Sex Differences in Glucose Homeostasis.

Sexual dimorphism has been demonstrated to have an effect on various physiological functions. In this regard, researchers have investigated its impact on glucose homeostasis in both preclinical and clinical studies. Sex differences mainly arise from physiological factors such as sex hormones, body fat and muscle distribution, and sex chromosomes. The sexual dimorphism has also been studied in the context of diabetes. Reflecting the prevalence of the disease among the population, studies focusing on the sex difference in type 1 diabetes (T1D) are not common as the ones in type 2 diabetes (T2D). T1D is reported as the only major specific autoimmune disease that exhibits a male predominance. Clinical studies have demonstrated that impaired fasting glucose is more frequent in men whereas women more commonly exhibit impaired glucose tolerance. Understanding the sex difference in glucose homeostasis becomes more attractive when focusing on the findings that highlight sexual dimorphism on the efficacy or adverse effect profile of antidiabetic medications. Thus, in this chapter, we aimed to discuss the impact of sex on the glucose homeostasis both in health and in diabetes.

Validation of Fenoterol to Study ß2-Adrenoceptor Function in the Rat Urinary Bladder.

Fenoterol is a ß2-adrenoceptor (AR)-selective agonist that is commonly used to investigate relaxation responses mediated by ß2-AR in smooth muscle preparations. Some data have questioned this because fenoterol had low potency in the rat urinary bladder when a muscarinic agonist was used as a pre-contraction agent and because some investigators proposed that fenoterol may act in part via ß3-AR. We designed the present study to investigate whether fenoterol is a proper pharmacological tool to study ß2-AR-mediated relaxation responses in the rat urinary bladder. Firstly, we have compared the effect of pre-contraction agents on fenoterol potency and found that fenoterol potency was about 1.5 log units greater against KCl than carbachol (pEC50 7.19 ± 0.66 and 5.62 ± 1.09 of KCl and of carbachol, respectively). To test the selectivity of fenoterol, we have determined the effects of the ß2-AR antagonist ICI 118,551 and the ß3-AR antagonist L 748,337 on relaxation responses to fenoterol. While 300 nM L 748,337 had little effect on the potency of fenoterol (pEC50 6.56 ± 0.25 and 6.33 ± 0.61 in the absence and presence of L 748,337, respectively), the relaxation curve for fenoterol was right-shifted in the presence 300 nM ICI 118,551 (pEC50 5.03 ± 0.18). Thus, we conclude that fenoterol is a proper pharmacological tool to assess ß2-AR-mediated responses in the rat urinary bladder and most likely in other smooth-muscle preparations containing multiple subtypes of the ß-AR.

Effects of sitagliptin on ß-adrenoceptor mediated relaxation in streptozotocin-diabetic rat aorta

Background/aim: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors, a class of oral antidiabetic drugs, have been shown to be protective on the vascular system because of their antiinflammatory, antiatherosclerotic, and vasodilatory effects. ß2-adrenoceptors (ß2-ARs) mediate the vasorelaxation in the aorta. However, ß3-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation has not been studied in diabetic aorta yet. Thus, we aimed to study the effect of sitagliptin treatment on ß2- and ß3-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxations in the diabetic rat aorta. Materials and methods: Eight-week old Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, diabetic, sitagliptin treated diabetic. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (35 or 40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). After 10 weeks of diabetes, some of the diabetic rats were treated with sitagliptin (orally, 10mg/kg/day). ß2- and ß3-AR-mediated relaxation responses were evaluated by using isoprenaline and CL 316,243, respectively. ß3-AR-mediated relaxation experiments were repeated in presence of L-NAME. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the abundance of ß3-adrenoceptor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Results: The isoprenaline-mediated relaxation response was impaired in the diabetic group and sitagliptin treatment did not improve it. There was no significant change in CL316,243 mediated-relaxation or protein expression of ß3-ARs among the groups. However, the ratio of phosphorylated eNOS/NOS protein was increased markedly in the sitagliptin treated group, which points the stimulating effect of this drug towards the eNOS pathway. Conclusion: Our results indicate that sitagliptin treatment does not alter ß-AR-mediated relaxation in streptozotocin-diabetic rat aorta; however, it significantly stimulates the eNOS pathway. Future studies are needed to clarify the relationship between the eNOS pathway and DPP-4 inhibition.

