• Applied Microscopy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 1991

The effects of exogenous $Ca^{2+}$ stimulation on the post-ischemic myocardial cells were studied using isolated Langendorff-perfused guinea pig hearts. At the starting point of reperfusion, Tyrode solutions, each containing 2.0mM, 4.0mM and 8.0mM $CaCl_2$ respectively, were administered for 2 minutes apart by descending, ascending, or by combined sequences followed by standard Tyrode solution containing 1.0mM $CaCl_2$. The minutes of global ischemia produced reversible but moderate to severe degree of myocardial ultrastructrual changes including focal destruction of sarcolemma, loss of nuclear matrix, clumping and margination of chromatins, mitochondrial swelling, destruction of mitochondrial cristae, shortening of sarcomeres, focal loss of myofibrils, and separation of cell junctions. In spite of reperfusion, the ultrastructure was more severely damaged and irreversible changes such as intracellular fluid accumulation, contracted sarcomeres, mitochondrial destruction, disruption of sarcolemma, loss of nuclear matrix, and separation of cell junction were observed in a large number of cells. In contrast, Tyrode-perfused $Ca^{2+}$-stimulated myocardial cells showed relatively well preserved ultrastucture, except slight changes including focal mitochondrial swelling, widening of T-tubule, and widening of cell junctions, especially at fasciae adherentes. The post-ischemic $Ca^{2+}$-stimulated reperfused myocardial cells produced focal changes such as mitochondrial destruction, disintegration of sarcolemma, widening of T-tubule, and intracellular fluid accumulation with slight variation in degree of changes by the method of $Ca^{2+}$ administration sequence. However, in a large number of the myocardial cells, chromatins were redistributed relatively evenly in the nuclear matrix, mitochondrial cristae were tightly packed, and a considerable number of intramitochondrial granules and glycogen granules reap-pealed. These results indicate that exogenous $Ca^{2+}$ stimulation in the initial period of reperfusion may be beneficial to salvage or to reduce the post-ischemic myocardium from further deleterious changes, and that the beneficial effects may be derived from the reserves of the function of the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ regulating organelles and/or from the responsiveness of contractile apparatus to $Ca^{2+}$ stimulation.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.201-209
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• 1996

Restoration of the blood flow after a period of ischemia is accompanied by generation of toxic oxygen radicals. This phenomenon may account for the occurrence of reperfusion-mediated tissue injury in ischemic hearts. In in vitro studies, although oxygen radicals can be generated from a variety of sources, including xanthine oxidase system, activated leucocytes, mitochondria and others, the most important source and mechanism of oxygen radical production in the post-ischemic reperfused hearts is unclear. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the respiratory chain of mitochondria might be an important source of oxygen radicals which are responsible for the development of the reperfusion injury of ischemic hearts. Langendorff-perfused, isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia at $37^{\circ}C$, followed by reperfusion. Amytal, a reversible inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration, was employed to assess the mitochondrial contributions to the development of the reperfusion injury. Intact mitochonria were isolated from the control and the post-ischemic reperfused hearts. Mitochondrial oxygen radical generation was measured by chemiluminescence method and the oxidative tissue damage was estimated by measuring a lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde(MDA). To evaluate the extent of the reperfusion injury, post-ischemic functional recovery and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release were assessed and compared in Amytal-treated and -untreated hearts. Upon reperfusion of the ischemic hearts, MDA release into the coronary effluent was markedly increased. MDA content of mitochondria isolated from the post-ischemic reperfused hearts was increased to 152% of preischemic value, whereas minimal change was observed in extramitochondrial fraction. The generation of superoxide anion was increased about twice in mitochondria from the reperfused hearts than in those from the control hearts. Amytal inhibited the mitochondrial superoxide generation significantly and also suppressed MDA production in the reperfused hearts. Additionally, Amytal prevented the contractile dysfunction and the increased release of LDH observed in the reperfused hearts. In conclusion, these results indicate that the respiratory chain of mitochondria may be an important source of oxygen radical formation in post-ischemic reperfused hearts, and that oxygen radicals originating from the mitochondria may contribute to the development of myocardial reperfusion injury.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.642-653
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• 2021

Background: Effective strategies are dramatically needed to prevent and improve the recovery from myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. Direct interactions between the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during heart diseases have been recently investigated. This study was designed to explore the cardioprotective effects of gypenoside XVII (GP-17) against I/R injury. The roles of ER stress, mitochondrial injury, and their crosstalk within I/R injury and in GP-17einduced cardioprotection are also explored. Methods: Cardiac contractility function was recorded in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. The effects of GP-17 on mitochondrial function including mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, reactive oxygen species production, and respiratory function were determined using fluorescence detection kits on mitochondria isolated from the rat hearts. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were used to explore the effects of GP-17 on hypoxia/reoxygenation. Results: We found that GP-17 inhibits myocardial apoptosis, reduces cardiac dysfunction, and improves contractile recovery in rat hearts. Our results also demonstrate that apoptosis induced by I/R is predominantly mediated by ER stress and associated with mitochondrial injury. Moreover, the cardioprotective effects of GP-17 are controlled by the PI3K/AKT and P38 signaling pathways. Conclusion: GP-17 inhibits I/R-induced mitochondrial injury by delaying the onset of ER stress through the PI3K/AKT and P38 signaling pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.209-217
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• 2024

