Effects of congeners of amphetamine on the human heart.

Central stimulatory and hallucinogenic drugs of abuse like amphetamine and most congeners of amphetamine can have cardiac harmful effects. These cardiac side effects can lead to morbidities and death. In this paper, we review current knowledge on the direct and indirect effects of these amphetamine congeners on the mammalian heart-more specifically, the isolated human heart muscle preparation. In detail, we address the question of whether and how these drugs affect cardiac contractility and their mechanisms of action. Based on this information, further research areas are defined, and further research efforts are proposed.

Effects of hallucinogenic drugs on the human heart.

Hallucinogenic drugs are used because they have effects on the central nervous system. Their hallucinogenic effects probably occur via stimulation of serotonin receptors, namely, 5-HT2A-serotonin receptors in the brain. However, a close study reveals that they also act on the heart, possibly increasing the force of contraction and beating rate and may lead to arrhythmias. Here, we will review the inotropic and chronotropic actions of bufotenin, psilocin, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ergotamine, ergometrine, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in the human heart.

Initial characterization of a transgenic mouse with overexpression of the human D1-dopamine receptor in the heart.

Dopamine can exert effects in the mammalian heart via five different dopamine receptors. There is controversy whether dopamine receptors increase contractility in the human heart. Therefore, we have generated mice that overexpress the human D1-dopamine receptor in the heart (D1-TG) and hypothesized that dopamine increases force of contraction and beating rate compared to wild-type mice (WT). In D1-TG hearts, we ascertained the presence of D1-dopamine receptors by autoradiography using [3H]SKF 38393. The mRNA for human D1-dopamine receptors was present in D1-TG hearts and absent in WT. We detected by in-situ-hybridization mRNA for D1-dopamine receptors in atrial and ventricular D1-TG cardiomyocytes compared to WT but also in human atrial preparations. We noted that in the presence of 10 µM propranolol (to antagonize ß-adrenoceptors), dopamine alone and the D1- and D5-dopamine receptor agonist SKF 38393 (0.1-10 µM cumulatively applied) exerted concentration- and time-dependent positive inotropic effects and positive chronotropic effects in left or right atrial preparations from D1-TG. The positive inotropic effects of SKF 38393 in left atrial preparations from D1-TG led to an increased rate of relaxation and accompanied by and probably caused by an augmented phosphorylation state of the inhibitory subunit of troponin. In the presence of 0.4 µM propranolol, 1 µM dopamine could increase left ventricular force of contraction in isolated perfused hearts from D1-TG. In this model, we have demonstrated a positive inotropic and chronotropic effect of dopamine. Thus, in principle, the human D1-dopamine receptor can couple to contractility in the mammalian heart.

Glucagon and Its Receptors in the Mammalian Heart.

Glucagon exerts effects on the mammalian heart. These effects include alterations in the force of contraction, beating rate, and changes in the cardiac conduction system axis. The cardiac effects of glucagon vary according to species, region, age, and concomitant disease. Depending on the species and region studied, the contractile effects of glucagon can be robust, modest, or even absent. Glucagon is detected in the mammalian heart and might act with an autocrine or paracrine effect on the cardiac glucagon receptors. The glucagon levels in the blood and glucagon receptor levels in the heart can change with disease or simultaneous drug application. Glucagon might signal via the glucagon receptors but, albeit less potently, glucagon might also signal via glucagon-like-peptide-1-receptors (GLP1-receptors). Glucagon receptors signal in a species- and region-dependent fashion. Small molecules or antibodies act as antagonists to glucagon receptors, which may become an additional treatment option for diabetes mellitus. Hence, a novel review of the role of glucagon and the glucagon receptors in the mammalian heart, with an eye on the mouse and human heart, appears relevant. Mouse hearts are addressed here because they can be easily genetically modified to generate mice that may serve as models for better studying the human glucagon receptor.

Function and Role of Histamine H1 Receptor in the Mammalian Heart.

