International guidelines for the diagnosis and management of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.

BACKGROUND: HHT is an autosomal dominant disease with an estimated prevalence of at least 1/5000 which can frequently be complicated by the presence of clinically significant arteriovenous malformations in the brain, lung, gastrointestinal tract and liver. HHT is under-diagnosed and families may be unaware of the available screening and treatment, leading to unnecessary stroke and life-threatening hemorrhage in children and adults. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this international HHT guidelines process was to develop evidence-informed consensus guidelines regarding the diagnosis of HHT and the prevention of HHT-related complications and treatment of symptomatic disease. METHODS: The overall guidelines process was developed using the AGREE framework, using a systematic search strategy and literature retrieval with incorporation of expert evidence in a structured consensus process where published literature was lacking. The Guidelines Working Group included experts (clinical and genetic) from eleven countries, in all aspects of HHT, guidelines methodologists, health care workers, health care administrators, HHT clinic staff, medical trainees, patient advocacy representatives and patients with HHT. The Working Group determined clinically relevant questions during the pre-conference process. The literature search was conducted using the OVID MEDLINE database, from 1966 to October 2006. The Working Group subsequently convened at the Guidelines Conference to partake in a structured consensus process using the evidence tables generated from the systematic searches. RESULTS: The outcome of the conference was the generation of 33 recommendations for the diagnosis and management of HHT, with at least 80% agreement amongst the expert panel for 30 of the 33 recommendations.

In vivo expression of perforin by CD8+ lymphocytes during an acute viral infection.

CTL and NK cells cultured in vitro have been shown to contain a cytolytic pore-forming protein (PFP/perforin/cytolysin). To date, it has not been determined whether perforin is expressed by CTL that have been primed in vivo. Here, we have infected mice with two strains of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), one of which mainly produces choriomeningitis and, the other, hepatitis. Brain and liver cryostat sections obtained from LCMV-infected mice were stained for various lymphocyte markers, including perforin. We were able to detect a large accumulation of perforin antigen in CD8+/Thy-1+/asialo GM1+/CD4- lymphocytes, which in fact represent the main infiltrating cell type found in brain and liver sections obtained during the late acute stage of LCMV infection. Perforin was also detected in a smaller population of CD8-/asialo GM1+/NK 1.1+/F480- cells, presumably corresponding to NK cells. Perforin-positive cells were found to have the morphology of blasts or large granular lymphocytes (LGL). These observations, together with in vitro studies performed in the past, indicate that perforin may be associated exclusively with LGL-like CTL blasts and NK cells. Our results demonstrate for the first time the presence of perforin in CTL that have been primed in vivo and suggest that perforin-positive CTL may be directly involved in producing the immunopathology associated with the LCMV infection.

The pulmonary vascular complications of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder, characterised by the presence of vascular malformations. The pulmonary vascular complications of HHT include pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, pulmonary hypertension associated with high-output heart failure and liver vascular malformations and, finally, pulmonary arterial hypertension secondary to HHT. In the present review, the authors describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of all three pulmonary vascular presentations of HHT, as well as the underlying genetics and pathophysiology.

Myocardial protein turnover in patients with coronary artery disease. Effect of branched chain amino acid infusion.

The regulation of protein metabolism in the human heart has not previously been studied. In 10 postabsorptive patients with coronary artery disease, heart protein synthesis and degradation were estimated simultaneously from the extraction of intravenously infused L-[ring-2,6-3H]phenylalanine (PHE) and the dilution of its specific activity across the heart at isotopic steady state. We subsequently examined the effect of branched chain amino acid (BCAA) infusion on heart protein turnover and on the myocardial balance of amino acids and branched chain ketoacids (BCKA) in these patients. In the postabsorptive state, there was a net release of phenylalanine (arterial-cardiac venous [PHE] = -1.71 +/- 0.32 nmol/ml, P less than 0.001; balance = -116 +/- 21 nmol PHE/min, P less than 0.001), reflecting protein degradation (142 +/- 40 nmol PHE/min) in excess of synthesis (24 +/- 42 nmol PHE/min) and net myocardial protein catabolism. During BCAA infusion, protein synthesis increased to equal the degradation rate (106 +/- 24 and 106 +/- 28 nmol PHE/min, respectively) and the phenylalanine balance shifted (P = 0.01) from negative to neutral (arterial-cardiac venous [PHE] = 0.07 +/- 0.36 nmol/ml; balance = 2 +/- 25 nmol PHE/min). BCAA infusion stimulated the myocardial uptake of both BCAA (P less than 0.005) and their ketoacid conjugates (P less than 0.001) in proportion to their circulating concentrations. Net uptake of the BCAA greatly exceeded that of other essential amino acids suggesting a role for BCAA and BCKA as metabolic fuels. Plasma insulin levels, cardiac double product, coronary blood flow, and myocardial oxygen consumption were unchanged. These results demonstrate that the myocardium of postabsorptive humans is in negative protein balance and indicate a primary anabolic effect of BCAA on the human heart.

Glucose metabolism distal to a critical coronary stenosis in a canine model of low-flow myocardial ischemia.

Myocardial regions perfused through a coronary stenosis may cease contracting, but remain viable. Clinical observations suggest that increased glucose utilization may be an adaptive mechanism in such "hibernating" regions. In this study, we used a combination of 13C-NMR spectroscopy, GC-MS analysis, and tissue biochemical measurements to track glucose through intracellular metabolism in intact dogs infused with [1-13C]glucose during a 3-4-h period of acute ischemic hibernation. During low-flow ischemia [3-13C]alanine enrichment was higher, relative to plasma [1-13C]glucose enrichment, in ischemic than in nonischemic regions of the heart, suggesting a greater contribution of exogenous glucose to glycolytic flux in the ischemic region (approximately 72 vs. approximately 28%, P < 0.01). Both the fraction of glycogen synthase present in the physiologically active glucose-6-phosphate-independent form (46 +/- 10 vs. 9 +/- 6%, P < 0.01) and the rate of incorporation of circulating glucose into glycogen (94 +/- 25 vs. 20 +/- 15 nmol/gram/min, P < 0.01) were also greater in ischemic regions. Measurement of steady state [4-13C)glutamate/[3-13C]alanine enrichment ratios demonstrated that glucose-derived pyruvate supported 26-36% of total tricarboxylic acid cycle flux in all regions, however, indicating no preference for glucose over fat as an oxidative substrate in the ischemic myocardium. Thus during sustained regional low-flow ischemia in vivo, the ischemic myocardium increases its utilization of exogenous glucose as a substrate. Upregulation is restricted to cytosolic utilization pathways, however (glycolysis and glycogen synthesis), and fat continues to be the major source of mitochondrial oxidative substrate.

Intravitreal aflibercept for macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion in patients with prior treatment with bevacizumab or ranibizumab.

PurposeTo report the visual and anatomic outcomes in eyes with macular oedema (MO) secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) that were switched from either intravitreal bevacizumab or ranibizumab to intravitreal aflibercept.MethodsTwo-center retrospective chart review. Eyes with MO secondary to CRVO that received a minimum of three intravitreal injections of bevacizumab or ranibizumab and were switched to intravitreal aflibercept for persistent or recurrent MO not responding to either bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab.ResultsIn all 42 eyes of 42 patients were included in the study. The median visual acuity before the switch was 20/126, 1 month after the first injection of aflibercept 20/89 (P=0.0191), and at the end of the follow-up 20/100 (P=0.2724). The median CRT before the switch was 536 µm, 1 month after the first injection of aflibercept 293.5 µm (P=0.0038), and at the end of the follow-up 279 µm (P=0.0013 compared to before the switch). The median number of weeks between injections before the switch was 5.6 and after the switch was 7.6 (P<0.0001).ConclusionConverting eyes with refractory MO due to CRVO to aflibercept can result in stabilization of the vision, improved macular anatomy, and extension of the injection interval.

Effect of chronic diabetes on myocardial fuel metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

To assess the effect of chronic insulin-deficient diabetes on myocardial fuel substrate metabolism in vivo, we measured the myocardial balance of glucose, free fatty acids (FFAs), and amino acids in nine postabsorptive conscious dogs 4-6 wk after treatment with streptozocin. The acute effect of insulin on the myocardial balance of these same substrates was measured in six dogs by use of the euglycemic insulin clamp technique. To further examine the effect of insulin on heart amino acid balance, we studied three additional dogs given a constant infusion of amino acids during the insulin clamp to blunt the insulin-induced hypoaminoacidemia. In these dogs, the fasting plasma glucose concentration was markedly elevated (258 +/- 3 mg/dl). In the basal period, there was no significant glucose uptake by the heart [arterial vs. coronary sinus concentration difference (delta) = 1.0 +/- 2.0 mg/dl]; furthermore, physiologic hyperinsulinemia did not stimulate glucose uptake (delta = 2.0 +/- 2.5 mg/dl). Postabsorptively, arterial FFAs were elevated (1550 +/- 320 microM) in diabetic animals, and there was a significant net extraction of FFAs by the heart (net uptake 26 +/- 9 mumol/min; extraction ratio 30 +/- 8%). During the insulin clamp, arterial FFAs declined (645 +/- 240 microM), as did heart FFA uptake (11 +/- 6 mumol/min), and the net extraction ratio for FFAs was unchanged (30 +/- 7%). Similarly, the arterial branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) concentration was elevated in the postabsorptive state, and there was a significant myocardial uptake of these amino acids and of alanine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside infusion on in vivo glucose and lipid metabolism in lean and obese Zucker rats.

Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofurano-side (AICAR) increases glucose transport in skeletal muscle via an insulin-independent pathway. To examine the effects of AMPK activation on skeletal muscle glucose transport activity and whole-body carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in an insulin-resistant rat model, awake obese Zuckerfa/fa rats (n = 26) and their lean (n = 23) littermates were infused for 90 min with AICAR, insulin, or saline. The insulin infusion rate (4 mU.kg(-1).min(-1)) was selected to match the glucose requirements during AICAR (bolus, 100 mg/kg; constant, 10 mg.kg(-1).min(-1)) isoglycemic clamps in the lean rats. The effects of these identical AICAR and insulin infusion rates were then examined in the obese Zucker rats. AICAR infusion increased muscle AMPK activity more than fivefold (P < 0.01 vs. control and insulin) in both lean and obese rats. Plasma triglycerides, fatty acid concentrations, and glycerol turnover, as assessed by [2-13C]glycerol, were all decreased in both lean and obese rats infused with AICAR (P < 0.05 vs. basal), whereas insulin had no effect on these parameters in the obese rats. Endogenous glucose production rates, measured by [U-13C]glucose, were suppressed by >50% during AICAR and insulin infusions in both lean and obese rats (P < 0.05 vs. basal). In lean rats, rates of whole-body glucose disposal increased by more than two-fold (P < 0.05 vs. basal) during both AICAR and insulin infusion; [3H]2-deoxy-D-glucose transport activity increased to a similar extent, by >2.2-fold (both P < 0.05 vs. control), in both soleus and red gastrocnemius muscles of lean rats infused with either AICAR or insulin. In the obese Zucker rats, neither AICAR nor insulin stimulated whole-body glucose disposal or soleus muscle glucose transport activity. However, AICAR increased glucose transport activity by approximately 2.4-fold (P < 0.05 vs. control) in the red gastrocnemius from obese rats, whereas insulin had no effect. In summary, acute infusion of AICAR in an insulin-resistant rat model activates skeletal muscle AMPK and increases glucose transport activity in red gastrocnemius muscle while suppressing endogenous glucose production and lipolysis. Because type 2 diabetes is characterized by diminished rates of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake as well as increased basal rates of endogenous glucose production and lipolysis, these results suggest that AICAR-related compounds may represent a new class of antidiabetic agents.

PR-39, a proline/arginine-rich antimicrobial peptide, exerts cardioprotective effects in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: PR-39, a proline/arginine-rich antimicrobial peptide, has been shown to inhibit the NADPH oxidase activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by blocking assembly of this enzyme. We hypothesized that PR-39 could attenuate PMN-induced cardiac dysfunction by suppression of superoxide production. METHODS: We examined the effects of PR-39 in isolated ischemic (20 min) and reperfused (45 min) rat hearts administered PMNs at the onset of reperfusion. RESULTS: PR-39 (4 or 10 microg/ml) given i.v. 30 min prior to ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) significantly improved left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP, P<0.01) and the maximal rate of development of LVDP (i.e. +dP/dt max, P<0.01) compared to I-R hearts obtained from rats given 0.9% NaCl. PR-39-treated PMNs (10 microg/ml) also significantly attenuated cardiac contractile dysfunction after I-R (P<0.01). Superoxide release was significantly reduced (P<0.01) in N-formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine stimulated PMNs pretreated with 4 or 10 microg/ml PR-39. PR-39 also significantly attenuated P-selectin expression on the rat coronary microvascular endothelium and CD18 upregulation in rat PMNs. In addition, PR-39 significantly reduced PMN vascular adherence and infiltration into the post-ischemic myocardium. CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that PR-39 significantly attenuates PMN-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction in the I-R rat heart at least in part via suppression of superoxide release. This cardioprotection occurred both by inhibition of PMN and endothelial NADPH oxidase.

Ischemic oculopathy. A manifestation of carotid artery disease.

Six patients experienced ischemic oculopathy, a condition in which there is ischemia in both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye caused by occlusive carotid artery disease. The abnormalities in the anterior segment include episcleral vascular congestion, anterior chamber flare and cells, a mid-dilated, sluggish, or unreactive pupil, rubeosis iridis, and abnormal intraocular pressure. The posterior segment abnormalities include ischemic insults to the retina or optic nerve, venous-stasis retinopathy, and low ophthalmodynamometry values. Ophthalmodynamometry is particularly helpful in recognizing the pathogenesis of this disorder. Superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis surgery may have particular merit for patients with ischemic oculopathy.

Technetium-99m-nitroimidazole (BMS181321): a positive imaging agent for detecting myocardial ischemia.

UNLABELLED: A new technetium-99m-labeled nitroimidazole (BMS181321) has been proposed for positive imaging of myocardial ischemia. METHODS: An in vivo open-chest canine model of partial coronary occlusion and pacing-induced demand ischemia was used to correlate myocardial retention of BMS181321, following an intravenous injection at peak stress, with regional microsphere blood flow. Postmortem measurements of myocardial BMS181321 activity and flow were correlated with in vivo planar and ex vivo SPECT images. Myocardial and hepatic clearance of BMS181321 was derived from ROI analysis of serial planar images. RESULTS: Anaerobic metabolism was documented in the ischemic region by selective venous and arterial sampling for lactate and oxygen consumption. Normalized myocardial BMS181321 activity (165% +/- 42% nonischemic) in the central ischemic region (flow < 0.3 ml/min/gm) was significantly greater than activity in normal regions (p < 0.05). Quantitative circumferential analysis of SPECT images revealed a comparable increase in myocardial BMS181321 activity in the ischemic region. Sixty minutes after injection of BMS181321, liver activity was 423% of ischemic myocardial activity. CONCLUSION: BMS181321 was preferentially retained in ischemic but viable canine myocardium and was inversely related to regional myocardial blood flow. Although enhanced retention of BMS181321 was detectable by ex vivo SPECT imaging, an unfavorable heart-to-liver ratio was observed with in vivo planar imaging which may limit its use in clinical myocardial imaging.

A monoclonal antibody specific to Müller cells and selective synaptic sites in the retina.

We have produced a monoclonal antibody which stains the Müller cells in the region of the photoreceptors, nerve terminals surrounding the horizontal cells, and nerve terminals in the inner plexiform layer in carp, goldfish, and white perch retinas. Electron microscopy showed that the staining in the outer and inner retina was confined to Müller cells and presynaptic terminals, respectively. In the teleost brain, the antibody stained only the optic tectum and efferent fibers from the stratum album centrale. Biochemical characterization by immunoblotting showed that this monoclonal antibody recognizes an approximately 70-kD molecule in both whole retina and brain homogenates, suggesting that the antibody recognizes an identical molecule. No staining was noted in the spleen or the liver. This monoclonal antibody appears to be specific to a molecule common to the Müller cells and presynaptic terminals in the teleost retina, and although it is present in other parts of the central nervous system, it is confined to the visual pathway.

Photodynamic therapy of pigmented choroidal melanomas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy with chloroaluminum sulfonated phthalocyanine in the treatment of pigmented choroidal melanomas in a rabbit model. METHODS: Pigment containing B16F10 murine melanoma cells were implanted transclerally into the subchoroidal space of 28 immunosuppressed New Zealand albino rabbits. The animals were treated with daily injections of cyclosporine and were followed up until tumors at least 2 mm in height were detected by ultrasonography. Twenty-four hours after the intravenous injection of chloroaluminum sulfonated phthalocyanine (CASPc, 5 mg/kg), tumors were irradiated at 675 nm through an argon-pumped dye laser at estimated total light doses of 25 to 70 J/cm2. Control animals were treated with light only or photosensitizer only. The animals were followed up for 4 1/2 to 8 weeks with regular fundus examinations. RESULTS: Twenty tumor-bearing rabbits were treated with light and dye. The tumor regressed in 12 animals. Five of these animals were followed up for at least 4 1/2 weeks and the other seven for 8 weeks after treatment. At light doses under 40 J/cm2, tumor regrowth was observed in five animals within 10 days of treatment. In all control groups, the tumor-bearing eyes were filled with tumor cells by the third week after implantation. Histologic examination of tumors treated with photosensitizer and light revealed prominent vascular damage early after treatment that resulted in vascular occlusion. Tumor necrosis was evident within 24 hours of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that photodynamic therapy may have a role in the treatment of pigmented choroidal melanomas.

Metabolic and functional effects of perfluorocarbon distal perfusion during coronary angioplasty.

Myocardial lactate metabolism and left ventricular function were studied in 12 patients during angioplasty of the left anterior descending artery performed with distal coronary perfusion (oxygenated and nonoxygenated Fluosol) and by conventional technique without distal perfusion. Before balloon inflation there was net lactate extraction by the heart (31 +/- 6%). During balloon inflations performed with distal perfusion there was net lactate release into the great cardiac vein while the balloon was inflated; the great cardiac vein lactate concentration was approximately 25% lower during perfusion with oxygenated versus nonoxygenated Fluosol (p less than 0.02) indicating less myocardial lactate release. After balloon deflation washout of lactate into the great cardiac vein (net myocardial release) was observed in all 3 protocols. Left ventricular ejection fraction measured by echocardiography decreased markedly during nonperfused (53 +/- 3 to 36 +/- 3%, p less than 0.001) and nonoxygenated Fluosol (52 +/- 2 to 30 +/- 3%, p less than 0.001) inflations. This dysfunction was largely prevented by oxygenated Fluosol where only a minimal decrease in ejection fraction (51 +/- 2 vs 48 +/- 2%, p less than 0.02) occurred. Analysis of regional contractile function yielded similar results. Although oxygenated perfluorocarbons decrease cardiac lactate release during angioplasty, this study provides evidence for the onset of lactate production even when ventricular function is preserved.

Regulation of myocardial glucose uptake and transport during ischemia and energetic stress.

Myocardial glucose utilization increases in response to the energetic stress imposed on the heart by exercise, pressure overload, and myocardial ischemia. Recruitment of glucose transport proteins is the cellular mechanism by which the heart increases glucose transport for subsequent metabolism. Moderate regional ischemia leads to the translocation of both glucose transporters, GLUT4 and GLUT1, to the sarcolemma in vivo. Myocardial ischemia also stimulates 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, which may be a fuel gauge in the heart and other tissues signaling the need to turn on energy-generating metabolic pathways. Pharmacologic stimulation of this kinase increases cardiac glucose uptake and transporter translocation, suggesting that it may play an important role in augmenting glucose entry in the setting of ischemic or energetic stress. Thus, recent work has provided insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for glucose uptake during energetic stress, which may lead to new approaches to the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease.

Equine arch vessel anomaly associated with coarctation of the aorta.

Angiography in a 30-year-old man revealed the unique combination of aortic coarctation and an unusual arch anomaly. Proximal to the coarctation, a single arch vessel trifurcated into the brachiocephalic, left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. This anomalous arch vessel is a normal equine variant.

Immunocytochemical localization of gentamicin in the rabbit retina following intravitreal injection.

The localization of gentamicin in the retina after a single intravitreal injection in the rabbit eye was examined by indirect immunofluorescent staining with goat antigentamicin antiserum. Eight hours after the injection of 400 micrograms of gentamicin, staining was observed in the ganglion cell layer, the inner plexiform layer, the inner nuclear layer, and the photoreceptors. By 12 hours, the staining was also observed in the retinal pigment epithelium. Howeever, by 24 hours the staining was predominantly found in the retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris, and only occasional staining was seen scattered in the neurosensory retina. At 36 to 48 hours, the labeling was confined to the retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris. Electron microscopy confirmed the cytoplasmic localization of gentamicin in the retina.

Photodynamic therapy of pigmented choroidal melanomas using a liposomal preparation of benzoporphyrin derivative.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy of pigmented choroidal melanoma using a liposomal preparation of benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid (BPD), verteporfin. DESIGN: Pigmented choroidal melanomas were established in 25 New Zealand albino rabbit eyes. The animals were treated with daily injections of cyclosporine, and tumor growth was monitored with funduscopic examination and ultrasonography. Fifteen minutes after intravenous injection of BPD (2 mg/kg), the tumors were irradiated at 692 nm through an argon-pumped dye laser with the delivered fluence ranging between 40 and 150 J/cm2. Control animals were treated with light only, photosensitizer only, or observation only. Tumor growth was monitored by indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and ultrasonography. Histologic examination was performed. RESULTS: Eighteen tumor-bearing rabbits were treated with light and BPD; 16 were followed up for 1 month, and two were killed immediately for histologic examination. Tumors regressed in all eyes treated with 60 J/cm2 or more. With fluence of 40 J/cm2, tumor regrowth was observed in one animal within 10 days of treatment. In the three control groups, all animals showed continuous tumor growth. Histologic examination of the eyes treated with photosensitizer and light immediately after treatment showed prominent vascular occlusion throughout the full thickness of the tumor. One month after treatment, tumor necrosis and infiltration of mononuclear cells and pigment-laden macrophages were the predominant findings. CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic therapy with BPD may have a role in the treatment of pigmented choroidal melanomas.

Characterization of a mouse beta 1-adrenergic receptor genomic clone.

A beta 1-adrenergic receptor (beta 1AR) clone, designated Clone 5, was isolated from a BALB/c mouse liver genomic library screened at low stringency with a human brain beta 2 AR cDNA probe. Sequence analysis of Clone 5 revealed a 1,395-bp open reading frame encoding a 464-amino-acid polypeptide. The predicted protein exhibited structural features characteristic of members of the G-protein-coupled receptor family including seven hydrophobic segments corresponding to putative transmembrane domains, a potential N-linked glycosylation site near the amino-terminus, and multiple potential phosphorylation sites in the third cytoplasmic loop and carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic tail. The sequence of the Clone 5-encoded protein was nearly identical to those previously reported for the rat and human beta 1 ARs. Potentially important differences were noted in the third cytoplasmic loop and carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic tail. Reverse transcription-primer extension studies of adult mouse brain RNA demonstrated the predominant transcriptional start site to be 415 nucleotides upstream of the translational start site. A GC-box precedes the transcriptional start site by 40 nucleotides. No consensus TATA or CAAT box sequences were identified in this region. Southern blot analysis of a Chinese hamster x mouse somatic cell hybrid panel and of the progeny of an inter-subspecies backcross mapped the Clone 5-encoded gene to mouse chromosome 19, the localization previously determined for the mouse homolog of the human beta 1AR gene. Binding studies of transient COS-7 transfectants and stable L-cell transfectants confirmed that Clone 5 encodes a beta AR of the beta 1 subtype. A probe derived from Clone 5 selectively hybridized in Northern blot studies to mRNA isolated from adult mouse cerebrum, lung, and heart. These data should serve as the basis for further studies of the regulation and function of the beta 1AR.

Physiologic hyperinsulinemia stimulates lactate extraction by heart muscle in the conscious dog.

The effect of physiologic hyperinsulinemia on the net balance of lactate, glucose, and free fatty acids across the heart was studied in eight normal postabsorptive conscious dogs. After obtaining basal measurements of myocardial substrate balance, arterial plasma insulin was increased from 8 +/- 1 to 68 +/- 14 microU/mL while blood glucose was maintained constant (64 +/- 1 mg/dL) using the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Myocardial lactate uptake increased nearly fourfold, from 5.8 +/- 1.8 to 22.4 +/- 2.9 mumol/min (P less than .005). Despite a small increase in arterial lactate concentration from 0.46 +/- 0.08 to 0.79 +/- 0.11 mmol/L (P less than .02), the lactate extraction fraction increased from 23% +/- 7% to 54% +/- 2% (P less than .001) indicating an increased efficiency of lactate extraction. Euglycemic hyperinsulinemia led to a comparable increase in myocardial glucose uptake (6.7 +/- 2.3 to 18.2 +/- 3.7 mumol/min, P less than .05). Arterial free fatty acid concentrations fell from 1.06 +/- 0.13 to 0.35 +/- 0.06 mmol/L (P less than .001) with a concomitant decline in the myocardial uptake of free fatty acids from 18.5 +/- 5.3 to 5.8 +/- 2.9 mumol/min (P less than .05). These results indicate that physiologic hyperinsulinemia increases lactate as well as glucose uptake in normal heart muscle.