OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of Shen-Fu Injection (SFI) and epinephrine on the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) in a pig model with post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction.

METHODSVentricular fibrillation (VF) was electrically induced in Wu-zhi-shan miniature pigs. After 8 min of untreated VF and 2 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), all animals were randomly administered a bolus injection of saline placebo (SA group, n=10), SFI (0.8 mg/kg, SFI group, n=10) or epinephrine (20 μg/kg, EPI group, n=10). After 4 min of CPR, a 100-J shock was delivered. If the defibrillation attempt failed to attain restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), manual chest compressions were rapidly resumed for a further 2 min followed by a second defibrillation attempt. Hemodynamic variables were recorded, and plasma concentrations of catecholamines were measured. Adenylate cyclase (AC), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and the expressions of β1-adrenoceptor (AR) and SERCA 2a were determined.

RESULTSCardiac output, left ventricular dp/dtmax and negative dp/dtmax were significantly higher in the SFI group than in the SA and EPI groups at 4 and 6 h after ROSC. The expression of β1-AR and SERCA2a at 24 h after ROSC were significantly higher in the SFI group than in the SA and EPI groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe administration of epinephrine during CPR decreased the expression of SERCA2a and aggravated postresuscitation myocardial function (P<0.01). SFI attenuated post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction, and the mechanism might be related to the up-regulation of SERCA2a expression.

Adenylyl Cyclases ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cardiac Output ; drug effects ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epinephrine ; blood ; Heart Ventricles ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Injections ; Male ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; pathology ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 ; metabolism ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEThe explore the mechanism responsible for diaphragmatic contractile and relaxation dysfunction in a rat model of sepsis.

METHODSThirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized equally into a sham-operated group and two model groups of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) for examination at 6 and 12 h following CLP (CLP-6 h and CLP-12 h groups). The parameters of diaphragm contractile and relaxation were measured, and the calcium uptake and release rates of the diaphragmatic sarcoendoplasmic reticulum (SR) and the protein expressions of SERCA1, SERCA2 and RyR in the diaphragmatic muscles were determined.

RESULTSThe half-relaxation time of the diaphragm was extended in both the CLP-6 h and CLP-12 h groups with significantly reduced maximum tension declinerate and the peek uptake rate of SERCA (P<0.01). Diaphragmatic maximum twitch force development rate, the maximal twitch, tetanus tensions and the peek release rate of SR decreased only at 12h after CLP (P<0.01). The expression levels of SERCA1 protein decreased significantly in the diaphragmatic muscles at 12h following CLP (P<0.01) while SERCA2 expression level and SERCA activity showed no significant changes.

CONCLUSIONIn the acute stage of sepsis, both the contractile and relaxation functions of the diaphragm are impaired. Diaphragmatic relaxation dysfunction may result from reduced calcium uptake in the SR and a decreased level of SERCA1 in the diaphragmatic muscles.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cecum ; Diaphragm ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; Ligation ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Sepsis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on contraction capacity of diaphragm in type 1 diabetic rats.
 METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group (NC), a diabetic group (DM), a NaHS treatment group (DM+NaHS) and a NaHS group (NaHS) (n=8). Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin was utilized to establish diabetic rat model. After the modeling, the rats in the DM+NaHS and the NaHS groups were intraperitoneally injected with 28 μmol/kg NaHS solution. 8 weeks later, the diaphragm contractility was assessed by isolated draphragm strips perfusion. The peak twitch tension (Pt), maximum tetanic tension (Po) and maximal rates of contraction/relaxation (±dT/dtmax) were determined. The alterations in diaphragm ultrastructure were observed under electron microscopy. The diaphragm weight/body weight (DW/BW) was measured. The activities of succinic dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) were analyzed by spectrophotometric method. The mRNA levels of SERCA and prospholamban (PLB) in diaphragm were detected by RT-PCR.
 RESULTS: Compared with the NC group, there was no significant change in all measured index in the NaHS group (P>0.05), while Pt, Po and ±dT/dtmax were significantly decreased in the DM group (P<0.05). Transmission electron microscopy revealed obvious ultrastructural changes in the diaphragm. The DW/BW ratio and the activities of SDH, LDH and SERCA were decreased. The SERCA mRNA was decreased, while PLB mRNA was increased. Compared with the DM group, the diaphragm contractility and ultrastructure damage were improved in the DM+NaHS group. The DW/BW ratio and the activities of SDH, LDH and SERCA were increased. The SERCA mRNA was increased, while PLB mRNA was decreased (all P<0.05).
 CONCLUSION H(2)S can enhance the contraction capacity of diaphragm in type 1 diabetic rats, which is involved in regulating the activities of biological enzymes and the gene expressions of calcium regulatory proteins.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Diaphragm ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; pharmacology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Succinate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Sulfides ; pharmacology