Histamine can change the force of cardiac contraction and alter the beating rate in mammals, including humans. However, striking species and regional differences have been observed. Depending on the species and the cardiac region (atrium versus ventricle) studied, the contractile, chronotropic, dromotropic, and bathmotropic effects of histamine vary. Histamine is present and is produced in the mammalian heart. Thus, histamine may exert autocrine or paracrine effects in the mammalian heart. Histamine uses at least four heptahelical receptors: H1, H2, H3 and H4. Depending on the species and region studied, cardiomyocytes express only histamine H1 or only histamine H2 receptors or both. These receptors are not necessarily functional concerning contractility. We have considerable knowledge of the cardiac expression and function of histamine H2 receptors. In contrast, we have a poor understanding of the cardiac role of the histamine H1 receptor. Therefore, we address the structure, signal transduction, and expressional regulation of the histamine H1 receptor with an eye on its cardiac role. We point out signal transduction and the role of the histamine H1 receptor in various animal species. This review aims to identify gaps in our knowledge of cardiac histamine H1 receptors. We highlight where the published research shows disagreements and requires a new approach. Moreover, we show that diseases alter the expression and functional effects of histamine H1 receptors in the heart. We found that antidepressive drugs and neuroleptic drugs might act as antagonists of cardiac histamine H1 receptors, and believe that histamine H1 receptors in the heart might be attractive targets for drug therapy. The authors believe that a better understanding of the role of histamine H1 receptors in the human heart might be clinically relevant for improving drug therapy.

Cardiac Roles of Serotonin (5-HT) and 5-HT-Receptors in Health and Disease.

Serotonin acts solely via 5-HT4-receptors to control human cardiac contractile function. The effects of serotonin via 5-HT4-receptors lead to positive inotropic and chronotropic effects, as well as arrhythmias, in the human heart. In addition, 5-HT4-receptors may play a role in sepsis, ischaemia, and reperfusion. These presumptive effects of 5-HT4-receptors are the focus of the present review. We also discuss the formation and inactivation of serotonin in the body, namely, in the heart. We identify cardiovascular diseases where serotonin might play a causative or additional role. We address the mechanisms which 5-HT4-receptors can use for cardiac signal transduction and their possible roles in cardiac diseases. We define areas where further research in this regard should be directed in the future, and identify animal models that might be generated to this end. Finally, we discuss in what regard 5-HT4-receptor agonists or antagonists might be useful drugs that could enter clinical practice. Serotonin has been the target of many studies for decades; thus, we found it timely to summarise our current knowledge here.

Role of Dopamine in the Heart in Health and Disease.

Dopamine has effects on the mammalian heart. These effects can include an increase in the force of contraction, and an elevation of the beating rate and the constriction of coronary arteries. Depending on the species studied, positive inotropic effects were strong, very modest, or absent, or even negative inotropic effects occurred. We can discern five dopamine receptors. In addition, the signal transduction by dopamine receptors and the regulation of the expression of cardiac dopamine receptors will be of interest to us, because this might be a tempting area of drug development. Dopamine acts in a species-dependent fashion on these cardiac dopamine receptors, but also on cardiac adrenergic receptors. We will discuss the utility of drugs that are currently available as tools to understand cardiac dopamine receptors. The molecule dopamine itself is present in the mammalian heart. Therefore, cardiac dopamine might act as an autocrine or paracrine compound in the mammalian heart. Dopamine itself might cause cardiac diseases. Moreover, the cardiac function of dopamine and the expression of dopamine receptors in the heart can be altered in diseases such as sepsis. Various drugs for cardiac and non-cardiac diseases are currently in the clinic that are, at least in part, agonists or antagonists at dopamine receptors. We define the research needs in order to understand dopamine receptors in the heart better. All in all, an update on the role of dopamine receptors in the human heart appears to be clinically relevant, and is thus presented here.

Infection and transmission risks of COVID-19 in schools and their contribution to population infections in Germany: A retrospective observational study using nationwide and regional health and education agency notification data.

