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On the isolated perfused heart model of septic rats, the present study showed that: (1) Calcium content and 45Ca-influx of myocardium increased 190%, 208% (P < 0.01) and that of mitochondria elevated 332%, 178% (P < 0.01) respectively with no change of myocardial 45Ca-release during sepsis. (2) 10(-8) mol/L calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or 10(-7) mol/L atriopeptin (ANP) added into the Krebs-Henseleit solution could effectively reduce 45Ca-influx to myocardium and mitochondria with no effect on myocardial 45Ca-release. (3) The calcium uptake reserve of mitochondria evaluated in vitro showed that the maximal calcium uptake and uptake velocity of mitochondria during sepsis were reduced 34.6%, 33.3% (P < 0.01) respectively. The data suggested that the net increase of myocardial Ca2+ content resulted from increase of 45Ca-influx with no change of 45Ca-efflux and the reduction of mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering capacity during sepsis were key events in the pathogenesis of intracellular Ca(2+)-overload. CGRP and ANP could effectively alleviate Ca(2+)-overload of myocardium and mitochondria. This may have some cellular protection action during sepsis.

Tetrandrine is an alkaloid from a Chinese herb which has been used to treat hypertension in humans. The mechanism(s) of its antihypertensive action is not clear. The goal of this study was to examine the direct effects of a derivative of tetrandrine, 7-O-ethyl tetrandrine (TD), on vascular smooth muscle. In particular, the goals were to study (1) the involvement of the endothelium in the responses of isolated aortic rings to TD, and (2) the effects of TD at intracellular sites involved in muscle contraction in skinned aortic strips treated with saponin. TD (1-100 mumol/l) decreased noradrenaline (NA) and K(+)-evoked contraction of isolated aortic rings with or without endothelium in a concentration-dependent manner although to a lesser degree with the K(+)-evoked contraction. In NA-contracted rings, the IC50 for TD was approximately 28-30 mumol/l, at which a 20% decrease in K(+)-force development of aortic rings was observed. The slope of the concentration-relaxation curve was steeper in aortic rings with endothelium than without endothelium (1.09 vs. 0.88) in NA-contracted rings. TD increased tone in acetylcholine (ACh)-relaxed rings but did not change the force in aortic rings relaxed by sodium nitroprusside (NaNP) or ATP. In TD pretreated rings, TD blocked ACh-induced relaxation, but not NaNP or ATP-induced relaxation. In skinned aortic strips, TD decreased Ca2+ uptake by the SR (IC50 approximately 77.4 mumol/l, slope = 0.88), did not affect Ca2+ release from the SR, and decreased Ca2+-activation of the contractile proteins at 300 mumol/l TD.

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) from liver of the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss was purified to homogeneity with a recovery of 35% of total activity. The purified enzyme was a homotetramer with a native molecular weight of 297,000 +/- 16,000 and a subunit M(r) of 76,000 +/- 3000. Arrhenius plots of enzyme activity were linear over 5-27 degrees C with an activation energy of 52.3 +/- 2.1 kJ/mol. The binding of fructose 6-phosphate was cooperative. High ATP increased the Hill coefficient and produced a marked allotropic inhibition of the enzyme activity. The affinity of the enzyme for fructose 6-phosphate was increased by the addition of the enzyme activators such as inorganic phosphate, ammonium ions, AMP, and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate; the activators also reduced the inhibitory effect of ATP. Trout liver PFK was activated by phosphoenolpyruvate at physiological concentrations but was not affected by citrate.

Anisodamine was used as an antishock (chiefly septic) drug beginning in the early 1960s in China. Its underlining mechanism was believed to be due to its vasodilative action. But in normal animals it only produces slight vasodilation. Our work during the recent 15 years proved that anisodamine is not only beneficial in the treatment for septic shock, but also for hemorrhagic, traumatic, and SMAO shock, and its mechanism of action are based on its following biological actions: (1) it has membrane stabilization and cell protection action, which was probably related to its calcium antagonist action; (2) it protects ischemia intestine from releasing shock factors; and (3) its inhibition of endotoxin binding to cells and tissue at the membrane level probably makes it an special antishock drug for septic shock.

On tourniquet shock (ToS) rat model, it was found that the reactivity of isolated perfused aortic ring to noradrenaline was decreased, while the cGMP content of the aortic tissue was increased. These ToS-induced changes could be potentiated or attenuated respectively by perfusion with NO-precursor, L-arginine, or NO-synthesis inhibitor L-NNA independent of the presence of vascular endothelium. Guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue, could also attenuate the aortic reactivity. All these results suggest that the aortic musculature can produce a NO-LRF factor capable of lowering the vascular reactivity of the ToS animals. That L-arginine can ameliorate while L-NNA can exacerbate ToS, suggest that NO-LRF do play an adaptive role in the protective mechanism of the organism during ToS.

Five new 20,24-bishomoscalarane sesterterpenes, phyllactones A [1], B [2], C [3], D [4], and E [5], are reported from the sponge Phyllospongia foliascens collected in the waters of the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea. Structural elucidation of these compounds is based on spectral data and chemical conversions. Phyllactones A and B show moderate cytotoxicity against KB cells (IC50 20 micrograms/ml).

