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Biomedical subjects

M Chujo

Publications and source records attributed to M Chujo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Lymphatic drainage of carbon particles injected into the pleural cavity of the monkey, as studied by video-assisted thoracoscopy and electron microscopy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to clarify the dynamics of lymphatic drainage of the pleural cavity to understand the mechanism of malignant pleural effusion. METHODS: We injected carbon particles into the pleural cavity of monkeys subjected to general anesthesia. We then observed the parietal pleura with a video-assisted thoracoscope and scanning and transmission electron microscopes to examine the regions of the parietal pleura where the carbon particles had been absorbed. RESULTS: The video-assisted thoracoscope showed that the carbon particles had gone directly to the costal, mediastinal, and diaphragmatic pleura by 10 to 15 minutes after injection. From the scanning and transmission electron microscopes, we found that the parietal pleura in the costal and mediastinal regions consisted of 3 elements: a layer of small mesothelial cells, the macula cribriformis, and lymphatic lacunae. Stomata (3-5 microm in diameter) were found between the small mesothelial cells. The macula cribriformis was composed of densely packed collagen fibrils and had many foramina (3-10 microm in diameter). Intrapleurally injected carbon particles were carried into the lymphatic lacunae via the stomata and vesicles of the mesothelial cells and the foramina of the macula cribriformis. The lymphatic lacunae filled with carbon particles were richly distributed in both the anterior costal pleura and the mediastinal pleura. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the mesothelial stomata and the macula cribriformis are structures essential to the absorption of macromolecules and cellular elements from the pleural cavity into the lymphatic system.

Animals↗

Intramyocardial vascular volume distribution studied by synchrotron radiation-excited X-ray fluorescence.

We evaluated the vascular volume distribution with fine resolution (0.1-1.3 mg myocardial tissue) in the sagittal plane of the left ventricle by using the microsphere filling method in 21 dogs. The coronary arterial volume density in the sagittal plane did not exhibit normal distribution and was characterized by variability among the outer-to-inner layers and within the layers (+2SD/-2SD > 80 times), and the median values in the layers ranged from 4.7 to 22. 9 nl/mg myocardial tissue. The fractal analysis of vascular volume revealed a self-similar nature with a fractal dimension (D value) similar to that of flow distribution (1.20 +/- 0.05 and 1.24 +/- 0. 09 for vascular volume and flow distribution, respectively) and had a more marked variability than the flow. The correlation of the regional vascular volume between adjacent regions decreased as the distance increased. However, the correlation coefficients in the endocardial-to-epicardial direction were significantly higher than those in the anterior-to-posterior direction (P < 0.05 by paired t-test). In conclusion, we determined intramyocardial vascular volume density in the sagittal plane, and the distribution revealed considerable variability, self-similarity, and asymmetry in the correlation among the adjacent regions. These observations could be related to the characteristics of the intramural coronary vascular network.

Animals↗

[A case of congenital partial pericardial defect and anomaly of phrenic nerve with cystic bronchiectasis].

Congenital partial pericardial defect is a rare anomaly that causes no symptoms and is often noticed by chance at autopsy or thoracotomy. During an operation on a patient with bronchiectasis, a partial pericardial defect and anomaly of left phrenic nerve were found incidently. A 58-year-old man complaining hemoptysis was referred to our hospital for surgical treatment of the left cystic bronchiectasis. During a thoracotomy, a partial pericardial defect was noticed. Moreover the left phrenic nerve could not be found within the operative field. We performed left pneumonectomy without repair of pericardial defect, and the patient had a satisfactory postoperative course. A relationship was suggested between congenital pericardial defect and the anomaly of the phrenic nerve.

Bronchiectasis↗

Pinacidil but not nicorandil opens ATP-sensitive K+ channels and protects against simulated ischemia in rabbit myocytes.