BACKGROUND: School-level infection control measures in Germany during the early Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic differed across the 16 federal states and lacked a dependable evidence base, with available evidence limited to regional data restricted to short phases of the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the (a) infection risks in students and staff; (b) transmission risks and routes in schools; (c) effects of school-level infection control measures on school and population infection dynamics; and (d) contribution of contacts in schools to population cases. METHODS AND FINDINGS: For this retrospective observational study, we used German federal state (NUTS-2) and county (NUTS-3) data from public health and education agencies from March 2020 to April 2022. We assessed (a) infection risk as cumulative risk and crude risk ratios and (b) secondary attack rates (SARs) with 95% confidence interval (CI). We used (c) multiple regression analysis for the effects of infection control measures such as reduced attendance, mask mandates, and vaccination coverage as absolute reduction in case incidence per 100,000 inhabitants per 14 days and in percentage relative to the population, and (d) infection dynamic modelling to determine the percentage contribution of school contacts to population cases. We included (a) nationwide NUTS-2 data from calendar weeks (W) 46-50/2020 and W08/2021-W15/2022 with 3,521,964 cases in students and 329,283 in teachers; (b) NUTS-3 data from W09-25/2021 with 85,788 student and 9,427 teacher cases; and (c) detailed data from 5 NUTS-3 regions from W09/2020 to W27/2021 with 12,814 cases (39% male, 37% female; median age 14, range 5 to 63), 43,238 contacts and 4,165 secondary cases for students (for teachers, 14,801 [22% male, 50% female; median age 39, range 16 to 75], 5,893 and 472). Infection risk (a) for students and teachers was higher than the population risk in all phases of normal presence class and highest in the early 2022 omicron wave with 30.6% (95% CI 30.5% to 32.6%) of students and 32.7% (95% CI 32.6% to 32.8%) of teachers infected in Germany. SARs (b) for students and staff were below 5% in schools throughout the study period, while SARs in households more than doubled from 13.8% (95% CI 10.6% to 17.6%) W21-39/2020 to 28.7% (95% CI 27% to 30.4%) in W08-23/2021 for students and 10.9% (95% CI 7% to 16.5%) to 32.7% (95% CI 28.2% to 37.6%) for staff. Most contacts were reported for schools, yet most secondary cases originated in households. In schools, staff predominantly infected staff. Mandatory surgical mask wearing during class in all schools was associated with a reduction in the case incidence of students and teachers (c), by 56/100,000 persons per 14 days (students: 95% CI 47.7 to 63.4; teachers: 95% CI 39.6 to 71.6; p < 0.001) and by 29.8% (95% CI 25% to 35%, p < 0.001) and 24.3% (95% CI 13% to 36%, p < 0.001) relative to the population, respectively, as were reduced attendance and higher vaccination coverage. The contribution of contacts in schools to population cases (d) was 2% to 20%, lowest during school closures/vacation and peaked during normal presence class intervals, with the overall peak early during the omicron wave. Limitations include underdetection, misclassification of contacts, interviewer/interviewee dependence of contact-tracing, and lack of individual-level confounding factors in aggregate data regression analysis. CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed that open schools under hygiene measures and testing strategies contributed up to 20% of population infections during the omicron wave early 2022, and as little as 2% during vacations/school closures; about a third of students and teachers were infected during the omicron wave in early 2022 in Germany. Mandatory mask wearing during class in all school types and reduced attendance models were associated with a reduced infection risk in schools.

Endomysial fibrosis, rather than overall connective tissue content, is the main determinant of conduction disturbances in human atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Although in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) a complex AF substrate characterized by a high incidence of conduction block has been reported, relatively little is known about AF complexity in paroxysmal AF (pAF). Also, the relative contribution of various aspects of structural alterations to conduction disturbances is not clear. In particular, the contribution of endomysial fibrosis to conduction disturbances during progression of AF has not been studied yet. METHODS AND RESULTS: During cardiac surgery, epicardial high-density mapping was performed in patients with acutely induced (aAF, n = 11), pAF (n = 12), and longstanding persistent AF (persAF, n = 9) on the right atrial (RA) wall, the posterior left atrial wall (pLA) and the LA appendage (LAA). In RA appendages, overall and endomysial (myocyte-to-myocyte distances) fibrosis and connexin 43 (Cx43) distribution were quantified. Unipolar AF electrogram analysis showed a more complex pattern with a larger number of narrower waves, more breakthroughs and a higher fractionation index (FI) in persAF compared with aAF and pAF, with no differences between aAF and pAF. The FI was consistently higher at the pLA compared with the RA. Structurally, Cx43 lateralization increased with AF progression (aAF = 7.5 ± 8.9%, pAF = 24.7 ± 11.1%, persAF = 35.1 ± 11.4%, P < 0.001). Endomysial but not overall fibrosis correlated with AF complexity (r = 0.57, P = 0.001; r = 0.23, P = 0.20; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Atrial fibrillation complexity is highly variable in patients with pAF, but not significantly higher than in patients with acutely induced AF, while in patients with persistent AF complexity is higher. Among the structural alterations studied, endomysial fibrosis, but not overall fibrosis, is the strongest determinant of AF complexity.

