Mice mutant for Egfr and Shp2 have defective cardiac semilunar valvulogenesis.

Atrioventricular and semilunar valve abnormalities are common birth defects, but how cardiac valvulogenesis is directed remains largely unknown. During studies of genetic interaction between Egfr, encoding the epidermal growth factor receptor, and Ptpn11, encoding the protein-tyrosine-phosphatase Shp2, we discovered that Egfr is required for semilunar, but not atrioventricular, valve development. Although unnoticed in earlier studies, mice homozygous for the hypomorphic Egfr allele waved-2 (Egfrwa2/wa2) exhibit semilunar valve enlargement resulting from over-abundant mesenchymal cells. Egfr-/- mice (CD1 background) have similar defects. The penetrance and severity of the defects in Egfrwa2/wa2 mice are enhanced by heterozygosity for a targeted mutation of exon 2 of Ptpn11 (ref. 3). Compound (Egfrwa2/wa2:Ptpn11+/-) mutant mice also show premature lethality. Electrocardiography, echocardiography and haemodynamic analyses showed that affected mice develop aortic stenosis and regurgitation. Our results identify the Egfr and Shp2 as components of a growth-factor signalling pathway required specifically for semilunar valvulogenesis, support the hypothesis that Shp2 is required for Egfr signalling in vivo, and provide an animal model for aortic valve disease.

Disorder strength and field-driven ground state domain formation in artificial spin ice: experiment, simulation, and theory.

Quenched disorder affects how nonequilibrium systems respond to driving. In the context of artificial spin ice, an athermal system comprised of geometrically frustrated classical Ising spins with a twofold degenerate ground state, we give experimental and numerical evidence of how such disorder washes out edge effects and provide an estimate of disorder strength in the experimental system. We prove analytically that a sequence of applied fields with fixed amplitude is unable to drive the system to its ground state from a saturated state. These results should be relevant for other systems where disorder does not change the nature of the ground state.

Radiographic features of pelvis and hip joint development of English Bulldogs.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate distinctive features of pelvis and hip joint development of English Bulldogs throughout the first year of life. METHODS: The pelves of 20 English Bulldogs were radiographed at three different ages (<4, 6-8, and 12-14 months). At each time point, the dogs were clinically evaluated and the abnormal hip joints were classified as mild, moderate, or severely deformed. The pelves were compared to a phantom study in which external rotation of a normal hemipelvis around its long axis was artificially created at different degrees, with different pelvic inclinations, and classified as either normal and without deformity, or as mild, moderate, or severely deformed. Hip joints and pelvic scores were statistically compared. RESULTS: Although none of the dogs were considered lame at the end of the study, none of the hips showed normal development; 77.5% were moderately to severely deformed at 12-14 months of age. At this age, 75% of the hemipelves had moderate to severe torsional deformity (>5.2 degrees of external rotation), with retroversion of the acetabulum confirmed by the presence of the crossover sign. An external rotation of the hemipelvis on its long axis >5 degrees was likely associated with a moderate to severely altered hip joint conformation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Abnormal hip conformation was common in this series of English Bulldogs. Torsional deformity of the pelves with acetabular retroversion was a common and distinctive feature, which has not yet been thoroughly studied in dogs. These findings need further evaluation in English Bulldogs as well as in other breeds.

Paired EMI-HIMU hotspots in the South Atlantic-Starting plume heads trigger compositionally distinct secondary plumes?

Age-progressive volcanism is generally accepted as the surface expression of deep-rooted mantle plumes, which are enigmatically linked with the African and Pacific large low-shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs). We present geochemical and geochronological data collected from the oldest portions of the age-progressive enriched mantle one (EMI)-type Tristan-Gough track. They are part of a 30- to 40-million year younger age-progressive hotspot track with St. Helena HIMU (high time-integrated 238U/204Pb) composition, which is also observed at the EMI-type Shona hotspot track in the southernmost Atlantic. Whereas the primary EMI-type hotspots overlie the margin of the African LLSVP, the HIMU-type hotspots are located above a central portion of the African LLSVP, reflecting a large-scale geochemical zonation. We propose that extraction of large volumes of EMI-type mantle from the margin of the LLSVP by primary plume heads triggered upwelling of HIMU material from a more internal domain of the LLSVP, forming secondary plumes.

Radiography for the diagnosis of spirocercosis in apparently healthy dogs, St. Kitts, West Indies.

Fifty apparently healthy island dogs presenting to the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), St. Kitts, West Indies for neutering were used in this prospective study. Twelve of the dogs (24%) were diagnosed with spirocercosis based on a positive fecal analysis and characteristic lesions seen during esophagoscopy. Routine thoracic survey radiographs revealed changes previously reported with spirocercosis in 10/12 (sensitivity=83%) infected dogs, but in none of the uninfected dogs (38/38; specificity=100%). The most common radiographic changes were an increased fluid density within the caudal dorsal thorax on the lateral view and a widening and/or bulging of the caudal mediastinum on the dorsoventral view. After oral administration of barium sulfate, barium retention or a tortuous esophagus was visible in all infected dogs (12/12; sensitivity 100%) and in one uninfected dog (1/38; specificity 97%). The results show spirocercosis is common on St. Kitts and that radiographs are as dependable as fecal analysis and/or endoscopy in diagnosing the condition.

Effects of cocaine on epicardial coronary artery reactivity in miniature swine after endothelial injury and high cholesterol feeding. In vivo and in vitro analysis.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cocaine on vasoreactivity in the swine model. Eight miniature pigs underwent regional endothelial denudation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and were then fed a high cholesterol diet. Cross-sectional area (CSA) of coronary arteries was measured by quantitative angiography. Before denudation, intravenous cocaine (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) decreased CSA of epicardial vessels by 19-44%. At 3 mo after the denudation, the percent reduction in CSA of the denuded vessels induced by the 10 mg/kg dose was significantly augmented compared to nondenuded vessels (59 +/- 5% vs. 48 +/- 4%, P less than 0.05). Under in vitro conditions where isometric force of isolated ring segments was measured, methoxamine (an alpha 1 agonist) or BHT-920 (an alpha 2 agonist) produced similar degrees of contraction of denuded and control vessels; however, cocaine in concentrations up to 3 x 10(-3) M did not produce contraction. These responses were unaffected by removal of the endothelium. Histologically, myointimal thickening was noted at the denuded site. The present study demonstrates an enhanced vasoreactivity of atherosclerotic coronary arteries to cocaine in vivo, the mechanism of which appears to be mediated by endogenous vasoactive substances rather than by a direct action of cocaine on vascular smooth muscle.

Effects of cocaine on excitation-contraction coupling of aortic smooth muscle from the ferret.

The mechanism by which cocaine alters vascular tone is not fully understood. We determined the effects of cocaine on excitation-contraction coupling of isolated ferret aorta. Cocaine in concentrations less than or equal to 10(-4) M caused a contractile response in a dose-dependent manner. The response of control muscle was significantly larger than that in muscle from ferrets pretreated with reserpine. Cocaine-induced contraction was not affected by endothelial factors, but was significantly inhibited by prazosin 10(-7) M pretreatment. The intracellular calcium [( Ca++]i), as measured with aequorin, rose in conjunction with cocaine-induced contraction. The degree of contraction generated by 10(-4) M cocaine decreased after higher concentrations of cocaine greater than or equal to 10(-3) M, while aequorin luminescence remained elevated above the levels before 10(-6) M cocaine. The dose-response relationships of norepinephrine and sympathetic nerve stimulation were enhanced by 10(-6) M cocaine in control muscles; this did not occur in muscles from reserpine pretreated ferrets. In conclusion, (a) cocaine in concentrations less than or equal to 10(-4) M caused vascular contraction presumably by its presynaptic action with consequent alpha-1 adrenoceptor activation and consequent [Ca++]i rise; (b) high concentrations of cocaine greater than or equal to 10(-3) M reduced muscle tone by decreasing the Ca++ sensitivity of the contractile proteins; and (c) supersensitivity to norepinephrine was mediated by cocaine's action on adrenergic nerve endings.

Sodium/calcium exchange modulates intracellular calcium overload during posthypoxic reoxygenation in mammalian working myocardium. Evidence from aequorin-loaded ferret ventricular muscles.