Inhalational anesthetics and ventricular hypertrophy have adverse effects on cardiac muscle contraction. The effects of 1, 2, and 3% halothane on the contractile protein and sarcoplasmic reticulum, but not the sarcolemma, were examined in normal left ventricular tissue from rabbits that underwent a sham surgical procedure (n = 5) and in left ventricular hypertrophied tissue from surgically induced aortic coarctation (n = 7). Muscle samples were mechanically "skinned" to disrupt the sarcolemma. Fiber bundles were mounted in photodiode transducers and bathed in a series of solutions designed to examine the contractile protein [Ca2+]-tension responses or to examine Ca2+ storage by and release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Hill equation analysis of the [Ca2+]-tension relationship of the contractile protein was performed. Compared to normal muscle, hypertrophied muscle was associated with an 8.2% decrease in the [Ca2+] necessary for 50% maximum tension (more sensitive to Ca2+) (P less than 0.001) and an increase in the slope constant of 23% (P less than 0.001). In normal and hypertrophied tissue, each 1% of halothane incrementally decreased the contractile protein response to maximal [Ca2+] by 5% (P less than 0.01), increased the [Ca2+] at 50% maximum tension by 5% (P less than 0.01), and had no effect on the slope of the Hill equation. Halothane also inhibited Ca2+ storage by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In normal muscle, 1, 2, and 3% halothane decreased the stored Ca2+ to 42, 22, and 9%, respectively, of Ca2+ storage without halothane (P less than 0.001). However, hypertrophied muscle demonstrated slightly less depression (P less than 0.05 by analysis of variance).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Using Langendorff's perfusion model of isolated rat heart, the effect of period of ischemia, ischemia-reperfusion and changes in perfusate pH on the function of calcium uptake of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was observed. The initial rate and capacity of calcium uptake by SR decreased significantly after 25 min ischemia, and were further worsened when ischemia was prolonged to 40 min. When hearts were subjected to 15 min reperfusion after 25 min ischemia, calcium uptake capacity and initial rate decreased even more in comparison with that of 40 min ischemia. In addition, the calcium dependent ATPase activity of SR was also markedly inhibited. Reperfusion with acid (pH 6.8) or alkaline (pH 8.0) made no significant difference on the aforementioned reperfusion induced changes. The results indicated that myocardial ischemia depressed the calcium transport activity of SR, and this depression was further aggravated with prolonging ischemia. Reperfusion after ischemia exacerbated the ischemic injury. Reperfusion with either acid or alkaline Krebs-Henseleit solution could not improve the calcium uptake function of SR, implying that the pH change does not seem to be an important factor in inducing the SR dysfunction during ischemia-reperfusion.

By making anterior and posterior drawer tests using "Laxity tester" is an objective way to evaluate the resting position of tibia plateau and knee laxity. This study followed up 16 cases of PCL reconstructed or pull-out repaired knees for an average of two years and seven months. A force of 20 1b was applied to evaluate knee laxity at 30 degree and 90 degree knee flexion. From paired t-test, the stability of reconstructed knees was not statistically different from that of control contralateral normal knees. The functional scores measured by the Gillquist scoring system for injured knees after reconstruction were satisfactory. Therefore the restabilized PCL deficient knees by the modified Clancy method or pull-out repair yielded good evaluation scores. The data of contralateral normal knee laxity obtained in this study was used as reference in pre-operative and post-operative evaluation of PCL injured knee.

Ryanodine, a blocker for Ca(2+)-release channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR Ca(2+)-release channels), induces depression of myocardial contraction in isolated intact muscle, which is consistent with depression of the caffeine-induced tension transient in skinned muscle fibers. In isolated SR, ryanodine binds to a specific receptor with high affinity, and this binding is enhanced by caffeine and increasing Ca2+ and decreased by increasing Mg2+. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that depression of myocardial contraction is mediated by changes in ryanodine-receptor binding properties. Accordingly, factors (caffeine, Ca2+, and Mg2+) affecting ryanodine-receptor binding properties in the isolated SR membrane were studied in skinned myocardial fibers from adult rabbits. The depression of the caffeine-induced tension transient by ryanodine (ryanodine depression) influenced by these three factors was measured. In a dose-dependent manner, increasing caffeine or Ca2+ concentrations enhanced the ryanodine depression. The concentrations for 50% ryanodine depression (IC50) approximated 7 mM for caffeine, and pCa 5.25 for Ca2+. When 1 microM ryanodine and 25 mM caffeine were combined, ryanodine depression was independent of Ca2+ at low Ca2+ concentrations (20%-30% at pCa greater than 8 and 7.5) and was a direct function of Ca2+ at higher concentrations (pCa 7.5-6.0 with IC50 approx. pCa 6.75). In contrast, increasing Mg2+ reduced the ryanodine depression with IC50 approximately equal to pMg 3.3. In conclusion, the caffeine- or Ca(2+)-enhanced, and Mg(2+)-reduced ryanodine depression observed in this study is consistent with known ryanodine-receptor binding properties.

