Comparison of hyperkalemic cardioplegia with altered [CaCl2] and [MgCl2] on [Ca2+]i transients and function after warm global ischemia in isolated hearts.

AIM: [MgCl(2)] and [CaCl(2)] may modify the cardioprotective effects of hyperkalemic cardioplegia (CP). We changed [MgCl(2)] and [CaCl(2)] in a CP solution to examine their effects on [Ca(2+)]i transients and cardiac function before and after global normothermic ischemia. METHODS: After stabilization and loading of indo 1-AM in Kreb's solution (KR), each heart was perfused with either KR or 1 of 4 CP solutions before 37 degrees C, 30 min ischemia followed by reperfusion with KR. The KR solution contained, in mM, 4.5 KCl, 2.4 MgCl(2) and 2.5 CaCl(2); the CP solutions had in addition to 18 KCl: CP 1 (control CP): 2.4 MgCl(2), 2.5 CaCl(2); CP 2: 7.2 MgCl(2), 2.5 CaCl(2); CP 3, 7.2 MgCl(2), 1.25 CaCl(2); CP 4: 2.4 MgCl(2), 1.25 CaCl(2). RESULTS: In the KR group [Ca(2+)]i markedly increased on early reperfusion while functional return (LVP, dLVP/dt((max and min))) was much reduced; each CP group led to reduced [Ca(2+)]i loading and improved function. The rates of cytosolic Ca(2+) fluxes (d[Ca(2+)]/dt(max) and d[Ca(2+)]/dt(min)) increased significantly compared to baseline in the KR group, but were mostly suppressed in the CP groups, and d[Ca(2+)]/dt(min) was lower after CP 4 compared to CP 1 on reperfusion. At 60 min reperfusion, LVP area to [Ca(2+)] area and cardiac efficiency to phasic [Ca(2+)] relationships were shifted after KR, but not after CP 1-4. With similar functional recovery, [Ca(2+)] transient and [Ca(2+)] area were significantly lower after CP 4 than after CP 1. CONCLUSION: Increasing [MgCl(2)] (CP 2 and 3) did not improve cardiac function or reduce Ca(2+) transients on reperfusion better than the other CP groups, but reducing [CaCl(2)] (CP 3 and 4) was more effective in reducing [Ca(2+)] transients on reperfusion after global ischemia.

Learning disabilities in alcohol-dependent adults: a preliminary study.

To determine if neuropsychological deficits, known to precede alcohol use in those genetically predisposed to alcoholism, were present in an alcoholic population, 25 male alcoholics (mean age 41.1) were interviewed concerning alcohol usage, educational difficulties in elementary school, and family history of alcoholism. Using a regression table, discrepancies between current IQ on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) (Wechsler, 1981) and achievement on the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery (WJB) (Woodcock & Johnson, 1977) were calculated to determine present learning status. Forty percent of the alcoholics were found to have had special education, remedial services, or repeated grade failure concurrent with a familial history of alcoholism and current discrepancies indicative of learning disability. There were no significant differences on intelligence, years of drinking, or mean grades completed in school between this group and the rest of the subjects who did not receive services in school. Conclusions were that childhood learning disorders may be related to the development of alcoholism, particularly when alcoholism is in the family, and that special educators have a role to play in the prevention and treatment of alcoholism.