Remodeling of Cardiac Gap Junctional Cell-Cell Coupling.

The heart works as a functional syncytium, which is realized via cell-cell coupling maintained by gap junction channels. These channels connect two adjacent cells, so that action potentials can be transferred. Each cell contributes a hexameric hemichannel (=connexon), formed by protein subuntis named connexins. These hemichannels dock to each other and form the gap junction channel. This channel works as a low ohmic resistor also allowing the passage of small molecules up to 1000 Dalton. Connexins are a protein family comprising of 21 isoforms in humans. In the heart, the main isoforms are Cx43 (the 43 kDa connexin; ubiquitous), Cx40 (mostly in atrium and specific conduction system), and Cx45 (in early developmental states, in the conduction system, and between fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes). These gap junction channels are mainly located at the polar region of the cardiomyocytes and thus contribute to the anisotropic pattern of cardiac electrical conductivity. While in the beginning the cell-cell coupling was considered to be static, similar to an anatomically defined structure, we have learned in the past decades that gap junctions are also subject to cardiac remodeling processes in cardiac disease such as atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, or cardiomyopathy. The underlying remodeling processes include the modulation of connexin expression by e.g., angiotensin, endothelin, or catecholamines, as well as the modulation of the localization of the gap junctions e.g., by the direction and strength of local mechanical forces. A reduction in connexin expression can result in a reduced conduction velocity. The alteration of gap junction localization has been shown to result in altered pathways of conduction and altered anisotropy. In particular, it can produce or contribute to non-uniformity of anisotropy, and thereby can pre-form an arrhythmogenic substrate. Interestingly, these remodeling processes seem to be susceptible to certain pharmacological treatment.

Histamine can be Formed and Degraded in the Human and Mouse Heart.

Histamine is metabolized by several enzymes in vitro and in vivo. The relevance of this metabolism in the mammalian heart in vivo is unclear. However, histamine can exert positive inotropic effects (PIE) and positive chronotropic effects (PCE) in humans via H2-histamine receptors. In transgenic mice (H2-TG) that overexpress the human H2 receptor in cardiomyocytes but not in wild-type littermate mice (WT), histamine induced PIE and PCE in isolated left or right atrial preparations. These H2-TG were used to investigate the putative relevance of histamine degrading enzymes in the mammalian heart. Histidine, the precursor of histamine, increased force of contraction (FOC) in human atrial preparations. Moreover, histamine increased the phosphorylation state of phospholamban in human atrium. Here, we could detect histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and histamine itself in cardiomyocytes of mouse hearts. Moreover, our data indicate that histamine is subject to degradation in the mammalian heart. Inhibition of the histamine metabolizing enzymes diamine oxidase (DAO) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) shifted the concentration response curves for the PIE in H2-TG atria to the left. Moreover, activity of histamine metabolizing enzymes was present in mouse cardiac samples as well as in human atrial samples. Thus, drugs used for other indication (e.g. antidepressants) can alter histamine levels in the heart. Our results deepen our understanding of the physiological role of histamine in the mouse and human heart. Our findings might be clinically relevant because we show enzyme targets for drugs to modify the beating rate and force of the human heart.

Development of a constant pressure perfused ex vivo model of the equine larynx.

Distal axonopathy is seen in a broad range of species including equine patients. In horses, this degenerative disorder of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is described as recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). The dysfunctional innervation of the cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscle (CAD) leads to a loss of performance in affected horses. In general, ex vivo models of the larynx are rare and for equine patients, just one short report is available. To allow for testing new therapy approaches in an isolated organ model, we examined equine larynges in a constant pressure perfused setup. In order to check the vitality and functionality of the isolated larynx, the vessels´ reaction to norepinephrine (NE) and sodium nitroprusside (NP) as vasoactive agents was tested. Additionally, the contractility of the CAD was checked via electrical stimulation. To determine the extent of hypoxic alterations, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and lactate were measured and an immunofluorescent analysis of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), a key transcription factor in hypoxia, was performed. For this, a hypoxia-induced cell culture for HIF-1α was developed. The application of NE led to an expected vasoconstriction while NP caused the expected vasodilation. During a perfusion period of 352 ±20.78 min, LDH values were in the reference range and lactate values slightly exceeded the reference range at the end of the perfusion. HIF-1α nuclear translocation could reliably be detected in the hypoxia-induced cell cultures, but not in sections of the perfused CAD. With the approach presented here, a solid basis for perfusing equine larynges was established and may serve as a tool for further investigations of equine larynx disorders as well as a transferrable model for other species.

