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H E Cingolani

Publications and source records attributed to H E Cingolani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Reverse mode of the Na+-Ca2+ exchange after myocardial stretch: underlying mechanism of the slow force response.

This study was designed to gain additional insight into the mechanism of the slow force response (SFR) to stretch of cardiac muscle. SFR and changes in intracellular Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)](i)) were assessed in cat papillary muscles stretched from 92% to approximately 98% of L(max). The SFR was 120+/-0.6% (n=5) of the rapid initial phase and coincided with an increase in [Na(+)](i). The SFR was markedly depressed by Na(+)-H(+) exchanger inhibition, AT(1) receptor blockade, nonselective endothelin-receptor blockade and selective ET(A)-receptor blockade, extracellular Na(+) removal, and inhibition of the reverse mode of the Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange by KB-R7943. KB-R7943 prevented the SFR but not the increase in [Na(+)](i). Inhibition of endothelin-converting enzyme activity by phosphoramidon suppressed both the SFR and the increase in [Na(+)](i). The SFR and the increase in [Na(+)](i) after stretch were both present in muscles with their endothelium (vascular and endocardial) made functionally inactive by Triton X-100. In these muscles, phosphoramidon also suppressed the SFR and the increase in [Na(+)](i). The data provide evidence that the last step of the autocrine-paracrine mechanism leading to the SFR to stretch is Ca(2+) entry through the reverse mode of Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗

Angiotensin II stimulates cardiac L-type Ca(2+) current by a Ca(2+)- and protein kinase C-dependent mechanism.

Angiotensin II (ANG II) evokes positive inotropic responses in various species. However, the effects of this peptide on L-type Ca(2+) currents (I(Ca)) are still controversial. We report in this study that the effects of ANG II on I(Ca) differ depending on the mode of patch-clamp technique used, standard whole cell (WC) or perforated patch (PP). No significant effects of ANG II (0.5 microM) were observed when WC in cells dialyzed with high EGTA was used. However, when the intracellular milieu was preserved using PP, ANG II induced a significant 77 +/- 6% increase in I(Ca) (-2.2 +/- 0.3 in control and -3.9 +/- 0.6 pA/pF in ANG II, n = 8, P < 0.05). When WC was used in cells dialyzed with low Ca(2+) buffer capacity (EGTA 0.1 mM), ANG II was able to induce an increase in I(Ca) (-3.5 +/- 0.3 in control vs. -4.8 +/- 0.4 pA/pF in ANG II, n = 13, P < 0.05). This increase was prevented when the cells were also dialyzed with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine (50 microM) or calphostin C (1 microM). The above results allow us to conclude that strong intracellular Ca(2+) buffering prevents the physiological actions of ANG II on cardiac I(Ca), which are also dependent on activation of PKC.

Alkaloids↗

An autocrine/paracrine mechanism triggered by myocardial stretch induces changes in contractility.

An autocrine/paracrine mechanism is triggered by stretching the myocardium. This mechanism involves release of angiotensin II, release/increased formation of endothelin, activation of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, increase in intracellular Na(+), and the increase in the Ca(2+) transient that underlies the slow force response to stretch. The autocrine/paracrine mechanism could explain how changes in afterload alter cardiac contractility.

Animals↗

[The Na+/Ca2+ exchanger as responsible for myocardial stunning].

Our objective was to assess the participation of Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) on systolic and diastolic alterations of myocardial stunning. Isolated perfused rat hearts were submitted to 20 min of global ischemia (Is) followed by 30 min of reperfusion (R). This protocol was repeated after treatment before ischemia and/or early in R. with HOE 642 1 microM, a specific blocker of NHE-1 and KB-R7943 1 microM the novel inhibitor of the reverse mode of NCX. In control ischemic hearts the contractility assessed through +dP/dtmax recovered approximately 60%. When the NHE blockade was performed before is or early in R the postischemic recovery reached 100%. The blockade of the reverse mode of NCX only improved significantly the recovery when administered before is and early in R (95 +/- 7%). The ischemic contracture decreased when the treatment with both blockers was performed before Is. During R the increase of end diastolic pressure (EDP) observed in control ischemic hearts (at 30 min of R, EDP value was 44 +/- 4 mmHg) diminished significantly by NHE (24 +/- 6 and 12 +/- 2 mmHg when the blocker was administered before or after Is) and NCX blockade performed before and after is (12 +/- 6 mmHg). These results indicate that the activation of the reverse mode of NCX secondary to the NHE activation during ischemia and reperfusion is the mechanism responsible for the Ca2+ overload involved in the diminution of contractility that characterizes myocardial stunning.