The mechanism of endothelin (ET) action on isolated myocytes of rat heart was investigated. Administration of 10(-9)-10(-7) mol/L ET caused dose-dependently severe contracture of myocytes, increase in cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase leakage and increase of cellular total calcium. ET also enhanced 45Ca2+ influx in myocytes, that could be antagonized by calcium channel blocker verapamil. Incubation of Fura-2 -preloaded myocytes with ET would induce a significant increase of cytosolic free Ca2+, and this effect of ET could also be partly antagonized by verapamil. These results suggest that ET enhances Ca2+ influx in myocytes mainly through voltage-dependent calcium channel, by which ET exerts its biological action.

Results from a systematic experiment on isolated perfused rat heart and isolated myocytes of adult rat showed that the mechanism of calcium influx during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion is due to the development of intracellular sodium overload during ischemic period; on reperfusion, the high intracellular Na+ content activated the reverse direction of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange over myocardial sarcolemma (SL), thus a large quantity of extracellular Ca2+ fluxed over the SL to the intracellular space, forming a condition of intracellular Ca2+ overload, which leads to irreversible damage of the myocardium.

(Deoxy)thymidylate (dTMP) kinase is an enzyme which phosphorylates dTMP to dTDP in the presence of ATP and magnesium. This enzyme is important in cellular DNA synthesis because the synthesis of dTTP, either via the de novo pathway or through the exogenous supply of thymidine, requires the activity of this enzyme. It has been suggested that the activities of the enzymes involved in DNA precursor biosynthesis, such as thymidine kinase, thymidylate synthase, thymidylate kinase, and dihydrofolate reductase, are subjected to cell cycle regulation. Here we describe the cloning of a human dTMP kinase cDNA by functional complementation of a yeast dTMP kinase temperature-sensitive mutant at the non-permissive temperature. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned human cDNA is predicted to encode a 24 KD protein that shows considerable homology with the yeast and vaccinia virus dTMP kinase enzymes. The human enzyme activity has been investigated by expressing it in yeast. In this work, we demonstrate that the cloned human cDNA, when expressed in yeast, produces dTMP kinase activity.

Alfentanil causes cardiac stimulation or depression in intact animals and in clinical practice; there is no information concerning its direct effects on the heart. Therefore, we studied the effects of alfentanil on isolated cardiac tissues from young adult rabbits. The right atrium with sinoatrial node (SA node) was beating spontaneously, and the left atrium and papillary muscle were stimulated. Isometric contraction was monitored. Alfentanil, in concentrations of 0.05-0.5 mM, decreased by 6%-55% the frequency of contractions of the right atrial-SA node in a dose-related manner. In left atria and right atrial-SA node, but not in papillary muscle, alfentanil in concentrations greater than or equal to 0.01 mM increased the peak developed force and its maximum rate of increase. The time-to-peak developed force was prolonged in papillary muscle but not in right atrial-SA node and left atria. The maximum rate of fall of peak developed force was increased in left atria and decreased in papillary muscle by the administration of alfentanil. The time-to-50% relaxation of peak developed force was not consistently affected by alfentanil in all three muscle preparations. The same concentrations of alfentanil (greater than or equal to 0.01 mM) increased resting force in papillary muscle but not in left atria or right atrial-SA node. It is concluded that alfentanil has direct positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects on the heart and that it causes contracture of ventricular myocardium.

Isolated rat hearts perfused with endothelin at a concentration of 10(-8) mol/L showed serious functional and cellular myocardial deterioration as manifested by a significant increase of mean perfusion and left ventricular pressure, decrease of +/- LV dp/dtmax, leakage of myocardial protein, formation of lipid peroxides, increase of myocardial calcium content, etc. Calcium channel blocker, verapamil, effectively antagonized the injurious action of endothelin on rat heart whether administered along with or after endothelin perfusion.

Enflurance, at clinical concentrations, decreases the contractility of isolated intact cardiac muscle. The authors investigated the intracellular mechanism(s) of this depression by examining the Ca2+ activation of the contractile proteins and Ca2+ uptake and release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) using functionally skinned fibers from right ventricular papillary muscle of rabbits. This preparation permits control of intracellular ionic composition (pH 7.0, 20 C). The [Ca2+]--tension relationship and caffeine-induced tension transient (as a measure of the amount of Ca2+ release) were analyzed. Enflurane significantly but only slightly depressed the maximum Ca2+-activated tension (10 per cent decrease at 5 per cent enflurane) and did not change the [Ca2+] required for half-maximal activation of the fibers. In contrast, enflurane markedly inhibited the Ca2+ uptake by the SR (30-85 per cent decrease at 2.5-7.5 per cent enflurane). The inhibition was dose-dependent. Ca2+ release from the SR with 25 mM caffeine was not changed at low concentrations of enflurane (1-5 per cent), but was decreased at high concentration (25 per cent decrease at 7.5 per cent enflurane). Enflurane (1-7.5 per cent), however, increased (13-44 per cent) the submaximum caffeine (2 mM)-induced Ca2+ release from the SR, and the effect was not dose-dependent. The aforementioned effects were reversible. These results are similar to those previously reported for halothane. It is concluded that enflurane may induce myocardial depression mainly by inhibiting Ca2+ uptake by the SR.

The effect of halothane on myocardial contractility was studied in isolated right ventricular muscle preparations from newborn and adult rabbits. Right ventricular strips were mounted in oxygenated Krebs' solution and stimulated with supramaximal voltages at 1.0 Hz, while isometric force of contraction was continuously recorded. Halothane (0.4, 0.7, and 1.1%) caused a significant dose-dependent depression of both peak developed tension (42, 61, and 70%, respectively) and maximum rate of rise of isometric tension (40, 56, and 64%, respectively) of newborn myocardium. Newborn myocardial preparations exhibited approximately 20% greater depression of contractility than adult myocardium at each concentration studied (P less than 0.05), thus a parallel shift of the dose-response curves was observed. It was concluded that halothane exerts a potent depressant effect on newborn myocardium that is greater than that on adult myocardium. The depression effect of halothane on the newborn myocardium may contribute to its hypotensive effect in newborn infants.

The combined depressant effects of verapamil and halothane on myocardial contractility were studied using isolated papillary muscle from the rabbit. Verapamil alone (0.5 microM) significantly decreased peak developed tension (PDT) by 15 +/- 2%, time to peak tension (TPT) by 10 +/- 1%, and maximum rate of increase of tension (+dT/dt) by 5 +/- 1%, but not maximum rate of decrease of tension (-dT/dt). Halothane alone (0.8%) significantly decreased PDT by 56 +/- 2%, TPT by 11 +/- 2%, +dT/dt by 53 +/- 2%, and -dT/dt by 56 +/- 2%. During the exposure period, the combination of verapamil and halothane together produced a simple additive effect (no significant interaction effect by two-way analysis of variance), with PDT decreased by 68 +/- 2%, TPT by 20 +/- 3%, +dT/dt by 62 +/- 2%, and -dT/dt by 65 +/- 2%. The reversibility of halothane-induced depression was also studied. Peak developed tension showed complete reversibility 30 min after discontinuing halothane. In the presence of verapamil, however, the reversibility of halothane-induced depression was not complete, and significant residual depression of PDT (19 +/- 3%) was observed. We conclude that the acute depressant effect of verapamil plus halothane in isolated papillary muscle is additive, but reversibility of halothane-induced depression may be impaired or prolonged in the presence of verapamil.

The essential conditions for the Ca2+ releasing action of caffeine from isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of rabbits were evaluated by an investigation into the effects of Ca2+, Mg2+, MgATP2-, and ATP concentration, ionic strength, and degree of loading. The heavy fraction (4,500 X g) of the reticulum was used. Except for the study on degree of loading, 0.2 mg protein X ml-1 SR was loaded actively with 0.02 mM 45CaCl2, resulting in greater than 90 nmol X mg protein -1 at steady state, and then the effects of various parameters with or without (control) caffeine were tested. It was found that (1) caffeine induces a transient, dose-dependent release of Ca2+, (2) the absolute amount of Ca2+ released by caffeine increases with the Ca2+ load of the SR, (3) increasing the ionic strength (mu) from 0.09 to 0.3 lowers the threshold concentration of caffeine, (4) the SR is refractory to a repeated challenge by a caffeine concentration causing maximal effect, (5) caffeine-induced Ca2+ release increases with increasing (a) external Ca2+ concentrations up to 5 microM total Ca2+ (or 3 microM free Ca2+) and (b) free ATP concentrations up to 0.45 mM, and (6) caffeine-induced Ca2+ release is not affected by changes of either the Mg2+ or the MgATP2- concentration.

In functionally skinned muscle fibers from the rabbit, we studied the effect of propranolol on calcium activation of the contractile proteins and, in separate experiments, on calcium uptake and release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) while measuring physiological tension. Pieces from isolated papillary muscle (PM), soleus (SL) (slow-twitch skeletal muscle), and adductor magnus (AM) (fast-twitch skeletal muscle) were homogenized (sarcolemma disrupted). A fiber bundle from PM and single fibers from SL and AM were dissected from the homogenate and mounted on a photodiode tension transducer. To study Ca2+-activated tension development of the contractile proteins, we used high EGTA (7 mmol/l) to control the free calcium concentration. To study SR function, we used five different solutions to load the calcium into the SR and to release it from the SR with 25 mmol/l caffeine, thus producing a tension transient. In general, propranolol has similar mechanisms of action in the three muscle types. Propranolol (0.1-1.0 mmol/l) increased the submaximal calcium-activated tension development in all muscles but with PM = SL greater than AM, and this increase was correlated with increases in calcium binding to isolated troponin C. Propranolol increased the maximal calcium-activated tension development in PM and SL, but decreased that in AM. Propranolol at concentrations of 0.3-1.0 mmol/l decreased calcium uptake by the SR but did not change calcium release in any of the three muscles. In PM, however, propranolol at a concentration of 0.1 mmol/l increased calcium uptake by the SR. We conclude that propranolol induces decreases in muscle contraction mainly by decreasing calcium uptake by the SR.

The antishock effect of anisodamine (654-2) was observed in different kinds of experimental shock in groups of rabbits--due to late hemorrhage, superior mesenteric artery occlusion, and septic shock from peritonitis. The drug 654-2 significantly alleviated the progress of shock and increased the survival rate of the animals. The therapeutic effect of 654-2 was much better than that of other vasoactive drugs commonly used, such as norepinephrine, phenoxybenzamine, dopamine, and aramine. The antishock mechanism of 654-2 is probably partly due to its protective action on intestinal shock in preventing its effects becoming irreversible. The antishock action of 654-2 both by basic research workers and clinicians merits further study.

Anisodamine, an alkaloid originally extracted from the Chinese herb Anisodus tanguticus, has been reported to possess beneficial actions in septic, superior mesenteric artery occlusion, and hemorrhagic shock. We have investigated its actions in traumatic shock in rats. Anisodamine (2.5 mg/kg) increased survival time from 1.4 +/- 0.2 h to 3.1 +/- 0.3 h (P less than 0.001) in traumatized rats with 50% of the drug-treated animals surviving at least 3.5 h. Drug treatment had no significant effect on plasma cathepsin D activity (12.0 +/- 2.3 vs 10.4 +/- 1.7; vehicle- vs drug-treated, respectively). However, plasma myocardial depressant factor accumulation was significantly blunted by anisodamine, 62 +/- 5 vs 41 +/- 5 U/ml (P less than 0.02), indicating that prevention of MDF formation may be one protective mechanism of this substance.

A novel polyhydroxylated steroid, named sartortuosterol A, with rare 3 alpha- and 6-hydroxyl groups, was isolated from the South China Sea soft coral Sarcophyton tortuosum Tixier-Durivault, and its structure was established as 24xi-methyl 5 alpha-cholestane-3 alpha, 6 beta, 9 alpha,25-tetrol 25-monoacetate from spectroscopic data and chemical conversions.

Intracellular accumulation of calcium is thought to play an integral role in the progression of ischemic injury and cell death. We infused the calcium entry blocker, nitrendipine (1.5 micrograms/kg per min), into cats in order to investigate the importance of extracellular Ca2+ influx during hemorrhagic shock. Nitrendipine proved to be a potent hypotensive agent in sham shock cats when infused over a 4 h period (156 +/- 9 to 90 +/- 5 mm Hg) (P less than 0.01). However, in hemorrhaged animals, nitrendipine treatment maintained the post-reinfusion MABP at a significantly higher (P less than 0.01) value than untreated controls (79 +/- 5 vs. 51 +/- 4 mm Hg, respectively). Superior mesenteric artery flow (SMAF) for hemorrhaged animals treated with nitrendipine was significantly higher (9.8 +/- 1.4 ml/min per kg) (P less than 0.01) than that for untreated cats (4.2 +/- 0.4 ml/min per kg), at 2 h post reinfusion. There was no significant increase in SMAF during oligemia in the nitrendipine-treated animals. Nitrendipine was also found to significantly retard the appearance of cathepsin D in the plasma of hemorrhaged cats as well as reduce plasma proteolysis to values not significantly different from sham shock animals. Furthermore, myocardial depressant factor (MDF) activity in the plasma of nitrendipine-treated shock cats was not significantly different from sham shock animals, while the plasma MDF activity for shock cats receiving vehicle increased 3-fold (P less than 0.001). The beneficial effects for nitrendipine in hemorrhagic shock are likely due to both its vasodilator function and its ability to reduce intracellular Ca2+ accumulation during ischemia, thereby reducing disruption of cell membrane systems.

The effects of halothane on caffeine-induced tension transients in functionally skinned myocardial fibers were investigated. Fiber bundles from mechanically disrupted rabbit right ventricular papillary muscles were mounted on a tension transducer. The fiber preparation was loaded with Ca2+; Ca2+ was then released by the use of caffeine (25 mM); and the area of the resulting tension transient was measured. Each preparation was sequentially transferred from control to test to control solution. The control solutions were equilibrated with 100% N2, and the test solutions with a mixture of N2 and various halothane concentrations. The preparation was exposed to halothane during the Ca2+ uptake or the release phase only, or during both Ca2+ uptake and release phases. The areas of the test tension transients were compared with those of the two control tension transients. It was found that halothane depressed the caffeine-induced tension transient either during the uptake phase or the combined-uptake-and-release phase but not during the release phase. The halothane-induced depression was dose-dependent, reversible, and comparable to the depression observed in intact isolated papillary muscles. We conclude that halothane could induce myocardial depression by inhibiting Ca2+ uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The inotropic and chronotropic effects of protamine sulfate on rabbit myocardium were studied using isolated preparations of atrial and ventricular tissue. Each tissue differed markedly in its susceptibility to depression of peak isometric developed tension. The threshold concentration for depression of tension was 0.022% for left atrium, 0.055% for right atrium, and 0.3% for right ventricular papillary muscle. Tension in the left atrial preparation increased 20% over control at a protamine concentration of 0.02%, but decreased to less than 30% of control at a concentration of 0.022%. Right atrial tissue tension decreased to 48% of control at a protamine concentration of 0.055% and then to 17% of control at a concentration of 0.6%. In papillary muscle, tension decreased to 64% of control at a concentration of 0.3% and then to 9% of control at a concentration of 0.35%. Thus a very steep dose-response curve was observed for each tissue. In the right atrium-sinoatrial node preparation, administration of protamine at concentrations of 0.05-0.06% produced intermittent atrial extrasystoles, but no significant change in overall rate of discharge. The narrow margin of safety of the protamine dose-response curve may provide a partial explanation for the precipitous nature of hypotensive episodes during clinical administration.

Regional blood flow and distribution of cardiac output (CO) were evaluated by the radioactive microsphere technique in rhesus monkeys during surface rewarming following the induction of deep hypothermia (20 degrees C.) under deep ether anesthesia. A comparison of animals subjected to 30 minutes of circulatory arrest and those not arrested revealed cerebral, coronary, and renal vascular resistance and flow patterns consistent with a hyperemic response to circulatory arrest at 20 degrees C. Throughout rewarming cerebral and coronary absolute flows tended to be at or above the flows noted at comparable cooling temperatures in a previous study. Renal flow fraction (% Qt) were well preserved during rewarming to 30 degrees C., but a decrease was observed thereafter. Carcass (muscle, skin, bone) %Qt was also reduced following rewarming, especially in arrested animals. CO appeared to be similar to those noted at comparable cooling temperatures until 30 degrees C. during rewarming; thereafter, CO did not fully recover to awake control levels. These data suggest that regional flow is redistributed from the carcass and renal circulations to cerebral and coronary circulations in response to hemodynamic alterations during surface rewarming. It was concluded that autoregulative responses to both circulatory arrest and hemodynamic factors are elicited during surface rewarming from deep hypothermia to 20 degrees C. with the method described.

The increased rate of Ca2+ uptake and ATPase activity in isolated cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) by adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) has been shown to be activated by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP kinase). Functionally skinned myocardial fiber preparations were used to study the mechanisms of cAMP action on the SR at the same time that tension was monitored. cAMP effects were studied on Ca2+ -activated tension of the contractile proteins, and on Ca2+ uptake and release from the SR using caffeine-induced tension transients. Neither cyclic AMP (0.1-5 microM) nor the catalytic subunit of cAMP kinase (0.1-1 microM) (PK-C) significantly changed either the maximal or the submaximal Ca2+ -activated tension. The areas of the tension transients were unchanged when cAMP was present in the releasing solution (release phase), and were significantly increased up to a mean of about 80% when cAMP or PK-C was present in the Ca2+ loading solutions (uptake phase). The increased tension transient was blocked by heat-stable inhibitor of cAMP kinase. We conclude that cAMP-induced increases in Ca2+ uptake by the SR could play an important role in the positive inotropic effect. cAMP kinase could thus play a crucial role in the regulation of myocardial contractility.

The effect of halothane on maximal and submaximal Ca2+-activated tension in mechanically disrupted right ventricular papillary muscle from rabbits was studied. Steady-state isometric tension generation was measured in the muscle bundle. The relaxing solution contained (in mM) [Mg2+] = 1, [K+] = 70, [MgATP2-] = 2, [creatine phosphate2-] = 15, [EGTA total] = 7 and imidazole proprionate. The contracting solution contained in addition Ca2+ in various concentrations. In all solutions ionic strength was maintained at 0.15 and pH at 7.00 +/- 0.02 at 20 degrees C. Each fiber bundle was immersed in control solutions equilibrated with 100% N2 and test solutions equilibrated with various concentrations of halothane-N2 mixture. Increasing doses of halothane (1--4%) significantly shifted the relationship between Ca2+ and tension towards higher [Ca2+] and depressed the maximum Ca2+-activated tension. The maximum tension generated at pCa = 3.8 was depressed 5% per 1% increase in halothane concentration. The percentage of maximum tension at submaximum Ca2+ concentrations (pCa = 5.6--5.0) was not significantly decreased until halothane concentration was greater than 2%. It is concluded that halothane slightly but significantly depressed the interactions of contractile proteins and to a lesser degree Ca2+-activation of the regulatory proteins. The halothane-induced depression was completely reversible.

The mechanism of quinidine action on rabbit cardiac and skeletal muscle was examined with "functionally skinned" muscle-fiber preparations. By using these preparations we could correlate measurements of muscle tension with the effect of quinidine on the Ca2+ activation of the contractile proteins and on the Ca2+ uptake and release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR).

Skinned fiber bundles from papillary muscle of rabbits were used to study the effects of ryanodine (1) on direct Ca2+ activation of the contractile proteins, and (2) on direct Ca2+ uptake and release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Caffeine (25 mM) was used to release Ca2+ from the SR and to generate a tension transient. Each tension transient occurred after sequential immersion of the fiber bundles into five solutions: loading (uptake phase, [U]) and releasing (release phase, [R]). The height of free Ca2+-activated tension development of the contractile proteins, and the area of the tension transient generated by caffeine were assessed. (1) The direct free Ca2+-activated tension development of the contractile proteins was not significantly affected by ryanodine up to 0.1 mM, either at the submaximal or maximal free Ca2+ concentrations. (2) Ryanodine (1 nM-1 microM), in U, R, or in U and R, did not significantly change the immediate caffeine-induced tension transients. In the same preparation after ryanodine treatments, the second control caffeine-induced tension transients (C2, no ryanodine) were decreased in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 50 nM, 10 nM, 10 nM for R, U, and U and R, respectively). The depression caused by ryanodine on the SR was "activity"-dependent and not readily reversible. Total calcium content in the SR of C2 was not significantly changed by small quantities of ryanodine (less than 0.1 microM) and was decreased with greater amounts of ryanodine (greater than or equal to 0.1 microM). Thus, at low concentrations of ryanodine, the negative inotropic action is due to decrease Ca2+ release from the SR; at high concentration of ryanodine, it is due to decrease in calcium accumulation in the SR.