It has been proposed that ischemic preconditioning involves the regulation of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels. The evidence is based largely on the ability of certain K(ATP) channel modulators to modify the protection in the various models of preconditioning. This study has investigated how two K(ATP) channel openers, pinacidil and nicorandil, affect both membrane currents and viability in isolated and ischemic rabbit cardiomyocytes. We used the whole-cell recording technique and in separate experiments viability was assessed by exposure to these drugs during ischemia. Pinacidil (50 micromol/l) increased K(ATP) current approximately four-fold in isolated cardiomyocytes. This increase reversed rapidly after treatment with the K(ATP) channel blocker glibenclamide (200 nmol/l). After simulated ischemia, pinacidil protected cardiomyocytes (the area under cell-death curve was 29.5 +/- 1.1% x h) which was significantly less than that in control (46.9 +/- 2.0% x h). The protection from pinacidil could be completely eliminated by pretreatment with 10 microM glibenclamide (46.9 +/- 2.0% x h). In contrast, nicorandil (1 mmol/l), which opens K(ATP) channels in some tissues, caused no detectable effect on the K(ATP) current. Similarly, nicorandil did not produce cardioprotection. These results indicate that pinacidil and nicorandil have very different effects on rabbit cardiomyocyte K(ATP) channels. Furthermore, because protection correlated with the ability of the agent to open the channel, they support a role for K(ATP) channels in preconditioning.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Disseminated intravascular coagulation in chickens inoculated with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.

In a first experiment, 28 specific pathogen-free chickens aged 3 weeks showed clinical signs 1 to 5 days after intramuscular inoculation with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Twelve of 28 birds died 2 to 4 days after inoculation. Macroscopically, the liver, spleen and kidneys were seen to be enlarged and congested. Histologically, fibrinous thrombus formation, seen in the hepatic sinusoids, renal glomerular capillaries and small pulmonary blood vessels, was a characteristic feature. In addition, the liver showed marked congestion, increase of mononuclear cells and heterophils in the sinusoids, hyperplasia of sinusoidal lining cells, and vacuolar changes in hepatic cells. The spleen showed fibrinous exudation of the lymphoid follicles and ellipsoids with lymphocytic depletion, and hyperplasia of ellipsoidal reticular cells. There was oedema, congestion and cellular infiltration in the interstitium of the kidney. The bursa of Fabricius and thymus showed marked lymphocytic depletion. In a second experiment, the blood chemical values (uric acid, glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) of birds inoculated intramuscularly with E. rhusiopathiae were significantly higher than those of uninfected controls. The blood prothrombin times and activated partial thromboplastin times of the inoculated group were significantly greater than those of the control group. The pathological and haematological findings demonstrated that E. rhusiopathiae induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in the chickens.

Animals↗

Radical radiotherapy for medically inoperable non-small cell lung cancer in clinical stage I: a retrospective analysis of 149 patients.

PURPOSE: In order to obtain the standard treatment results of medically inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Stage I in the post-CT scan era, a retrospective analysis of patients who were treated by radical radiotherapy was performed. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 149 cases treated between 1980 and 1989 were accumulated from ten large hospitals in Japan. All patients received a total dose of 55-75 Gy (mean 64.7 Gy) with conventional fractionation. For evaluation of treatment results, complete response (CR) rate, median survival period and long-termed survival rates were used. RESULTS: The median survival of the all cases was 27.2 months and the actuarial 3- and 5-year survival rates were 34.2% and 22.2%, respectively. CR was obtained in 57 cases (38%). The CR rate was strongly correlated with the long-term survival (5-year survival rate in CR group: 35.1% compared with PR + NC group: 14.1% (P < 0.0001)). The size of tumor was also of prognostic importance. In 116 patients who died within 5 years after treatment, 66 patients (57%) died of local tumor regrowth. CONCLUSION: Although the medically inoperable NSCLC patients in Stage I should be offered curative radiation therapy, development of some new steps to increase the CR rate and local control rate is urgently needed.

Aged↗

Coronary vasoconstrictive effects of neuropeptide Y and their modulation by the ATP-sensitive potassium channel in anesthetized dogs.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the coronary vasoconstrictive action of endogenous neuropeptide Y (NPY) during sympathetic nerve stimulation and its modulation by the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel in vivo. BACKGROUND: Exogenous NPY was characterized by its potent vasoconstrictive effect. However, endogenous NPY has failed to show any vasoconstrictive activity in vivo. METHODS: We studied 70 anesthetized dogs with vagotomy under beta-adrenergic blockade. Ansae subclaviae stimulation and intracoronary administration of the neurotransmitters (NPY and norepinephrine) were done with or without alpha-adrenergic blockade, NPY antagonist BIBP3226 or KATP channel acting agents. We measured coronary vascular resistance (CVR) and the neurotransmitter levels in systemic arteries and the great cardiac vein, and the amount of overflow (venoarterial difference times myocardial blood flow). RESULTS: During nerve stimulation, NPY levels correlated significantly with CVR at the highest r value (r = 0.850, p < 0.0001) obtained for the venous level under alpha-blockade, but norepinephrine showed no correlation. Treatment with BIBP3226 abolished the correlation between NPY level and CVR under alpha-blockade. Without alpha-blockade, norepinephrine levels correlated significantly with CVR; however, NPY showed no correlation. The amount of NPY overflow during the stimulation was nearly 1,000-fold lower than norepinephrine overflow. Exogenous NPY had a 100-fold more potent coronary vasoconstrictive action than that of norepinephrine. The KATP channel antagonist glibenclamide enhanced vasoconstriction of NPY, and the agonist pinacidil suppressed it with a predominant effect in the subepicardial region. CONCLUSIONS: During sympathetic nerve stimulation, the vasoconstrictive actions of NPY are masked by norepinephrine under intact alpha-adrenoceptor conditions, manifest during alpha-blockade and modulated by KATP channel activity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Role of activation of protein kinase C in the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning through activation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase.