Animals↗

Stimulation of myocardial Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) exchanger by angiotensin II is mediated by endogenous endothelin.

Experiments were performed in isolated cat papillary muscles loaded with the pH-sensitive dye 2', 7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein in the esterified form to study the effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on the activity of the Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) exchanger. Exposure to ET-1 (10 nmol/L) raised pH(i) by 0.13+/-0.03 U (P<0.05) in papillary muscles superfused with nominally HCO(3)(-)-free solution, whereas no significant change was detected under CO(2)/HCO(3)(-)-buffered medium. However, if ET-1 was applied to muscles pretreated with the anion exchanger inhibitor 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanato-stilbene-2, 2'-disulfonic acid, pH(i) increased by 0.09+/-0.02 U (P<0.05) in the presence of CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) buffer. The rate of pH(i) recovery from trimethylamine hydrochloride-induced intracellular alkaline load was enhanced so that net HCO(3) efflux increased about three times in the presence of ET-1 (2.74+/-0.25 versus 9.66+/-1.29 mmol. L(-1). min(-1) at pH(i) 7.55, P<0.05). This effect was canceled by previous exposure to either 50 nmol/L PD 142,893 (nonselective endothelin receptor blocker) or 300 nmol/L BQ 123 (selective blocker of ET(A) receptors). BQ 123 also abolished angiotensin II-induced activation of the Na(+) independent Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) exchanger. These results show that ET-1 increases the activity of the Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) exchanger in cardiac tissue through the ET(A) receptors. Furthermore, our data suggest that the previously described angiotensin II-induced stimulation of the anion exchanger activity is mediated by endogenous ET-1.

4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfo↗

Comparison of the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning and the Na+/H+ exchanger blockade.

The protective effects of ischemic preconditioning (IP) and Na+/H+ exchanger blockade (NHEb) by two blockers [ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA) and HOE 642] were compared in the isovolumic perfused rat heart. The impairment in systolic and diastolic function detected in control ischemic hearts (C) exposed to 20 min of ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion was diminished in similar extent by IP and by NHEb with EIPA and HOE 642. At the end of the reperfusion period +dP/dtmax values were 57+/-9% in C hearts and 94+/-6%, 82+/-6% and 104+/-6% after IP and NHEb with EIPA and HOE 642, respectively. A depletion of ATP levels detected in C hearts after reperfusion (from 20.2+/-0.8 micromol/g dry weight before ischemia to 6.9+/-0.7 micromol/g dry weight) was partially prevented by both IP and NHEb with EIPA (9.2+/-0.7 micromol/g dry weight and 11.1+/-0.5 micromol/g dry weight, respectively). The ischemic contracture (IC), assessed by the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), observed in C hearts (35+/-4 mmHg) was not decreased by IP (40+/-4 mmHg) but it was prevented by NHEb (18+/-4 mmHg and 10+/-3 mmHg with EIPA and HOE 642, respectively). The ATP levels at the end of the ischemic period were similar in C and IP hearts (4.1+/-0.2 micromol/g dry wt vs. 3.3+/-0.4 micromol/g dry wt) but they were significantly higher after NHEb with HOE 642 (7.0+/-1.0 micromol/g dry wt). PKC inhibition by chelerythrine abolished the protection induced by IP after reperfusion although not the improvement induced by NHEb with EIPA. According to the present results, we can conclude that despite the fact that IP and NHEb are protecting the postischemic function in a similar magnitude, both interventions are different in terms of modifying IC that develops during the ischemic period. IC was prevented by NHEb whereas it was not by IP. Furthermore, IP protection and not that obtained by NHEb is abolished by PKC.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[Post-ischemic myocardial protection with Cabernet-Sauvignon red wine].

