Subjective Loudness Using External Noise Reflects the Loudness and Distress of Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: Subjective tinnitus loudness has been measured using loudness matches, which compare tinnitus loudness with pure tones from an audiometer. When patients compare the sound pressure of certain noises with the tinnitus loudness, however, there may be remarkable differences from the measurements according to loudness matches. Subjective loudness (SubL) is an estimation of the sound pressure of tinnitus loudness by comparison of noises considered to be most similar to tinnitus loudness of patient. We examine whether SubL is inferior to loudness matches in measurement of subjective tinnitus loudness. DESIGN: Single-group cross-sectional study. PATIENTS: Included in this study were a clinical group of 111 patients with the chief complaint of subjective tinnitus. Seven of the 111 patients were excluded due to missing audiometry or questionnaire data. METHODS: Patients assessed the tinnitus loudness and related distress using visual analogue scales (VAS-L and VAS-S) and answered the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Hearing acuity, tinnitus pitch, and loudness were then measured using an audiometer. RESULTS: VAS-L, VAS-S, and THI scores significantly correlated with loudness match using Goodwin's method (SL2) and SubL. Subgroup analysis based on patient ages indicated that all correlations of SL2 with VAS-L, VAS-S, and THI scores were no longer seen in patients more than 60 years of age. Meanwhile, SubL correlated with VAS-L, VAS-S, and THI scores in all subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: SubL was a good reflection of self-reported loudness and distress of tinnitus. It may therefore be a simple and easy means of assessing tinnitus loudness and associated distress during pre-examination without an audiometer.

International Expert Consensus Document on Takotsubo Syndrome (Part II): Diagnostic Workup, Outcome, and Management.

The clinical expert consensus statement on takotsubo syndrome (TTS) part II focuses on the diagnostic workup, outcome, and management. The recommendations are based on interpretation of the limited clinical trial data currently available and experience of international TTS experts. It summarizes the diagnostic approach, which may facilitate correct and timely diagnosis. Furthermore, the document covers areas where controversies still exist in risk stratification and management of TTS. Based on available data the document provides recommendations on optimal care of such patients for practising physicians.

International Expert Consensus Document on Takotsubo Syndrome (Part I): Clinical Characteristics, Diagnostic Criteria, and Pathophysiology.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a poorly recognized heart disease that was initially regarded as a benign condition. Recently, it has been shown that TTS may be associated with severe clinical complications including death and that its prevalence is probably underestimated. Since current guidelines on TTS are lacking, it appears timely and important to provide an expert consensus statement on TTS. The clinical expert consensus document part I summarizes the current state of knowledge on clinical presentation and characteristics of TTS and agrees on controversies surrounding TTS such as nomenclature, different TTS types, role of coronary artery disease, and etiology. This consensus also proposes new diagnostic criteria based on current knowledge to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Lansoprazole prevents the progression of liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model rats.

OBJECTIVES: We previously demonstrated that lansoprazole provided hepatoprotection in a drug-induced hepatitis animal model partially through the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Here, we examined whether lansoprazole could also provide hepatoprotection in a rat model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: Six-week-old rats were fed a normal chow or a choline-deficient amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet to establish a rat model of NASH. The groups fed a CDAA diet for 5 weeks were subcutaneously administered either a vehicle or a lansoprazole suspension for 4 weeks beginning the second week of the experiment. KEY FINDINGS: Bridging fibrosis was observed in the livers of almost all the NASH model rats (six of seven), but it was not always observed in NASH model rats (one of seven) continuously administered lansoprazole. The serum aspartate aminotransferase level elevated by the CDAA diet was significantly decreased following lansoprazole administration. Lansoprazole also increased the expression of Nrf2, but not HO-1, in the liver of NASH model rats. Lansoprazole decreased the level of activated TGF-ß protein. Furthermore, interleukin-6 gene and protein expression were decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Lansoprazole inhibits hepatic fibrogenesis, at least during the early stages, in CDAA diet-induced NASH model rats. The mechanisms might be associated with cytokine suppression but not the inhibition of reactive oxygen species.

Gene expression profiling in rats with depressive-like behavior.

Individual differences indicate stronger phenotypes than model animals especially in behavioral studies, and some animals show unexpected behaviors in control and animal model groups. High-throughput analysis including cDNA microarray analysis are more affected by individual differences, because more samples are needed to reduce the difference in multiple factor analysis than single factor analysis such as real-time PCR. We measured the depressive-like behavior of over 100 normal rats in the forced swimming test and selected the rats for control and depression group from them to minimize the individual difference using data of force swimming test. Here, we provided the detail of methods and quality control parameters for the cDNA microarray data. This dataset can reflect the increase of depressive-like behavior. The dataset is deposited in the gene expression omnibus (GEO), series GSE63377.

Alterations of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Tinnitus Patients as Assessed Using Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography.

Tinnitus is the perception of phantom sound without an external auditory stimulus. Using neuroimaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography, electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), many studies have demonstrated that abnormal functions of the central nervous system are closely associated with tinnitus. In our previous research, we reported using resting-state fMRI that several brain regions, including the rectus gyrus, cingulate gyrus, thalamus, hippocampus, caudate, inferior temporal gyrus, cerebellar hemisphere, and medial superior frontal gyrus, were associated with tinnitus distress and loudness. To reconfirm these results and probe target regions for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), we investigated the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) between younger tinnitus patients (<60 years old) and the age-matched controls using single-photon emission computed tomography and easy Z-score imaging system. Compared with that of controls, the rCBF of tinnitus patients was significantly lower in the bilateral medial superior frontal gyri, left middle occipital gyrus and significantly higher in the bilateral cerebellar hemispheres and vermis, bilateral middle temporal gyri, right fusiform gyrus. No clear differences were observed between tinnitus patients with normal and impaired hearing. Regardless of the assessment modality, similar brain regions were identified as characteristic in tinnitus patients. These regions are potentially involved in the pathophysiology of chronic subjective tinnitus.

Downregulation of growth hormone 1 gene in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex of rats with depressive-like behavior.

Depressive-like behaviors in animals are usually assessed by standardized behavioral tests such as the forced swimming test (FST). However, individual variation in test performance may obscure group differences and thereby hinder the discovery of genes responsible for depression. Few reports have shown the influence of individual variability in identifying the genes associated with depressive-like behaviors. In this study, we conducted microarray analysis to identify genes differentially expressed in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and cerebellum of rats stratified by FST immobility ratio (% immobility in 5 min) into a control group [immobility ratio: -1 to +1 standard deviation (SD) from the mean] and a depressive group (immobility ratio: +1 to +2 SDs above the mean). Genes differentially expressed in both the cerebellum and PFC of the depressive group were Alas2, Gh1, Hba-a2, Hbb, Hbb-b1, Hbe2, LOC689064, Mrps10, Mybpc, Olf6415, and Pfkb1. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified Gh1 as a hub gene in the networks of differentially expressed genes in both brain regions. This study indicates that the depressive-like behavior may be related to the decrease of Gh1 expression in the cerebellum and PFC.

Semaphorin 4D induces vaginal epithelial cell apoptosis to control mouse postnatal vaginal tissue remodeling.

The opening of the mouse vaginal cavity to the skin is a postnatal tissue remodeling process that occurs at approximately five weeks of age for the completion of female genital tract maturation at puberty. The tissue remodeling process is primarily composed of a hormonally triggered apoptotic process predominantly occurring in the epithelium of the distal section of the vaginal cavity. However, the detailed mechanism underlying the apoptotic induction remains to be elucidated. In the present study, it was observed that the majority of BALB/c mice lacking the class 4 semaphorin, semaphorin 4D (Sema4D), developed imperforate vagina and hydrometrocolpos resulting in a perpetually unopened vaginal cavity regardless of a normal estrogen level comparable with that in wild­type (WT) mice. Administration of ß­estradiol to infant Sema4D­deficient (Sema4D­/­) mice did not induce precocious vaginal opening, which was observed in WT mice subjected to the same ß­estradiol administration, excluding the possibility that the closed vaginal phenotype was due to insufficient estrogen secretion at the time of vaginal opening. In order to assess the role of Sema4D in the postnatal vaginal tissue remodeling process, the expression of Sema4D and its receptor, plexin­B1, was examined as well as the level of apoptosis in the vaginal epithelia of five­week­old WT and Sema4D­/­ mice. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the localization of Sema4D and plexin­B1 in the mouse vaginal epithelia. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay and immunohistochemistry detecting activated caspase­3 revealed significantly fewer apoptotic cells in situ in the vaginal mucosa of five­week­old Sema4D­/­ mice compared with WT mice. The addition of recombinant Sema4D to Sema4D­/­ vaginal epithelial cells in culture significantly enhanced apoptosis of the vaginal epithelial cells, demonstrating the apoptosis­inducing activity of Sema4D. The experimental reduction of plexin­B1 expression in vaginal epithelial cells demonstrated the integral role of plexin­B1 in Sema4D­induced apoptotic cell death. These results suggest a non­redundant role of Sema4D in the postnatal tissue remodeling process in five­week­old BALB/c mice, which involves the induction of vaginal epithelial cell apoptosis through Sema4D binding to plexin­B1.

Reduction of cortical excitability and increase of thalamic activity in a low-frequency rTMS treatment for chronic tinnitus.

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has received increasing attention for the treatment of tinnitus, but its therapeutic mechanisms are unclear. We performed low-frequency rTMS treatment for a patient with chronic tinnitus and examined changes of cortical excitability and cerebral blood flow using paired-pulse TMS and single-photon emission computed tomography. After the rTMS treatment, tinnitus loudness was decreased, cortical excitability was reduced, and blood flow in the thalamus was increased. Our results suggest that low-frequency rTMS treatment reduces tinnitus loudness by an inhibitory effect on the cortical excitability and a remote activation effect on the thalamus through the corticothalamic networks.

Cardiovascular responses to microinjections of endomorphin-2 into the nucleus of the solitary tract are attenuated in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Stimulation of µ1-opioid receptors (M1ORs) in the medial nucleus solitarius (mNTS) by endomorphin-2 (EM2) elicits decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and greater splanchnic nerve activity (GSNA) in Wistar rats. We tested the hypothesis that EM2-induced responses in the mNTS may be attenuated in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Experiments were carried out in urethane-anesthetized, artificially ventilated, adult male SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Alterations in responses to chemical stimulation of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARCN) after bilateral blockade of M1ORs in the mNTS were also studied. In SHR, microinjections of EM2 into the mNTS elicited smaller decreases in MAP, HR and GSNA compared to those elicited in WKY; smaller cardiovascular responses in SHR can be explained by lower expression of M1OR mRNA in the NTS of SHR compared to WKY. Decreases in MAP and GSNA and increases in HR were elicited by microinjections of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) into the ARCN of WKY. Bilateral blockade of M1ORs in the mNTS attenuated the decreases in MAP and GSNA and exaggerated the increases in HR elicited by the ARCN stimulation in WKY but not in SHR. Tonic inhibitory activity of neuropeptide Y/gamma-aminobutyric acid (NPY/GABA) neurons in the ARCN is attenuated in SHR; this observation may explain increases in MAP, GSNA and HR elicited by microinjections of NMDA into the ARCN of SHR. These results demonstrate that attenuation of EM2-induced responses in the mNTS of SHR may contribute to the excitatory responses elicited by ARCN stimulation in SHR.

Nrf2-inducing anti-oxidation stress response in the rat liver--new beneficial effect of lansoprazole.

Lansoprazole is a potent anti-gastric ulcer drug that inhibits gastric proton pump activity. We identified a novel function for lansoprazole, as an inducer of anti-oxidative stress responses in the liver. Gastric administration of lansoprazole (10-100 mg/kg) to male Wistar rats produced a dose-dependent increase in hepatic mRNA levels of nuclear factor, erythroid-derived 2, -like 2 (Nrf2), a redox-sensitive transcription factor, at 3 h and Nrf2 immunoreactivity (IR) in whole hepatic lysates at 6 h. Conversely, the levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein (Keap1), which sequesters Nrf2 in the cytoplasm under un-stimulated conditions, were unchanged. Translocation of Nrf2 into the nuclei of hepatocytes was observed using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Expression of mRNAs for Nrf2-dependent antioxidant and phase II enzymes, such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD (P) H dehydrogenase, quinone 1 (Nqo1), glutathione S-transferase A2 (Gsta2), UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family polypeptide A6 (Ugt1a6), were dose-dependently up-regulated at 3 h. Furthermore, the levels of HO-1 IR were dose-dependently increased in hepatocytes at 6 h. Subcutaneous administration of lansoprazole (30 mg/kg/day) for 7 successive days resulted in up-regulation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 IR in hepatocytes and up-regulation of HO-1 IR in the liver. Pretreatment with lansoprazole attenuated thioacetamide (500 mg/kg)-induced acute hepatic damage via both HO-1-dependent and -independent pathways. Up-stream networks related to Nrf2 expression were investigated using microarray analysis, followed by data mining with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Up-regulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily a, polypeptide 1 (Cyp1a1) pathway was associated with up-regulation of Nrf2 mRNA. In conclusion, lansoprazole might have an alternative indication in the prevention and treatment of oxidative hepatic damage through the induction of both phase I and phase II drug-metabolizing systems, i.e. the AhR/Cyp1a1/Nrf2 pathway in hepatocytes.

Estrogen-dependent proteolytic cleavage of semaphorin 4D and plexin-B1 enhances semaphorin 4D-induced apoptosis during postnatal vaginal remodeling in pubescent mice.

Around the fifth week after birth, the vaginal cavity in female mouse pups opens to the overlaying skin. This postnatal tissue remodeling of the genital tract occurs during puberty, and it largely depends upon hormonally induced apoptosis that mainly occurs in the epithelium at the lower part of the mouse vaginal cavity. Previously, we showed that most BALB/c mice lacking the class IV Semaphorin (Sema4D) develop imperforate vagina and hydrometrocolpos; therefore, we reasoned that the absence of Sema4D-induced apoptosis in vaginal epithelial cells may cause the imperforate vagina. Sema4D signals via the Plexin-B1 receptor; nevertheless detailed mechanisms mediating this hormonally triggered apoptosis are not fully documented. To investigate the estrogen-dependent control of Sema4D signaling during the apoptosis responsible for mouse vaginal opening, we examined structural and functional modulation of Sema4D, Plexin-B1, and signaling molecules by analyzing both wild-type and Sema4D-/- mice with or without ovariectomy. Both the release of soluble Sema4D and the conversion of Plexin-B1 by proteolytic processing in vaginal tissue peaked 5 weeks after birth of wild-type BALB/c mice at the time of vaginal opening. Estrogen supplementation of ovariectomized wild-type mice revealed that both the release of soluble Sema4D and the conversion of Plexin-B1 into an active form were estrogen-dependent and concordant with apoptosis. Estrogen supplementation of ovariectomized Sema4D-/- mice did not induce massive vaginal apoptosis in 5-week-old mice; therefore, Sema4D may be an essential apoptosis-inducing ligand that acts downstream of estrogen action in vaginal epithelium during this postnatal tissue remodeling. Analysis of ovariectomized mice also indicated that Sema4D contributed to estrogen-dependent dephosphorylation of Akt and ERK at the time of vaginal opening. Based on our results, we propose that apoptosis in vaginal epithelium during postnatal vaginal opening is induced by enhanced Sema4D signaling that is caused by estrogen-dependent structural changes of Sema4D and Plexin-B1.

Brain regions responsible for tinnitus distress and loudness: a resting-state FMRI study.

Subjective tinnitus is characterized by the perception of phantom sound without an external auditory stimulus. We hypothesized that abnormal functionally connected regions in the central nervous system might underlie the pathophysiology of chronic subjective tinnitus. Statistical significance of functional connectivity (FC) strength is affected by the regional autocorrelation coefficient (AC). In this study, we used resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) and measured regional mean FC strength (mean cross-correlation coefficient between a region and all other regions without taking into account the effect of AC (rGC) and with taking into account the effect of AC (rGCa) to elucidate brain regions related to tinnitus symptoms such as distress, depression and loudness. Consistent with previous studies, tinnitus loudness was not related to tinnitus-related distress and depressive state. Although both rGC and rGCa revealed similar brain regions where the values showed a statistically significant relationship with tinnitus-related symptoms, the regions for rGCa were more localized and more clearly delineated the regions related specifically to each symptom. The rGCa values in the bilateral rectus gyri were positively correlated and those in the bilateral anterior and middle cingulate gyri were negatively correlated with distress and depressive state. The rGCa values in the bilateral thalamus, the bilateral hippocampus, and the left caudate were positively correlated and those in the left medial superior frontal gyrus and the left posterior cingulate gyrus were negatively correlated with tinnitus loudness. These results suggest that distinct brain regions are responsible for tinnitus symptoms. The regions for distress and depressive state are known to be related to depression, while the regions for tinnitus loudness are known to be related to the default mode network and integration of multi-sensory information.

Is gastrectomy-induced high turnover of bone with hyperosteoidosis and increase of mineralization a typical osteomalacia?

Gastrectomy (GX) is thought to result in osteomalacia due to deficiencies in Vitamin D and Ca. Using a GX rat model, we showed that GX induced high turnover of bone with hyperosteoidosis, prominent increase of mineralization and increased mRNA expression of both osteoclast-derived tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b and osteocalcin. The increased 1, 25(OH)2D3 level and unchanged PTH and calcitonin levels suggested that conventional bone and Ca metabolic pathways were not involved or changed in compensation. Thus, GX-induced bone pathology was different from a typical osteomalacia. Gene expression profiles through microarray analysis and data mining using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis indicated that 612 genes were up-regulated and 1,097 genes were down-regulated in the GX bone. These genes were related functionally to connective tissue development, skeletal and muscular system development and function, Ca signaling and the role of osteoblasts, osteoclasts and chondrocytes. Network analysis indicated 9 genes (Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A1; Aquaporin 9; Interleukin 1 receptor accessory protein; Very low density lipoprotein receptor; Periostin, osteoblast specific factor; Aggrecan; Gremlin 1; Angiopoietin-like 4; Wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 10B) were hubs connected with tissue development and immunological diseases. These results suggest that chronic systemic inflammation might underlie the GX-induced pathological changes in bone.

Amlodipine has a preventive effect on temporal left ventricular hypokinesia after emotional stress compared with an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

PURPOSE: We previously reported that α- and ß-blockers protected against emotional stress-induced cardiac dysfunction, but the protective effects of other antihypertensive drugs is unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of a calcium channel blocker, amlodipine, to prevent temporal left ventricular hypokinesia after emotional stress compared with an angiotensin II receptor blocker, olmesartan medoxomil. METHODS: Rats premedicated with amlodipine (0.2 mg/kg), olmesartan (0.8 mg/kg), or vehicle were restrained for 30 min (immobilization stress: IMO) to reproduce emotional stress and then anesthetized to release stress. We measured the fractional area change (FAC) using echocardiography (SONOS5500) with a s12 probe (frequency 5-12 MHz, frame rate 120 Hz) and blood pressure and heart rate at the end of IMO and every 10 for 60 min after IMO. RESULTS: During IMO, FAC in the amlodipine or the olmesartan group was as high as that in the vehicle group. At 20 min after IMO, FAC in the amlodipine group was significantly higher than in the other two groups (84 ± 8 vs. 60 ± 7 or 68 ± 15 %, p < 0.05). During IMO, blood pressure in the amlodipine or the olmesartan group was significantly lower than with vehicle (119 ± 6 and 110 ± 7 vs. 124 ± 5 mmHg, p < 0.05). After IMO, blood pressure in the olmesartan group was significantly lower than in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: Acute administration of amlodipine could prevent a sudden drop in cardiac function after acute stress like IMO, but olmesartan did not. Amlodipine might have a protective effect on temporal left ventricular hypokinesia after emotional stress, which might not be related to decreased blood pressure.

[Emotion, amygdala, and autonomic nervous system].

Emotion refers to the dynamic changes of feeling accompanied by the alteration of physical and visceral activities. Autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic) regulates the visceral activities. Therefore, monitoring and analyzing autonomic nervous activity help understand the emotional changes. To this end, the survey of the expression of immediate early genes (IEGs), such as c-Fos in the brain and target organs, and the viral transneuronal labeling method using the pseudorabies virus (PRV) have enabled the visualization of the neurocircuitry of emotion. By comparing c-Fos expression and data from PRV or other neuroanatomical labeling techniques, the central sites that regulate emotional stress-induced autonomic activation can be deduced. Such regions have been identified in the limbic system (e. g., the extended amygdaloid complex; lateral septum; and infralimbic, insular, and ventromedial temporal cortical regions), as well as in several hypothalamic and brainstem nuclei. The amygdala is structurally diverse and comprises several subnuclei, which play a role in emotional process via projections from the cortex and a variety of subcortical structures. All amygdaloid subnuclei receive psychological information from other limbic systems, while the lateral and central subnuclei receive peripheral and sensory information. Output to the hypothalamus and peripheral sympathetic system mainly originates from the medial amygdala. As estrogen receptor α, estrogen receptor ß, and androgen receptor are expressed in the medial amygdala, sex steroids may modulate the autonomic nervous activities.

Acute effects of beta-blocker with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity on stress-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats.

BACKGROUND: We have reported that α and ß adrenergic blockers could protect against emotional stress-induced cardiac dysfunction but those protective effects of ß adrenergic blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA), such as celiprolol, are unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether ISA could relate with this protective effect. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rats medicated with celiprolol (8 mg/kg), metoprolol (4 mg/kg), or vehicle, were restrained for 30 min (immobilization stress: IMO) to reproduce emotional stress, and anesthetized to release stress. We measured the fractional area change (FAC) using an echocardiography (SONOS5500) with s12 probe (frequency: 5-12 MHz, frame rate: 120 Hz) at the end of IMO and every 10 min for 1h. During IMO, FAC in rats with a premedication of metoprolol was lower than in those with a premedication of vehicle or celiprolol. At 20 min after IMO, FAC in rats with a premedication of celiprolol was significantly higher than that with a premedication of metoprolol or vehicle (84 ± 9% vs. 65 ± 3% or 60 ± 7%, p<0.05). At 60 min after IMO, FAC in rats with a premedication of vehicle or celiprolol recovered, but FAC in rats with a premedication of metoprolol did not. CONCLUSION: Acute premedication with celiprolol could prevent a sudden drop of cardiac function after acute stress such as IMO. ISA might have an important role in preventing stress-induced cardiac dysfunction.

Azelnidipine, unique calcium channel blocker could prevent stress-induced cardiac dysfunction like α·ß blocker.

BACKGROUND: We have reported that α and ß adrenergic blockers could protect against emotional stress-induced cardiac dysfunction. Azelnidipine is a unique calcium blocker which does not increase heart rate. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of azelnidipine to prevent stress-induced cardiac dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rats premedicated with azelnidipine (0.3 mg/kg), labetalol (3 mg/kg), or vehicle, were restrained for 30 min (immobilization stress: IMO) to reproduce emotional stress, and anesthetized to release stress. We measured the fractional area change (FAC) by echocardiography, blood pressure, and heart rate at the end of IMO and every 10 min for 60 min after IMO. During IMO, FAC in the labetalol group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups. At 20 min after IMO, FAC in the azelnidipine or labetalol group was significantly higher than that in the vehicle group (86 ± 9%, 73 ± 5% vs. 56 ± 11%, p<0.05). During IMO, mean blood pressure in the azelnidipine or labetalol group was significantly lower than that in the vehicle group (107 ± 5 mmHg, 106 ± 17 mmHg vs. 124 ± 5 mmHg, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acute administration of azelnidipine could prevent a sudden drop of cardiac function after acute stress like IMO. Azelnidipine might have a protective effect on stress-induced cardiac dysfunction like α and ß adrenergic blockers.

Cardiac and vascular gene profiles in an animal model of takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

We investigated cardiac and vascular gene profiles in response to immobilization stress (IMO) in rats, an animal model of emotional stress-induced takotsubo cardiomyopathy using microarray analysis, followed by re-confirmation with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Expression levels of the identified genes were further estimated by pretreatment with an α1-adrenoceptor blocker and/or a ß1-adrenoceptor blocker. In response to IMO, expression of 46 genes was significantly altered in the heart and that of 49 genes was significantly altered in the aorta. Pathway analysis with DAVID Bioinformatics Resources indicated that regulation of transcription and response to endogenous stimulation were the top two scoring pathways. Altered expression of cardiac genes was blunted by pretreatment with a ß1-adrenoceptor blocker or α1 + ß1-adrenoceptor blockers. In contrast, that of aortic genes was blunted by pretreatment with an α1-adrenoceptor blocker or α1 + ß1-adrenoceptor blockers. Activation of α1-adrenoceptor in the blood vessels or activation of ß1-adrenoceptors in the heart were mainly responsible for emotional stress-induced alteration of cardiac and vascular gene profiles.

Restraint stress induces connexin-43 translocation via α-adrenoceptors in rat heart.

BACKGROUND: Immobilization (IMO) confers emotional stress in animals and humans. It was recently reported that IMO in rats induced translocation of connexin-43 (Cx43) to gap junctions (GJs) and attenuated arrhythmogenesis with GJ inhibition, and Cx43 translocation in the ischemic heart was also shown. Few reports show the contribution of adrenoceptors to Cx43 upregulation in cardiomyocytes, but the involvement of adrenoceptors and ischemia in Cx43 translocation in IMO remains elusive. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent IMO and the ventricular distribution of Cx43 was examined by western blotting. IMO induced translocation of Cx43 to the GJ-enriched membrane fraction, with a peak at 60min. The IMO-induced Cx43 translocation was inhibited by pretreatment with the α(1)-adrenoceptor blockers, prazosin (1mg/kg, PO) and bunazosin (4mg/kg, PO), but not with either the ß(1)-blocker, metoprolol (10mg/kg, IP), or the ß(1+2)-blocker, propranolol (1mg/kg, PO). The translocation was inhibited by the nitric oxide, donor isosorbide dinitrate (100µg·kg(-1)·min(-1), IV), possibly through sympathetic inhibition. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α was not redistributed by IMO. The ß-blockers, but not the α-blockers, inhibited the premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) induced by IMO. CONCLUSIONS: Translocation of Cx43 to the GJ-enriched fraction occurs via the α(1)-adrenoceptor pathway, independently of ischemia. The ß-adrenoceptor pathway contributes to the inducing of PVCs in IMO.