We tested the hypothesis that the intracellular Ca2+ overload of ventricular myocardium during the period of posthypoxic reoxygenation is mediated by transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx via Na+/Ca2+ exchange. In aequorin-loaded, ferret right ventricular papillary muscles, blockers of the sarcolemmal and the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ channels, slowed the Cai2+ transient, producing a convex ascent during membrane depolarization, followed by a concave descent during repolarization. The magnitude of the Cai2+ transient was affected by changes in the membrane potential, Nai+, Nao+, and Cao2+, and was blocked by Ni2+, or dichlorbenzamil. The calculated Na+/Ca2+ exchange current was in the reverse mode (Ca2+ influx) during the ascending phase of the Cai2+ transient, and was abruptly switched to the forward mode (Ca2+ efflux) at repolarization, matching the time course of the Cai2+ transient. During hypoxic superfusion, the Cai2+ transient was abbreviated, which was associated with a shorter action potential duration. In contrast, immediately after reoxygenation, the Cai2+ transient increased to a level greater than that of the control, even though the action potential remained abbreviated. This is the first demonstration on a beat-to-beat basis that, during reoxygenation, Ca2+ influx via Na+/Ca2+ exchange is augmented and transports a significant amount of Ca2+ into the ventricular myocardial cell. The activation of the exchanger at the time of reoxygenation appears to be mediated by Nai+ accumulation, which occurs during hypoxia.

Stretch-induced VEGF expression in the heart.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell mitogen involved in vascular development and angiogenesis. Recently we have observed increased VEGF expression in the normal myocardium after myocardial infarction in a rat heart. This study was designed to explore the mechanism responsible for this increase in VEGF expression. Induction of myocardial stretch in an isolated perfused Langendorff preparation by inflation of an intraventricular balloon to an end-diastolic load of 35 mmHg for 30 min resulted in a nearly sixfold increase in VEGF message level not only in the chamber subjected to stretch (left ventricle) but also in the unstretched right ventricle, thus raising the possibility of a soluble factor mediating stretch- induced induction of VEGF expression. This was further confirmed by demonstrating that coronary venous effluent collected from the stretched heart and used to perfuse isolated hearts in which no balloon was present was able to induce VEGF expression in these normal hearts. Inhibition of TGF-beta activity using a neutralizing antibody, but not antagonists/inhibitors of endothelin and angiotensin II, eliminated stretch-induced increase in VEGF expression. Staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, also blocked stretch-induced increase of VEGF expression. Measurement of TGF-beta concentration in the perfusate demonstrated increased amounts of the cytokine after myocardial stretch, and addition of TGF-beta protein to the perfusion buffer resulted in increased VEGF expression in control hearts. These results suggest that stretch-induced increase of VEGF expression in the heart is mediated at least in part by TGF-beta.

Role of intracellular sodium in the regulation of intracellular calcium and contractility. Effects of DPI 201-106 on excitation-contraction coupling in human ventricular myocardium.

Experiments were performed to investigate the mechanism of action of DPI 201-106 on human heart muscle. In both control and myopathic muscles, DPI produced concentration-dependent increases in action potential duration, resting muscle tension, peak isometric tension, and duration of isometric tension. These changes were associated with increases in resting intracellular calcium and peak calcium transients as measured by aequorin. At higher concentrations of DPI, a second delayed Ca2+ transient (L') appeared. L' was inhibited by tetrodotoxin and ryanodine, suggesting that DPI acts at both the sarcolemma and the sarcoplasmic reticulum. DPI toxicity was manifested by after-glimmers and after-contractions reflecting a Ca2+-overload state: DPI effects were mimicked by veratridine, a Na+ channel agonist, and reversed by tetrodotoxin, yohimbine, and cadmium, Na+ channel antagonists. These results suggest that DPI acts primarily as a Na+ channel agonist. DPI may produce an increase in intracellular Ca2+ by increasing intracellular Na+ and altering Na+-Ca2+ exchange across the sarcolemma. DPI may also increase intracellular Ca2+ by directly altering sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ handling.

Differential effect of DPI 201-106 on the sensitivity of the myofilaments to Ca2+ in intact and skinned trabeculae from control and myopathic human hearts.

The effects of DPI, a new inotropic agent, were compared in trabeculae carneae from control and myopathic human hearts loaded with aequorin, a bioluminescent calcium indicator that emits light when it combines with calcium, and in saponin-skinned trabeculae carneae from the same hearts. The force-pCa curves in saponin-skinned fibers and the peak force-peak Ca2+ curves in aequorin-loaded preparations were not significantly different between the control and myopathic tissues. The force-pCa curve in the skinned and aequorin-loaded preparations from the same control hearts displayed no significant shifts with the addition of DPI. In contrast, a leftward shift was present in the force-calcium relationship in the presence of DPI in aequorin-loaded and skinned muscles from myopathic hearts, indicating an increase in the sensitivity of the myofilaments to calcium. These differences in the modulation of calcium activation between myopathic and control tissues indicate that pharmacological agents may produce differential effects in normal and diseased hearts.

Abnormalities in intracellular calcium regulation and contractile function in myocardium from dogs with pacing-induced heart failure.

24 d of rapid ventricular pacing induced dilated cardiomyopathy with both systolic and diastolic dysfunction in conscious, chronically instrumented dogs. We studied mechanical properties and intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) transients of trabeculae carneae isolated from 15 control dogs (n = 32) and 11 dogs with pacing-induced cardiac failure (n = 26). Muscles were stretched to maximum length at 30 degrees C and stimulated at 0.33 Hz; a subset (n = 17 control, n = 17 myopathic) was loaded with the [Ca2+]i indicator aequorin. Peak tension was depressed in the myopathic muscles, even in the presence of maximally effective (i.e., 16 mM) [Ca2+] in the perfusate. However, peak [Ca2+]i was similar (0.80 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.71 +/- 0.05 microM; [Ca2+]o = 2.5 mM), suggesting that a decrease in Cai2+ availability was not responsible for the decreased contractility. The time for decline from the peak of the Cai2+ transient was prolonged in the myopathic group, which correlated with prolongation of isometric contraction and relaxation. However, similar end-diastolic [Ca2+]i was achieved in both groups (0.29 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.31 +/- 0.02 microM), indicating that Cai2+ homeostasis can be maintained in myopathic hearts. The inotropic response of the myopathic muscles to milrinone was depressed compared with the controls. However, when cAMP production was stimulated by pretreatment with forskolin, the response of the myopathic muscles to milrinone was improved. Our findings provide direct evidence that abnormal [Ca2+]i handling is an important cause of contractile dysfunction in dogs with pacing-induced heart failure and suggest that deficient production of cAMP may be an important cause of these changes in excitation-contraction coupling.

Role of intracellular calcium handling in force-interval relationships of human ventricular myocardium.

Experiments were performed in human working myocardium to investigate the relationship of intracellular calcium handling and availability to alterations in the strength of contraction produced by changes in stimulation rate and pattern. Both control and myopathic muscles exhibited potentiation of peak isometric force during the postextrasystolic contraction which was associated with an increase in the peak intracellular calcium transient. Frequency-related force potentiation was attenuated in myopathic muscles compared to controls. This occurred despite an increase in resting intracellular calcium and in the peak amplitude of the calcium transient as detected with aequorin. Therefore, abnormalities in contractile function of myopathic muscles during frequency-related force potentiation are not due to decreased availability of intracellular calcium, but more likely reflect differences in myofibrillar calcium responsiveness. Sarcolemmal calcium influx may also contribute to frequency-related changes in contractile force in myopathic muscles as suggested by a decrease in action potential duration with increasing stimulation frequency which is associated with fluctuations in peak calcium transient amplitude.

Intracellular calcium and ventricular function. Effects of nisoldipine on global ischemia in the isovolumic, coronary-perfused heart.