The objective was to assess the action of two Argentine (from Mendoza) non-alcoholic red wine extracts (Cabernet-Sauvignon (CS) and a generic control (G)) on myocardial stunning that follows the reperfusion period. In the isolated isovolumically perfused rat heart the recovery of systolic and diastolic functions after 20 min of global ischemia were assessed through left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and end diastolic pressure (EDP), respectively. After 30 min of reperfusion LVDP recovered to 66 +/- 7% in control ischemic hearts. The administration of non-alcoholic extract of CS not of G wine significantly increased the post-ischemic recovery (101 +/- 4%, p < 0.05) of the hearts. The ischemic contracture was not modified by either of the wines. However, during reperfusion the CS, not the G wine, decreased significantly the increase in EDP observed in control ischemic hearts. These results present experimental evidence that the non-alcoholic extracts of CS and not of G Argentine red wine induces protection of postischemic myocardial function.

Animals↗

Mechanisms underlying the increase in force and Ca(2+) transient that follow stretch of cardiac muscle: a possible explanation of the Anrep effect.

Myocardial stretch produces an increase in developed force (DF) that occurs in two phases: the first (rapidly occurring) is generally attributed to an increase in myofilament calcium responsiveness and the second (gradually developing) to an increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Rat ventricular trabeculae were stretched from approximately 88% to approximately 98% of L(max), and the second force phase was analyzed. Intracellular pH, [Na(+)](i), and Ca(2+) transients were measured by epifluorescence with BCECF-AM, SBFI-AM, and fura-2, respectively. After stretch, DF increased by 1.94+/-0.2 g/mm(2) (P<0.01, n = 4), with the second phase accounting for 28+/-2% of the total increase (P<0.001, n = 4). During this phase, SBFI(340/380) ratio increased from 0.73+/-0.01 to 0.76+/-0.01 (P<0.05, n = 5) with an estimated [Na(+)](i) rise of approximately 6 mmol/L. [Ca(2+)](i) transient, expressed as fura-2(340/380) ratio, increased by 9.2+/-3.6% (P<0.05, n = 5). The increase in [Na(+)](i) was blocked by 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA). The second phase in force and the increases in [Na(+)](i) and [Ca(2+)](i) transient were blunted by AT(1) or ET(A) blockade. Our data indicate that the second force phase and the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) transient after stretch result from activation of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) increasing [Na(+)](i) and leading to a secondary increase in [Ca(2+)](i) transient. This reflects an autocrine-paracrine mechanism whereby stretch triggers the release of angiotensin II, which in turn releases endothelin and activates the NHE through ET(A) receptors.

Amiloride↗

Chronic administration of nifedipine induces up-regulation of functional calcium channels in rat myocardium.

Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated the up-regulation of cardiac dihydropyridine (DHP) receptors in rabbits chronically treated with nifedipine (NIFE). The goal of the present study was to further examine the functionality of this increased number of receptors by analysing different steps of excitation contraction coupling mechanism in adult rats chronically treated with NIFE (a single 10-mg oral dose/kg/day for 28 days). Ca2+ channel density was assessed by specific binding at the DHP receptors with [methyl-(3)H]PN 200-110 in rat ventricular membranes. Chronic NIFE treatment produced up-regulation of Ca2+ channels, being the maximal binding capacities 222+/-19 fmol/mg protein (n=14) and 310+/-21 fmol/mg protein (n=11) in untreated and treated animals, respectively (P<0.05). The functional consequences of this up-regulation of Ca2+ channels were determined in isolated ventricular myocytes by measuring L-type Ca2+ currents (I(Ca)) with the whole-cell configuration of patch-clamp technique and by intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+(i)) transients estimated by the Indo-1/AM fluorescence ratio (410/482) simultaneously monitored with cell shortening. Peak I(Ca) density recorded at 0 mV was 32% greater in myocytes isolated from the treated group than in those obtained from the untreated group (-10.43+/-0.73 pA/pF (n=13) vs-7.10+/-0.59 pA/pF (n=12) P<0.05). Ca2+(i) transient amplitude and cell shortening, explored at 1 and 2 mM extracellular calcium ([Ca]0) were significantly higher in ventricular myocytes obtained fom NIFE-treated rats than in myocytes isolated from untreated animals. At 2 mM [Ca]0, the values of Ca2+(i) transient and shortening were 460+/-61 nM and 11+/-1 % of resting length (L(0)) in myocytes from treated rats (n=9) and 212+/-22 nM and 5.3+/-0.5% of L(0) in myocytes from control rats (n=6, P<0.05). The results demonstrate an up-regulation of functionally-active cardiac Ca2+ channels after NIFE treatment, and offer a possible explanation for a "withdrawal effect" at myocardial level after the suppression of the treatment with this drug.

Animals↗

Preservation of myofilament calcium responsiveness underlies protection against myocardial stunning by ischemic preconditioning.

OBJECTIVE: Whereas diminution of infarct size by ischemic preconditioning (IP) is well-accepted, protection against stunning is controversial. Since stunning is characterized by decreased myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness, we investigated whether IP would preserve myofilament responsiveness in a model of stunning. METHODS: Rat hearts were retrogradely perfused with Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) solution for 20 min and then subjected to 20 min of no-flow global ischemia, followed by 20 min of reperfusion in the absence (stunning) or in the presence (IP) of a previous 5-min period of ischemia followed by 15 min of reperfusion. A group of hearts perfused under non-ischemic conditions served as control. Thin ventricular trabeculae were dissected from each of the experimental groups and loaded with fura-2 to measure intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and developed force. RESULTS: After 20 min of reperfusion, left ventricular developed pressure decreased in stunned hearts to 61 +/- 5% of control (P < 0.01), whereas recovery was complete in the IP hearts (97 +/- 4%). Steady-state [Ca2+]i-force relationships revealed a decreased maximal Ca(2+)-activated force in stunned hearts relative to control, but no change in the IP group. The Ca2+ required for 50% activation increased in stunning but not in IP. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the decrease in myofilament responsiveness that characterizes stunning is prevented by ischemic preconditioning.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Stretch-induced alkalinization of feline papillary muscle: an autocrine-paracrine system.

Myocardial stretch is a well-known stimulus that leads to hypertrophy. Little is known, however, about the intracellular pathways involved in the transmission of myocardial stretch to the cytoplasm and nucleus. Studies in neonatal cardiomyocytes demonstrated stretch-induced release of angiotensin II (Ang II). Because intracellular alkalinization is a signal to cell growth and Ang II stimulates the Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE), we studied the relationship between myocardial stretch and intracellular pH (pHi). Experiments were performed in cat papillary muscles fixed by the ventricular end to a force transducer. Muscles were paced at 0.2 Hz and superfused with HEPES-buffered solution. pHi was measured by epifluorescence with the acetoxymethyl ester form of the pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF-AM). Each muscle was progressively stretched to reach maximal developed force (Lmax) and maintained in a length that was approximately 92% Lmax (Li). During the "stretch protocol," muscles were quickly stretched to Lmax for 10 minutes and then released to Li; pHi significantly increased during stretch and came back to the previous value when the muscle was released to Li. The increase in pHi was eliminated by (1) specific inhibition of the NHE (EIPA, 5 micromol/L), (2) AT1-receptor blockade (losartan, 10 micromol/L), (3) inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) (chelerythrine, 5 micromol/L), (4) blockade of endothelin (ET) receptors with a nonselective (PD 142,893, 50 nmol/L) or a selective ETA antagonist (BQ-123, 300 nmol/L). The increase in pHi by exogenous Ang II (500 nmol/L) was also reduced by both ET-receptor antagonists. Our results indicate that after myocardial stretch, pHi increases because of stimulation of NHE activity. This involves an autocrine-paracrine mechanism in which protein kinase C, Ang II, and ET play crucial roles.