BACKGROUND: We have reported previously that ischemic preconditioning limits infarct size by increasing ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity. Since we have also reported that protein kinase C activation increases ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity in rat cardiomyocytes, we tested whether activation of protein kinase C during ischemic preconditioning contributes to the infarct size-limiting effect through augmentation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity in the canine heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: The coronary artery was occluded four times for 5 minutes with alternating 5-minute periods of reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning). Then the coronary artery was occluded for 90 minutes followed by 6 hours of reperfusion. Infarct size, normalized by the risk area, in the ischemic preconditioning group was smaller than in the control group (42.6 +/- 3.6% in the control group versus 7.9 +/- 1.8% in the ischemic preconditioning group, P < .001). Myocardial ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity was increased after the ischemic preconditioning procedure but the increase in ecto-5'-nucleotidase was attenuated by inhibitors of protein kinase C (polymyxin B and GF109203X). Both polymyxin B and GF109203X blunted the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning (infarct size 33.1 +/- 6.9% and 35.1 +/- 6.4%, respectively). The infarct size-limiting effect was also blunted by an inhibitor of ecto-5'-nucleotidase. Transient administration of methoxamine mimicked the increase in ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity and the infarct size-limiting effect, both of which were abolished by inhibitors of protein kinase C. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that activation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase and protein kinase C contributes to the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Role of activation of ectosolic 5'-nucleotidase in the cardioprotection mediated by opening of K+c channels.

We tested the hypothesis that the opening of ATP-sensitive K+ channels contributes to activation of ectosolic 5'-nucleotidase and the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning. In open-chest dogs, the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded four times for 5 min each, separated by a 5-min period of reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning, n = 8). After this procedure, the coronary artery was occluded for 90 min, followed by 6 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was smaller in this group than in the group (control, n = 8) with a 45 min interval instead of the ischemic preconditioning procedure (40.1 +/- 3.9 vs. 6.4 +/- 1.9%). Glibenclamide blunted the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning (infarct size, 37.3 +/- 5.8%; n = 7), and transient exposures to cromakalim and nicorandil mimicked it [infarct size, 10.1 +/- 3.1 (n = 7) and 11.1 +/- 2.7% (n = 8), respectively]. Ectosolic and cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase activity increased in the ischemic preconditioning group compared with that in the control group; this preconditioning-induced increase in 5'-nucleotidase activity was blunted by glibenclamide (n = 5) and mimicked by cromakalim (n = 5) and nicorandil (n = 5). The infarct size-limiting effect due to cromakalim and nicorandil was blunted by alpha,beta-methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate, an inhibitor of ectosolic 5'-nucleotidase [infarct size, 37.7 +/- 5.6 (n = 9) and 36.8 +/- 4.8% (n = 7), respectively] and 8-sulfophenyltheophylline (infarct size with cromakalim, 44.7 +/- 4.6%; n = 7). We conclude that activation of ectosolic 5'-nucleotidase due to the openers of ATP-sensitive K+ channels contributes to the infarct size- limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Bidirectional effects of aminophylline on myocardial ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Aminophylline blocks adenosine receptors and increases levels of plasma catecholamines. We investigated the effect of aminophylline on myocardial ischemia by varying its severity and attempted to identify the mechanism by which aminophylline modulates myocardial ischemia in the canine model. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 41 open-chest dogs, the left anterior descending coronary artery was cannulated and perfused with blood through a bypass tube from the left carotid artery. When coronary blood flow (CBF) was reduced to 80% of the control, aminophylline increased fractional shortening (FS) from 11.0 +/- 0.4% to 18.5 +/- 1.7% (P < .05) and lactate extraction ratio (LER) from 7.5 +/- 0.1% to 13.6 +/- 1.0% (P < .01). The endocardial to epicardial flow ratio (Endo/Epi ratio) of regional myocardium was also increased. Release of adenosine was increased compared with the nonischemic condition (7 +/- 3 versus 28 +/- 5 pmol/mL). Prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, blunted the aminophylline-induced improvement in contractile and metabolic function. Administration of 8-phenyltheophylline, a selective antagonist of adenosine receptors, did not increase FS, LER, or the Endo/Epi ratio when CBF was reduced to 80% of control. When CBF was reduced to 60% of control, aminophylline did not change the metabolic and contractile function. In contrast, when CBF was reduced to 33% of control, release of adenosine was increased markedly (243 +/- 19 pmol/mL) and aminophylline induced decreases in FS, LER, and Endo/Epi ratio similar to those observed with 8-phenyltheophylline. CONCLUSIONS: Aminophylline had opposite effects on the ischemic myocardium depending on the severity of ischemia. It improved mild ischemia but worsened severe ischemia. The beneficial effect of aminophylline was attributable to alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation, which improves endomyocardial flow in the ischemic myocardium. The deleterious effect was attributable to the aminophylline-induced blockade of adenosine receptors.

