Melatonin-Induced Protective Effects on Cardiomyocytes Against Reperfusion Injury Partly Through Modulation of IP3R and SERCA2a Via Activation of ERK1.

BACKGROUND: Melatonin is a neuroendocrine hormone synthesized primarily by the pineal gland that is indicated to effectively prevent myocardial reperfusion injury. It is unclear whether melatonin protects cardiac function from reperfusion injury by modulating intracellular calcium homeostasis. OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate that melatonin protect against myocardial reperfusion injury through modulating IP3R and SERCA2a to maintain calcium homeostasis via activation of ERK1 in cardiomyocytes. METHODS: In vitro experiments were performed using H9C2 cells undergoing simulative hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induction. Expression level of ERK1, IP3R and SERCA2a were assessed by Western Blots. Cardiomyocytes apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. Phalloidin-staining was used to assess alteration of actin filament organization of cardiomyocytes. Fura-2 /AM was used to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Performing in vivo experiments, myocardial expression of IP3R and SERCA2a were detected by immunofluorescence staining using myocardial ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R) model in rats. RESULTS: In vitro results showed that melatonin induces ERK1 activation in cardiomyocytes against H/R which was inhibited by PD98059 (ERK1 inhibitor). The results showed melatonin inhibit apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and improve actin filament organization in cardiomyocytes against H/R, because both could be reversed by PD98059. Melatonin was showed to reduce calcium overload, further to inhibit IP3R expression and promote SERCA2a expression via ERK1 pathway in cardiomyocytes against H/R. Melatonin induced lower IP3R and higher SERCA2a expression in myocardium that were reversed by PD98059. CONCLUSION: melatonin-induced cardioprotection against reperfusion injury is at least partly through modulation of IP3R and SERCA2a to maintain intracellular calcium homeostasis via activation of ERK1.

Melatonin-Induced Protective Effects on Cardiomyocytes Against Reperfusion Injury Partly Through Modulation of IP3R and SERCA2a Via Activation of ERK1 / Efeitos Protetores Induzidos pela Melatonina nos Cardiomiócitos Contra Lesões de Reperfusão Parcialmente Através da Modulação Dde IP3R e SERCA por Meio da Ativação de ERK1

Resumo Background: Melatonin is a neuroendocrine hormone synthesized primarily by the pineal gland that is indicated to effectively prevent myocardial reperfusion injury. It is unclear whether melatonin protects cardiac function from reperfusion injury by modulating intracellular calcium homeostasis. Objective: Demonstrate that melatonin protect against myocardial reperfusion injury through modulating IP3R and SERCA2a to maintain calcium homeostasis via activation of ERK1 in cardiomyocytes. Methods: In vitro experiments were performed using H9C2 cells undergoing simulative hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induction. Expression level of ERK1, IP3R and SERCA2a were assessed by Western Blots. Cardiomyocytes apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. Phalloidin-staining was used to assess alteration of actin filament organization of cardiomyocytes. Fura-2 /AM was used to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Performing in vivo experiments, myocardial expression of IP3R and SERCA2a were detected by immunofluorescence staining using myocardial ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R) model in rats. Results: In vitro results showed that melatonin induces ERK1 activation in cardiomyocytes against H/R which was inhibited by PD98059 (ERK1 inhibitor). The results showed melatonin inhibit apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and improve actin filament organization in cardiomyocytes against H/R, because both could be reversed by PD98059. Melatonin was showed to reduce calcium overload, further to inhibit IP3R expression and promote SERCA2a expression via ERK1 pathway in cardiomyocytes against H/R. Melatonin induced lower IP3R and higher SERCA2a expression in myocardium that were reversed by PD98059. Conclusion: melatonin-induced cardioprotection against reperfusion injury is at least partly through modulation of IP3R and SERCA2a to maintain intracellular calcium homeostasis via activation of ERK1.

Resumo Fundamento: A melatonina é um hormônio neuroendócrino sintetizado principalmente pela glândula pineal que é indicado para prevenir efetivamente a lesão de reperfusão miocárdica. Não está claro se a melatonina protege a função cardíaca da lesão de reperfusão através da modulação da homeostase do cálcio intracelular. Objetivo: Demonstrar que a melatonina protege contra a lesão de reperfusão miocárdica através da modulação de IP3R e SERCA para manter a homeostase de cálcio por meio da ativação de ERK1 em cardiomiócitos. Métodos: Foram realizados experimentos in vitro usando células H9C2 submetidas a indução de hipoxia / reoxigenação simulada (H/R). O nível de expressão de ERK1, IP3R e SERCA foi avaliado por Western Blots. A apoptose de cardiomiócitos foi detectada por TUNEL. A coloração de faloidina foi utilizada para avaliar a alteração da organização de filamentos de actina dos cardiomiócitos. Fura-2 / AM foi utilizado para medir a concentração intracelular de Ca2+. Realizando experiências in vivo, a expressão miocárdica de IP3R e SERCA foi detectada por coloração com imunofluorescência usando modelo de isquemia miocárdica / reperfusão (I/R) em ratos. Resultados: resultados in vitro mostraram que a melatonina induz a ativação de ERK1 em cardiomiócitos contra H/R que foi inibida por PD98059 (inibidor de ERK1). Os resultados mostraram que a melatonina inibe a apoptose dos cardiomiócitos e melhora a organização do filamento de actina em cardiomiócitos contra H/R, pois ambas poderiam ser revertidas pela PD98059. A melatonina mostrou reduzir a sobrecarga de cálcio, além de inibir a expressão de IP3R e promover a expressão de SERCA através da via ERK1 em cardiomiócitos contra H/R. A melatonina induziu menor IP3R e maior expressão de SERCA no miocárdio que foram revertidas pela PD98059. Conclusão: a cardioproteção induzida pela melatonina contra lesão de reperfusão é pelo menos parcialmente através da modulação de IP3R e SERCA para manter a homeostase de cálcio intracelular via ativação de ERK1.