Role of the ß3-adrenergic receptor subtype in catecholamine-induced myocardial remodeling.

ß3-Adrenoceptors (AR) stimulate cardiac Na+/K+ pump in healthy hearts. ß3-ARs are upregulated by persistent sympathetic hyperactivity; however, their effect on Na+/K+ ATPase activity and ventricular function in this condition is still unknown. Here, we investigate preventive effects of additional ß3-AR activation (BRL) on Na+/K+ ATPase activity and in vivo hemodynamics in a model of noradrenaline-induced hypertrophy. Rats received NA or NA plus simultaneously administered BRL in vivo infusion for 14 days; their cardiac function was investigated by left ventricular pressure-volume analysis. Moreover, fibrosis and apoptosis were also assessed histologically. NA induced an hypertrophic pattern, as detected by morphological, histological, and biochemical markers. Additional BRL exposure reversed the hypertrophic pattern and restored Na+/K+ ATPase activity. NA treatment increased systolic function and depressed diastolic function (slowed relaxation). Additional BRL treatment reversed most NA-induced hemodynamic changes. NA decreased Na+/K+ pump α2 subunit expression selectively, a change also reversed by additional BRL treatment. Increasing ß3-AR stimulation may prevent the consequences of chronic NA exposure on Na+/K+ pump and in vivo hemodynamics. ß3-AR agonism may thus represent a new therapeutic strategy for pharmacological modulation of hypertrophy under conditions of chronically enhanced sympathetic activity.

A systematic review of urinary bladder hypertrophy in experimental diabetes: Part 2. Comparison of animal models and functional consequences.

AIMS: To explore whether the bladder hypertrophy consistently seen in rats upon streptozotocin injection also occurs in other animal models of type 1 or 2 diabetes and how hypertrophy is linked to functional alterations of the urinary bladder. METHODS: A systematic search for the key word combination "diabetes," "bladder," and "hypertrophy" was performed in PubMed; additional references were identified from reference lists of those publications. All papers were systematically extracted for relevant information. RESULTS: Models other than streptozotocin-injected rats and female animals have been poorly studied. Most animal models of diabetes exhibit less bladder hypertrophy as compared to streptozotocin-injected rats. However, this is not linked to type 1 versus 2 diabetes models, and type 2 models with comparable elevation of blood glucose may exhibit strong or only minor hypertrophy. Bladder dysfunction is frequently observed in experimental diabetes and mostly manifests as increased compliance but does not segregate with hypertrophy. It may at least partly reflect the need to handle large amounts of urine in models associated with major elevation of blood glucose. CONCLUSIONS: To better understand the relevance of bladder hypertrophy in many models of experimental diabetes, more studies in models of type 2 diabetes are urgently needed. Moreover, the role of factors other than hypertrophy in the genesis of bladder dysfunction requires further exploration.

A systematic review of urinary bladder hypertrophy in experimental diabetes: Part I. Streptozotocin-induced rat models.

AIMS: To better understand the genesis and consequences of urinary bladder hypertrophy in animal models of diabetes. This part of a three-article series will analyze urinary bladder hypertrophy in the diabetes mellitus type 1 model of rats injected with streptozotocin (STZ). METHODS: A systematic search for the key word combination "diabetes," "bladder" and "hypertrophy" was performed in PubMed; additional references were identified from reference lists of those publications. All papers were systematically extracted for relevant information. RESULTS: A total of 39 studies were identified that quantitatively reported on bladder hypertrophy in rats upon injection of STZ; of which several reported on multiple time points yielding a total of 83 group comparisons. Bladder hypertrophy was found consistently, being fully developed as early as 1 week after STZ injection (bladder weight 188 ± 59% of matched control). Hypertrophy was similar across sexes and STZ doses (35-40 vs 50-65 mg/kg) but appeared greater with Wistar rats than other rat strains. The extent of bladder hypertrophy was not correlated to blood glucose concentrations, but normalization of blood glucose concentration by insulin treatment starting early after STZ injection prevented hypertrophy; insulin treatment starting after hypertrophy had established largely reversed it. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder size approximately doubles after STZ injection in rats; the extent of hypertrophy is not linked to the severity of hyperglycemia but largely reversible by restoration of euglycemia.

Onset of decreased heart work is correlated with increased heart rate and shortened QT interval in high-carbohydrate fed overweight rats.

