BACKGROUNDEndogenous nitric oxide and adenosine increase simultaneously to keep the balance of energy demand and supply when the oxygen supply is insufficient, which suggests that nitric oxide and adenosine might exert a synergistic myoprotection during tissue hypoxia. In this study, we tested this hypothesis utilizing a canine model of prolonged global myocardial ischaemic reperfusion injury.

METHODSIn this double blind, controlled study, the hearts of 24 anaesthetized mongrel dogs were arrested for 2 hours with aortic cross clamping and blood cardioplegia. The treatment groups were those supplemented with 2 mmol/L L-arginine (ARG), supplemented with 1 mmol/L adenosine (ADO), ARG + ADO supplemented with both, and no supplementation (control) (n = 6 in each group). Haemodynamics, biochemical indices, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and myeloperoxidase activities of myocardium were determined to evaluate myocardial injury. Statistical comparison was performed by two way ANOVA.

RESULTSAlthough the requirements for inotropic supports were higher, the cardiac outputs were lower in control group than in ARG, ADO and the combination groups. Plasma cardiac troponin I levels were higher and the areas of hydropic changes were larger in control group than in ARG and ADO groups. Combination of arginine and adenosine provided further myoprotection with respect to better cardiac performance, lower release of cardiac troponin I, and smaller areas of hydropic changes compared with ARG and ADO groups. ATP content was higher, but myeloperoxidase activities of myocardium were significantly lower in the combination group than in control, ARG and ADO groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCombination of L-arginine and adenosine provides synergistic myoprotection in a canine model of global myocardial ischaemia. Thus, the combination is recommended when the heart is exposed to a prolonged ischaemia during cardiac surgery.

Adenosine ; therapeutic use ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; analysis ; Animals ; Arginine ; therapeutic use ; Cardiotonic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Drug Synergism ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Heart Arrest, Induced ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Peroxidase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the chronic injury and its possible mechanism of ionizing radiation on multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cells (MPPs) by determining the related indicators of MPPs in bone marrow of mice post-radiation. METHODS: Sixteen C57BL/6 adult mice were randomly divided into normal control and irradiation groups, 8 mice in each group. The mice in irradiation group were exposed to 6 Gy X-ray. The proportion of bone marrow MPPs, their apoptosis and proliferation 2 months after irradiation were detected by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial activity and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in each MPPs population were detected by Mitotracker Red and DCFDA probes, and the senescent state of MPPs in the bone marrow was analyzed. RESULTS: Ionizing radiation could reduce the proportion of MPPs in mouse bone marrow. The proportions and numbers of MPP1, MPP3 and MPP4 in the bone marrow were significantly decreased after whole-body irradiation with 6 Gy X-ray (P<0.05). In addition, radiation significantly reduced the colony-forming capacity of MPPs in bone marrow (P<0.05), the proportions of apoptotic cells in the MPP1 and MPP4 cell populations increased significantly in the bone marrow (P<0.05). The activity of mitochondria was significantly reduced in the bone marrow MPP2, MPP3 and MPP4 cell populations compared with that of the control group (P<0.05). It was also found that the radiation could significantly increase the ROS levels of MPPs in bone marrow, and the content of ROS in the MPP2, MPP3 and MPP4 cell population of the bone marrow was significantly increased(P<0.05). The senescent cells ratios of MPP1, MPP3 and MPP4 cells in the bone marrow after irradiation were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Ionizing radiation can cause chronic MPPs damage in mice, which is closely associated with persistent oxidative stress, cells apoptosis, and cellular senescence.
Mice ; Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Whole-Body Irradiation ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Bone Marrow Cells