High-Salt Intake Augments the Activity of the RhoA/ROCK Pathway and Reduces Intracellular Calcium in Arteries From Rats.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the influence of salt overconsumption on the functionality of the RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) pathway and calcium regulation in arteries. METHODS: The aorta and small mesenteric arteries from rats fed a chow containing 2%, 4%, or 8% NaCl were evaluated in organ baths for the activity of the RhoA/ROCK pathway and intracellular calcium mobilization. Components of these pathways and intracellular calcium levels were also assessed in samples from 4% NaCl group. RESULTS: In arteries from animals fed regular chow, the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 reduced the responses to phenylephrine, even when the smallest concentrations (1 and 3 µM) were tested. However, only higher concentrations of Y-27632 (10 and 50 µM) reduced phenylephrine-induced contraction in vessels from high-salt groups. Immunoblotting revealed augmented phosphorylation of the myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 and increased amounts of RhoA in the membrane fraction of aorta homogenates from the 4% NaCl group. Under calcium-free solution, vessels from NaCl groups presented reduced contractile responses to phenylephrine and caffeine, compared with the regular chow group. Moreover, decreased intracellular calcium at rest and after stimulation with ATP were found in aortic smooth muscle cells from 4% NaCl-fed rats, which also showed diminished levels of SERCA2 and SERCA3, but not of IP3 and ryanodine receptors, or STIM1 and Orai1 proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Arteries from rats subjected to high-salt intake are unable to properly regulate intracellular calcium levels and present augmented activity of the calcium sensitization pathway RhoA/ROCK. These changes may precede the development of vascular diseases induced by high-salt intake.

Adenosine modulates alpha2-adrenergic receptors through a phospholipase C pathway in brainstem cell culture of rats.

Adenosine acts in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), one of the main brain sites related to cardiovascular control. In the present study we show that A(1) adenosine receptor (A(1R)) activation promotes an increase on alpha(2)-adrenoceptor (Alpha(2R)) binding in brainstem cell culture from newborn rats. We investigated the intracellular cascade involved in such modulatory process using different intracellular signaling molecule inhibitors as well as calcium chelators. Phospholipase C, protein kinase Ca(2+)-dependent, IP(3) receptor and intracellular calcium were shown to participate in A(1R)/Alpha(2R) interaction. In conclusion, this result might be important to understand the role of adenosine within the NTS regarding autonomic cardiovascular control.

Aortas isolated from sinoaortic-denervated rats exhibit rhythmic contractions that are regulated by pharmacologically distinct calcium sources.

Sinoaortic denervation is characterized by arterial pressure lability, without sustained hypertension. Aortas isolated from rats with sinoaortic denervation present rhythmic contractions. We studied the participation of distinct Ca(2+) sources in the maintenance of the oscillations. Three days after the surgeries, aortic rings were placed in an organ chamber, and the incidence of aortas presenting rhythmic contractions was measured. Specific drugs were employed to analyse the participation of the Ca(2+) released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum [2-APB (diphenylborinic acid 2-aminoethyl ester), thapsigargin and ryanodine] and external Ca(2+) entry [Bay K 8644, verapamil and DMB (dimethylbenzyl amiloride)] on the rhythmic contractions. Additionally, we verified the effects of chloride channel blocker NPPB [5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid] on the maintenance of the rhythmic contractions. Under phenylephrine stimulus, sinoaortic-denervated rat aortas exhibited rhythmic contractions in the frequency of 4.5 +/- 0.50 cycles/min. and an amplitude of 0.465 +/- 0.05 g. 2-APB, thapsigargin and ryanodine inhibited the rhythmic contractions. Bay K 8644 increased the oscillations, reaching maximum values with a concentration of 50 nM (18.5 +/- 2.5 cycles/min.). The rhythmic contractions were inhibiting by verapamil and Ca(2+)-free solution. DMB and NPPB did not alter the oscillations. In conclusion, we observed that aorta isolated from sinoaortic-denervated rats present rhythmic contractions. Moreover, drugs that impaired intracellular Ca(2+) release from sarcoplasmic reticulum interrupted the oscillations. The oscillations also depend on the extracellular Ca(2+) entry through L-type Ca(2+).