Adenosine↗

Modulation of adrenergic coronary vasoconstriction via ATP-sensitive potassium channel.

We examined humoral and/or locally produced vasoactive factors involved in modulating sympathetic coronary vasoconstriction via the ATP-sensitive K (KATP) channel in 42 anesthetized dogs. Glibenclamide (30 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 ic or 0.6 mg.kg-1.min-1 left atrial injection) augmented coronary vascular resistance (CVR) at baseline and during cardiac sympathetic nerve stimulation (2-20 Hz), with a greater increase seen in the subepicardial region than in the subendocardial region both during beta-adrenergic receptor blockade and alpha- and beta-receptor blockade [P < 0.05 and P < 0.05 (n = 6 and 18 dogs), analysis of variance]. In contrast, pinacidil (10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1; n = 8 dogs) suppressed CVR. Glibenclamide enhanced CVR response to locally administered norepinephrine of 0.001-0.1 microgram.kg-1.min-1 (P < 0.05, analysis of covariance; n = 5 dogs) but did not enhance norepinephrine or neuropeptide Y overflow (n = 18 dogs). CVR was not modified by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist [CGRP-(8-37)], 8-phenyltheophylline, or N omega-nitro-L-arginine (n = 11 dogs). Thus sympathetic coronary vasoconstriction is modified by coronary vascular KATP channels with a transmural difference. However, CGRP, adenosine, and endothelial nitric oxide production are not involved in the modulation.

Adenosine↗

Downward shift of coronary pressure-flow relationship following a brief period of ischemia in dogs.

This study was undertaken to test whether a brief period of ischemia affects the coronary pressure-flow relationship during reduction of coronary perfusion pressure (CPP). The left anterior descending coronary artery was cannulated and perfused with blood from the left carotid artery in 40 open-chest dogs. Coronary blood flow (CBF) was measured during intracoronary administrations of papaverine and adenosine. The coronary pressure-flow relationship was assessed during transient reduction of CPP from 100 to 30 mmHg. Coronary hyperemic flow due to adenosine and papaverine was attenuated 30 min after transient 10- and 15-min periods of ischemia. In the group of transient 10-min ischemia, both fractional shortening (FS) and CBF returned to the preischemic values at 30 and 60 min of reperfusion; however, marked decreases in CBF (35 +/- 5 vs. 56 +/- 4 ml.100 g-1.min-1 at CPP = 60 mmHg, P < 0.01) during graded reductions in CPP were observed. The endomyocardial blood flow was reduced relative to the control condition. Furthermore, both FS (6 +/- 1 vs. 14 +/- 1% at CPP = 60 mmHg, P < 0.01) and lactate extraction ratio (-41 +/- 15 vs. 1 +/- 6% at CPP = 60 mmHg, P < 0.05) were decreased. The downward shift of the CPP-CBF relationship and the deterioration of myocardial contractile and metabolic function during reduction of CPP were restored 60 min after the onset of reperfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine↗