Skinned fibers from striated muscle were used to study the intracellular mechanisms (contractile proteins and sarcoplasmic reticulum [SR]) of action of diltiazem (DT) and verapamil (VP) on muscle contraction. Rabbit papillary muscle (PM), and the skeletal muscles adductor magnus (AM, fast-twitch) and soleus (SL, slow-twitch) were used. The muscles were skinned by homogenization and fibre bundles for PM and single fibres for AM and SL were dissected from the homogenate and mounted on photodiode force transducers. VP (0.1-3.0 mmol/l) (and to a lesser degree DT) increased Ca2+-activated tension development of the contractile protains in PM and SL and decreased it in AM (+[4-20]%, +4%, -[14-28]%, respectively). Both drugs increased the submaximal Ca2+-activated tension development at the order of PM = SL greater than AM in a dose-dependent manner. The changes of half-maximal pCa50 at 1 mmol/l VP were 0.25, 0.25, and 0.15, respectively. For Ca2+ uptake and release from the SR, VP as well as DT (0.1-3.0 mmol/l) in the uptake phase decreased caffeine-induced tension transients in a dose-dependent fashion. At 0.01-3.0 mmol/l, the drugs directly induced Ca2+ release from the SR or enhanced caffeine-induced tension transients with the exception that in PM, DT attenuated caffeine-induced tension transients. Thus, VP and DT have similar intracellular mechanisms of action in striated muscle. Both drugs induced calcium release from the SR and increase Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile proteins, and thus could be the underlying mechanisms for potentiating twitch tension, and inducing contracture in skeletal muscle.

Evidence suggests that ryanodine affects ligand-gated calcium channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) resulting in depressed muscle contraction. In skinned fibers from striated muscle the effects of ryanodine were examined (1) on Ca2+ uptake and on Ca2+ release to differentiate whether the effects are on the pump or channel, and (2) during the tension transient, with ryanodine exposure at various times either simultaneous with or directly after exposure to caffeine. Of total calcium content in the SR, 25 mM caffeine released greater than 90% in papillary muscle (PM), approximately equal to 25% in soleus (SL), and approximately equal to 20% in adductor magnus (AM). Ryanodine (100 microM for 1-3 s for AM and SL; 1 microM for 7-10 s for PM), in the initial loading phase, did not significantly change, and in the initial release phase, markedly depressed the subsequent control caffeine-induced tension transients (C2) in all three muscle types. The depression increased with increasing time of exposure to ryanodine (10 microM) in the order of PM greater than AM greater than SL. Upon introduction of ryanodine after caffeine-induced tension transients, maximal depression was observed at half-maximum rise of the tension transient, followed by recovery of depression to completion in SL, and only partially in AM and PM at steady state of relaxation. The extent of recovery was in the order of SL greater than AM greater than PM. The data suggest that ryanodine affects Ca2+ releasing channel as a result of its binding to open channels.

Regional blood flow and distribution of cardiac output (CO) were evaluated by the radioactive microsphere technique in seven rhesus monkeys prior to anesthesia, following the induction of deep ether anesthesia and throughout the cooling course during surface-induced hypothermia to temperatures of 20 degrees C. As given, deep ether anesthesia alone significantly decreased CO 10% to 15% and output fraction (Qt) was decreased to the carcass, increased to the splanchnic circulation (although not statistically significant), and unchanged to other organs, while total vascular (TVR) and organ resistances were reduced. With the addition of cooling, CO progressively decreased. Individual organ Qt's, however, did not change from anesthetized normothermic values; thus organ flows decreased parallel to the reduction of CO as cooling progressed. TVR and organ vascular resistances increased to levels in excess of 150% of anesthetized precooling values, apparently as the result of viscosity rather than vascular changes.

The effect of halothane on maximal and submaximal Ca2+-activated tension development of the contractile proteins of newborn and adult cardiac muscle from rabbits was determined. Right ventricular muscle was removed from newborn and adult rabbits, and the sarcolemma was disrupted (skinned) by homogenization. Fiber bundles were dissected from the homogenate and mounted on tension transducers. Fiber bundles were alternately immersed in relaxing solution [( Ca2+] less than 10(-9) M) and contracting solutions (various [Ca2+] from 10(-5.6) to 10(-3.8) M), which were saturated with 100% N2 alone or with three concentrations of halothane-N2 mixture. In the absence of halothane, newborn skinned myocardial fibers were slightly more sensitive to submaximal Ca2+ concentrations than were adult myocardial fibers. [Ca2+] required for 50% maximum tension were 10(-5.43) M and 10(-5.31) M, respectively (P less than 0.05). Halothane (1-3%) decreased the maximal Ca2+-activated tension (at [Ca2+] = 10(-3.8) M) similarly in adult and newborn myocardial fibers in a dose-dependent fashion. Tension was reduced by 5.9% for each 1% increase in halothane concentration. Halothane also decreased the sensitivity of adult myocardial skinned fibers to submaximal Ca2+ concentrations (10(-5.6) M to 10(-5.0) M) by shifting the Ca2+-tension response curve to the right. Only 3% halothane decreased the sensitivity of newborn myocardial skinned fibers to Ca2+. The authors conclude that halothane causes less depression of Ca2+ activation of the contractile proteins in newborn than adult rabbit myocardium and that this effect of halothane cannot account for greater negative inotropy of halothane in the newborn.

Rat's Ca-resistant ventricular myocytes and reconstituted liposomes of canine cardiac sarcolemma were used in analysing factors affecting Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange system. Decrease in extracellular (extravesicular) Na+ or increase in intracellular Na+ by inhibition of the Za(+)-K(+)-ATPase with ouabain stimulated the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange. Mn2+, an antagonist of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange, dose-dependently inhibited the Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ uptake. However, verapamil had no effect on it. Arachidonic acid and lipid peroxides caused by incubation with-H2O2 significantly stimulated Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in a dose-dependent fashion.

The effect of halothane on Ca2+ uptake or release by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was compared in the newborn and adult rabbit myocardium. The sarcolemma of right ventricular myocardium was disrupted (skinned) by homogenization. Fiber bundles were dissected from the homogenate, mounted on tension transducers, and immersed sequentially in five solutions that loaded Ca2+ into the SR, then in solutions containing either 2 or 25 mM caffeine to release SR-stored Ca2+, resulting in transient tension development. Experimental solutions were saturated with halothane in N2 gas during Ca2+ uptake by SR, Ca2+ release by SR, or during both SR Ca2+ uptake and release. Halothane (0.5-1.7%) resulted in dose-dependent depression of SR Ca2+ uptake in both newborn and adult skinned fibers. Less tension transient depression resulted in newborn (35%) than adult skinned fibers (49.5%, P less than 0.05) with 0.5% halothane exposure during SR Ca2+ uptake. Similar depression resulted in newborn (53.7% and 73.4%) and adult fibers (65.2% and 77.9%) with 1.0% and 1.7% halothane. Halothane had little effect on SR Ca2+ release by 25 mM caffeine but enhanced submaximal SR Ca2+ release by 2 mM caffeine more in newborn than adult myocardium. Increased Ca2+ efflux from newborn SR may contribute to the greater sensitivity of intact newborn cardiac muscle to exposure to halothane.

Using the model of anoxia-reoxygenation injury in isolated rat myocytes, we observed that incubation of myocytes with ouabain, inhibitor of Na+-K+ ATPase, during anoxia period significantly increased the cell sodium content. These myocytes demonstrated severe injury and intracellular calcium overload during reoxygenation period. The sodium content of myocytes at the end of anoxia period was positively correlated with the overload of intracellular calcium at reoxygenation (r = 0.882, P less than 0.01). Mn2+, an inhibitor of Na+-Ca2+ exchange, significantly attenuated the anoxia-reoxygenation injury when given during reoxygenation period. Mn2+ also inhibited the cell injury caused by incubation of myocytes with Na+-free medium. These results suggest that anoxia-reoxygenation injury of rat myocytes is modulated by cell sodium during the anoxia period, and the Na+-Ca2+ exchange mechanism plays an important role in influx of extracellular calcium during reoxygenation period.

Studies were conducted on the effects of isoflurane and halothane on intracellular mechanisms of striated muscle contraction: Ca2+ activation of the contractile proteins and Ca2+ uptake and release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Functionally skinned muscle fibers (sarcolemma disrupted by homogenization) from isolated papillary muscle (PM), soleus (SL) (slow-twitch skeletal muscle), and adductor magnus (AM) (fast-twitch skeletal muscle) of rabbits were mounted on a photodiode tension transducer. They were immersed in control solution (saturated with N2), then in test solution (saturated with anesthetic-N2 mixture), and in control solution again. The following two studies were carried out: 1) in the study of Ca2+ -activated tension development of the contractile proteins, free Ca2+ concentration in the bathing solution was controlled by the use of a high EGTA (7 mM), and 2) in the study of Ca2+ uptake and release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), Ca2+ was loaded into the SR and released with caffeine and the resulting tension transients were measured. Isoflurane (1-4%) decreased (6-9%) the maximal Ca2+ -activated tension development in PM and SL but more in PM than in SL. In AM, however, isoflurane and halothane (1-3%) produced no change. Isoflurane decreased submaximal Ca2+ -activated tension development in PM, but effected no change in it in SL. Isoflurane and halothane increased the tension development in AM to the extent of producing a shift to the left in the pCa-tension curves of less than or equal to 0.1 pCa unit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Endothelin is a recently discovered bioactive peptide produced by vascular endothelial cells. By means of specific radioimmunoassay we found that plasma endothelin level in patients with late septic shock was significantly increased. And a typical shock model in healthy rats was reproduced by continuous infusion of endothelin (endothelin shock). Infusion of endothelin at a small dose to hemorrhagic shocked rats deteriorated the shock process and resulted in an irreversible development. From these results it is suggested that endothelin may be an endogenous injury-inducing factor, acting as one of the important humoral factors involved in shock pathogenesis.