The Roles of Cardiovascular H2-Histamine Receptors Under Normal and Pathophysiological Conditions.

This review addresses pharmacological, structural and functional relationships among H2-histamine receptors and H1-histamine receptors in the mammalian heart. The role of both receptors in the regulation of force and rhythm, including their electrophysiological effects on the mammalian heart, will then be discussed in context. The potential clinical role of cardiac H2-histamine-receptors in cardiac diseases will be examined. The use of H2-histamine receptor agonists to acutely increase the force of contraction will be discussed. Special attention will be paid to the potential role of cardiac H2-histamine receptors in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias. Moreover, novel findings on the putative role of H2-histamine receptor antagonists in treating chronic heart failure in animal models and patients will be reviewed. Some limitations in our biochemical understanding of the cardiac role of H2-histamine receptors will be discussed. Recommendations for further basic and translational research on cardiac H2-histamine receptors will be offered. We will speculate whether new knowledge might lead to novel roles of H2-histamine receptors in cardiac disease and whether cardiomyocyte specific H2-histamine receptor agonists and antagonists should be developed.

Avoiding implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator by bridging with wearable defibrillator vest.

BACKGROUND: Patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35% should be protected from sudden cardiac death with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The onset of the effect of optimal medical therapy (OMT) is unclear, and a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) can bridge this period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study analyzed 104 patients (age, 68.9 ± 11.7 years; 81% [84/104] male) whose first diagnosis included an LVEF <35%. After exclusion of reversible causes for LVEF reduction and initiation/adjustment of the OMT, the WCD was employed. The LVEF and indication for ICD were re-evaluated after 62 ± 36 days. The LVEF development and implantation rate were correlated with underlying disease (ischemic [ICM] or nonischemic cardiomyopathy [NICM]), comorbidities, and age/gender. RESULTS: The wearing time of the WCD was 22.8 ± 1.9 h/day. An LVEF improvement from 28.5 ± 6.4% to 40 ± 11.7% was achieved through OMT (p < 0.0001). An improvement in LVEF of up to more than 35% was achieved in 66 of 104 patients (63%), and only 37% of patients were subsequently given an ICD. This affected 41% of patients with ICM and 30% of patients with NICM (p = 0.205). Notably, no ICD interventions were observed over 362 ± 89.5 days after implantation in the ICD-receiver group. CONCLUSION: The indication for ICD can be re-evaluated after 2 months. Patients with NICM respond better to OMT compared with ICM patients. The LVEF recovered to >35% in >60% of cases.

Different Effects of Cannabis Abuse on Adolescent and Adult Brain.

Cannabis abuse is a common phenomenon among adolescents. The dominant psychoactive substance in Cannabis sativa is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, in the past 40 years the content of the psychoactive ingredient THC in most of the preparations is not constant but has increased due to other breeding and culturing conditions. THC acts as the endocannabinoids at CB1 and CB2 receptors but pharmacologically can be described as a partial (not a pure) agonist. Recent evidence shows that activation of the CB1 receptor by THC can diminish the production of neuronal growth factor in neurons and affect other signalling cascades involved in synapsis formation. Since these factors play an important role in the brain development and in the neuronal conversion processes during puberty, it seems reasonable that THC can affect the adolescent brain in another manner than the adult brain. Accordingly, in adolescent cannabis users structural changes were observed with loss of grey matter in certain brain areas. Moreover, recent studies show different effects of THC on adolescent and adult brains and on behaviour. These studies indicate that early THC abuse can result in neuropsychological deficits. This review gives an overview over the present knowledge in this field.

Effects of Hypoxia and Acidosis on Cardiac Electrophysiology and Hemodynamics. Is NHE-Inhibition by Cariporide Still Advantageous?

Hypoxia often leads to severe cardiac malfunctions. It is assumed that intracellular calcium overload is -inter alia- responsible for left ventricular (LV) deterioration. Inhibition of the sodium-proton exchanger (NHE), which finally inhibits/slows calcium overload, may ameliorate cardiac function. Our aim was to evaluate cariporide, an inhibitor of NHE1 in a Langendorff-perfused heart model. To discriminate a potentially different impact of extracellular acidosis and hypoxia we examined 48 Chinchilla Bastard rabbits divided into 8 experimental groups: control group (pH = 7.4, O2 = 100%) without or with cariporide (1 µM), acidosis group (pH = 7.0, O2 = 100%) without or with cariporide (1 µM), hypoxia group (pH = 7.4, O2 = 40%) without or with cariporide (1 µM) and hypoxia+acidosis group (pH = 7.0, O2 = 40%) without or with cariporide (1 µM). Hearts were subjected to acidotic/hypoxic conditions for 90 min followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Hypoxia and hypoxia+acidosis led to a severe deterioration of LV function with a decrease in LV pressure by about 70% and an increase of end-diastolic pressure from 6.7 ± 0.6 to 36.8 ± 5.4 (hypoxia) or from 7.0 ± 0.2 to 18.6 ± 4.1 (hypoxia+acidosis). Moreover, maximum contraction velocity decreased from about 1,800 mmHg/s to 600 mmHg/s during hypoxia ± acidosis and maximum relaxation velocity deteriorated from -1,500 mmHg/s to about -600 mmHg/s. During reperfusion hearts subjected to hypoxia+acidosis recovered faster than hearts subjected to hypoxia alone, reaching control levels after 5 min of reperfusion. Electrophysiologic analysis revealed an 1.2 fold increase in both dispersion of activation-recovery interval and in total activation time in the hypoxia ± acidosis group. Cariporide application significantly improved LV hemodynamics and electrophysiology in the hypoxia group but not in the group subjected to hypoxia+acidosis. Immunohistologic analysis of cardiac specimen revealed a significant increase of factors involved in hypoxia/reperfusion injury like nitrotyrosine and poly-ADP-ribose as well as apoptosis-inducing factors like AIF or cleaved-caspase 3 in LV after hypoxia ± acidosis. ATP was reduced by hypoxia but not by acidosis. Again, cariporide mitigated these processes only in the hypoxia alone group, but not in the group with additional acidosis. Acidosis without hypoxia only marginally disturbed LV function and electrophysiology, and was not affected by cariporide. Thus, our study demonstrated that several detrimental effects of hypoxia were mitigated or abrogated by acidosis and that NHE-inhibition improved only hypoxia-induced cardiac dysfunction.

Anti-oxidative or anti-inflammatory additives reduce ischemia/reperfusions injury in an animal model of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Severe inborn cardiac malformations are typically corrected in cardioplegia, with a cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) taking over body circulation. During the operation the arrested hearts are subjected to a global ischemia/reperfusion injury. Although the applied cardioplegic solutions have a certain protective effect, application of additional substances to reduce cardiac damage are of interest.18 domestic piglets (10-15 kg) were subjected to a 90 min CPB and a 120 min reperfusion phase without or with the application of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (10 mg/kg body weight) or minocycline (4 mg/kg body weight), with both drugs given before and after CPB. 18 additional sham-operated piglets without or with epigallocatechin-3-gallate or minocycline served as controls. In total 36 piglets were analyzed (3 CPB-groups and 3 control groups without or with epigallocatechin-3-gallate or minocycline respectively; 6 piglets per group). Hemodynamic and blood parameters and ATP-measurements were assessed. Moreover, a histological evaluation of the heart muscle was performed. RESULTS: Piglets of the CPB-group needed more catecholamine support to achieve sufficient blood pressure. Ejection fraction and cardiac output were not different between the 6 groups. However, cardiac ATP-levels and blood lactate were significantly lower and creatine kinase was significantly higher in the three CPB-groups. Markers of apoptosis, hypoxia, nitrosative and oxidative stress were significantly elevated in hearts of the CPB-group. Nevertheless, addition of epigallocatechin-3-gallate or minocycline significantly reduced markers of myocardial damage. Noteworthy, EGCG was more effective in reducing markers of hypoxia, whereas minocycline more efficiently decreased inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: While epigallocatechin-3-gallate or minocycline did not improve cardiac hemodynamics, markers of myocardial damage were significantly lower in the CPB-groups with epigallocatechin-3-gallate or minocycline supplementation.

Cathepsin A Mediates Ventricular Remote Remodeling and Atrial Cardiomyopathy in Rats With Ventricular Ischemia/Reperfusion.

