[The anti-ischemic and antioxidant activity of the pharmacological agonist of galanin receptor GalR2 and carnosine in in vitro and in vivo model systems]. / Protivoishemicheskaia i antioksidantnaia aktivnost' farmakologicheskogo agonista retseptora galanina GalR2 i karnozina v model'nykh sistemakh in vitro i in vivo.

Antioxidant and anti-ischemic properties of the pharmacological agonist of galanin receptor GalR2 WTLNSAGYLLGPßAH (Gal) and its C-terminal fragment, dipeptide carnosine (ßAH), were studied in the model of regional ischemia and reperfusion of the rat heart in vivo in the dose range of 0.5-5.0 mg/kg and Cu²âº-induced free radical oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) of human plasma in vitro for peptide concentrations of 0.01 mM and 0.1 mM. Gal was obtained by automatic solid phase synthesis using the Fmoc methodology; its structure was characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Intravenous administration of the optimal dose of Gal (1 mg/kg) to rats after ischemia was more effective than carnosine in reducing of the myocardial infarct size and the activity of creatine kinase-MB and lactate dehydrogenase in blood plasma at the end of reperfusion. It also improved the metabolic state of the reperfused myocardium and reduced the formation of peroxidation products during reperfusion. Gal reduced more effectively the formation of adducts of hydroxyl radicals in the interstitium of the area at risk (AAR) of the rat heart than carnosine. Carnosine at a dose of 1 mg/kg more effectively increased the activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the AAR by the end of reperfusion compared to Gal. In a model of Cu²âº-initiated oxidation of human plasma LDL 0.1 mM carnosine demonstrated a significantly more pronounced reduction in the formation of lipid radicals compared to Gal. The results show that Gal can be considered as a promising agent that reduces myocardial injury during reperfusion and oxidative stress.

Normalisation of diabetic heart pump function at decreased functional load.

Aim      To study left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics in presence of decreased blood inflow to the heart as well as changes in myocardial content of energy metabolites in diabetic rats.Material and methods  Diabetic cardiomyopathy is characterized by impaired heart contractility and by transition of cardiomyocyte energy metabolism fatty acids exclusively as a source of energy. This reduces the efficiency of energy utilization and increases the heart vulnerability to hypoxia. This study was performed on rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus induced by administration of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). The LV pump function was studied with a catheter that allows simultaneous measurement of LV pressure and volume in each cardiac cycle.Results Blood glucose was approximately sixfold increased at 2 weeks. Heart failure was detected with decreases in ejection fraction by 27%, minute volume by 39%, and stroke work by 41%. Systolic dysfunction was based on a decrease in LV peak ejection velocity by more than 50%. Furthermore, the LV developed pressure and contractility index were within the normal range, while 1.5 times increased arterial stiffness was the factor that hampered ejection. The sum of adenine nucleotides was decreased by 21%, the ATP content was decreased by 29%, and also creatine phosphate formation was reduced in the myocardium of diabetic rats. Lactate content in the diabetic myocardium was increased almost threefold, which indicated mobilization of aerobic glycolysis. With the reduced preload, equal diastolic volume (0.3 ml), and equal blood pressure (60 mm Hg), the diabetic heart pump function did not differ from the control.Conclusion      In type 1 diabetes mellitus, decreases in functional load and oxygen consumption normalize the myocardial pump function with disturbed energy metabolism.

The Mechanisms of Cardiac Protection Using a Synthetic Agonist of Galanin Receptors during Chronic Administration of Doxorubicin.

The use of the anticancer drug doxorubicin (Dox) is limited by its cardiotoxic effect. The aim of this work was to study the effect of a new synthetic agonist of the galanin receptor GalR1-3 [ßAla14, His15]-galanine (2-15) (G) on the metabolism, antioxidant enzyme activity, and cardiac function in rats with cardiomyopathy (CM) caused by chronic administration of Dox. Coadministration of peptide G and Dox significantly increased the fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) by an average of 30 ± 4% compared with the indices in the Dox group. The reduced severity of cardiac dysfunction under the action of G was accompanied by a 2.5-fold decrease in the activity of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in blood plasma. The protective mechanism of the action of peptide G is caused by a reduced lipid peroxidation (LP) that is due to the increased activity of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the damaged heart. Administration of peptide G significantly increased the adenine nucleotide pool (ΣAH), ATP content, and the levels of phosphocreatine (PCr) and total creatine (ΣCr) in the damaged myocardium. It also reduced lactate accumulation relative to its content in the Dox group. The better energy supply of cardiomyocytes after treatment with peptide G prevented the accumulation of cytotoxic ammonia and disruption in the metabolism of the key myocardial amino acids (glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), and alanine (Ala)). Peptide G significantly improved the morphological parameters of the heart in rats treated with Dox. The results show promise in using peptide G to efficiently correct functional, morphological, and metabolic damage to the heart caused by anthracycline chemotherapy.

[Early changes of energy metabolism, isoformic content and level of titin phosphorylation at diastolic dysfunction].

RELEVANCE:  Diastolic dysfunction occurring at hypertension, obesity, diabetes, or treatment with doxorubicin tends to prevail in all patterns of chronic heart failure. Lack of effective therapy forces to look more into the metabolic processes in cardiomyocytes. OBJECTIVE:  Assess energy metabolism in cardiomyocytes and changes in titin, a giant myofibril protein that responsible for their elasticity. MATERIAL AND METHODS:  The study model was cardiomyopathy occurring after the 4-week administration of doxorubicin (2 mg/kg weekly). Diastolic dysfunction was identified by echocardiography and catheterization with the simultaneous measurement of pressure and volume of the left ventricle (LV). RESULTS:  The levels of adenine nucleotides and phosphocreatine in the heart of animals treated with doxorubicin differed little from the normal values, but lactate levels were increased manifold. A 50% increase in the level of titin phosphorylation was detected, which correlated (r = 0,94) with a nearly twofold increase in the share of a more elastic N2BA-isoform of this protein. CONCLUSION: This form of diastolic dysfunction involves the activation of anaerobic metabolism and increased stretching of myofibrils facilitating LV filling.

[Cardiometabolic efficacy and toxicological evaluation of a pharmacological galanin receptor agonist]. / Kardiometabolicheskaia éffektivnost' i toksikologicheskaia kharakteristika farmakologicheskogo agonista retseptorov galanina.

The goal of this study was to examine effects of a novel galanin receptor agonist GalR1-3 [bAla14, His15]-galanine 2-15 (G), obtained by automatic solid-phase synthesis, on the metabolic state of the area at risk and the size of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in rats in vivo and evaluate its toxicity in BALB /c mice. In anesthetized rats, regional ischemia was simulated by coronary artery occlusion and then coronary blood flow was restored. The peptide G was administered intravenously (i.v.) with a bolus after a period of regional ischemia in the dose range of 0.25-3.0 mg/kg. The sizes of MI and the activities of creatine kinase-MB (СK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in blood plasma were estimated. The effect of administration of the optimal dose of G (1.0 mg/kg) on myocardial content of adenine nucleotides (AN), phosphocreatine (PCr), creatine (Cr) and lactate was studied. I.v. administration of G to rats at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg slightly affected hemodynamic parameters, but reduced MI size by 40% and decreased plasma LDH and CK-MB activity by the end of reperfusion compared to control. These effects were accompanied by a significant improvement in energy state of area at risk (AAR) - an increase in myocardial content of ATP, åAN, PCr and åCr, and combined with a decrease in myocardial lactate level compared with the control. Toxicity of peptide G was studied with a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.5-3.0% solution of the peptide substance to mice. The absence of signs of intoxication and death of animals after G injection in the maximum possible dose did not allow determining the value of the average lethal dose. The results indicate therapeutic potential of the peptide G for preventing myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury and feasibility for further study of its pharmacological properties and mechanisms of action.

[Protective action of a modified fragment of galanine in rats with doxorubicin-induced heart failure]. / Zashchitnoe deistvie modifitsirovannogo fragmenta galanina pri serdechnoi nedostatochnosti u krys, vyzvannoi doksorubitsinom.

The use of the anticancer drug doxorubicin (Dox) is limited due to its cardiotoxic effect. Using the method of automatic solid-phase peptide synthesis, we obtained a synthetic agonist of galanin receptors GalR1-3 [RAla14, His15]-galanine (2-15) (G), exhibiting cardioprotective properties. It was purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The homogeneity and structure of the peptide was confirmed by HPLC, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of G on the metabolism and cardiac function of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) caused by Dox. Experiments were performed using male Wistar rats weighing 280-300 g. The control group of animals (C) was intraperitoneally treated with saline for 8 weeks; the doxorubicin group (D) of rats was intraperitoneally treated with Doх; the group of Doх + peptide G (D+G) received intraperitoneally injections of Doх and subcutaneously injections of peptide G; the peptide G group (G) was subcutaneously treated with G. At the beginning and at the end of the study, the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the activity of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) were determined in blood plasma; the animals were weighed, and cardiac function was assessed using echocardiography. At the end of the experiments, the hearts were used for determination of metabolites and assessment of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. After 8-week treatment, animals of group D were characterized by severe heart failure, the lack of weight gain and an increase in plasma TBARS concentration and CK-MB activity. These disorders were accompanied by a decrease in the content of myocardial high-energy phosphates, a reduction inmitochondrial respiratory parameters, accumulation of lactate and glucose in the heart, and disturbances in the metabolism of alanine and glutamic and aspartic acids. Coadministration of G and Dox prevented the increase in plasma CK-MB activity and significantly reduced the plasma TBARS concentration. At the end of the experiments animals of group D+G had higher myocardial energy state and the respiratory control index of mitochondria than animals of group D, there was a decrease in anaerobic glycolysis and no changes in the amino acid content compared to the control. The peptide G significantly improved the parameters of cardiac function and caused weight gain in animals of group D+G in comparison with these parameters in group D. The obtained results demonstrate the ability of a novel agonist of galanin receptors GalR1-3 to attenuate Dox-indiced cardiotoxicity.

[Metilin Improves Сardiac Function in Rabbits With Chronic Heart Failure].

AIM: To study effects of intravenous infusion of a cardioprotective drug metilin, developed at the "National Medical Research Center of Cardiology" on indices of cardiac function in rabbits in vivo after prolonged administration of doxorubicin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals of the experimental group were intravenously injected with doxorubicin (2 mg / kg once a week) for 8 weeks, animals of the control group received the same volume of saline. Myocardial damage was characterized by an increase in concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), troponin (TnI) and MB-fraction of creatine kinase (CK-MB) in venous blood and by disturbances in the left ventricle (LV) structure at morphological examination. Metilin effects on cardiac function were assessed by echocardiography and LV catheterization by the Millar catheter tip pressure transducer. RESULTS: Doxorubicin administration led to a decrease of the body mass of animals, an increase of the plasma concentration of cardiac markers CK-MB and TnI, lipid peroxidation (LPO) product MDA in venous blood, and pronounced disturbances in the structure of LV fibers and microvessels. At the same time, a significant decrease of myocardial contractility indices was observed. Manifestations of this decrease were increase of the end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions (EDD and ESD, respectively), and decreases in the shortening fraction and ejection fraction (SF and EF, respectively) compared to baseline values. These changes indicated development of chronic heart failure (CHF) in animals of the experimental group. Against this background, intravenous infusion of metilin significantly increased SF and EF, but did not affect the heart rate. Beneficial effects of metilin on the indices of cardiac contractility and relaxation were maintained after the infusion was stopped. Noteworthy, metilin exerted greater influence on cardiac function of rabbits with CHF compared to control animals that did not receive doxorubicin. CONCLUSION: The obtained results indicate the potential of metilin to reduce LV dysfunction during chemotherapy with doxorubicin.

[Contractile Function of Isolated Hearts With Preserved and Reduced Ejection Fraction In Vivo].

The aim of the study was comparison of contractile function of isolated hearts of rats with doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury which were tentatively divided according to the level of ejection fraction determined by echocardiography in vivo. After 4 weeks of doxorubicin administration (2 mg/kg subcutaneously once a week) about half of animals had normal (86±1 %) and the other half reduced (61±4 %) ejection fraction. The first group was defined as diastolic heart failure (DHF) and the other as systolic (SHF). The maximal pressure developed by the isolated heart in isovolumic mode was reduced in DHF by 13 %, and in SHF by 34 %. The relaxation index in both groups was lowed by 22-24 %. Both groups were characterized by a decline in the ability to raise developed pressure while increasing coronary perfusion pressure, as well as by the loss of the ability of coronary vessels to maintain a stable flow rate while increasing perfusion pressure. The hearts of control animals were able to raise the cardiac work index (the product of developed pressure and heart rate) during prolonged high frequency (7-9 Hz) stimulation, while the two groups treated with doxorubicin reduced the level of this index. The content of basic energy metabolites (ATP, phosphocreatine, creatine) in both groups was reduced by 20-38 %. The results showed that the hearts in DHF and SHF groups showed approximately the same level of reduction of the contractile function and energy metabolism, and hence their difference in vivo was probably due to varying degrees of mobilization of compensatory mechanisms.

Contractile Function of Isolated Hearts With Preserved and Reduced Ejection Fraction In Vivo.

The aim of the study was comparison of contractile function of isolated hearts of rats with doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury which were tentatively divided according to the level of ejection fraction determined by echocardiography in vivo. After 4 weeks of doxorubicin administration (2 mg/kg subcutaneously once a week) about half of animals had normal (86±1%) and the other half reduced (61±4%) ejection fraction. The first group was defined as diastolic heart failure (DHF) and the other as systolic (SHF). The maximal pressure developed by the isolated heart in isovolumic mode was reduced in DHF by 13%, and in SHF by 34%. The relaxation index in both groups was lowed by 22-24%. Both groups were characterized by a decline in the ability to raise developed pressure while increasing coronary perfusion pressure, as well as by the loss of the ability of coronary vessels to maintain a stable flow rate while increasing perfusion pressure. The hearts of control animals were able to raise the cardiac work index (the product of developed pressure and heart rate) during prolonged high frequency (7-9 Hz) stimulation, while the two groups treated with doxorubicin reduced the level of this index. The content of basic energy metabolites (ATP, phosphocreatine, creatine) in both groups was reduced by 20-38%. The results showed that the hearts in DHF and SHF groups showed approximately the same level of reduction of the contractile function and energy metabolism, and hence their difference in vivo was probably due to varying degrees of mobilization of compensatory mechanisms.

Apelin-12 and its structural analog enhance antioxidant defense in experimental myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.

This study investigated the effects of peptide apelin-12 (H-Arg-Pro-Arg-Leu-Ser-His-Lys-Gly-Pro-Met-Pro-Phe-OH, A12) and its novel structural analog (H-(N(α)Me)Arg-Pro-Arg-Leu-Ser-His-Lys-Gly-Pro-Nle-Pro-Phe-OH, AI) on myocardial antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species formation in ex vivo and in vivo models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Isolated working rat hearts were subjected to global ischemia and reperfusion. Infusion of 140 µM A12 or AI before global ischemia improved cardiac function recovery; increased the activity of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px); decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in reperfused heart; and reduced the formation of hydroxyl radical adduct of the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide in the myocardial effluent during early reperfusion compared with these indices in control. Anesthetized open-chest rats were subjected to the left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion and coronary reperfusion. Peptide A12 or its analog AI was injected intravenously at the onset of reperfusion at a dose of 0.35 µmol/kg. Treatment with A12 or AI significantly limited infarct size and reduced the activity of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme in blood plasma at the end of reperfusion compared with control. These effects were accompanied by complete recovery of Cu,Zn SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities; and decrease in MDA content in the area at risk by the end of reperfusion. The study concluded that C-terminal fragment of native peptide apelin-12 and its synthesized analog is involved in the upregulation of cardiac antioxidant defense systems and attenuation of lipid peroxidation in myocardial I/R injury.

[Antioxidant properties of apelin-12 and its structural analogue in experimental ischemia and reperfusion].