Local continuity of myocardial blood flow studied by monochromatic synchrotron radiation-excited x-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

We have developed a monochromatic synchrotron radiation-excited system for two-dimensional mapping of x-ray fluorescence evoked from heavy element-loaded microspheres, which can evaluate myocardial blood flow in small contiguous regions with a small methodological error: 10.8 +/- 2.4% of the average of difference of the dual flow for 7- to 10-mg myocardial tissue (4 dogs). The fractal D value obtained from the slope of the log relative dispersion-log mass plot was 1.21 +/- 0.08 for a voxel size of 7 to 1260 mg (5 dogs) and that for a voxel size of 2.5 to 40 mg (1.12 +/- 0.06) was smaller than that for a voxel size of 40 to 1280 mg (1.25 +/- 0.14, P < .05, ANOVA, 4 dogs). The distance-correlation coefficient relation for paired myocardial regions was attenuated (correlation analysis), and the correlation coefficients between the original grouping and the two aggregates of the adjacent regions were dissociated (extended correlation analysis) under reduction of coronary perfusion pressure (6 dogs). Suppression of myocardial contraction with lidocaine (3 dogs) and vasodilation with adenosine partly improved the distance-correlation coefficient relation under reduced coronary perfusion pressure. Thus, an x-ray fluorescence system designed for precise flow measurement shows that the fractal nature of local flow distribution can be extended into regions smaller than previously reported, that in these regions the flow becomes more homogeneous, and that the self similarity and continuity of local flow are attenuated by the reduction of coronary perfusion pressure and improved by contractile suppression and coronary vasodilation.

Animals↗

Inhibitory effects of nicorandil on sympathetic coronary vasoconstriction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate whether nicorandil suppresses the rise in coronary vascular resistance that occurs during stimulation of the sympathetic nerve supply to the heart and, if so, what are the mechanisms of action. METHODS: The effects of nicorandil on coronary vascular resistance during ventrolateral cardiac nerve stimulation and on the reactivity of the coronary vasculature to intracoronary infusion of noradrenaline or neuropeptide Y (NPY) were examined under beta receptor blockade. The effects of nicorandil on the overflow of noradrenaline and NPY during ansae subclaviae stimulation were compared with those in a control group and in a group treated with glyceryl trinitrate and N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) under both alpha and beta receptor blockade with vagotomy. RESULTS: Intracoronary infusion of nicorandil decreased coronary vascular resistance prior to cardiac nerve stimulation, and during stimulation it suppressed the percentage increase in resistance from the prestimulation value. Nicorandil suppressed the reactivity of the coronary vasculature to exogenous noradrenaline and NPY. Intra-atrial infusion of nicorandil significantly reduced the overflow of NPY but not of noradrenaline during stimulation of the ansae subclaviae at 20 Hz. This suppressive effect was not observed in the glyceryl trinitrate + L-NNA group. CONCLUSIONS: Nicorandil reduces sympathetic coronary vasoconstriction by decreasing the reactivity of the vasculature to sympathetic neurotransmitters and by suppressing NPY overflow during cardiac sympathetic nerve stimulation. The suppressive action on NPY overflow is thought to be due to the opening of ATP sensitive potassium channels in the sympathetic nerve endings rather than to a glyceryl trinitrate-like action of nicorandil.

Animals↗

Visualization of penetrating transmural arteries in situ by monochromatic synchrotron radiation.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating transmural arteries with a diameter of < 500 microns are considered to be a critical vascular component that causes a transmural variation of myocardial blood flow under various pathophysiological conditions. However, the conventional coronary angiographic system is not oriented to the visualization of such small arteries as these. METHODS AND RESULTS: We magnified and monochromatized the inherently narrow beam (3 mm along the vertical direction) of synchrotron radiation by using an asymmetrically cut silicon crystal with 311 reflecting planes to obtain a monochromatic x-ray with relatively large beam size (60 x 25 mm) and with an energy of just above (+130 eV) the K-absorption edge of the contrast materials (33.17 and 37.41 ke V for iodine and barium, respectively). We irradiated dogs or excised hearts with the monochromatic x-ray and obtained coronary angiograms using an image intensifier and video system with a spatial resolution of 170 microns. In the anesthetized dog experiments, we visualized the transmural penetrating arteries (5 to 15 mm in length) arising every 4 to 7 mm from the epicardial branch. Visualization of these arteries filled with heavy element-loaded microspheres (15 microns in diameter) in the excised-heart experiments, in which the monochromatic x-ray was irradiated to the hearts through a 10- to 20-cm acrylic plate, indicated that this system could be used for human patients, in whom body absorption of x-ray is substantial. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary angiogram by means of monochromatic x-ray is useful for a precise evaluation of coronary circulation, both in clinical setting and in physiological animal experiments.

