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Biomedical subjects

J C Longhurst

Publications and source records attributed to J C Longhurst.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Analysis of beat-to-beat cardiovascular hemodynamic variables obtained from long-term biotelemetry.

Manual methods of large volume data storage, retrieval, and analysis are difficult, time consuming, and present numerous opportunities for calculation errors. We have designed and implemented a comprehensive computer-based system for performing these functions. Development of this system was necessary since left ventricular (LV) blood pressure and two regional LV wall thickness measurements were obtained during long-term extracorporeal biotelemetry of miniswine for 24-h periods. During a single recording period over 100,000 individual cardiac cycles were recorded on analog tape and later analysed for determination of global myocardial oxygen demand and regional myocardial function. In addition, custom designed software was developed to determine the extent and duration of myocardial dysfunction. Batch file commands enabled the customized software to operate without prompting by the user thus optimizing the time usage of the computer, and the computer based data acquisition and analysis system. Although this system was designed specifically for analysing cardiovascular hemodynamic variables, it is flexible and can be applied to other experimental applications.

Analog-Digital Conversion↗

Biotelemetry of cardiovascular hemodynamic measurements in miniswine.

A three-channel biotelemetry system has been designed and implemented for use in a chronically instrumented animal model of cardiovascular disease. A dual-channel ultrasonic transit-time micrometer allows monitoring of left-ventricular wall motion for the regions perfused by the left circumflex and left anterior descending coronary arteries. A third channel provides left ventricular blood pressure obtained from a high-fidelity blood pressure transducer implanted in the left ventricle. The biotelemetry system features a high voltage dc-dc converter for improved ultrasonic signal strength, a time-to-voltage converter that is highly immune to synchronization frequency variations, low power consumption (approx. 100 mW), small size (4 x 6 x 12 cm), and low weight (approx. 200 g). This three-channel system has enabled our laboratory to continuously monitor untethered animals for 24-h periods. Data obtained from this miniature biotelemetry system can be utilized to quantify myocardial oxygen demand and regional left-ventricular wall thickening.

Animals↗

Ischemically sensitive visceral afferents: importance of H+ derived from lactic acid and hypercapnia.

Ischemically sensitive abdominal visceral afferents reflexly stimulate the cardiovascular system. To explore the role of H+ contribution by lactic acid and hypercapnia, we recorded single-unit activity of ischemically sensitive abdominal afferents in anesthetized cats. The individual responses to sodium lactate, lactic acid, and hypercapnia then were examined. Abdominal ischemia significantly decreased organ tissue pH from an average of 7.21 +/- 0.03-7.05 +/- 0.03 (P less than 0.05), during which impulse activity of 13 A delta- and 32 C-fibers significantly increased. Although hypercapnia (12% CO2) induced a similar decrease in tissue pH, impulse frequency increased in 0 of 4 A delta- and only 2 of 13 C-fibers. In contrast, lactic acid decreased tissue pH significantly less than ischemia or hypercapnia but increased impulse activity in 7 of 10 A delta- and 11 of 12 C-fibers. Conversely, only 1 of 3 A delta- and 0 of 10 C-fibers responded to sodium lactate. Thus ischemically sensitive visceral afferents respond to the H+ derived from lactic acid rather than hypercapnia. However, these afferents do not respond to sodium lactate. These data suggest that ischemically sensitive abdominal visceral afferents are responsive specifically to lactic acid rather than to the dissociated ions lactate or H+ or to changes in PCO2.

Afferent Pathways↗

Increased concentration of leukotriene B4 but not thromboxane B2 in intestinal lymph of cats during brief ischemia.

Mesenteric ischemia stimulates both A delta- and C-fiber afferents to reflexly activate the cardiovascular system. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) concentration is increased in intestinal mucosa following prolonged ischemia (3 h) followed by reperfusion. Because LTB4 sensitizes afferent nerve endings in the skin, we determined whether LTB4 is produced during brief mesenteric ischemia and thus would be present to sensitize afferent nerve endings in the abdominal visceral region. Cannulas were placed in the portal vein and in a mesenteric lymphatic vessel distal to the lymph node. Mesenteric lymph and portal venous immunoreactive LTB4 (iLTB4) and immunoreactive thromboxane B2 (iTxB2) concentrations were measured before, during, and after 5-7 min of ischemia induced by occlusion of the descending thoracic aorta in cats. Simultaneously, lymph and plasma lactate concentrations were measured. During arterial occlusion, femoral arterial pressure dropped to less than 30 mmHg, and portal venous and mesenteric lymph lactate concentrations were increased significantly (3.3 +/- 0.6 to 6.3 +/- 1.0 mM and 5.2 +/- 0.9 to 7.2 +/- 1.1 mM, respectively, P less than 0.05). During ischemia, iLTB4 concentration increased in lymph from 261 +/- 70 to 424 +/- 102 pg/0.1 ml (P less than 0.05) but did not increase in portal venous blood (135 +/- 26 vs. 168 +/- 44 pg/0.1 ml, control vs. ischemia). iTxB2 concentration was not increased during ischemia in either portal venous blood or lymph (12 +/- 4 to 24 +/- 9 pg/0.1 ml and 19 +/- 7 to 24 +/- 11 pg/0.1 ml, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Contractile actions of C5a on isolated porcine myocardium.

Although intracoronary administration of the complement component, C5a, produces deleterious effects on regional coronary blood flow and segmental ventricular function, it is unclear whether a direct myocardial action contributes to the dysfunction induced by the anaphylatoxin. We therefore evaluated the effects of purified porcine C5a on contractile tension of isolated supported ventricular trabeculae from pig hearts. Muscles were studied in a myograph bath at 30 degrees C, electrically stimulated 12 times per minute, and stretched to produce maximal isometric developed tension. C5a concentrations of 30, 100, and 300 ng/ml increased tension (P less than 0.05) 9.8, 5.5, and 20.9%, respectively. In seven of nine muscles exposed to 300 ng/ml C5a, tension initially decreased 10.5% (P less than 0.05) before the positive inotropic effect. Tachyphylaxis was demonstrated by lack of contractile response to a second administration of C5a greater than 70 min after the initial exposure to the complement fragment. Blockade of histamine H1 receptors with diphenhydramine (10(-6) M) markedly attenuated both the positive and negative contractile responses to C5a. beta-Adrenoceptor blockade with propranolol (5.6 x 10(-7) M) did not alter the response to C5a. Levels of thromboxane (Tx)B2, the stable metabolite of TxA2, were augmented in the bath after exposure to C5a (59 +/- 27.3 to 104 +/- 28.2 pg/ml, P less than 0.05). Although the TxA2 agonist, U-46619 (50 ng/ml), significantly increased tension, TxA2 receptor blockade with SQ 29548 (50 ng/ml) did not alter the response to C5a.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Modulation of bradykinin-induced gastric-cardiovascular reflexes by histamine.

Both histamine and bradykinin induce gastric-cardiovascular reflexes and are released during several pathophysiological conditions. This study examined the possibility that histamine modulates the magnitude of the reflex response to stimulation by bradykinin. Thus in chloralose anesthetized cats, the cardiovascular response to stimulation of the gastric serosa with 1 microgram/ml bradykinin was monitored before and after topical application of 100 micrograms/ml histamine (n = 6) or 1 mg/ml diphenhydramine (H1-receptor antagonist) and histamine (n = 5). After application of histamine, bradykinin-induced increases in mean arterial pressure and left ventricular pressure were attenuated by 23 and 27%, respectively. Conversely, when the H1-receptors on the serosal surface of the stomach were blocked (n = 5) before application of histamine, the pressor response to bradykinin was augmented by 26%. To determine the afferents that might contribute to the attenuating effect of histamine, we recorded single unit activity in 14 A delta and 21 C visceral afferent fibers in response to bradykinin stimulation before and after histamine stimulation. We observed that the impulse activity of 10 of the A delta and 14 of the C fibers to bradykinin stimulation was reduced after treatment with histamine. These results suggest that histamine induces an inhibitory effect on the nerve endings of visceral A delta and C fibers to the action of bradykinin through an H1-receptor mechanism. This inhibitory effect attenuates the magnitude of the consequent cardiovascular reflex response.

Animals↗

Chronic reduction of myocardial ischemia does not attenuate coronary collateral development in miniswine.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial ischemia is considered to be a possible stimulus for development of the coronary collateral circulation. We therefore hypothesized that chronic reduction of myocardial oxygen demand to lessen ischemia would attenuate coronary collateral development over an 8-week period using left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) ameroid-induced constriction in pigs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Collateral development was assessed by myocardial blood flow (radioactive microspheres) and left ventricular regional function (sonomicrometer dimension gauges). beta-Adrenoceptor blockade with propranolol (160 or 320 mg b.i.d.p.o.) was initiated in 15 animals 1 day after surgery. Compared with 16 untreated animals, beta-adrenoceptor antagonism was documented in the treated group by 1) pharmacological stimulation with isoproterenol, 2) physiological stimulation during graded treadmill exercise, and 3) repeated long-term biotelemetry recordings of oxygen demand (heart rate and blood pressure) and regional myocardial function. In addition to pharmacological and physiological verification of beta-blockade, biotelemetry showed that, compared with the untreated animals, propranolol significantly reduced the daily number, individual duration, and severity of events representing myocardial dysfunction. This suggests that in the beta-blocked group, little if any ischemia was present throughout the first 5 weeks when collateral growth occurs. Transmural myocardial blood flow (expressed as a ratio of flow in the LCx region to the nonoccluded region of the left ventricle) and systolic wall thickening in the LCx region were determined at rest and during treadmill exercise (240 beats per minute) 31-38 days (5 weeks) and 60-67 days (8 weeks) after surgery. Propranolol was withdrawn 3 days before flow and function determinations and was resumed immediately after testing. Blood flow ratios at 5 weeks decreased similarly from rest to exercise in the untreated (0.83 +/- 0.04 to 0.60 +/- 0.05, p less than 0.05) and beta-blockade group (0.82 +/- 0.09 to 0.57 +/- 0.10, p less than 0.05). Systolic wall thickening from rest to exercise was attenuated to the same degree in the untreated (59 +/- 6% to 38 +/- 6%, p less than 0.05) and beta-blockade group (50 +/- 8% to 30 +/- 5%, p less than 0.05). Similar flow and function responses were observed in both groups at 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that growth and development of the coronary collateral circulation measured functionally during exercise at 90% of maximal heart rate is unrelated to the extent and duration of myocardial ischemia in this model.

Animals↗

Hydrogen peroxide-induced cardiovascular reflexes. Role of hydroxyl radicals.

Mesenteric ischemia reflexly activates the cardiovascular system. In addition, mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion generate reactive oxygen species. However, the ability of these short-lived reactive oxygen species to generate cardiovascular reflexes is unknown. We therefore investigated cardiovascular reflexes induced by serosal application of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to the gallbladder, stomach, or duodenum in anesthetized cats. Serosal application of hydrogen peroxide (44 mumols) to the gallbladder (n = 14) significantly (p less than 0.05) increased mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) by 37 +/- 6 mm Hg, left ventricular dP/dt by 1,893 +/- 416 mm Hg/sec, heart rate by 6 +/- 1 beats per minute, and systemic vascular resistance from 0.34 +/- 0.01 to 0.42 +/- 0.04 peripheral resistance units. The cardiovascular effects were dose-dependent over a range of 0.4 pmol to 132 mumols H2O2. Celiac and superior mesenteric ganglionectomy abolished H2O2-induced cardiovascular effects. Dimethylthiourea (10 mg/kg), a reactive oxygen species scavenger, significantly (p less than 0.05) attenuated 44 mumols H2O2-induced increases in MAP from 36 +/- 3 to 2 +/- 2 mm Hg. Deferoxamine (10 mg/kg) also significantly attenuated 44 mumols H2O2-induced increases in MAP from 40 +/- 7 to 19 +/- 10 mm Hg, but iron-loaded deferoxamine did not. Aspirin (50 mg/kg) did not attenuate H2O2-induced excitation of the cardiovascular system. These data suggest that H2O2 activates abdominal visceral afferents to reflexly stimulate the cardiovascular system by a mechanism involving hydroxyl radicals. Thus, reactive oxygen species could modulate systemic vascular tone by stimulating abdominal visceral afferents during mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion.

Animals↗

The isometric athlete.

A number of normal daily and athletic activities require isometric or static exercise. Such sports as weight lifting and other high-resistance activities are used by athletes to gain strength and skeletal muscle bulk. However, static exercise also causes significant increases in blood pressure, heart rate, myocardial contractility, and cardiac output. These changes occur in response to central neural irradiation, called central command, as well as a reflex originating from statically contracting muscle. Studies have demonstrated that blood pressure appears to be the regulated variable, presumably because the increased pressure provides blood flow into muscles that have compressed their arterial inflow as a result of increases in intramuscular pressure created by contraction. Thus, static exercise is characterized by a pressure load to the heart and can be differentiated from dynamic (isotonic) exercise, which involves a volume load to the heart. Physical training with static exercise leads to concentric cardiac, particularly left ventricular, hypertrophy, whereas training with dynamic exercise leads to eccentric hypertrophy. Furthermore, the magnitude of cardiac hypertrophy is much less in athletes training with static than dynamic exercise. Neither systolic nor diastolic function is altered by the hypertrophic process associated with static exercise training. Many of the energy requirements for static exercise, particularly during more severe levels of exercise, are met by anaerobic glycolysis because the contracting muscle becomes deprived of blood flow. Training with repetitive static exercise therefore causes little increase in oxygen transport capacity, so that maximal oxygen consumption is either not or only minimally increased. Peripheral cardiovascular adaptations also can occur in response to static exercise training. Although controversial, these adaptations include modest decreases in resting blood pressure, smaller increases in blood pressure during a given workload, increases in muscle capillary-to-fiber ratio, improved lipid and lipoprotein profiles, and increases in glucose and insulin responsiveness. Some of these adaptations also have been found in cardiac patients and hypertensive patients and without any concomitant cardiovascular complications. However, in both healthy individuals and those with cardiovascular disease, the manner in which resistance training is performed may dictate the extent to which these adjustments take place. Specifically, training that involves frequent repetitions of moderate weight (and hence contains dynamic components) seems to produce the most beneficial results.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Contrasting effects of vasopressin and angiotensin II on rabbit aortic baroreceptors.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) reportedly enhances, whereas angiotensin II (ANG II) attenuates, baroreflex control of the circulation. Here we examine whether these responses can be attributed, in part, to local actions on myelinated baroreceptor (BR) afferents, either directly or via changes in vascular tone. An in vitro rabbit aortic arch/aortic nerve preparation was used to study regularly discharging presumably myelinated BRs under controlled static and pulsatile pressures. At constant suprathreshold pressures, AVP (10(-13) M to 10(-6) M) had no effect on arch diameter or BR frequency, whereas equimolar concentrations of ANG II evoked dose-dependent vasoconstriction and associated BR inhibition. Differences were not caused by limited diffusion to BR endings lying outside the media, since similar results were obtained with either luminal or adventitial applications. AVP also had no effect on diameter or discharge in arches preconstricted with norepinephrine, whereas acetylcholine (ACh) relaxed the arch and thereby increased BR activity. These results eliminate possible AVP-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation or potentiation of adrenergic vasoconstriction that would not be evident in isolated arches lacking tone. Finally, AVP did not sensitize BRs to changes in pressure, since ramp-evoked pressure-discharge curves remained constant and pulsatile discharge in response to sine-wave pressure inputs was unaltered. ANG II, however, shifted pressure-discharge curves to higher pressures and, with pulsatile inputs at constant mean pressure, reduced peak and average discharge firing rates. In conclusion, AVP has no apparent peripheral effect on aortic myelinated BRs in rabbits that could contribute to amplification of the baroreflex when AVP levels are elevated. In contrast, ANG II can inhibit BR firing as a consequence of local vasoconstriction, which may contribute to attenuation of the reflex when ANG II levels are elevated.

Acetylcholine↗

Cardiovascular reflexes evoked by histamine stimulation of the stomach.

This study examined the potential for histamine to cause cardiovascular reflexes when applied to the serosal or mucosal surface of the stomach. Thus, in chloralose-anesthetized cats, histamine was applied to the serosal surface of the stomach in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1,000 micrograms/ml. This resulted in graded increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP), maximal left ventricular pressure over time (dP/dt), and heart rate ranging from 9 +/- 4 to 30 +/- 3 mmHg, 450 +/- 103 to 1,710 +/- 610 mmHg/s, and 2 +/- 1 to 13 +/- 4 beats/min, respectively. Histamine stimulation of the gastric serosa evoked a greater pressor response than that observed when the same concentration of histamine (100 micrograms/ml) was applied to the gastric mucosa (43 +/- 7 vs. 13 +/- 3 mmHg, respectively). In six cats, celiac ganglionectomy abolished the previously observed cardiovascular response to histamine stimulation of the serosal surface of the stomach. When the gastric serosa was treated with the H1-receptor antagonist diphenhydramine (1 mg/ml) (n = 5), the cardiovascular response to histamine was abolished. In five other cats, administration of the H2-antagonist ranitidine (1 mg/ml) had no effect on the histamine-induced responses. When indomethacin (2-5 mg/ml), was applied to the serosal surface of the stomach (n = 6), histamine-induced increases in MAP and dP/dt were attenuated. However, application of PGE2 (1 microgram/ml) restored these two responses. These results suggest that histamine stimulates H1-receptors in the gastric wall to cause reflex cardiovascular responses that are dependent, in part, on the local production of prostaglandins.

Animals↗

Role of granulocytes and C5a in myocardial response to zymosan-activated serum.

Although previous studies have demonstrated that complement (C)5a causes myocardial ischemia and mechanical dysfunction, the cardiac response of endogenously produced C5a and C5a des-Arg in zymosan-activated serum (ZAS) and the critical role of granulocytes in this process are poorly understood. Therefore, we compared the coronary and cardiac effects of ZAS and purified C5a and investigated the role of leukocyte adhesion-promoting receptors (i.e., CD11/CD18). Like purified C5a, ZAS (0.5 ml) significantly reduced coronary artery blood flow and regional segment shortening, whereas coronary venous granulocyte concentration and myocardial lactate extraction were significantly decreased. A monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to C5a/C5a des-Arg attenuated ZAS-induced cardiac alterations. Three minutes of continuous infusion of C5a or ZAS induced sustained decreases in coronary venous granulocyte concentrations, although coronary flow and segment shortening returned to control levels after 2 min. Another MoAb, IB4, directed against CD18, significantly inhibited ZAS-induced granulocyte extraction and associated cardiac effects. Thus, cardiac dysfunction occurs after activation of the complement cascade with zymosan resulting in extraction of granulocytes mediated by the CD18 adherence glycoprotein. Furthermore, intramyocardial retention of granulocytes appears necessary for the initial and full ZAS-induced cardiac dysfunction.

Anaphylatoxins↗

Ischemically sensitive abdominal visceral afferents: response to cyclooxygenase blockade.