After myocardial infarction, remote ventricular remodeling and atrial cardiomyopathy progress despite successful revascularization. In a rat model of ventricular ischemia/reperfusion, pharmacological inhibition of the protease activity of cathepsin A initiated at the time point of reperfusion prevented extracellular matrix remodeling in the atrium and the ventricle remote from the infarcted area. This scenario was associated with preservation of more viable ventricular myocardium and the prevention of an arrhythmogenic and functional substrate for atrial fibrillation. Remote ventricular extracellular matrix remodeling and atrial cardiomyopathy may represent a promising target for pharmacological atrial fibrillation upstream therapy following myocardial infarction.

Golgi Fragmentation in Human Patients with Chronic Atrial Fibrillation: A New Aspect of Remodeling.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common chronic arrhythmia in elderly people and is accompanied by remodeling processes. While much is known about changes in ionic channels and in extracellular matrix, less is known about possible changes of intracellular structures. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to investigate, whether AF may also affect the structure of the Golgi apparatus and the microtubular network. METHODS: One-hundred fifty-three cardiac surgery patients were investigated [n = 24 in sinus rhythm (SR) and n = 129 with chronic AF of >1 year duration]. Tissue samples of the left atrial free wall were examined immunohistochemically. Golgi apparatus was detected by GM130 and its phosphorylated isoform. Furthermore, we investigated the length of the microtubules by α-tubulin staining. We also measured stathmin (phospho-S37), which is known to induce microtubule depolymerization. In addition, we investigated the cyclin-dependent kinase cdk5-activation, a typical stimulus for Golgi fragmentation, by measuring membrane-associated cdk5. RESULTS: We found significant fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus in AF together with a reduced fragment size. Significant more fragments of the Golgi were found lateral to the nucleus in AF, while the Golgi in SR was located more to the polar side of the nucleus, that is, in the longitudinal axis of the cell. This was accompanied by a significant reduction of the number of tubulin strands longer than 10 µm. These changes did not go along with an activation of stathmin, but with an increase in membrane association of cdk5. CONCLUSIONS: The present data may show that AF associated remodeling also involves intracellular remodeling of the Golgi-microtubular apparatus.

Aspects of Methamphetamine Abuse in Adolescents and Young Adults in a Thuringian County.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Drug abuse is an increasing problem among young adults in European countries. We wanted to assess the prevalence of methamphetamine and cannabis use in young people and to ask for their socioeconomic, parental and emotional background. METHODS: All pupils (n = 1,087) in the final class of 3 school types (-general school [in Germany: Hauptschule/Regelschule mit Hauptschulabschluss] class 9, regular school [in Germany: Regelschule] class 10, high school [in Germany: Gymnasium] class 10) and the first 2 classes of the vocational school (in Germany: Berufsschule) in the entire rural district of Altenburger Land, a Thuringian county in Germany with a total of 92,344 inhabitants were asked to fill out a 2-page questionnaire. In all, 920 questionnaires could be finally evaluated (mean age: 16.6 ± 0.07 years; mode value: 16; maximum range: 13-29). RESULTS: In the entire group, 5.81% (33 females, 20 males) reported the use of methamphetamine, while 42.8% stated that they have used it only once, the remaining 57.2% specified that they have used it on a more regular basis, mostly once a month, but 14.2% had used it almost daily. With regard to the socioeconomic background, 55% of the parents of the methamphetamine users were employees and 10% of the parents were in a leading position. This was not different from the non-user group (p = 0.193). Unemployment of the parents was found in 6.5% of the methamphetamine users and in 4.7% of the non-users. Overall, 67.92% had a basic knowledge of the side effects of this drug. In 55.32% of the methamphetamine users, the parents lived alone, were divorced or widowed, while this was only 33.1% in the non-user group. Of all the methamphetamine users, 69% had friends who also consumed the drug, which may give a hint on the impact of a peer group. In the entire group, 29.84% were smokers (female group: 28.47%; male group 31.25%) and 25.5% consumed cannabis. Ecstasy was used by a total of 4.05% and cocaine by 1.53%. No participant mentioned that they have used opiates. CONCLUSION: Among pupils aged about 16 years nearly 6% reported to have consumed methamphetamine. This group has a middle socioeconomic background. Two factors were strongly associated with methamphetamine usage: a family with only a single parent and friends who were used to taking methamphetamine. The self-perception of users was generally considered to be a disadvantage as compared to the other factors.