Ischemia-induced ventricular dysfunction has been shown to be associated with increased diastolic and systolic intracellular concentrations of free, ionized calcium ([Ca2+]i). The present study was designed to determine the effects of the Ca2+ antagonist nisoldipine on the relationship between [Ca2+]i and left ventricular contraction and relaxation during ischemia and reperfusion on a beat-to-beat basis. Nine isovolumic coronary-perfused ferret hearts were made globally ischemic for 3 min and reperfused for 10 min. Ischemia and reperfusion were repeated during perfusion with a buffer containing 10(-8) M nisoldipine. From left ventricular developed pressure, time to peak pressure and time to 50% pressure decline were obtained. [Ca2+]i was determined with the bioluminescent protein aequorin. Global ischemia caused a rapid decline in contractile function and a significant increase in diastolic [Ca2+]i, from 0.35 to 0.81 microM, and in systolic [Ca2+]i, from 0.61 to 0.96 microM. During reperfusion, [Ca2+]i returned to baseline while ventricular function was still impaired. Relaxation was more affected than systolic contractile function. Nisoldipine significantly reduced the ischemia-induced rise in diastolic [Ca2+]i to 0.62 microM, and in systolic [Ca2+]i to 0.77 microM, and lessened the decrease in contractile function. Nisoldipine significantly accelerated the decline in [Ca2+]i during reperfusion and improved recovery of contractility and relaxation. These effects were associated with a significant diminution in ischemic lactate production. Taken together, our results provide direct quantitative evidence on a beat-to-beat basis that the calcium antagonist nisoldipine can ameliorate ischemia-induced abnormalities in [Ca2+]i handling, an effect that was associated with improved myocardial function during early reperfusion.

Diastolic dysfunction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Effect on active force generation during systole.

We tested the hypothesis that intracellular Ca++ [( Ca++]i) overload underlies the diastolic dysfunction of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Myocardial tissue was obtained at the time of surgery or transplantation from patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and was compared with control myocardium obtained from patients without heart disease. The isometric contractions and electrophysiologic properties of all myocardial specimens were recorded by standard techniques and [Ca++]i was measured with the bioluminescent calcium indicator aequorin. In contrast to the controls, action potentials, Ca++ transients, and isometric contraction and relaxation were markedly prolonged in the hypertrophic myocardium, and the Ca++ transients consisted of two distinct components. At 38 degrees C and 1 Hz pacing frequency, a state of relative Ca++ overload appeared develop, which produced a rise in end-diastolic [Ca++]i, incomplete relaxation, and fusion of twitches with a resultant decrease in active tension development. We also found that drugs with increase [Ca++]i, such as digitalis, exacerbated these abnormalities, whereas drugs that lower [Ca++]i, such as verapamil, or agents that increase cyclic AMP, such as forskolin, prevented them. These results may explain why patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy tolerate tachycardia poorly, and may have important implications with regard to the pharmacologic treatment of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Na(+)/H(+) exchange inhibition with HOE642 improves postischemic recovery due to attenuation of Ca(2+) overload and prolonged acidosis on reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Na(+)/H(+) exchange inhibition with HOE642 (cariporide) improves postischemic recovery of cardiac function, but the mechanisms of action remain speculative. Because Na(+)/H(+) exchange is activated on reperfusion, it was hypothesized that its inhibition delays realkalinization and decreases intracellular Na(+) and, via Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange, Ca(2+) overload. Attenuated Ca(2+) overload and prolonged acidosis are known to be cardioprotective. METHODS AND RESULTS: Left ventricular developed and end-diastolic pressures were measured in isolated buffer-perfused rat hearts subjected to 30 minutes of no-flow ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion (37 degrees C) with or without 1 micromol/L HOE642 added to the perfusate 15 minutes before ischemia. Intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and pH(i) were measured with aequorin (n=10 per group) and (31)P NMR spectroscopy (n=6 per group), respectively. HOE642 did not affect preischemic mechanical function, [Ca(2+)](i), or pH(i). Mechanical recovery after 30 minutes of reperfusion was substantially improved with HOE642: left ventricular developed pressure (in percent of preischemic values) was 92+/-3 versus 49+/-7 and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was 16+/-3 versus 46+/-5 mm Hg (P<0.05 for HOE642-treated versus untreated hearts). End-ischemic [Ca(2+)](i) was significantly lower in HOE642-treated than in untreated hearts (1.04+/-0.06 versus 1.84+/-0. 02 micromol/L, P<0.05). Maximal intracellular Ca(2+) overload during the first 60 seconds of reperfusion was attenuated with HOE642 compared with untreated hearts: 2.0+/-0.3 versus 3.2+/-0.3 micromol/L (P<0.05). pH(i) was not different at end ischemia ( approximately 5.9+/-0.05). Realkalinization was similar in the first 90 seconds of reperfusion and significantly delayed in the next 3 minutes (eg, 6.8+/-0.07 in HOE642-treated hearts compared with 7. 2+/-0.07 in untreated hearts; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HOE642 improves postischemic recovery by reducing Ca(2+) overload during ischemia and early reperfusion and by prolonging postischemic acidosis.