Ischemically sensitive abdominal visceral afferents are known to reflexly stimulate the cardiovascular system. These nerve endings respond to severe hypoxia as well as to exogenously administered bradykinin and prostaglandins such as PGI2, PGE, and PGF2 alpha. We have shown previously that these prostaglandins can sensitize some previously unresponsive afferents to respond to ischemia. To determine if endogenously produced prostaglandins contribute to the observed increase in activity during ischemia, we recorded activity of 6 A delta- and 23 C-fiber sympathetic afferents in anesthetized cats during 5 min of ischemia before and 15-30 min after intravenous administration of either indomethacin (5 mg/kg) or aspirin (50 mg/kg). Before cyclooxygenase inhibition, we noted repeatable increases of 1.44 +/- 0.22 and 1.44 +/- 0.36 impulses/s in the A delta- and C-fibers, respectively, in response to ischemia. After indomethacin or aspirin, these increases were significantly reduced (P less than 0.05) in both thinly myelinated and unmyelinated afferents (0.69 +/- 0.36 and 0.46 +/- 0.21 impulses/s, respectively). In a second protocol, we observed that the activity of six A delta- and seven C-fibers was significantly reduced by aspirin or indomethacin when a single period of ischemia preceded cyclooxygenase blockade. These data, in conjunction with our previous observations, indicate that prostaglandins significantly contribute to the increased afferent discharge activity associated with ischemia of the abdominal visceral region.

Abdomen↗

Bradykinin increases myocardial contractility: relation to the Gregg phenomenon.

Bradykinin (BK) is reportedly produced in the heart during ischemia. Because BK has been shown to activate cardiac afferent nerves thought to be nocioceptors, we tested whether BK might alter myocardial shortening, which potentially could contribute to afferent nerve stimulation. In open-chest dogs, BK (1-10 micrograms) was injected into the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery while wall motion in the LAD and control circumflex regions was monitored. Wall motion was measured with midwall segment gauges (sonomicrometer crystals) placed in the hoop direction. Blood pressure, heart rate, left ventricular pressure, first derivative of left ventricular pressure, and LAD coronary flow also were monitored. At 15-20 s after injection, which was before circulation of the peptide caused blood pressure to change, BK decreased maximum end-diastolic and minimum end-systolic segment lengths and increased maximum shortening fraction in LAD region. No change was observed in circumflex region. The response was not eliminated by bilateral vagotomy or subsequent stellate ganglionectomy, indicating that it was not neurally mediated. The response closely paralleled changes in coronary flow, was mimicked by intracoronary injection of adenosine, and was reduced or absent if flow was already elevated by previous injection of adenosine. When BK eventually reached the systemic circulation, the resultant hypotension further reduced shortening in LAD region, with directionally similar effect in circumflex region. These results suggest that BK can increase regional shortening by enhancing coronary flow (Gregg phenomenon) as well as by altering global ventricular function through systemic hypotension. Such changes in shortening may contribute to stimulation of cardiac afferent nerves.

Animals↗

Intramuscular accumulation of prostaglandins during static contraction of the cat triceps surae.

We previously demonstrated that muscle afferent endings are sensitized by exogenous prostaglandins during static contraction of skeletal muscle. The purpose of this study was to determine whether 30 s of static hindlimb contraction, induced by electrical stimulation of the cat sciatic nerve, increases the concentration of immunoreactive prostaglandin E2 (iPGE2) and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (i6-keto-PGF1 alpha, the stable metabolite of prostaglandin I2) in muscle tissue. In addition, the role of ischemia in augmenting prostanoid production was examined. Gastrocnemius muscle was obtained by freeze-clamping tissue, and prostaglandins were extracted from muscle homogenates and measured by radioimmunoassay. Compared with precontraction values, high-intensity (68% of maximal tension) static contraction elevated gastrocnemius iPGE2 and i6-keto-PGF1 alpha by 45 and 53%, respectively (P less than 0.01). Likewise, when blood flow to the gastrocnemius was attenuated by arterial occlusion during and 2 min before low-intensity contraction (29% maximal tension), the intramuscular iPGE2 concentration was increased by 71% (P less than 0.01). Conversely, low-intensity contraction (30% of maximal tension) and arterial occlusion without contraction did not alter the concentration of either prostanoid. Our findings demonstrate that prostaglandins accumulate in muscle during static contraction. We believe that local muscle ischemia may provide a stimulus for this phenomenon. These prostaglandins therefore are available to sensitize afferent endings responsible for reflex adjustments during static muscle contraction.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

In vivo and in vitro assessment of porcine neutrophil activation responses to chemoattractants: flow cytometric evidence for the selective absence of formyl peptide receptors.

