Effect of Hypoxic Preconditioning on Stress Reaction in Rats.

In rats, immobilization stress (24 h) induced involution of the thymus and spleen, adrenal hypertrophy, and pronounced elevation (by 67%) of serum cortisol in comparison with intact animals; the mean number of stomach ulcers in rats subjected to stress was 6.9. Hypoxic preconditioning consisting of 6 sessions of 10-min hypoxia (8% O2) followed by 10-min reoxygenation with atmospheric air induced adrenal hypertrophy and spleen involution, but did not change blood cortisol level; no stomach ulcers were found in preconditioned rats. In rats subjected to both hypoxic preconditioning and immobilization, the weights of the thymus, adrenal glands, and spleen, as well as cortisol level did not differ from the corresponding parameters in rats subjected to immobilization stress alone. The number of stomach ulcers in experimental rats was 1.5-fold lower than in the stress-control ones. Thus, hypoxic preconditioning exerts a pronounced preventive anti-ulcer effect during immobilization, but it does not affect other indices of the stress reaction.

Role of MEK, PI3, p38, Tyrosine, and mTOR Kinases in Regulation of Heart Resistance to the Arrhythmogenic Action of Short-Term Ischemia and Reperfusion.

MEK, PI3, p38, tyrosine, and mTOR kinases are not involved in the regulation of heart resistance to the arrhythmogenic action of short-term ischemia/reperfusion in non-adapted rats.

Comparative analysis of early and delayed cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic efficacy of hypoxic preconditioning.

Hypoxic preconditioning produces an infarct-limiting effect both in the early and delayed periods. The increase in heart resistance to ischemia-repefusion was more pronounced after early preconditioning. Hypoxic preconditioning did not change heart resistance to the arrhythmogenic effect of coronary occlusion and reperfusion.

[Perspective of use of agonists of adenosine and opioid receptors for prevention of reperfusion damages of heart. Analysis of experimental and clinical data].

In Russia inhospital lethality after acute myocardial infarction is 16.5-16.7%. The part of patients perishes even after recanalisation of infarct-related coronary artery as a result of reperfusion cardiac injury. Experimental data indicate that adenosine receptor agonists and opioids can prevent reperfusion damages of heart that is mimic postconditioning phenomena. Data of clinical observation show that adenosine during intravenous infusion or intracoronary administration during thrombolysis or percutaneous coronary intervention exert infarct reducing effect and eliminate manifestation of of "no-reflow" phenomenon. Clinical data indicate that morphine is able to prevent cardiac reperfusion injury in human. Thus, analysis of published data testifies that adenosine and opioid receptor agonists can be prototype for development of drugs for prophylaxis of reperfusion heart injury.

[Receptor and signalling mechanisms of antiarrhythmic effects of ischemic pre-conditioning].

It has been established that ischemic preconditioning (IP) exerts significant antiarrhythmic effects, as revealed in experiments both in vivo and in vitro. Consequently, processes arising within the myocardium play a key role in adaptive tolerance to ischemia/reperfusion. Preconditioning enhances cardiac electrical stability both in animals and humans. The antiarrhythmic effect of preconditioning is transient, with enhanced tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion triggered arrhythmogenesis dissipating 2-3 after the IP stimulus. The basis of the antiarrhythmic and cardioprotective effects of IP may differ. Preconditioning improves conduction of the cardiac electrical impulse, thereby preventing occurrence of re-entrant arrhythmias. NO-synthase and peroxynitrite play an important role in evolution of the antiarrhythmic effects of IP. Furthermore, intracellular Ca2+ may be a trigger of improved cardiac electrical stability after IP. It has been established that G(i/o)-protein coupled receptors are not involved in antiarrhythmic effects of IP, whereas bradykinin B2 and alpha1 adrenergic receptor activities are involved in IP-dependent improvements in cardiac electrical stability. Adenosine receptors contribute only partially to these effects. In terms of signalling mechanisms, protein kinase C appears essential to the antiarrhythmic effects of IP, whereas PI3-kinase and cyclooxygenase do not appear to be significantly involved. It has also been established that cardiac mast cells are involved in IP effects. Some data indicate that increased cardiac electrical stability with preconditioning depends upon mitoK(ATP) channel opening. Other data provide evidence that antiarrhythmic effects of preconditioning depends upon sarcK(ATP) channel opening. Some data indicate that an increase in electrical stability of heart after preconditioning depends upon mitoK(ATP) channel opening. Other data are evidence that antiarrhythmic effect of preconditioning depends upon sarCK(ATP) channel opening. Further work is needed to fully delineate the mechanistic basis of antiarrhythmic effects of IP.