Animals↗

Infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning is blunted by inhibition of 5'-nucleotidase activity and attenuation of adenosine release.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported that ischemic preconditioning increases 5'-nucleotidase activity and adenosine release during ischemia and reperfusion. However, its direct cause-and-effect relation has not been proven. To test the idea that the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning is blunted by inhibition of ectosolic 5'-nucleotidase activity, we assessed 5'-nucleotidase activity, adenosine release, and infarct size caused by sustained ischemia with and without an exposure to alpha,beta,-methylene adenosine 5'-diphosphate (AOPCP) in the ischemia-preconditioned myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 67 open-chest dogs, the left anterior descending coronary artery was cannulated and perfused with an extracorporeal bypass tube from the carotid artery. After hemodynamic stabilization, the coronary artery was occluded four times for 5 minutes separated by 5 minutes of reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning, n = 10). After this procedure, the coronary artery was occluded for 90 minutes followed by 6 hours of reperfusion. Infarct size normalized by the risk area was smaller than the control group (n = 8, 41.0 +/- 2.6% versus 6.8 +/- 1.9%), although there were no significant differences in the endomyocardial collateral flow measured at 80 minutes of ischemia (8.5 +/- 1.1 versus 9.4 +/- 1.0 mL/100 g per minute). Ectosolic and cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase activity and adenosine release were increased during reperfusion in the ischemic preconditioning group compared with the control group, and the activity of ectosolic 5'-nucleotidase was markedly reduced by AOPCP (n = 10). AOPCP affected neither adenosine-induced coronary vasodilation nor increases in myocardial oxygen consumption during an intracoronary infusion of isoproterenol (n = 10). To test whether the increase in 5'-nucleotidase activity decreases infarct size, we infused AOPCP 10 minutes before the ischemic preconditioning procedure and continued for 60 minutes after the onset of reperfusion (n = 8). AOPCP blunted the infarct size-limiting effect (infarct size, 38.8 +/- 4.9%). AOPCP without ischemic preconditioning did not increase infarct size (n = 9). Furthermore, when AOPCP was infused during the ischemic preconditioning procedure (n = 6) or during 60 minutes of reperfusion (n = 6), the infarct size-limiting effect was partially blunted (infarct size, 21.3 +/- 2.5% and 19.5 +/- 2.4%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Increases in ectosolic 5'-nucleotidase activity and adenosine release are primarily responsible for the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning. Exposures to adenosine during the ischemic preconditioning procedure and enhanced release of adenosine during reperfusion synergistically contribute to the infarct size-limiting effects.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Alpha 1-adrenoceptor activation mediates the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning through augmentation of 5'-nucleotidase activity.

We have reported that ischemic preconditioning may limit infarct size by increasing 5'-nucleotidase activity. The present study tested whether alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation in ischemic preconditioning mediates the infarct size-limiting effect through augmentation of 5'-nucleotidase activity. The coronary artery was occluded four times for 5 min separated by 5 min of reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning) in 82 dogs. Then the coronary artery was occluded for 90 min followed by 6 h of reperfusion. Infarct size normalized by risk area was smaller after ischemic preconditioning than in the control group (40.6 +/- 2.3 vs 6.7 +/- 2.0%, P < 0.001), even though no difference existed in endomyocardial collateral flow during ischemia (8.7 +/- 1.0 vs 8.9 +/- 1.0 ml/100 g per min). Ectosolic and cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase activity was increased after ischemic preconditioning. However, prazosin blunted the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning (infarct size: 42.8 +/- 3.7%). Intermittent alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation by methoxamine mimicked the increase in 5'-nucleotidase activity and the infarct size-limiting effect, which were abolished by alpha, beta,-methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate. Identical results were obtained in the conscious model (n = 20). Therefore, we conclude that increases in ectosolic 5'-nucleotidase activity due to alpha 1-adrenoceptor activation may contribute to the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning.

5'-Nucleotidase↗