Interest in the role that activated granulocytes play in C5a-induced myocardial ischemia prompted us to investigate and compare activation responses of pig and human neutrophils. The responses of Hypaque-Ficoll purified porcine (P-PMN) and human neutrophils (H-PMN) to stimulation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), C5a, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187) were compared by flow cytometrically measured changes in the cells' forward (FWD-SC) (a measure of shape/volume change) and right angle (90 degrees-SC) light scatter (a measure of secretion), and in the distribution of the membrane potential sensitive fluorescent probe di-O-C (3). FMLP, C5a, and Zymosan-activated serum (ZAS stimulated chemotaxis and FMLP vs. PMA-stimulated adherence to plastic were also compared. Unstimulated P-PMN had lower FWD-SC and 90 degrees-SC than H-PMN (39.4 +/- 1.4 vs. 48.4 +/- 2.0 P less than 0.05, and 32.7 +/- 2.7 vs. 52.4 +/- 1.5 units, P less than 0.005, for FWD-SC and 90 degrees-SC of P-PMN vs. H-PMN, respectively). P-PMN selectively failed to increase their FWD-SC upon stimulation with FMLP (0.0 +/- 0.5% vs. 26.1 +/- 6.8%, P-PMN vs. H-PMN), or decrease their 90 degrees-SC when treated with cytochalasin B + FMLP (secretion) (2.4 +/- 0.1% vs. -35.8 +/- 4.6% change in 90 degrees-SC, P-PMN vs. H-PMN), while responding comparably to C5a, PMA, and A23187. P-PMN failed to depolarize in response to FMLP but responded similarly to H-PMN when activated by C5a, A23187, and PMA. P-PMN's chemotactic response to FMLP was selectively absent since the cells responded well to purified pig C5a. FMLP stimulated significant increases in H-PMN adherence to bovine serum albumin-coated plastic (44.1 +/- 6.7% vs. 12.6 +/- 3.7%, FMLP vs. buffer, P less than 0.025), but failed to increase adherence of P-PMN above baseline 0.68 +/- 0.20% vs. 2.12 +/- 1.90%, FMLP vs. buffer, P greater than 0.05. PMA (100 ng/ml) stimulated comparable increases in adherence in both PMN types (48.6 +/- 5.2% vs. 58.7 +/- 4.9%, P-PMN vs. H-PMN, P less than 0.025). Binding studies using the fluoresceinated N-formyl peptide f-met-leu-phe-lysine-fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FMLPL-FITC) in the absence and presence of excess non-fluoresceinated FMLPL indicated that P-PMN lack specific binding sites for the N-formyl peptides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Coronary arteriolar vasoconstriction in myocardial ischaemia: reflexes, sympathetic nervous system, catecholamines.

The sympathetic nervous system exerts important control over the coronary circulation. Studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that reflex input from skeletal muscle during static contraction causes coronary vasoconstriction. Similarly, stimulation of abdominal visceral chemosensitive afferents can, on occasions, elicit coronary vasoconstriction or limit the extent of vasodilation so that the myocardium needs to extract additional oxygen from arterial blood. Recently, we have examined the innervation of the coronary collateral circulation and found that these vessels contain catecholamines which demonstrate a pattern of fluorescence similar to that of catecholamines in the native circulation. Furthermore, stimulation of alpha 2- but not alpha 1-adrenoceptors can cause an increase in collateral vascular resistance. Thus, reflex input into the coronary circulation, perhaps during static exercise or post-prandially, can cause coronary vasoconstriction. Such constriction occurs in native coronary vessels and has the potential to be present in the coronary collateral circulation.

Animals↗