[The expression of Akt kinase in the heart ventricles under hypoxic preconditioning and myocardial remodeling].

Activation of Akt-dependent mechanisms may play a significant role in the cellular response under hypoxic preconditioning and myocardial remodeling. The impact of hypoxic preconditioning, and remodeling on the expression of Akt kinase in the heart ventricles was investigated. Wistar male rats, the residents of plains or middle altitude (2100 m above sea level), were exposed to hypoxic preconditioning by "lifting" in the barochamber at the "height" of 5,600 m in 3 h. In the right and left ventricles of the heart, Akt protein expression was determined by Western blotting. It was shown, that hypoxic preconditioning causes the induction of Akt kinase in the ventricles during the period of delayed cardioprotection (1-3 days after preconditioning). Myocardial remodeling induced by chronic hypoxia in middle altitude was associated with elevated Akt expression in the myocardium, more pronounced in the left ventricle. Progression of hypoxic myocardial remodeling found in part of the animals was accompanied by a reduction of the cell hypoxic reactivity, including Akt induction in response to preconditioning. Thus, Akt kinase is involved in the mechanisms of hypoxia induced late preconditioning and myocardial remodeling in chronic hypoxia. Inhibitory regulatory mechanism was found to limit the induction of Akt in myocardium after remodeling.

[Hypoxic preconditioning of stem cells as a new approach to increase the efficacy of cell therapy for myocardial infarction].

During the last decade, stem cell research has developed at an accelerated pace. Various types of stem cells have been tested for myocardial infarction therapy. Despite the preclinical benefits of cell therapy success in clinical trials remains modest. The main obstacles to regeneration of the infarcted heart using stem cells are: 1) not every stem cell type can differentiate into cardiomyocytes; and 2) low survival rates of transplanted cells, due to the harsh environment of the infarcted myocardium. Hypoxic preconditioning (HP) has been shown to improve transplantation efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells and cardiac progenitor cells in animal models of myocardial infarction. It has also been shown that transplantation of preconditioned cells decreases infarct size, prevents postinfarction remodeling of the heart, and positively modulates development of ischemic cardiomyopathy. Hypoxic preconditioning also prevents extensive death of transplanted cells due to necrosis and apoptosis during long-term hypoxia or oxidative stress. The protective effect of HP is based on three main processes: (1) modification of cell phenotypes to help survival during hypoxia (enhancement of HIF-1alpha expression, ERK1/2 and Akt activation, enhancement of erythropoietin receptor expression and erythropoietin production, and an elevation in levels of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL); (2) upregulation of various secretable factors including the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and expression of VEGF-2 and HGF-receptors; (3) enhancement in the formation of CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors, which play an important role in mobilization and homing of stem cells in the ischemic region.

[Phase changes in energy metabolism during periodic hypoxia].

Male Wistar rats were exposed to periodic hypobaric hypoxia (PHH), by "lifting" in barochamber at "altitude" 5600 m for 1 h every 3 days (6 séances). The dynamics of changes in oxygen consumption (VO2), and body temperature (Tm), as well as in HIF-1alpha and HIF-3alpha gene expression, and mitochondrial respiration in the ventricles of the heart was studied. On the basis of the data we identified four phases of the physiological changes. The first phase, hypometabolic (1-3 séances), is characterized by decrease in VO2 and Tm, induction of HIF-1alpha and HIF-3alpha with delayed transient stimulation of metabolism in response to each séance of hypoxia. In heart mitochondria, V3 and V4 are increased, but V3/V4 and ADP/O are reduced. During the second phase, transitional (3-4 séances), there is reorganization of metabolism and decrease its hypoxic reactivity. The third phase, hypermetabolic (4-5 séances), is characterized by intensification of metabolism and compensation of hypoxic disorders. The fourth phase (after 5 séance) - is a state of metabolic adaptation with normalization of VO2 and Tm, expression of HIF-1alpha and HIF-3alpha, mitochondrial respiration, increased NAD-dependent oxidation of carbohydrate and lipid substrates. Thus, during PHH consequent rebuilding of processes of oxygen transport, tissue respiration and thermogenesis occurs, mediated by induction of the HIF subunits.

[Hypoxic preconditioning prevents the induction and activation of 5-lipoxygenase during ischemia and reperfusion of rat heart].

Male Wistar rats were subjected to hypoxic preconditioning (10% O2 in nitrogen for 3 h). In 24 h heart were isolated and subjected to 30 min ischemia and 40 min reperfusion. Changes in expression of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) protein in rat heart ventricles, and in myocardial subcellular fractions were evaluated by Western blotting. It was found that hypoxic preconditioning attenuated reperfusion damage of cardiomyocytes with reducing the release of LDH by 27.6%. After ischemia and reperfusion, expression of 5-LO was 10.5-fold elevated in the left ventricle and 14.3-fold - in the right one. During ischemia and reperfusion occurred gradual translocation of 5-LO protein in nuclear subcellular compartment, more expressive in the left ventricle. Hypoxic preconditioning did not significant increase in 5-LO expression, but fully prevented its growth in the following ischemia-reperfusion, and partly reduced protein translocation at reperfusion in the left ventricle. Thus, hypoxic preconditioning limits proinflammatory effects ofischemia and reperfusion in myocardium, preventing the increase in expression of 5-LO, and reducing the alteration of cardiomyocytes.

[Endogenous opioid system as a mediator of acute and long-term adaptation to stress. Prospects for clinical use of opioid peptides].

It has been well established that opioid peptides (OPs) affect various hormonal systems. Opioids exhibit stress-limiting and gastro-protective effects in stressed animals, acting via mu- and delta-opioid receptors (OR). Peripheral mu-OR stimulation by endogenous and exogenous opioids increases cardiac tolerance to pathological consequences of stress. Enhancement ofprostacyclin synthesis, decrease of thromboxane production as well as suppression of lipid peroxidation can be directly responsible for cardioprotective effects of OPs in stressed animals. Adaptive responses are accompanied by increased OP levels in blood and tissues. Reduction of ventricular arrhythmias induced by repeated short-term immobilization stress is mediated via mu-OR stimulation by endogenous opioids, while delta-OR account for an antiarrhythmic effect of adaptation to chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia. The mechanism of infarct size-limiting effect of continuous normobaric hypoxia involves both mu- and delta-OR stimulation. Peptide OR agonists can be considered in future clinical practice for treatment of withdrawal syndrome, stress-related cardiac disease or myocardial injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion insult.

[Preconditioning impact on coronary perfusion during ischemia and reperfusion of heart].

Recent studies have confirmed that ischemic preconditioning prevents appearance of reperfusion endothelial dysfunction. However, the issue of preconditioning impact on no-reflow phenomenon remains unresolved. The receptor mechanisms involved in the cardioprotective and vasoprotective effects of preconditioning are different. The ability of preconditioning in preventing reperfusion endothelial dysfunction is dependent upon bradykinin B2-receptor activation and not dependent upon adenosine receptor stimulation. The vasoprotective effect of preconditioning is mediated via mechanisms relying in part on activation of protein kinase C, NO-synthase, cyclooxygenase, mitochondrial K(ATP)-channel opening and an enhancement of antioxidative protection of the heart. The delayed preconditioning also exerts endothelium-protective effect. Peroxynitrite, NO* and O2* are the triggers of this effect but a possible end-effector involves endothelial NO-synthase.

[Intracellular mechanisms of cardioprotection during adaptation to hypoxia. Triggers and kinase cascades].

Adaptation to chronic hypoxia increases myocardial ischemic tolerance to injury caused by acute ischemia-reperfusion. In this article, we provide a brief overview of current literary data dealing with signalling mechanisms that can play a certain role in chronic hypoxia-induced cardioprotection. It has been shown that reactive oxygen species are major contributors to induction of the protective cardiac phenotype. In this context, we discuss the role of cytochromes, NADPH oxidase, heme oxygenase-1, mitochondrial monoamme oxidase, and prolyl 4-hydroxylase in triggering adaptive responses resulting in myocardial salvage. Moreover, we point to other cytoprotective proteins that can be involved in the protection from chronic hypoxia, such as protein kinase C, mitogen-activated protein kinases, 5'AMP-activated protein kinase, NO-synthases, mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channels, Ca(2+)-activated large-conductance K+ channels, and MPT pore. Understanding the molecular mechanism of this long-lasting form of cardioprotection may help in providing basis for development of future therapeutic strategies to protect ischemic heart.

[Hypoxic preconditioning as novel approach to prophylaxis of ischemic and reperfusion damage of brain and heart].

Analysis of published data indicates that delayed hypoxic preconditioning essentially increases a cardiac and brain tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion. There are no experimental data in the literature on the neuroprotective effect of early hypoxic preconditioning in vivo. Clinical observations indicated that early hypoxic preconditioning exerts cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects. The single works testify that cardioprotective effect of delayed hypoxic preconditioning depend on the activation of inducible NO-synthase, KATP-channels and KCa-channels. Neuroprotective effect of hypoxic preconditioning is a consequence: (1) erythropoietin receptor stimulation and (2) an elevation of activity of PI3-Akt and ERK1/2 kinases. The supposed end effector of brain hypoxic preconditioning is MPT-pore.

[Hypoxic preconditioning is a phenomenon increasing tolerance of cardiomyocytes to hypoxia-reoxygenation].

The work covers the problem of hypoxic preconditioning (HP) carried out in isolated cardiomyocytes. Papers on delayed HP in vivo are comparatively few, and only some single works are devoted to early preconditioning in vivo. It has been established that the HP limits necrosis and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and improves contractility of the isolated heart after ischemia (hypoxia) and reperfusion (reoxygenation). It was found that adenosine was a trigger of iP in vitro. It was proved that NO* was a trigger of HP both in vitro and in vivo. It was shown that reactive oxygen species also were triggers of hypoxic preconditioning. It was shown that ERK1/2 and p38 kinase played important role in delayed HP in vitro.

[Effect of cumulus and granulosa cells on meiosis resumption in murine oocytes in vitro]. / Vliianie kumuliusnykh i granuliarnykh kletok na vozobnovlenie meioza ootsitami myshei in vitro.

Effects of different follicular cell types on resumption of meiosis were studied. Cumulus enclosed oocytes (CEO), denuded oocytes (DO), cumulus cells (CCs) and mural granulosa cells (GCs) were used. Oocytes were obtained from mature gonadotrophin-stimulated and unstimulated mice. The resumption of meiosis was assessed by the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) at the end of cultivation. It has been shown that GCs produced a meiosis activating substance due to gonadotrophin stimulation; for meiosis resumption connections between CCs and the oocyte were not necessary, but the very production of the meiosis activating substance, was, however, dependent on the initial connection between CCs and the oocyte. The presence of oocyte was necessary for stimulating CCs to produce a diffusible heat stable meiosis activating substance; gonadotrophins induced CCs to produce a diffusible thermostable meiosis activating substance. This substance induced, in a paracrine fashion, resumption of meiosis directly. It is proposed that the heat stable meiosis activating component of the used media from gonadotrophins-stimulated CEO may belong to a kind of meiosis activating sterols, previously isolated from human follicular fluid and from adult bull testes.

[The effect of chenophalk on the liver function of intact animals and in experimental hepatitis]. / Vliianie khenofal'ka na sostoianie pecheni u intaktnykh zhivotnykh i pri éksperimental'nom gepatite.

Chenophalk (chenodeoxycholeic acid) was given to Wistar rats, including intact animals and those with chronic toxic hepatitis, in daily oral dose of 15 mg/kg body weight during 11 days. Chronic toxic hepatitis was induced by 7 subcutaneous injections of carbon tetrachloride (0.3 ml of 50% oil solution per kg body weight) each three days. Chenophalk was shown to impair bile crystallization. It enhanced demethylase activity, elevated the levels of cytochromes P-450 and b5 in the liver microsomal fraction, and decreased lipid peroxidation just after injection. The agent normalized oxygen tension in the liver tissue, which had been reduced by carbon tetrachloride. Chenophalk caused disturbances in the structure of the liver and in microcirculation early after injection, showing a tendency to normalize the histostructure of the liver.