Lack of direct role for calcium in ischemic diastolic dysfunction in isolated hearts.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia is characterized by an increase in intracellular calcium and occurrence of diastolic dysfunction. We investigated whether the myocyte calcium level is an important direct determinant of ischemic diastolic dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: We exposed isolated, perfused isovolumic (balloon in left ventricle) rat and rabbit hearts to low-flow ischemia and increased extracellular calcium (from 1.5 to 16 mmol/L) for brief periods. Intracellular calcium was measured by aequorin. Low-flow ischemia resulted in a 270% increase (P:<0.05) in diastolic intracellular calcium, a 50% (P:<0.05) calcium transient amplitude decrease, and a 52% (P:<0.05) slowing of calcium transient decline. Diastolic pressure increased by 6+/-2 mm Hg (P:<0.05), and rate of systolic pressure decay decreased by 65% (P:<0.05). Experimentally increasing extracellular calcium doubled both intracellular diastolic calcium and calcium transient amplitude, concomitant with a developed pressure increase; however, there was no increase in ischemic diastolic pressure, slowing of the calcium transient decay, or further slowing of systolic pressure decay. Similarly, after 45 minutes of low-flow ischemia, after diastolic pressure had increased from 8.5+/-0.6 to 19.7+/-3.5 mm Hg (P:<0.001), intracoronary high-molar calcium chloride infusion increased systolic pressure from 36+/-4 to 63+/-11 mm Hg (P:<0.001), indicating an increase in intracellular calcium, but it decreased diastolic pressure from 19. 7+/-3.5 to 17.5+/-3.7 mm Hg (P:<0.01). Conversely, EGTA infusion decreased systolic pressure, indicating a decrease in intracellular calcium, but did not decrease diastolic pressure. CONCLUSIONS: When calcium availability was experimentally altered during ischemia, there was no alteration in left ventricular diastolic pressure, suggesting that ischemic diastolic dysfunction is not directly mediated by a calcium activated tension.

Cardiovascular abnormalities in transgenic mice with reduced brown fat: an animal model of human obesity.

BACKGROUND: A new model of murine obesity has recently been developed through transgenic ablation of brown adipose tissue that manifests typical metabolic complications of obesity, including insulin resistance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The cardiovascular phenotype has not been defined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Transthoracic echocardiography, aortic catheterization, isolated whole-heart studies, and morphometric histology defined cardiac structure and function in 30 transgenic mice with reduced brown fat and 30 matched wild-type controls. Obesity was indicated by a 77% increase in body weight and was accompanied by elevated systemic pressures (mean aortic blood pressure 85+/-1 versus 66+/-2 mm Hg; P<0.01), left ventricular dilation and hypertrophy (mass/body weight 4.0+/-0.2 versus 2.7+/-0.3 mg/g; P<0.01), and high cardiac output (cardiac index 3.2+/-0.4 versus 2.4+/-0.1 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1); P<0.01). Baseline functional parameters assessed in vitro were not different, but after imposition of zero-flow ischemia, significant relaxation impairment developed in obese mice. Although morphometrically determined myocyte diameters were similar, the percentage of interstitial fibrosis was significantly increased in transgenic mice compared with wild-type controls (7.5+/-2% versus 4. 2+/-0.2%; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Transgenic ablation of brown adipose tissue is associated not only with obesity but also with systemic hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy with eccentric remodeling and fibrosis, and high cardiac output, a unique constellation of findings strikingly similar to that seen in human obesity. Mice with reduced brown fat may serve as a new model for the cardiovascular morbid complications associated with obesity in humans.

Effects of calcium channel blockers on coronary vasoconstriction induced by endothelin-1 in closed chest pigs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of endothelin-1 on the coronary vascular bed of closed chest pigs. Endothelin-1 (3 to 30 pmol/kg body weight) was selectively administered into the left anterior descending coronary artery. Coronary blood flow and epicardial vessel diameter were measured by quantitative arteriography. Arterial pressure increased after a 30 pmol/kg dose and heart rate was not changed. Coronary blood flow and vessel diameter of the left anterior descending artery significantly decreased by 74% and 32%, respectively (p less than 0.01 versus control) after the 30 pmol/kg dose, whereas these variables modestly decreased in the left circumflex artery. Endothelin-1 in doses of 10 to 30 pmol/kg produced electrocardiographic ST segment elevation associated with decreased oxygen saturation of coronary sinus venous blood. Endothelin-induced coronary vasoconstriction was significantly inhibited after treatment with intravenous diltiazem (0.2 mg/kg, n = 6) or nifedipine (0.1 mg/kg, n = 5), but not after vehicle administration (n = 4). This study demonstrates that intracoronary administration of endothelin-1 causes significant myocardial ischemia through coronary vasoconstriction, which is inhibited by a calcium channel blocker. The data suggest that calcium influx into the smooth muscle cells appears to be involved at least in part in the mechanism of endothelin-induced coronary vasoconstriction in vivo.

Long-term captopril treatment improves diastolic filling more than systolic performance in rats with large myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the effects of long-term angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling in postinfarction heart failure. BACKGROUND: Long-term treatment with ACE inhibitors is beneficial in experimental animals and patients with heart failure. Because this treatment typically produces only small improvements in LV systolic function, we hypothesized that improvements in LV diastolic filling might contribute to the overall beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors after myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: We performed transthoracic echocardiographic-Doppler examinations in rats 1 and 6 weeks after transmural MI or sham operation. Rats with MI were randomized to no treatment (n = 10) or captopril (2 g/liter in drinking water, n = 8) after the baseline echocardiogram. RESULTS: Six weeks after MI, untreated rats had significant LV dilation compared with sham-operated rats (LV diastolic dimension [mean+/-SEM] 10.7 +/- 0.3 vs. 8.5 +/- 0.3 mm, p < 0.05). Rats with untreated MI also had impaired fractional shortening (9 +/- 1% vs. 34 +/- 2%, p < 0.05) and depressed systolic thickening of the noninfarcted posterior wall (3% +/- 3% vs, 65 +/- 9%, p < 0.05). Rats with MI showed progressively restricted LV diastolic filling as assessed by transmitral Doppler recordings. At 6 weeks, peak early filling velocity (E) was increased (97 +/- 3 vs. 77 +/- 2 cm/s, p < 0.05), E wave deceleration was more rapid (23 +/- 3 vs. 12 +/- 1 m/s2, p < 0.05), isovolumetric relaxation time was decreased (18 +/- 1 vs. 24 +/- 1 ms, p < 0.05), and late filling velocity was lower (26 +/- 7 vs. 34 +/- 1 cm/s, p < 0.05) in rats with MI versus sham-operated rats. Compared with rats with untreated MI, rats receiving captopril had similar LV diastolic dimensions (10.5 +/- 0.35 vs. 10.7 +/- 0.35 mm), slightly higher fractional shortening (16 +/- 2% vs. 9 +/- 1%, p < 0.05 [captopril MI vs. untreated MI]) and unchanged posterior wall thickening (49 +/- 12% vs. 37 +/- 3%, p = 0.3). In contrast, captopril almost completely normalized diastolic filling abnormalities (E velocity 82 +/- 5 cm/s, p < 0.05 [captopril MI vs. untreated MI]; E wave deceleration rate 15 +/- 2 m/s2, p < 0.05 [captopril MI vs. untreated MI]; isovolumetric relaxation time 20 +/- 1 ms). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term captopril treatment in rats with a large MI modestly limits LV remodeling and the development of systolic dysfunction but markedly improves the restrictive diastolic filling abnormalities that are seen in untreated rats.