Alkalies↗

Evidence for an electrogenic Na+-HCO3- symport in rat cardiac myocytes.

1. The perforated whole-cell configuration of patch clamp and the pH fluorescent indicator SNARF were used to determine the electrogenicity of the Na+-HCO3- cotransport in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. 2. Switching from Hepes buffer to HCO3- buffer at constant extracellular pH (pHo) hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential (RMP) by 2.9 +/- 0.4 mV (n = 9, P < 0.05). In the presence of HCO3-, the anion blocker SITS depolarized RMP by 2.6 +/- 0.5 mV (n = 5, P < 0.05). No HCO3--induced hyperpolarization was observed in the absence of extracellular Na+. The duration of the action potential measured at 50 % of repolarization time (APD50) was 29.2 +/- 6.1 % shorter in the presence of HCO3- than in its absence (n = 6, P < 0.05). 3. Quasi-steady-state currents were evoked by voltage-clamped ramps ranging from -130 to +30 mV, during 8 s. The development of a novel component of Na+-dependent and Cl--independent steady-state outward current was observed in the presence of HCO3-. The reversal potential (Erev) of the Na+-HCO3- cotransport current (INa,Bic) was measured at four different levels of extracellular Na+. A HCO3-:Na+ ratio compatible with a stoichiometry of 2:1 was detected. INa,Bic was also studied in isolation in standard whole-cell experiments. Under these conditions, INa,Bic reversed at -96.4 +/- 1.9 mV (n = 5), being consistent with the influx of 2 HCO3- ions per Na+ ion through the Na+-HCO3- cotransporter. 4. In the presence of external HCO3-, after 10 min of depolarizing the membrane potential (Em) with 45 mM extracellular K+, a significant intracellular alkalinization was detected (0.09 +/- 0. 03 pH units; n = 5, P < 0.05). No changes in pHi were observed when the myocytes were pre-treated with the anion blocker DIDS (0.001 +/- 0.024 pH units; n = 5, n.s.), or when exposed to Na+-free solutions (0.003 +/- 0.037 pH units; n = 6, n.s.). 5. The above results allow us to conclude that the cardiac Na+-HCO3- cotransport is electrogenic and has an influence on RMP and APD of rat ventricular cells.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Angiotensin II activates Na+-independent Cl--HCO3- exchange in ventricular myocardium.

The effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the activity of the cardiac Na+-independent Cl--HCO3- exchanger (anionic exchanger [AE]) was explored in cat papillary muscles. pHi was measured by epifluorescence with BCECF-AM. Ang II (500 nmol/L) induced a 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride-sensitive increase in pHi in the absence of external HCO3- (HEPES buffer), consistent with its stimulatory action on Na+-H+ exchange (NHE). This alkalinizing effect was not detected in the presence of a CO2-HCO3- buffer (pHi 7.07+/-0.02 and 7.08+/-0.02 before and after Ang II, respectively; n=17). Moreover, in Na+-free HCO3--buffered medium, in which neither NHE nor Na+-HCO3- cotransport are acting, Ang II decreased pHi, and this effect was canceled by previous treatment with SITS. These findings suggested that the Ang II-induced activation of NHE was masked, in the presence of the physiological buffer, by a HCO3--dependent acidifying mechanism, probably the AE. This hypothesis was confirmed on papillary muscles bathed with HCO3- buffer that were first exposed to 1 micromol/L S20787, a specific inhibitor of AE activity in cardiac tissue, and then to 500 nmol/L Ang II (n=4). Under this condition, Ang II increased pHi from 7.05+/-0.05 to 7.22+/-0.05 (P<.05). The effect of Ang II on AE activity was further explored by measuring the velocity of myocardial pHi recovery after the imposition of an intracellular alkali load in a HCO3--containing solution either with or without Ang II. The rate of myocardial pHi recovery was doubled in the presence of Ang II, suggesting a stimulatory effect on AE. The enhancement of the activity of this exchanger by Ang II was also detected when the AE activity was reversed by the removal of extracellular Cl- in a Na+-free solution. Under this condition, the rate of intracellular alkalinization increased from 0.053+/-0.016 to 0.108+/-0.026 pH unit/min (n=6, P<.05) in the presence of Ang II. This effect was canceled either by the presence of the AT1 receptor antagonist, losartan, or by the previous inhibition of protein kinase C with chelerythrine or calphostin C. The above results allow us to conclude that Ang II, in addition to its stimulatory effect on alkaline loading mechanisms, activates the AE in ventricular myocardium and that the latter effect is mediated by a protein kinase C-dependent regulatory pathway linked to the AT1 receptors.