In addition to cellular damage, ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury induces substantial damage to the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. In this study, we sought to determine whether impaired mitochondrial function owing to IR could be restored by transplanting mitochondria into the heart under ex vivo IR states. Additionally, we aimed to provide preliminary results to inform therapeutic options for ischemic heart disease (IHD). Healthy mitochondria isolated from autologous gluteus maximus muscle were transplanted into the hearts of Sprague-Dawley rats damaged by IR using the Langendorff system, and the heart rate and oxygen consumption capacity of the mitochondria were measured to confirm whether heart function was restored. In addition, relative expression levels were measured to identify the genes related to IR injury. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption capacity was found to be lower in the IR group than in the group that underwent mitochondrial transplantation after IR injury (p < 0.05), and the control group showed a tendency toward increased oxygen consumption capacity compared with the IR group. Among the genes related to fatty acid metabolism, Cpt1b (p < 0.05) and Fads1 (p < 0.01) showed significant expression in the following order: IR group, IR + transplantation group, and control group. These results suggest that mitochondrial transplantation protects the heart from IR damage and may be feasible as a therapeutic option for IHD.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 1988

The effect of antioxidants on the myocardial cellular damage which occurs during reoxygenation of hypoxic myocardium was examined in isolated rat hearts. The roles of oxygen free radical and lipid peroxidation in reoxygenation injury of myocardium were also investigated. In Langenorff preparation of isolated rat heart, which was made hypoxic by perfusion with the substrate free, hypoxic cardioplegic solution ($37^{\circ}C$, 90 min), the release of cytosolic enzymes (creatine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase) and a lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde into the coronary effluent were abruptly increased by reoxygenation. The release of enzymes was closely parallel to that of MDA. These increases of enzymes and lipid peroxidation product were suppressed to various degrees in the presence of scavengers of superoxide anion (superoxide dismutase, 10,000 U), hydrogen peroxide (catalase, 25,000 U) and hydroxyl radical (dimethyl sulfoxide, 10%). A natural antioxidant, ${\alpha}-tocopherol$(4.5 uM) and a synthetic one, butylated hydroxytoluene (2 uM) suppressed the release of cytosolic enzymes with the concomittent reduction of lipid peroxidation as measured by malondialdehyde release into the coronary effluent. These effects of antioxidants were dose dependent, and were more pronounced when the antioxidants were administered throughout hypoxic and reoxygenation periods than given during reoxygenation period only. These results suggest that cytotoxic oxygen free radicals produced in the myocardium during reoxygenation may be responsible fur the myocardial cellular injury by enhancing the lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes. Furthermore, the antioxidants may exert protective effect against reoxygenation damage of hypoxic myocardium through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation reaction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 1998

Ischemic preconditioning is known to have protective effect on myocardial function at prolonged ischemic insult but the mechanism of the effect is not clearly known. The effect of the preconditioning on the global ischemia using cardioplegic solution is not well known. To evaluate the effect of global myocardial preconditioning on the functional recovery after cardioplegic arrest and two hours of hypothermic storage, we used the isolated rat heart and two hours cardioplegic arrest time at $0^{\circ}C$. In the experimental group(n=10), after baseline functional data was obtained, ischemic preconditioning was induced with 1 min of global normothermic ischemia for three times before the arrest period. In the control group(n=10), hearts underwent no ischemic precondi- tioning. After 2 hrs of cardioplegic arrest and storage in the $0^{\circ}C$ cardioplegic solution reperfusion was done and hemodynamic data were collected at post-reperfusion 20 min. Heart with ischemic preconditioning showed improved functional recovery at post reperfusion 20 min in peak developed pressure and dP/dT. In percent change of the peak pressure, preconditioning group showed 93.20$\pm$15.7% recovery rate compared to baseline data, and control group showed 67.3$\pm$15.6% recovery rate. In percent change of the dP/dT, control group showed 54.7$\pm$18.2% recovery rate and preconditioning group showed 78.1$\pm$15.1% recovery rate. Percent changes in heart rate and coronary flow showed no significant difference between two groups and there was no significant differences in amount of cardioplegic delivery between groups. Our data suggest ischemic preconditioning may have protective effect on recovery state after cardioplegic arrest and 2 hr ischemic storage of isolated rat heart and its mechanism is not related to the amount of the cardioplegic delivery amount.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 1994

Gastrodia (G) Rhizoma has been used clinically as an oriental herbal medicine with sedative, anticonvulsive, and depressor effects. The present study tested effects of G. Rhizoma extracts on the coronary circulation and myocardial oxygen consumption in perfused rat hearts. Sprague Dawley rats (SD) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were employed as experimental animals and nonworking Langendorff heart perfusion technique introduced for heart experiments. G. Rhizoma extracts were prepared from grinding G. Rhizoma into powder, extracting in water and 50% ethanol for 4 or 16 hr and diluting with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate perfusion buffer to be 70%. Hearts were perfused with bicarbonate buffer oxygenated with 95% $O_{2}:$ 5% $CO_{2}$ at constant coronary perfusion pressure of $90cmH_{2}O$. The diluted extracts were infused into coronary arteries in a concentration of $1{\sim}5\;{\mu}M$ for $7{\sim}8 min. While in SD water- or ethanol-extracts of G. Rhizoma extracted for 16 hr increased coronary perfusate flow (CPF) and decreased coronary vascular resistance (CVR), ethanol-extracts in SHR produced coronary vasoconstriction associated with enhanced CVR. G. Rhizoma extracts-induced increase in CPF reduced myocardial oxygen extraction, and thus myocardial oxygen consumption ($MVO_{2}$) remained at that observed prior to infusion of extracts. In SD and SHR 16 hr-water-extracts markedly altered coronary venous effluent pH and $Pco_{2}$ and evoked metabolic acidosis, which could be a coronary vasodilator mechanism decreasing CVR. In this study, the extracts decreasing CVR in SD and SHR did not augment the lactate production. Therefore, although the effects of the extracts on cardiac function and coronary circulation depended on solvents and duration for extraction, the 16hr-water-extracts, at least, exhibited coronary vasodilation in SD and SHR. Conversely, ethanol-extracts constricted coronary arteries in SHR. G. Rhizoma extracts-induced vasodilation might be due to the metabolic acidosis rather than due to the increased lactate production. The results indicate that G. Rhizoma extracts obtained from proper extracting procedures can be used as a safe and clinically applicable herbal medicine in the cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and hypertension for vasodilatory and antihypertensive actions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.632-643
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• 2004

Background: The Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK) solution has been shown to provide the excellent myocardial protection as a cardioplegia. The HTK solution has relatively low potassium as an arresting agent of myocardium, and low sodium content, and high. concentration of histidine biological buffer which confer a buffering capacity superior to that of blood.. Since HTK solution has an excellent myocardial protective ability, it is reported to protect myocardium from ischemia for a considerable time (120 minutes) with the single infusion of HTK solution as a cardioplegia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of HTK solution on myocardium when the ischemia is. exceeding 120 minutes at two different temperature (10 to 12$^{\circ}C$, 22 to 24$^{\circ}C$) using the Langendorff apparatus, Material and Method: Hearts from Sprague-Dawley rat, weighing 300 to 340 g, were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution at a perfusion pressure of 100 cm $H_2O$. After the stabilization, the heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), and coronary flow were measured. Single dose of HTK solution was infused into the ascending aorta of isolated rat heart and hearts were preserved at four different conditions. In group 1 (n=10), hearts were preserved at deep hypothermia (10∼12$^{\circ}C$) for 2 hours, in group 2 (n=10), hearts were preserved at moderate hypothermia (22∼24$^{\circ}C$) for 2 hours, in group 3 (n=10), hearts were preserved at deep hypothermia for 3 hours, and in group 4 (n=10), hearts were preserved at moderate hypothermia for 3 hours. After the completion of the preservation, the heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure, and coronary flow were measured at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes after the initiation of reperfusion to assess the cardiac function. Biopsies were also done and mitochondrial scores were counted in two cases of each group for ultrastructural assessment. Result: The present study showed that the change of heart rate was not different between group 1 and group 2, and group 1 and group 3. The heart rate was significantly decreased at 15 minutes in group 4 compared to that of group 1 (p<0.05 by ANCOVA). The heart rate was recovered at 30 minutes and 45 minutes in group 4 with no significant difference compared to that of group 1. The decrease of LVDP was significant at 15 minutes, 30 minutes and 45 minutes in group 4 compared to that of group 1 (p < 0.001 by ANCOVA). Coronary flow was significantly decreased at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes in group 4 compared to that of group 1 (p < 0.001 by ANCOVA). In ultrastructural assessment, the mean myocardial mitochondrial scores in group 1, group 2, group 3, and group 4 were 1.02$\pm$0.29, 1.52$\pm$0.26, 1.56$\pm$0.45, 2.22$\pm$0.44 respectively. Conclusion: The HTK solution provided excellent myocardial protection regardless of myocardial temperature for 2 hours. But, when ischemic time exceeded 2 hours, the myocardial hemodynamic function and ultrastructural changes were significantly deteriorated at moderate hypotherma (22∼ 24$^{\circ}C$). This indicates that it is recommended to decrease myocardial temperature when myocardial ischemic time exceeds 2 hours with single infusion of HTK solution as a cardioplegia.