Mechanical activity of the heart is adversely affected in metabolic syndrome (MetS) characterized by increased body mass and marked insulin resistance. Herein, we examined the effects of high carbohydrate intake on cardiac function abnormalities by evaluating in situ heart work, heart rate, and electrocardiograms (ECGs) in rats. MetS was induced in male Wistar rats by adding 32% sucrose to drinking water for 22-24 weeks and was confirmed by insulin resistance, increased body weight, increased blood glucose and serum insulin, and increased systolic and diastolic blood pressures in addition to significant loss of left ventricular integrity and increased connective tissue around myofibrils. Analysis of in situ ECG recordings showed a markedly shortened QT interval and decreased QRS amplitude with increased heart rate. We also observed increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defense characterized by decreases in serum total thiol level and attenuated paraoxonase and arylesterase activities. Our data indicate that increased heart rate and a shortened QT interval concomitant with higher left ventricular developed pressure in response to ß-adrenoreceptor stimulation as a result of less cyclic AMP release could be regarded as a natural compensation mechanism in overweight rats with MetS. In addition to the persistent insulin resistance and obesity associated with MetS, one should consider the decreased heart work, increased heart rate, and shortened QT interval associated with high carbohydrate intake, which may have more deleterious effects on the mammalian heart.

ß3-Adrenoceptor-mediated responses in diabetic rat heart.

ß3-adrenoceptors mediate negative inotropic effect in contrast to classical ß1- and ß2-adrenoceptors. Cardiac ß3-adrenoceptors are upregulated in experimental diabetes. Thus, cardiodepressant effect mediated by ß3-adrenoceptors has been proposed to contribute to the impaired cardiac function in this pathology. In our study, we investigated the influence of streptozotocin-diabetes on cardiac contractility to ß3-adrenoceptors stimulation by using Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. BRL 37344, a selective ß3-adrenoceptor agonist, induced dose-dependent decreases in left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) in hearts from control rats. BRL 37344 also dose-dependently decreased +dP/dt and -dP/dt values. Effects of BRL 37344 were abolished by SR 59230, but not altered by nadolol pre-treatment. On the other hand, these effects of BRL 37344 were all significantly increased in hearts from diabetic rats. We also observed that diabetes significantly increased the mRNA levels encoding cardiac ß3-adrenoceptors. In addition, Giα2 mRNA expressions were found to be increased in the cardiac tissue of diabetic rats as well. The effect of BRL 37344 on cardiac contractility was normalized upon treatment of diabetic rats with insulin. These data demonstrate an increased effect of ß3-adrenoceptor stimulation on hemodynamic function of the heart in accordance with an increased mRNA levels encoding cardiac ß3-adrenoceptors in 8-week diabetic rats.

Investigation of the Expression of CYP3A4 in Diabetic Rats in Xenobiotic Metabolism.

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of a high-fat diet streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and dapagliflozin treatment on hepatic protein expression of CYP3A4. Materials and Methods: In our study, 34 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, high-fat diet and STZ-induced diabetes, dapagliflozin-treated control, and dapagliflozin-treated diabetes. In the microsomes obtained from the livers of these rats, the protein expression levels of CYP3A4 were determined by Western blotting. Results: Hepatic CYP3A4 protein expression levels in the control group treated with dapagliflozin were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group. In addition, hepatic CYP3A4 protein expression levels were decreased in dapagliflozin-treated diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats compared with those in both control and diabetic group rats, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. Conclusion: According to these two results, the use of dapagliflozin inhibited hepatic CYP3A4 protein expression.

Nebivolol prevents desensitization of ß-adrenoceptor signaling and induction of cardiac hypertrophy in response to isoprenaline beyond ß1-adrenoceptor blockage.

The importance of chronic stimulation of ß-adrenoceptors in the development of cardiac dysfunction is the rationale for the use of ß-blockers in the treatment of heart failure. Nebivolol is a third-generation ß-blocker, which has further properties including stimulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and/or ß3-adrenoceptors. The aim of this study was to investigate whether nebivolol has additional effects on ß-adrenoceptor-mediated functional responses along with morphologic and molecular determinants of cardiac hypertrophy compared with those of metoprolol, a selective ß1-adrenoceptor blocker. Rats infused by isoprenaline (100 µg·kg(-1)·day(-1), 14 days) were randomized into three groups according to the treatment with metoprolol (30 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)), nebivolol (10 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)), or placebo for 13 days starting on day 1 after implantation of minipump. Both metoprolol and nebivolol caused a similar reduction on heart rate. Nebivolol mediated a significant improvement on cardiac mass, coronary flow, mRNA expression levels of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA2a) and atrial natriuretic peptide and phospholamban (PLN)/SERCA2a and phospho-PLN/PLN ratio compared with metoprolol and placebo. Nebivolol prevented the detrimental effects of isoprenaline infusion on isoprenaline (68% of control at 30 µM), BRL37344 (63% of control at 0.1 µM), and forskolin (64% of control at 1 µM) responses compared with metoprolol (isoprenaline, 34% of control; BRL37344, no response; forskolin, 26% of control) and placebo (isoprenaline, 33% of control; BRL37344, 28% of control; forskolin, 12% of control). Both ß-blockers improved the changes in mRNA expressions of ß1- and ß3-adrenoceptors. Our results suggest that nebivolol partially protects the responsiveness of ß-adrenoceptor signaling and the development of cardiac hypertrophy independent of its ß1-adrenoceptor blocking effect.

A systematic review on renal effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in rodent models of diabetic nephropathy.

We have performed a systematic review of studies reporting on the renal effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in rodent models of diabetes. In 105 studies, SGLT2 inhibitors improved not only the glycemic control but also various aspects of renal function in most cases. These nephroprotective effects were similarly reported whether treatment with the SGLT2 inhibitor started concomitant with the onset of diabetes (within 1 week), early after onset (1-4 weeks) or after nephropathy had developed (>4 weeks after onset) with the latter probably having the greatest translational value. They were observed across various animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes/obesity (4 and 23 models, respectively), although studies in the type 2 diabetes model of db/db mice more often had negative data than in other models. Among possibly underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of nephroprotection, treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors had beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, blood pressure, glomerulosclerosis as well as renal tubular fibrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. These pathomechanisms highly influence atherosclerosis and renal health, which are two major factors that lead to an enhanced mortality in patients with diabetes and/or chronic kidney disease. Interestingly, renal SGLT2 inhibitor effects did not always correlate with those on glucose homeostasis, particularly in a limited number of direct comparative studies with other anti-diabetic treatments, indicating that nephroprotection may at least partly occur by mechanisms other than improving glycemic control. Our analyses did not provide evidence for different nephroprotective efficacy between SGLT2 inhibitors. Importantly, only four of 105 studies reported on female animals, and none provided direct comparative data between sexes. We conclude that more data on female animals and more direct comparative studies with other anti-diabetic compounds and combinations of treatments are needed.

A comparison of urinary bladder weight in male and female mice across five models of diabetes and obesity.

Introduction: Diabetes often leads to lower urinary tract dysfunction. The most frequently assessed parameter of urinary bladder dysfunction in animal models of diabetes is an enlargement of the bladder, which is consistently observed in type 1 and less consistently in type 2 diabetes. The vast majority of studies on bladder weight in animal models of diabetes and obesity has been performed in males, and no studies have directly compared this outcome parameter between sexes. Methods: Therefore, we have compared bladder weight and bladder/body weight ratio in five mouse models of obesity and diabetes (RIP-LCMV, db/db, ob/ob (two studies), insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) knock-out mice and mice on a high-fat diet; pre-specified secondary analysis of a previously reported study). Results: In a pooled analysis of the control groups of all studies, females exhibited slightly lower glucose levels, lower body weight, and lower bladder weight, but bladder/body weight ratio was similar in both sexes (0.957 vs. 0.986 mg/g, mean difference 0.029 [-0.06; 0.118]). Among the six diabetic/obese groups, bladder/body weight ratio was similar in both sexes in three but smaller in female mice in three other groups. The mRNA expression of a panel of genes implied in the pathophysiology of bladder enlargement and/or fibrosis and inflammation did not differ systematically between sexes. Conclusions: We conclude that sex differences in diabetes/obesity-associated bladder enlargement may be model dependent.

Established and emerging treatments for diabetes-associated lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Dysfunction of the lower urinary tract (LUT) including urinary bladder and urethra (and prostate in men) is one of the most frequent complications of diabetes and can manifest as overactive bladder, underactive bladder, urinary incontinence, and as aggravated symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia. We have performed a selective literature search to review existing evidence on efficacy of classic medications for the treatment of LUT dysfunction in diabetic patients and animals, i.e., α1-adrenoceptor and muscarinic receptor antagonists, ß3-adrenoceptor agonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Generally, these agents appear to have comparable efficacy in patients and/or animals with and without diabetes. We also review effects of antidiabetic medications on LUT function. Such studies have largely been performed in animal models. In the streptozotocin-induced models of type 1 diabetes, insulin can prevent and reverse alterations of morphology, function, and gene expression patterns in bladder and prostate. Typical medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes have been studied less often, and the reported findings are not yet sufficient to derive robust conclusions. Thereafter, we review animal studies with emerging medications perhaps targeting diabetes-associated LUT dysfunction. Data with myoinositol, daidzein, and with compounds that target oxidative stress, inflammation, Rac1, nerve growth factor, angiotensin II receptor, serotonin receptor, adenosine receptor, and soluble guanylyl cyclase are not conclusive yet, but some hold promise as potential treatments. Finally, we review nonpharmacological interventions in diabetic bladder dysfunction. These approaches are relatively new and give promising results in preclinical studies. In conclusion, the insulin data in rodent models of type 1 diabetes suggest that diabetes-associated LUT function can be mostly or partially reversed. However, we propose that considerable additional experimental and clinical studies are needed to target diabetes itself or pathophysiological changes induced by chronic hyperglycemia for the treatment of diabetic uropathy.

Development of salting-out extraction methodology for the determination of piroxicam from polymeric based nanocarriers and biological samples.

The aim of the present study is to develop the polymeric nanoparticulate drug delivery systems of piroxicam and to evaluate the in-vitro characteristics such as entrapment efficiency, surface morphology, in-vitro drug release performance, etc. For this reason, a novel HPLC methodology was developed for the determination of piroxicam from its bulk form, pharmaceutical preparation, and nanoparticulate delivery systems. Furthermore, the developed formulation was applied to the rats and the biological samples (plasma, liver, heart, spleen, kidney, and lung homogenates) were analyzed by the developed HPLC method following a salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction strategy for the first time in the literature. A Kinetex C18 analytical column (150 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm) was used as a stationary phase with a 0.8 mL/min flow rate of acetonitrile: phosphate buffer (40:60, v/v), the column oven was adjusted to 40 °C and detection wavelength is set to 360 nm. Developed method were validated as per selectivity, linearity, LOD, LOQ, precision, and accuracy specified in the International Council for Harmonisation guidelines. As a result of the present study, it has been shown that the analysis of piroxicam from the bulk form, pharmaceutical preparation, developed polymeric-based drug delivery system, and biological samples can be successfully performed and no interferences were observed in any matrix. The developed method was also successfully utilized to study the tissue distribution of piroxicam in rats.

Analysis of 16 studies in nine rodent models does not support the hypothesis that diabetic polyuria is a main reason of urinary bladder enlargement.

The urinary bladder is markedly enlarged in the type 1 diabetes mellitus model of streptozotocin-injected rats, which may contribute to the frequent diabetic uropathy. Much less data exists for models of type 2 diabetes. Diabetic polyuria has been proposed as the pathophysiological mechanism behind bladder enlargement. Therefore, we explored such a relationship across nine distinct rodent models of diabetes including seven models of type 2 diabetes/obesity by collecting data on bladder weight and blood glucose from 16 studies with 2-8 arms each; some studies included arms with various diets and/or pharmacological treatments. Data were analysed for bladder enlargement and for correlations between bladder weight on the one and glucose levels on the other hand. Our data confirm major bladder enlargement in streptozotocin rats and minor if any enlargement in fructose-fed rats, db/db mice and mice on a high-fat diet; enlargement was present in some of five not reported previously models. Bladder weight was correlated with blood glucose as a proxy for diabetic polyuria within some but not other models, but correlations were moderate to weak except for RIP-LCMV mice (r 2 of pooled data from all studies 0.0621). Insulin levels also failed to correlate to a meaningful extent. Various diets and medications (elafibranor, empagliflozin, linagliptin, semaglutide) had heterogeneous effects on bladder weight that often did not match their effects on glucose levels. We conclude that the presence and extent of bladder enlargement vary markedly across diabetes models, particularly type 2 diabetes models; our data do not support the idea that bladder enlargement is primarily driven by glucose levels/glucosuria.