Alkaloids↗

Enalapril induces regression of cardiac hypertrophy and normalization of pHi regulatory mechanisms.

Intracellular pH is under strict control in myocardium; H+ are extruded from the cells by sodium-dependent mechanisms, mainly Na+/H+ exchanger and Na+/HCO3- symport, whereas Na+-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchanger extrudes bases on intracellular alkalinization. Hypertrophic myocardium from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibits increased Na+/H+ exchange activity that is accompanied by enhanced extrusion of bases through Na+-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchange. The present experiments were designed to investigate the effect of enalapril-induced regression of cardiac hypertrophy on the activity of these exchangers. Male SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) received enalapril maleate (20 mg/kg per day) in the drinking water for 5 weeks. Gender- and age-matched SHR and WKY were used as untreated controls. Enalapril treatment significantly reduced systolic blood pressure in SHR and completely regressed cardiac hypertrophy. Na+/H+ activity was estimated in terms of both steady pHi value in HEPES buffer and the rate of pHi recovery from CO2-induced acid load. Na+-independent Cl-/HCO3- activity was assessed by measuring the rate of pHi recovery from intracellular alkalinization produced by trimethylamine exposure. Regression of cardiac hypertrophy was accompanied by normalization of Na+/H+ and Na+-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchange activities. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity with chelerythrine (10 mmol/L) or calphostin C (50 nmol/L) returned both exchange activities to normal values. These results show that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition normalizes the enhanced activity of both exchangers while regressing cardiac hypertrophy. Because normalization of exchange activities could be also achieved by PKC inhibition, the data would suggest that PKC-dependent mechanisms play a significant role in the increased ion exchange activities of hypertrophic myocardium and in their normalization by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition.

Analysis of Variance↗

Is stunning prevented by ischemic preconditioning?

In a model of global ischemia in the isolated perfused rat heart, a 20 min ischemic period followed by 30 min of reperfusion induces a decrease in isovolumic developed pressure (LVDP) and +dP/dtmax to 61+/-6% and 61+/-7% of baseline, respectively. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) increases to 36+/-4 mmHg at the end of the reperfusion period. No significant necrotic area as assessed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) was detected at the end of the reperfusion period. By an immunohistochemical method using antiactin monoclonal antibodies 10.8+/-1.9% of unstained cells were detected in the stunned hearts and 10.3+/-1.2% in control hearts. Preceding the ischemic episode with a cycle of 5 min of ischemia followed by 10 min of reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning) protected contractile function. LVDP and +dP/dtmax now stabilized at 89+/-5% and 94+/-5% of baseline respectively. LVEDP was 20+/-2 mmHg at the end of the reperfusion period. The protection of contractile dysfunction after 20 min of ischemia was achieved also by early reperfusion of low Ca2+-low pH perfusate. With this intervention LVDP stabilized at 87+/-5% of baseline. LVEDP was 12+/-2 mmHg at the end of the reperfusion period. A positive inotropic intervention induced by a modified postextrasystolic potentiation protocol at the end of the reperfusion period increases LVDP to levels higher than baseline in the stunned hearts. However, these values were less than those obtained in control hearts. Ischemic preconditioning significantly increased the maximal inotropic response. Therefore, ischemic preconditioning diminishes the contractile dysfunction of early stunning.

Animals↗