Effects of apelin-12 H-Arg-Pro-Arg-Leu-Ser-His-Lys-Gly-Pro-Met-Pro-Phe-OH (A12) and its modified analogue H-(NMe)Arg-Pro-Arg-Leu-Ser-His-Lys-Gly-Pro-Nle-Pro-Phe-OH (I) on activity of antioxidant enzymes, formation of malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were studied in ex vivo and in vivo models of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury in Wistar rats. Preischemic infusion of peptide A12 or AI enhanced cardiac function recovery of isolated perfused heart and was accompanied by a marked attenuation of ROS generation detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique in myocardial effluent at early reperfusion compared with control. Intravenous administration (i.v.) of peptides in narcotized rats with regional myocardial ischemia limited infarct size and reduced activity of lactate dehydrogenase and MB-fraction of creatine kinase in plasma at the end of reperfusion. Treatment with peptide A12 prevented reduction or augmented activity of myocardial u/Zn superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase by the end of reperfusion in both I/R models compared with control. Increased MDA content in the area at risk of rat heart in situ at the end of reperfusion was reduced to the initial value under the effect of i.v. A12 administration. Therefore, cardioprotective action of natural apelin-12 and its structural analog AI involve reduction of short-lived ROS generation and improvement of the antioxidant state of ischemic heart during reperfusion.

[Involvement of NO-dependent mechanisms of apelin action in myocardial protection against ischemia/reperfusion damage].

Apelin 12 (A-12) was synthesized by the automatic solid phase method with the use of Fmoc technology. The synthesized peptide was purified by preparative HPLC and identified by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Acute myocardial infarction was induced by 40-min LAD occlusion followed by 60-min reperfusion in narcotized Wistar rats. A-12 was administrated at the onset of the reperfusion at doses of 0.07, 0.35 and 0.70 micromole/kg; N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a NOS inhibitor, was applied at a dose of 10 mg/kg 10 min prior to reperfusion alone or before A-12 administration (0.35 micromole/kg); saline was used in control. The indicated A-12 doses induced a transient reduction of the arterial systolic blood pressure (ASBP) to 85, 58, and 56% of the initial level, respectively, which was accompanied by its recovery by the end of reperfusion. All A-12 doses significantly limited myocardial infarct size by 26, 40 and 33%, respectively, compared to the value in control. After administration of A-12 at dose of 0.35 micromol/kg, this effect was combined with reduction of MB-creatine kinase (MB-CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in plasma at the end of reperfusion by 56 and 47%, respectively, compared to the values in control. Inhibition of NO formation by L-NAME increased SABP but did not affect myocardial infarct size compared with that in control. Coadministration of L-NAME and A-12 resulted in lesser reduction of ASBP during reperfusion than injection of A-12 alone. This intervention led to an increase in infarct size by 26% with concomitant 1.8- and 1.5-times elevation of MB-CK and LDH activities, respectively, compared to the values in the A-12 group. The results indicate that NO is involved as a mediator of the effects of A-12 on the overall protection consisting in a limitation of infarct size and reduction of postischemic cardiomyocyte membrane damage. Cardioprotective mechanisms of apelin action are discussed.

[The influence of inhibiting no formation on metabolic recovery of ischemic rat heart by apelin-12].

Apelin 12 (A-12) was synthesized by the automatic solid phase method with use of Fmoc 1H-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Effects of apelin-12 (a peptide comprised of 12 aminoacids, A-12) on recovery of energy metabolism and cardiac function were studied in isolated working rat hearts perfused with Krebs buffer (KB) containing 11 mM glucose that were subjected to global ischemia and reperfusion. A short-term infusion of microM 140 A-12 in KB prior to ischemia enhanced myocardial ATP, the total adenine nucleotide pool (SigmaAN = ATP + ADP + AMP) and the energy charge of cardiomyocites ((ATP + 0.5ADP)/SigmaAN) at the end of reperfusion compared with control (KB infusion) and reduced lactate content and lactate/pyruvate ratio in reperfused myocardium to the initial values. This effect was accompanied by improved recovery of coronary flow and cardiac function. Coadministration of 140 microM A-12 and 100 microM L-NAME (the nonspecific NOS inhibitor) profoundly attenuated the peptide influence on metabolic and functional recovery of reperfused hearts. The results indicate involvement of NO, formed under the peptide action, in mechanisms of cardioprotection that are tightly associated with recovery of energy metabolism in postischemic heart.

In vivo reduction of reperfusion injury to the heart with apelin-12 peptide in rats.

Apelin-12 (A-12) peptide was synthesized by automated solid phase method and purified by reverse phase HPLC. Its homogeneity and structure were confirmed by HPLC, (1)H-NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectroscopy. Acute myocardial infarction was induced by 40-min occlusion of the left coronary artery with subsequent 60-min reperfusion in narcotized Wistar rats. Peptide A-12 was injected (intravenous bolus, 0.07 or 0.35 µmol/kg) to experimental animals simultaneously with the beginning of reperfusion. Injections of A-12 in these doses led to reduction of systolic BP to 67 and 85% of the initial level, respectively, which was virtually restored completely by the end of reperfusion, and to a significant reduction of the infarction focus in the myocardium (by 21 and 34% in comparison with the control, respectively). Injection of A-12 in a dose of 0.35 µmol/kg led to reduction of plasma concentrations of necrosis markers in comparison with the control by the end of reperfusion: MB-creatine kinase by 56%, lactate dehydrogenase by 30%. The results attest to vasodilatory effects of A-12 under conditions of heart reperfusion in vivo; the peptide injected after local ischemia limits the myocardial infarction size and reduces damage to cardiomyocyte membrane.

[Effects of exogenous apelin-12 on functional and metabolic recovery of isolated rat heart after ischemia].

Apelin 12 (A 12) was synthesized by the automatic solid phase method with the use of Fmoc technology. The synthesized peptide was purified by preparative HPLC and identified by 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Effects of A 12 were studied on isolated working rat hearts perfused with Krebs buffer (KB) containing 11 mM glucose. The hearts were subjected to 35 min global ischemia followed by 30 min reperfusion. A short term infusion of A 12 in KB (35, 70, 140, 280, and 560 M) was applied prior to ischemia (A 12 I) or at onset of reperfusion (A 12 R). KB infusion without A 12 was used in control. A 12 infusion enhanced recovery of coronary flow, contractile and pump function during reperfusion with the largest augmentation of these indices in A 12 I group. Thus after infusion of 140 M A 12 recovery of coronary flow, the LVDP HR product and cardiac output were 92+/-5, 81+/-5, and 77+/-5% of the initial values, respectively, in A 12 I group, 83+/-6, 61+/-5, and 52+/-5% in A 12 R group, and 76+/-2, 42+/-2, 32+/-2% in control by the end of reperfusion. Both A 12 groups exhibited significant reduction of ischemia/reperfusion contracture compared with control. Enhanced functional recovery in A 12 I group was combined with a decrease in lactate dehydrogenase leakage in perfusate at early reperfusion (at the average by 36+/-5% compared with control, <0.05). Preischemic infusion of 140 M A 12 markedly increased myocardial ATP content and twice decreased AMP accumulation at the end of reperfusion. These alterations resulted in enhanced preservation of the total adenine nucleotide pool (to 81+/-5% of the initial value vs. 66+/-3% in control, <0.05) and better recovery of the energy charge potential (0.77+/-0.01 vs. 0.60+/-0.06 in control, <0.005) in reperfused hearts. At the end of experiment myocardial lactate and lactate/pyruvate ratio were on average 5 fold lower in A 12 I treated hearts compared with control one and did not differ significantly from initial values. This finding implies that better restoration of energy metabolism in hearts protected with A 12 before ischemia might be attributed to ameliorated glucose oxidation during reperfusion. Therefore enhanced functional recovery of ischemic heart and lesser cell membrane damage induced by A 12 were associated with maintaining high energy phosphates, particularly ATP, in reperfused myocardium. Cardioprotective mechanisms of apelin action are discussed.

[Dinitrosyl complexes of iron with glutathione in the rat myocardial tissue during regional ischemia and postischemic reperfusion].

The injection of dinitrosyliron iron complexes with glutathione at the onset of 40-min rat regional myocardial ischemia was shown to exert a clear cardioprotective action by decreasing the infarct size and suppressing the cardiac rhythm disturbance. After the introduction of the preparation, its effective accumulation with protein thiol-containing ligands in the myocardial tissue was registered be the EPR method. It was also found that, as a result of postischemic reperfusion, the rate of the decrease in the content of these complexes in the ischemic area increases, which demonstrates the effective scavenging of short-lived reactive oxygen species by molecules of dinitrosyl iron complexes.

[The effect of myosin ATPase inhibition on metabolic and functional recovery of isolated rat heart after global ischemia].

The effect of myosin ATPase inhibitor, 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM; used in the range of concentrations 1.25-10.0 mM), on recovery of functions of isolated rat heart subjected to normothermic (37 degrees C) total ischemia for 35 min has been investigated. BDM perfusion was performed at a flow rate of 4 ml/min during 5 min before ischemia (BDM-I) or before 25-min reperfusion (BDM-R). Control hearts were perfused with Krebs solution at the same flow rate. The highest functional recovery of heart and coronary vessels was observed during infusion of 2.5 mM BDM before ischemia. At the end of reperfusion ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) content in hearts of this group was significantly higher whereas the level of lactate was two times lower than in control; total creatine content (sigmaCr) did not differ from the initial level. Similar but less pronounced changes in the improvement of aerobic metabolism and maintenance of sigmaCr after reperfusion were also observed in the case of infusion of 2.5 mM BDM before reperfusion. They were consistent with reduced recovery of functions of heart and coronary flow compared with these parameters observed in the BDM-I group. 2.5 mM BDM caused almost 2-fold decrease in release of cardiac lactate dehydrogenase into myocardial perfusate in the BDM-I and BDM-R groups (compared with control); this suggests lower damage of cell membranes. These results suggest that improvement of energy supply of postischemic cardiomyocytes may be a key factor determining cardioprotector effectiveness of short-term administration of BDM before ischemia.

[Dietary SkQ1 supplement reduces myocardial ischemia- reperfusion injury in rats in vivo].

To examine whether nutritional supplementation with SkQ1 can reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo, Wistar rats were fed a regular diet supplemented with different doses of SkQ1 for two or three weeks. Control groups of rats were fed the same diet supplemented with NaBr. Anaesthetized rats were subjected to 40-min regional myocardial ischemia and 1-h reperfusion. Myocardial infarct size was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining method. SkQ1-fed rats (125 nmol/kg/day for two weeks and 250 nmol/kg/day for two and three weeks) revealed significantly smaller myocardial infarction and less lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-MB fraction (CK-MB) activity elevations in plasma at the end of reperfusion compared with the controls. This effect was combined with improvement of energy state of the area at risk at the end of reperfusion, namely, augmentation of adenine nucleotide content, two-fold increase in phosphocreatine, reduction of lactate accumulation and decrease of lactate/pyruvate ratio in myocardial tissue. Therefore, nutritional supplementation with SkQ1 renders the hearts resistant to ischemia-reperfusion injury affecting oxidative metabolism of postischemic cardiomyocytes.

[Effects of dinitrosyl iron complex on metabolism and cellular membranes in ischemic rat heart].

Effects of exogenous NO donor--dinitrosyl iron complex with reduced glutathione (DNIC-GS) on functional recovery of isolated perfused rat heart subjected to global ischemia and reperfusion have been studied. DNIC-GS administration after ischemia substantially improved contractile and pump function recovery within a concentration range of 34 nM - 5 uM. In case of DNIC-GS administration before ischemia a two-phase influence was found--cardioprotective action for 67 nM and damaging one for 250 nM. Enhanced recovery of cardiac function after preischemic infusion of 67 nM DNIC-GS was associated with augmented preservation of ATP, phosphocreatine, total adenine nucleotide pool and total creatine content in myocardial tissue, and with reduction of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into myocardial effluent compared with these indices in control. In contrast, infusion of 250 nM DNIC-GS resulted in poor recovery of energy metabolism and increased membrane injury than in control. The results suggest that a worse recovery of myocardial energy state and increased sarcolemma permeability in the 250 nM DNIC-GS group were caused by inhibiting oxidation of glucose, the main energy substrate for isolated perfused heart. Molecular mechanisms of protective and injurious action of DNIC-GS on ischemic heart are discussed.