Expression and Signaling of ß-Adrenoceptor Subtypes in the Diabetic Heart.

Diabetes is a chronic, endocrine disorder that effects millions of people worldwide. Cardiovascular complications are the major cause of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. Cardiac ß1- and ß2-adrenoceptor (AR) stimulation mediates positive inotropy and chronotropy, whereas ß3-AR mediates negative inotropic effect. Changes in ß-AR responsiveness are thought to be an important factor that contributes to the diabetic cardiac dysfunction. Diabetes related changes in ß-AR expression, signaling, and ß-AR mediated cardiac function have been studied by several investigators for many years. In the present review, we have screened PubMed database to obtain relevant articles on this topic. Our search has ended up with wide range of different findings about the effect of diabetes on ß-AR mediated changes both in molecular and functional level. Considering these inconsistent findings, the effect of diabetes on cardiac ß-AR still remains to be clarified.

Upregulation of ß3-adrenoceptors-a general marker of and protective mechanism against hypoxia?

ß3-Adrenoceptors exhibit a restricted expression pattern, particularly in humans. However, they have been found to be upregulated in various cancers and under several conditions associated with hypoperfusion such as congestive heart failure and diabetes for instance in the heart and other tissues. These conditions are frequently associated with hypoxia. Furthermore, direct induction of hypoxia has consistently been reported to cause upregulation of ß3-adrenoceptors across various tissues of multiple species including humans, rats, dogs, and fish. While a canonical hypoxia-response element in the promoter of the human ß3-adrenoceptor gene may play a role in this, no such sequence was found in rodent homologs. Moreover, not all upregulation of ß3-adrenoceptor protein is accompanied by increased expression of corresponding mRNA, indicating that the upregulation may involve factors other than transcriptional changes. We propose that upregulation of ß3-adrenoceptors at the mRNA and/or protein level is a general marker of hypoxic conditions. Moreover, it may be an additional pathway whereby cells and tissues adapt to reduced oxygen levels.

Cardiac and Vascular α1-Adrenoceptors in Congestive Heart Failure: A Systematic Review.

As heart failure (HF) is a devastating health problem worldwide, a better understanding and the development of more effective therapeutic approaches are required. HF is characterized by sympathetic system activation which stimulates α- and ß-adrenoceptors (ARs). The exposure of the cardiovascular system to the increased locally released and circulating levels of catecholamines leads to a well-described downregulation and desensitization of ß-ARs. However, information on the role of α-AR is limited. We have performed a systematic literature review examining the role of both cardiac and vascular α1-ARs in HF using 5 databases for our search. All three α1-AR subtypes (α1A, α1B and α1D) are expressed in human and animal hearts and blood vessels in a tissue-dependent manner. We summarize the changes observed in HF regarding the density, signaling and responses of α1-ARs. Conflicting findings arise from different studies concerning the influence that HF has on α1-AR expression and function; in contrast to ß-ARs there is no consistent evidence for down-regulation or desensitization of cardiac or vascular α1-ARs. Whether α1-ARs are a therapeutic target in HF remains a matter of debate.

Normalization of organ bath contraction data for tissue specimen size: does one approach fit all?

Organ bath experiments are a key technology to assess contractility of smooth muscle. Despite efforts to standardize tissue specimen sizes, they vary to a certain degree. As it appears obvious that a larger piece of tissue should develop greater force, most investigators normalize contraction data for specimen size. However, they lack agreement which parameter should be used as denominator for normalization. A pre-planned analysis of data from a recent study was used to compare denominators used for normalization, i.e., weight, length, and cross-sectional area. To increase robustness, we compared force with denominator in correlation analysis and also coefficient of variation with different denominators. This was done concomitantly with urinary bladder strips and aortic rings and with multiple contractile stimuli. Our urinary bladder data show that normalization for strip weight yielded the tightest but still only moderate correlation (e.g., r2 = 0.3582 for peak carbachol responses based on 188 strips). In aorta, correlations were even weaker (e.g., r2 = 0.0511 for plateau phenylephrine responses normalized for weight based on 200 rings). Normalization for strip size is less effective in reducing data variability than previously assumed; the normalization denominator of choice must be identified separately for each preparation.