as heart failure group (HF, n=4). 9 HF beagles were randomized to receive either a recombinant adeno-associated viral carrying the SERCA2a gene (HF+SERC A2a, n=5) or the reporter gene enhanced green fluorescent protein (HF+EGFP, n=4) by thoracotomy. All HF beagles paced by 180 beats/min in order to maintain failing state. Thirty days after infection, parameters of systolic and diastolic function were measured by doppler echocardiography and hemodynamic monitor in all beagles.RESULTS: At 30 days after gene transfer, symptoms of HF+SERCA2a dogs improved. Echocardiogram parameters were superior to those in HF+EGFP group (P<0.05). Cardiac hemodynamic parameters of HF+SERCA2a dogs strikingly improved: LVSP, +dp/dtmax and -dp/dtmax increased, mean value increased respectively 54.12％［(214.72±31.74) mmHg vs (139.32±36.79) mmHg］, 146.81％［(6 779.43±217.58) mmHg/s vs (2 746.85±931.2) mmHg/s］ and 71.52％［(-4 341.42±322.02) mmHg/s vs (-2 531.14±616.15) mmHg/s］; LVEDP lowered 63.43％［(21.86±6.95) mmHg vs (59.78±6.92) mmHg］ compared with the dogs in HF+EGFP group. No significant difference in all parameters compared with those of control group was observed. Under laser confocal microscopy, widespread green fluorescence was observed in the myocardial frozen section of dogs in HF+EGFP group. CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis that overexpression of SERCA2a improves cardiac function in big animal model of chronic heart failure. The study demonstrates that gene transfer of SERCA2a into cardiac with recombinant adeno-associated viral vector is a prospective therapy methods.     

Effect of Xin-Tong capsule on nitric oxide production and cGMP content of ventricular myocardium in rats with experimental myocardial ischemia

AIM:To study the effect of xin-tong capsule on nitric oxide production and cGMP content of ventricular myocardium in rats with experimental myocardial ischemia. METHODS:Rat model of acute myocardial ischemia induced by pituitrin was used in this study, and the lift of ST segment in ECG was used as the index of myocardial ischemia. The NO₂^-/NO₃^- and cGMP contents of ventricular myocardium in rats with myocardial ischemia were determined.RESULTS: NO₂^-/NO₃^- and cGMP contents in ventricular myocardium of myocardial ischemia were (486±59) nmol/g protein and (0.38±0.08) nmol/g protein, respectively, and markedly lower than those of control (P＜0.01). After administration of Xin-Tong capsule, contents of NO₂^-/NO₃^- and cGMP in ventricular myocardium of rats with myocardial ischemia were obviously elevated . In comparison with control, ST segment of ECG in rats with myocardial ischemia was lifted, and the lift peak of ST segment occur in 45 min after myocardial ischemia (P＜0.01). Pretreatment of Xin-Tong capsule can improve conditions of myocardial ischemia . CONCLUSION:Xin-Tong capsule can elevate the contents of nitric oxide and cGMP, and attenuate myocardial ischemia injury in rats.