The study was designed to explore the alteration of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i), induced by transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel-specific agonist menthol, in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) between control and pulmonary hypertensive (PH) rats. PH rat models were established by means of chronic hypoxia (CH) and monocrotaline (MCT) injection, respectively. PASMCs from control and PH rats were cultured. The change of [Ca²⁺]i in PASMCs induced by menthol, and the effect of TRPM8 channel-specific antagonist BCTC on the change of [Ca²⁺]i, were observed. Cellular localization of TRPM8 was examined by using immunohistochemistry. Results showed that menthol increased [Ca²⁺]i in the control PASMCs both in Ca²⁺ -normal and Ca²⁺ - free Tyrode's solutions, and at the same time BCTC could inhibit these two kinds of elevations. Compared with the control group, elevations of [Ca²⁺]i were decreased notably in CH- and MCT-pretreated PASMCs superfused with 2 mmol/L Ca²⁺ - or 0 Ca²⁺ -Tyrode's solutions. Immunohistochemical localization experiments showed that the whole PASMCs were dyed brown except for the nucleus. This study verified that TRPM8 exists both in membrane and sarcoplasmic reticulum of PASMCs. In addition, CH- and MCT-pretreatment could independently down-regulate the Ca²⁺ influx and Ca²⁺ release mediated by TRPM8 channel.
Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Menthol ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; Rats ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; TRPM Cation Channels ; metabolism

Upon glucose elevation, pancreatic beta-cells secrete insulin in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. In diabetic animal models, different aspects of the calcium signaling pathway in beta-cells are altered, but there is no consensus regarding their relative contributions to the development of beta-cell dysfunction. In this study, we compared the increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) via Ca(2+) influx, Ca(2+) mobilization from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium stores, and the removal of Ca(2+) via multiple mechanisms in beta-cells from both diabetic db/db mice and non-diabetic C57BL/6J mice. We refined our previous quantitative model to describe the slow [Ca(2+)]i recovery after depolarization in beta-cells from db/db mice. According to the model, the activity levels of the two subtypes of the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) pump, SERCA2 and SERCA3, were severely down-regulated in diabetic cells to 65% and 0% of the levels in normal cells. This down-regulation may lead to a reduction in the Ca(2+) concentration in the ER, a compensatory up-regulation of the plasma membrane Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) and a reduction in depolarization-evoked Ca(2+) influx. As a result, the patterns of glucose-stimulated calcium oscillations were significantly different in db/db diabetic beta-cells compared with normal cells. Overall, quantifying the changes in the calcium signaling pathway in db/db diabetic beta-cells will aid in the development of a disease model that could provide insight into the adaptive transformations of beta-cell function during diabetes development.
Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Signaling ; drug effects ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Obese ; Potassium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Sodium-Calcium Exchanger ; metabolism ; Thapsigargin ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the influences of quercetin (Que) on the contraction of small intestine smooth muscle of rabbits in vitro and explore the mechanism.

METHODSWith the isothermal perfusion of small intestine in vitro. The influences of quercetin on the spontaneous contraction of small intestine and contraction induced by Ach, histamine and Bacl2 were observed and the mechanism of quercetin was studied.

RESULTSQuercetin reduced the tension of contraction of small intestine smooth muscle in rabbits in a dose-depended manner. Quercetin could completely block the contraction of Bay K8644. Heparin could also block the inhibition of quercetin on small intestine smooth muscle but ruthenium red (RR) had no effect on the relaxation of quercetin. Nitro-L-arginine methylester(L-NAME) inhibited the relaxation of quercetin.

CONCLUSIONQuercetin inhibits the contraction of small intestine smooth muscle of rabbits in vitro. The mechanism may be related to increase NO concentration in small intestine smooth muscle so that it inhibits extracellular Ca2+ inflowing via cell membrane. And quercetin has effect on intracellular Ca2+ releasing via IP3 of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; In Vitro Techniques ; Intestine, Small ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; physiology ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of phospholamban antisense RNA (asPLB) on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase activity and cardiac function in rats with diabetes mellitus (DM) mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector.

METHODSSix weeks after the induction of DM by streptozotocin injected intraperitoneally, the rats were divided into three groups, namely: DM-rAAV-asPLB group, DM-saline group and DM group (control group). The rats in the DM-rAAV-asPLB group were intramyocardially injected with rAAV-asPLB, the rats in the DM-saline group were injected with saline, and those in the control group did not receive any treatment. Six weeks after gene transfer, the expressions of PLB protein and PLB phosphorylation were detected by Western-blot, while the activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase and left ventricular function were measured.

RESULTSThe PLB protein expression level was significantly higher whereas the PLB phosphorylation, SR Ca2+-ATPase activity and left ventricular function were significantly lower in the DM-saline group than in the control group. No significant difference was found in PLB protein expression level, PLB phosphorylation or SR Ca2+-ATPase activity between the DM-rAAV-asPLB group and the control group. The left ventricular function in the DM-rAAV-asPLB group was poorer than in the control group and was better than in the DM-saline group.

CONCLUSIONrAAV-asPLB can down-regulate PLB protein expression and up-regulate PLB phosphorylation and SR Ca2+-ATPase activity, thus contributing to the improvement of in vivo left ventricular function.

Animals ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; RNA, Antisense ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Ventricular Function, Left ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDStudies have shown that β-blockers can improve cardiac performance in heart failure (HF) by reversing protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ leak. However, it is being strongly questioned as to whether the PKA-mediated ryanodine receptor (RyR2) hyper-phosphorylation is a critical regulator of SR Ca2+ leak. In this study, we used a rabbit HF model to investigate whether β-blockers affect SR Ca2+ leak by other potential mechanisms.

METHODSNew Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided in three groups (n=7 in each group): normal group, metoprolol-untreated group and metoprolol-treated group. Cardiac function was determined by echocardiography and hemodynamic assays. The SR Ca2+ leak was measured by a calcium-imaging device, and the expression and activities of related proteins were evaluated by Western blotting and auto-phosphorylation.

RESULTSIn the metoprolol-untreated group, there was significantly increased ventricular cavity size, reduced systolic function, increased SR Ca2+ leak, reduced associated amount of FK506 binding protein 12.6 (FKBP12.6), increased expression and activity of PKA and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and increased phosphorylated RyR2 phosphorylation sites (with unchanged RyR2-P2030). In the treated group, there was partly increased ventricular cavity size with preserved systolic function, but no prominent Ca2+ leak, with unchanged expression and activity of PKA, CaMKII and their RyR2 phosphorylation sites.

CONCLUSIONChronic administration of metoprolol prevented the SR Ca2+ leak by restoring not only PKA-dependent but also CaMKII-dependent hyper-phosphorylation of RyR2, which may be one of the potential mechanisms by which β-blockers improve cardiac function and reduce the incidence of fatal arrhythmia in HF.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Echocardiography ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Metoprolol ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of methyl protodioscin on the [Ca2+]i and the ATPase activity in cardiomyocytes, as well as their mechanisms.

METHODThe cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into three groups, the control group treated with no serumal DMEM, the MPD group treated with MPD and the dilthiazem group treated with dilthiazem. Fluorospectrophotometer was used to determined the level of myocardial cell intracellular Ca2+ [Ca2+]i. In the experiment of ATPase activity on cellular membrane, the cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into two groups, the control group treated with no serumal DMEM, the MPD group treated with MPD. The activity of Na+-K+-ATPase,Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATP ATPase were determined. The quantitative analysis of SERCA2a mRNA expression was studied by RT-PCR that the groups and treatments in cardiomyocytes same as the experiment for ATPase activity assay.

RESULTUnder the quiescent condition, compared to the control group, the level of [Ca2+]i in cardiomyocytes of the MPD group and dilthiazem group was no different. After treatment with 40 mmol x L(-1) KCl, [Ca2+] was significantly lower in the MPD group and the dilthiazem group, and the intensity of peak value in time course of 60 s, the dilthiazem group and the MPD group also were lower than the control group (P < 0.001). Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase and Na+-K+-ATPase in cultured rat were increased after treated with MPD compared to treatment with no serumal DMEM (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), but Mg2+-ATPase in these groups had no different. The expression of SERCA2a mRNA between the MPD group and the control group was no different. MPD could not up-regulated or down-regulated SERCA2a in endocytoplasmic reticulum.

CONCLUSIONMethyl protodioscin could block the volt dependent form calcium channel in cellular membrane, and up-regulate the function of sodium pump and calcium pump, so that it could remain low calcium in the internal environment in cardiomyocytes.

Animals ; Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels ; drug effects ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Diltiazem ; pharmacology ; Diosgenin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Female ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; drug effects

The present study is aimed to study the effect of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) gene transfer on the contractile function of isolated cardiomyocytes of canines. The cardiomyocytes were isolated with collagenases. The isolated cardiac cells were divided into untransfected group, empty vector group and SERCA2a-transfected group. Recombinant adenovirus vector carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein gene was used for SERCA2a gene delivery. The expression of SERCA2a protein in cardiomyocytes was determined by Western blot. Contractile function of cardiomyocytes was measured with motion edge-detection system of single cell at 48 h after transfection. The results showed, compared with untransfected group, SERCA2a protein level, percentage of peak contraction amplitude under normal condition, percentages of peak contraction amplitude under Ca(2+) or isoproterenol stimulation, time-to-peak contraction (TTP) and time-to-50% relaxation (R50) in SERCA2a-transfected group all increased significantly. While all the above indices in empty vector group did not show any differences with those in untransfected group. These results suggest that the overexpression of SERCA2a by gene transfer may enhance the contraction function of canine myocardial cells.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Dogs ; Male ; Myocardial Contraction ; drug effects ; physiology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection