Objective To investigate the effect of the calmodulin kinase Ⅱ Inhibitor KN-93 on L-typecalcium current(ICa,L)and intracellular calcium concentration([Ca2+]i)in hypertrophic cardiac myocytes.Methods Forty-eight female New Zealand white rabbits were randomized(random number)into four groups(12 animals in each group):the sham operation group(sham group),the left ventricular hypertrophy group(LVH group),the myocardial hypertrophy + KN-93 group(KN-93 group),and the myocardial hypertrophy + KN-92 group(KN-92 group).Myocardial hypertrophy in the rabbits was established by coarctation of the abdominal aorta.In the sham group,the abdominal aorta was dissociated without coarctation.Eight weeks after coarctation,single ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzymaticdissociation,and ICa,L was recorded using perforated-patch recording(PPR)techniques.[Ca2+]i was measured using single-cell calcium imaging with the fluorescence calcium indicator dye fura-2/AM.Results Cardiac hypertrophy was successfully established after 8 weeks of coarctation of the abdominal aorta.The peak ICa,L in the LVH group and the sham group was(1.38 ± 0.3)nA and(0.87 ± 0.1)nA at 0 mV,respectively(P ＜0.01,n =12).There was no significant difference in Ica,L density between the LVH group and the sham group[(6.7 ±1.0)pA/pF vs.(6.3±0.7)pA/pF; P≥0.05,n=12].The addition of either KN-92(0.5 μmol/L)or KN-93(0.5 μmol/L)to the perfusing solution caused a modest steady-state inhibition of peak ICaL(9.4％ ±2.8％,KN-92; 10.5％ ±3％,KN-93)(P≥0.05,n =12)at 0 mV.However,at a higher concentration(1 μmol/L),KN-93 more potently inhibited peak ICa,L(40％±4.9％)compared to KN-92(13.4％ ± 3.7％ ; P ＜ 0.01,n =12).Resting[Ca2+]i levels in fura-2-loaded myocytes isolated from the sham,LVH,KN-92,and KN-93 groups were(98 ± 12.3)nmol/L,(154 ± 26.2)nmol/L,(147 ± 29.6)nmol/L,and(108 ± 21.2)nmol/L,respectively.Conclusions The CaMK Ⅱ specific inhibitor,KN-93,can effectively block ICa,L and reduce intracellular calcium overload in hypertrophic cardiac myocytes.This action may account for the antiarrhythmic effect of KN-93 in hypertrophic ventricular myocardium.

Objective: To investigate the dynamic expression of placenta growth factor (PlGF) in the lungs and its role in paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis and to evaluate the effect of ACEI captopril and AT (1) -receptor blocker losartan on paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: 84 adult healthy female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups of different treatments designated as: Control, PQ alone (PQ) , captopril treatment, losartan treatment. Each group was divided into three subgroups of seven animals each. The animals were killed at either 7, 14 or 28 days after PQ administration. The rats in PQ group, treatment group were treated intragastrically (ig) with PQ (40 mg/kg) and the rats in control group were treated with the same dose of saline at the beginning of the experiment. The treatment group received Captopril (60 mg/kg; ig) or Losartan (10 mg/kg; ig) once a day respectively after PQ administration and the other two groups received saline. At the given timepoint, animals were sacrificed and lungs were harvested. A semiquantitative assay of histological examination, hydroxyproline in lung tissues were used to determine the severity of alveolitis and fibrosis. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of PlGF. Results: Inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrotic scores were more prominent in the model group, hydroxyproline contents in lung tissue were significantly increased after PQ administration compared to the control group. Captopril, losartan apparently attenuated the degree of lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis. On 7th, 14th days, the levels of alveolitis in the intervention groups were significantly alleviated as compared with the model group (P<0.05) . On 28th days, the levels of pulmonary fibrosis in the intervention groups were significantly alleviated as compared with model group (P<0.05) . The hydroxyproline contents in the intervention groups were significantly decreased as compared with model group (P<0.01) . PlGF mRNA on day 7, 14, 28 (1.28±0.29vs0.10±0.01、0.80±0.07vs0.10±0.01、0.65±0.13vs0.10±0.01) in the PQ group were all upregulated as compared with that of the control group. PlGF mRNA on day 7, 14, 28 in the captopril and Losartan intervention groups were significantly decreased (0.94±0.04、0.71±0.09、0.52±0.24 and 0.80±0.12、0.66±0.11、0.51±0.03) . PlGF positive expression index on day 7, 14, 28 (2.27±0.34 vs0.13±0.01、1.78±0.41 vs0.14±0.03、1.25±0.69 vs0.13±0.01) in the PQ group were all upregulated as compared with that of the control group. PlGF positive expression index on day 7, 14, 28 in the captopril and Losartan treatment groups were significantly decreased (1.53±0.78、1.17±0.79、0.97±0.61 and 1.36±0.63、1.24±0.80、0.83±0.47) . PlGF positive expression index on day 7 in the two intervention groups were significantly decreased, as compared with PQ group (P<0.05) . Conclusion PlGF may plays an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis following paraquat-induced lung injury in rats. Captopril and losartan had an inhibitory effect on paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis, and the effect may be due to inhibition of angiotensin II and, in part, be associated with reduction in PlGF.

Objective To observe the dynamic changes of myocardial structure and dysfunction during post-resuscitation period in order to establish a rat mode of post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction after cardiac arrest resulted from electric stimulation-induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Methods A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly (random number) assigned into post-resuscitation (PR) 4 h,PR 12 h,PR 24 h,PR 72 h and sham groups.VF was induced by an alternating electric current delivered to the right ventricular endocardium and untreated for 8 min.Biphasic waveform defibrillation was attempted and mechanical ventilation was synchronized after 6 min of CPR.Myocardial function was assessed with serum myocardial enzyme activity,echocardiography,mitochondrial respiratory function and histopathologic findings at different intervals.Results Thirty-two animals were successfully resuscitated with restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in 86％ (32/37) rats.Compared with sham group,severe systolic and diastolic heart failure were found at 4 h after ROSC and then gradually improved without significant difference (P ＞0.05) in ejection fraction at PR 72 h after ROSC was found,whereas thickened ventricular wall and increased myocardial performance index as well as interstitial proliferation were observed at 72 h after ROSC.Conclusions A rat model of post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction after cardiac arrest resulted from electric stimulation-induced VF and CPR was successfully established.

Objective To determine the effect of calmodulin-dependent kinase Ⅱ (CaMK Ⅱ ) -ryanodinereceptor pathway signaling in rabbits with left ventricular bypertrophy (LVH) and triggered ventricular arrhythmia.Methods Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomized into four groups ( n =10 per group):the sham operation group,LVH group,KN-93 (CaMKⅡ inhibitor) group (LVH + KN-93),and the ryanodinegroup ( LVH + ryanodine).Rabbits in the LVH,KN-93,and ryanodinegroups were used to establish a left ventricular hypertrophy model by the coarctation of the abdominal aorta,while the rabbits in the sham operation group did not have the coarctation.After eight weeks,action potentials (APs) were recorded simultaneously in the endocardium and epicardium,and transmural electrocardiogram (ECG) was also recorded in the wedge shaped models of rabbits' left ventricular myocardium.Drugs were administered to animals in the KN-93 and ryanodinegroups respectively,and the frequency of triggered APs and ventricular tachycardia were recorded after isoprenaline ( 1 μmol/L),and high-frequency electrical stimulation were given to rabbits.Results The incidences (animals/group) of triggered APs were:sham,0/10 ; LVH,10/10; KN-93,4/10; and ryanodine,1/10.The incidences of ventricular tachycardia induced were 0/10,9/10,3/10,and 1/10,respectively.The incidences of triggered ventricular arrhythmias in the KN-93 group and ryanodine groups tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation were 0/10,7/10,2/10,and 1/10,respectively.The incidences of triggered ventricular arrhythmias in the KN-93 group and ryanodine groups were much lower than that in the LVH group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions KN-93 and ryanodinecan effectively reduce the occurrence of triggered ventricular arrhythmia in rabbits with LVH.The CaMK Ⅱ-ryanodine signaling pathway can be used as a novel target site of treating ventricular arrhythmia.

Cardiac hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death in clinical settings and the incidence of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias are closely related. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) II inhibitor, KN-93, on L-type calcium current (I(Ca, L)) and early after-depolarizations (EADs) in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. A rabbit model of myocardial hypertrophy was constructed through abdominal aortic coarctation (LVH group). The control group (sham group) received a sham operation, in which the abdominal aortic was dissected but not coarcted. Eight weeks later, the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was evaluated using echocardiography. Individual cardiomyocyte was isolated through collagenase digestion. Action potentials (APs) and I(Ca, L) were recorded using the perforated patch clamp technique. APs were recorded under current clamp conditions and I(Ca, L) was recorded under voltage clamp conditions. The incidence of EADs and I(ca, L) in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes were observed under the conditions of low potassium (2 mmol/L), low magnesium (0.25 mmol/L) Tyrode's solution perfusion, and slow frequency (0.25-0.5 Hz) electrical stimulation. The incidence of EADs and I(ca, L) in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes were also evaluated after treatment with different concentrations of KN-92 (KN-92 group) and KN-93 (KN-93 group). Eight weeks later, the model was successfully established. Under the conditions of low potassium, low magnesium Tyrode's solution perfusion, and slow frequency electrical stimulation, the incidence of EADs was 0/12, 11/12, 10/12, and 5/12 in sham group, LVH group, KN-92 group (0.5 μmol/L), and KN-93 group (0.5 μmol/L), respectively. When the drug concentration was increased to 1 μmol/L in KN-92 group and KN-93 group, the incidence of EADs was 10/12 and 2/12, respectively. At 0 mV, the current density was 6.7±1.0 and 6.3±0.7 PA·PF(-1) in LVH group and sham group, respectively (P>0.05, n=12). When the drug concentration was 0.5 μmol/L in KN-92 and KN-93 groups, the peak I(Ca, L) at 0 mV was decreased by (9.4±2.8)% and (10.5±3.0)% in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes of the two groups, respectively (P>0.05, n=12). When the drug concentration was increased to 1 μmol/L, the peak I(Ca, L) values were lowered by (13.4±3.7)% and (40±4.9)%, respectively (P<0.01, n=12). KN-93, a specific inhibitor of CaMKII, can effectively inhibit the occurrence of EADs in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes partially by suppressing I(Ca, L), which may be the main action mechanism of KN-93 antagonizing the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in hypertrophic myocardium.

Cardiac hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death in clinical settings and the incidence of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias are closely related. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) II inhibitor, KN-93, on L-type calcium current (I(Ca, L)) and early after-depolarizations (EADs) in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. A rabbit model of myocardial hypertrophy was constructed through abdominal aortic coarctation (LVH group). The control group (sham group) received a sham operation, in which the abdominal aortic was dissected but not coarcted. Eight weeks later, the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was evaluated using echocardiography. Individual cardiomyocyte was isolated through collagenase digestion. Action potentials (APs) and I(Ca, L) were recorded using the perforated patch clamp technique. APs were recorded under current clamp conditions and I(Ca, L) was recorded under voltage clamp conditions. The incidence of EADs and I(ca, L) in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes were observed under the conditions of low potassium (2 mmol/L), low magnesium (0.25 mmol/L) Tyrode's solution perfusion, and slow frequency (0.25-0.5 Hz) electrical stimulation. The incidence of EADs and I(ca, L) in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes were also evaluated after treatment with different concentrations of KN-92 (KN-92 group) and KN-93 (KN-93 group). Eight weeks later, the model was successfully established. Under the conditions of low potassium, low magnesium Tyrode's solution perfusion, and slow frequency electrical stimulation, the incidence of EADs was 0/12, 11/12, 10/12, and 5/12 in sham group, LVH group, KN-92 group (0.5 μmol/L), and KN-93 group (0.5 μmol/L), respectively. When the drug concentration was increased to 1 μmol/L in KN-92 group and KN-93 group, the incidence of EADs was 10/12 and 2/12, respectively. At 0 mV, the current density was 6.7±1.0 and 6.3±0.7 PA·PF(-1) in LVH group and sham group, respectively (P>0.05, n=12). When the drug concentration was 0.5 μmol/L in KN-92 and KN-93 groups, the peak I(Ca, L) at 0 mV was decreased by (9.4±2.8)% and (10.5±3.0)% in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes of the two groups, respectively (P>0.05, n=12). When the drug concentration was increased to 1 μmol/L, the peak I(Ca, L) values were lowered by (13.4±3.7)% and (40±4.9)%, respectively (P<0.01, n=12). KN-93, a specific inhibitor of CaMKII, can effectively inhibit the occurrence of EADs in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes partially by suppressing I(Ca, L), which may be the main action mechanism of KN-93 antagonizing the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in hypertrophic myocardium.
Animals ; Benzylamines ; pharmacology ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Cardiomegaly ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Female ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology