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P Galbani

Publications and source records attributed to P Galbani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Sulfhydryl redox state affects susceptibility to ischemia and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release in rat heart. Implications for ischemic preconditioning.

We investigated the effect of sulfhydryl and disulfide reagents on ischemic preconditioning and on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release. Isolated working rat hearts were subjected to ischemic preconditioning (three 3-minute periods of global ischemia) or to control aerobic perfusion, which was followed by 30 minutes of global ischemia and 120 minutes of retrograde reperfusion. Necrosis was evaluated on the basis of lactate dehydrogenase release and triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. In parallel experiments, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and [3H]-ryanodine binding were determined before the sustained ischemia. Ischemic preconditioning was associated with protection versus ischemic injury, decreased Ca2+ release and reduced [3H]-ryanodine binding. The disulfide reducing agent dithiothreitol (1 mmol/L) removed the protection provided by ischemic preconditioning, if added to the perfusion buffer either before or after the preconditioning procedure. In preconditioned hearts, dithiothreitol increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and ryanodine binding, whereas in control hearts it had no effect on either tissue injury or sarcoplasmic reticulum function. Perfusion of control hearts with the sulfhydryl blocking agents 4,4'-dithiodipyridine (25 micromol/L) and N-ethylmaleimide (16 micromol/L) increased the resistance to ischemia and reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and [3H]-ryanodine binding. These effects were not additive with those induced by preconditioning. Sulfhydryl and disulfide reagents produced similar effects on Ca2+ release and [3H]-ryanodine binding if added in vitro to preparations obtained from control and preconditioned hearts. We conclude that ischemic preconditioning is associated with the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups involved in the modulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Interaction between gallopamil and cardiac ryanodine receptors.

1. In a sarcoplasmic reticulum fraction obtained from rat hearts, the analysis of equilibrium [3H]-ryanodine binding showed high and low affinity sites (KD = 1.3 nM and 2.8 microM, Bmax = 2.2 pmol mg-1 and 27.8 pmol mg-1). The dissociation rate constant increased at 1 microM vs 4 nM [3H]-ryanodine concentration, and micromolar ryanodine slowed the dissociation of nanomolar ryanodine. 2. The binding of 4 nM [3H]-ryanodine was not affected by gallopamil, while the binding of 100 nM to 18 microM [3H]-ryanodine was partly displaced. Data analysis suggested that gallopamil inhibited low affinity [3H]-ryanodine binding, with IC50 in the micromolar range. 3. Gallopamil decreased the dissociation rate constant of 1 microM [3H]-ryanodine. While gallopamil alone did not affect the dissociation of 4 nM [3H]-ryanodine, gallopamil and micromolar ryanodine slowed it to a greater extent than micromolar ryanodine alone. 4. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the ryanodine receptor is a negatively cooperative oligomer, which undergoes a sequential alteration after ryanodine binding. Gallopamil has complex actions: it inhibits ryanodine binding to its low affinity site(s), and probably modulates the cooperativity of ryanodine binding and/or the transition to a receptor state characterized by slow ryanodine dissociation. These molecular actions could account for the previously reported effect of gallopamil on the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Postischemic changes in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ channels. A possible mechanism of ischemic preconditioning.

We investigated the modifications of cardiac ryanodine receptors/sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release channels occurring in ischemic preconditioning. In an isolated rat heart model, the injury produced by 30 minutes of global ischemia was reduced by preexposure to three 3-minute periods of global ischemia (preconditioning ischemia). The protection was still present 120 minutes after preconditioning ischemia but disappeared after 240 minutes. Three 1-minute periods of global ischemia did not provide any protection. In the crude homogenate obtained from ventricular myocardium, the density of [3H]ryanodine binding sites averaged 372 +/- 18 fmol/mg of protein in the control condition, decreased 5 minutes after preconditioning ischemia (290 +/- 15 fmol/mg, P < .01), was still significantly reduced after 120 minutes (298 +/- 17 fmol/mg, P < .05), and recovered after 240 minutes (341 +/- 21 fmol/mg). Three 1-minute periods of ischemia did not produce any change in ryanodine binding. The Kd for ryanodine (1.5 +/- 0.3 nmol/L) was unchanged in all cases. In parallel experiments, the crude homogenate or a microsomal fraction was passively loaded with 45Ca, and Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release was studied by the quick filtration technique. In both preparations, the rate constant of Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release decreased 5 and 120 minutes after preconditioning ischemia (homogenate values: 19.7 +/- 1.4 and 18.9 +/- 0.9 s-1 vs a control value of 25.4 +/- 1.7 s-1, P < .05 in both cases) and recovered after 240 minutes (23.0 +/- 1.9 s-1). The Ca2+ dependence of Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release was not affected by preconditioning ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Are dihydropyridine receptors downregulated in the ischemic myocardium?

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of ischemia on cardiac dihydropyridine receptors, which correspond to L-type sarcolemmal calcium channels. METHODS: Isolated working rat hearts were perfused aerobically for 10 min, and then subjected to 10-60 min of global ischemia. Control hearts were perfused aerobically for 30 min. [3H]PN 200-110 binding was measured in the unfractionated homogenate, in a crude membrane preparation and in a microsomal fraction. RESULTS: In the homogenate obtained from control hearts, the Kd and Bmax averaged 0.23 +/- 0.05 nM and 84 +/- 4 fmol/mg protein, respectively, and ischemia did not produce any significant change in these variables. Similar results were obtained in the crude membrane preparation (Kd = 0.29 +/- 0.08 nM, Bmax = 113 +/- 7 fmol/mg, yield of binding sites = 98 +/- 6%, no significant change in these variables during ischemia). On the contrary, in the microsomal fraction, the Bmax for [3H]PN 200-110 decreased after ischemia (115 +/- 15 fmol/mg after 20 min of ischemia vs. 190 +/- 34 fmol/mg in the control condition, P < 0.05), without any change in the Kd. In this fraction, the yield for PN 200-110 binding sites was 4.7 +/- 0.6% in the control condition and 2.8 +/- 0.5% after ischemia (P < 0.05). The yield of other sarcolemmal markers such as [3H]quinuclidinyl benzylate and [3H]ouabain binding sites was not reduced in the microsomal fraction obtained ischemic hearts. CONCLUSIONS: The total number of cardiac dihydropyridine binding sites was not downregulated during ischemia, although their distribution after tissue fractionation was slightly modified, possibly reflecting receptor redistribution between different subcellular pools.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effect of ischemia and reperfusion on cardiac ryanodine receptors--sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ channels.

We investigated the effect of ischemia and reperfusion on the cardiac ryanodine receptor, which corresponds to the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ channel. Isolated working rat hearts were subjected to 10 to 30 minutes of global ischemia, followed or not by reperfusion. Ischemia produced significant reduction in the density of high-affinity 3H-ryanodine binding sites, determined either in whole-heart homogenate (Bmax, 220 +/- 22, 203 +/- 12, and 228 +/- 14 fmol/mg protein after 10, 20, and 30 minutes of ischemia versus 298 +/- 18 fmol/mg protein in the control condition; P < .01) or in a fraction enriched in sarcoplasmic reticulum (Bmax, 1.08 +/- 0.15 pmol/mg protein after 20 minutes of ischemia versus 1.69 +/- 0.08 pmol/mg protein in the control condition; P < .01). The Kd (1.5 +/- 0.1 nmol/L) and the Ca2+ dependence of high-affinity 3H-ryanodine binding were not affected by ischemia. The density of low-affinity 3H-ryanodine binding sites was also reduced after 20 minutes of ischemia (14.0 +/- 2.3 versus 34.0 +/- 8.2 pmol/mg protein in the sarcoplasmic reticulum fraction, P < .05), without significant changes in Kd (4.7 +/- 1.2 versus 2.4 +/- 1.0 mumol/L). All these changes persisted after 20 minutes of reperfusion. Analysis of tissue fractions showed that 55% of the ryanodine binding sites were retained in the pellet of a low-speed centrifugation ("nuclear pellet") and that the effects of ischemia concerned only the receptors released in the supernatant ("postnuclear supernatant"). In parallel experiments, we evaluated the effect of ryanodine on oxalate-supported Ca2+ uptake, which represents sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake. As expected, we found that high concentrations of ryanodine stimulated Ca2+ uptake, owing to channel blockade. The response to 900 mumol/L ryanodine was slightly reduced in crude homogenate and significantly reduced in postnuclear supernatant obtained from ischemic hearts. In conclusion, the number of ryanodine receptors is reduced after ischemia; this effect concerns a subpopulation of the receptors, persists after reperfusion, and might contribute to modify sarcoplasmic reticulum function.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Cardiac A2 adenosine receptors--influence of ischaemia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to detect cardiac A2 adenosine receptors through radioligand binding, and to assess the effect of ischaemia on these receptors. METHODS: Isolated working rat hearts were subjected either to aerobic perfusion or to global ischaemia. A membrane fraction was prepared from ventricular tissue, and 3H-5'-N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine (NECA) binding was determined in the presence of N6-cyclopentyl adenosine (CPA). A2 binding was calculated as the fraction of NECA binding displaced by 100 microM CPA but not displaced by 50 nM CPA. RESULTS: Analysis of A2 NECA binding according to single binding site model yielded Kd = 22.0 nM, Bmax = 34.0 fmol.mg-1 in control hearts; Kd = 49.7 nM, Bmax = 44.3 fmol.mg-1 in hearts subjected to 30 min ischaemia (p < 0.05 for difference in Kd). In the control group a two site model provided a significantly (p < 0.05) better fit (Kd = 5.6 and 183.7 nM, Bmax = 9.5 and 64.4 fmol.mg-1 for the high and low affinity sites respectively). The high affinity component of A2 NECA binding disappeared in the presence of the GTP analogue guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate, suggesting the existence of multiple coupling states of the receptor. In the ischaemic group no significant improvement in data fitting was obtained with the two site model. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide evidence of the existence of cardiac A2 adenosine receptors. Ischaemia modifies receptor properties and appears to affect chiefly the high affinity component of A2 binding, possibly by preventing receptor interaction with membrane G proteins.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1992

Effect of gallopamil on cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum.

We investigated the effect of gallopamil on cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function. Heavy SR was prepared from bovine ventricular muscle. Oxalate-supported calcium uptake was stimulated by gallopamil at concentrations ranging from 10 to 300 nM, whereas higher concentrations were ineffective. Peak stimulation averaged 25-30% of control calcium uptake and was observed at free calcium concentrations ranging from 1 to 6 microM. Calcium uptake is actually the difference between active calcium transport by SR calcium-adenosine triphosphate (calcium-ATPase), and passive efflux through SR calcium-release channels. In the presence of 300 microM of ryanodine, a blocker of SR channels, calcium uptake increased by 43% under control conditions, but not further stimulation was produced by gallopamil. SR calcium-ATPase was not affected by gallopamil. Similar results were obtained when oxalate-supported calcium uptake was determined with use of unfractionated homogenate obtained from rat hearts. We conclude that gallopamil acts on SR calcium-release channels and reduces the probability of channel opening and/or channel conductivity. The dose-response curve is bell shaped, and the maximum effect, which corresponds to 65% of the maximum effect of ryanodine, is achieved at therapeutic concentrations. Such action might contribute to the beneficial effect of gallopamil in the treatment of myocardial ischemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Effects of oxygen free radicals on the function of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum].

Peroxidative stress, exerted by oxygen free radicals, seems to be an important mechanism of the ischemia-reperfusion myocardial damage. In the present study we evaluated the modifications of sarcoplasmic reticulum function subjected to peroxidation by ferric ions. A subcellular fraction enriched in sarcoplasmic reticulum was obtained from rabbit hearts by homogenization and differential centrifugations. Sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles were peroxidated through incubation for 5 min at 37 degrees C in presence of ferric cloride (FeCl3) ranging in concentration between 0.3 and 0.9 mM. Peroxidation of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles determined a dose-dependent reduction of Ca-uptake (39.2 +/- 10.3, 36.5 +/- 9.9, 28.9 +/- 8.4 and 18.8 +/- 8.2 nmol/min/mg in presence of 0, 0.3, 0.6 e 0.9 mM FeCl3; NS, p less than 0.05 and less than 0.01, respectively) which was paralleled by an increase in the production of malondialdehyde, an index of lipid peroxidation (1.0 +/- 1.0, 7.0 +/- 3.2, 14.1 +/- 3.9 and 27.0 +/- 4.7 nmol/mg in presence of 0, 0.3, 0.6 e 0.9 mM FeCl3; p less than 0.05, less than 0.01 and less than 0.01, respectively). Depression of Ca-uptake was not accounted for by modifications of Ca-ATPase activity or membrane aspecific permeability to Ca++ ions, since these parameters were not affected by exposure to 0.3-0.9 mM FeCl3. On the contrary, the responsiveness of Ca-release channels to the specific inhibitor ryanodine was greatly altered, even at lower FeCl3 concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effects of verapamil, gallopamil, diltiazem and nifedipine on sarcoplasmic reticulum function in rat heart.

We investigated the effect of the calcium antagonists verapamil, gallopamil, diltiazem and nifedipine on cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum function. In a cell-free homogenate from rat hearts, oxalate-supported Ca uptake was stimulated by verapamil, gallopamil and diltiazem at concentrations in the order of 10 nM to 100 nM, while higher concentrations were ineffective. Nifedipine was also ineffective. Peak stimulation of Ca uptake averaged 15-20% of control. Ca uptake is the difference between active Ca transport by Ca-ATPase and passive efflux through sarcoplasmic reticulum channels. In the presence of 300 microM ryanodine, which blocks sarcoplasmic reticulum channels, Ca uptake increased by 50%, but no further stimulation was produced by the addition of any calcium antagonist, at concentrations ranging from 1 nM to 100 microM. In a fraction enriched in sarcoplasmic reticulum, no drug affected the activity of Ca-ATPase at concentrations able to stimulate Ca uptake. We conclude that low concentrations of verapamil, gallopamil and diltiazem reduce Ca efflux through the Ca channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Such an action might contribute to the clinical effect of these drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Sarcoplasmic reticulum function in the "stunned" myocardium.

Transient ischemia does not induce myocardial necrosis but may be associated with prolonged contractile dysfunction ("stunned" myocardium). It has been suggested that alteration of the excitation-contraction coupling system (sarcoplasmic reticulum) could be responsible for this phenomenon. We tested this hypothesis by characterizing sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function in an isolated rat heart model of "stunned" myocardium (hearts reperfused after 10 min of normothermic global ischemia). At the end of the ischemic period oxalate-supported Ca-uptake was depressed either in the whole homogenate or in isolated SR (to 47% and 22% of control values, respectively). During reperfusion Ca-uptake of the whole heart homogenate recovered almost completely whereas slight but significant depression persisted in isolated SR (48 +/- 2 vs 67 +/- 4 nmol/min x mg, P less than 0.01). In the presence of ruthenium red or ryanodine, two inhibitors of SR Ca-release channels, Ca-uptake was stimulated. Both in the whole heart homogenate and in isolated SR, such stimulation was remarkably smaller after reperfusion than in control conditions (P less than 0.001) suggesting reduced conductivity state of the SR Ca-release channels. Ca-stimulated, magnesium-dependent ATPase activity was remarkably reduced during ischemia and postischemic reperfusion induced only incomplete recovery (93 +/- 18 vs 169 +/- 14 nmol ATP/min x mg protein, P less than 0.05). We conclude that complex modifications of SR function occur in the "stunned" myocardium and could contribute to the contractile impairment found in this condition.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Distribution of beta-adrenergic receptors in different cortical and nuclear regions of cat cerebellum, as revealed by binding studies.

In addition to mossy fibers and climbing fibers, the cerebellum receives NE-containing fibers originating particularly from the locus coerulus complex. Since the neurotransmitter of the coeruleo-cerebellar afferents acts mainly on Purkinje cells through beta-receptors, experiments were performed in cats to study the regional distribution and properties of the beta-adrenoceptors at corticocerebellar level; moreover, attempts were made to identify also the presence of beta-adrenoceptor binding in the cerebellar nuclei underlying the different zones of the cerebellar cortex. (-)-[3H]Dihydroalprenolol, a very potent beta-adrenergic antagonist, was used to characterize the beta-adrenergic receptors. (-)-[3H]DHA bound specifically to membrane preparations from all the cortical and nuclear zones of the cerebellum. In particular, beta-adrenergic receptors showed a high density and affinity in the cerebellar cortex with no significant difference in the medial with respect to the intermediate-lateral cortical area. The cerebellar nuclei showed a lower density of beta-adrenoceptors with a comparable or slightly lower affinity with respect to the cerebellar cortex. However, no difference was observed between the fastigial nucleus and the interposite-dentate nuclei. Scatchard analysis of saturation data revealed the presence of a single population of high affinity binding sites in all the examined regions, while the Hill plots excluded the presence of cooperative effects among the binding sites. Attempts to differentiate in the cerebellum beta 1- and beta 2-receptors by using agents which act as selective beta 1 and beta 2 ligands indicated that (-)-[3H]DHA specific binding in cerebellar cortex and nuclei affects predominantly the beta 2 subtype of adrenoceptors. A comparison between results obtained from the cerebellar cortex and those obtained from the whole cerebral cortex was also made. The whole cerebral cortex showed a lower density but a higher affinity than the cerebellar cortex. Moreover, inhibition of (-)-[3H]DHA binding by selective beta 1 and beta 2 ligands indicated the prevalence of the beta 1 subtype of adrenoceptors at this level.

Alprenolol↗
PubMed1988

A possible role of the creatine phosphate-creatine pool in the regulation of the adenylate pool.

Human lymphoblastoid Raji cells and mouse hybridoma ascites cells incubated with 20 mM creatine showed significant increases in creatine, creatine phosphate and adenine nucleotide levels and in the energy charge. In human erythrocytes in which no variation of the creatine phosphate-creatine pool was observed because of a very low creatine kinase activity, the adenine nucleotide pool and the energy charge were not modified. These observations suggest not only a relationship among the creatine phosphate-creatine pool, the energy charge and the adenylate pool, but also the possibility to increase the energy charge and the adenylate pool in cells with creatine kinase activity by expanding the creatine phosphate-creatine pool.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1986

Evidence of specific benzodiazepine binding to myometrial membrane preparations from human pregnant uterus.

The muscle relaxant effect of benzodiazepines (BDZ) is widely held to be mediated at central as well as at peripheral level. In this study we report that crude membrane preparations from the myometrium of pregnant women possess binding sites for [3H]-RO 5-4864, specific ligand for the peripheral type of BDZ receptor. Scatchard analysis shows a high affinity binding site (KD = 3.1 +/- 1.2 nM) and a class of low affinity binding sites (KD greater than 30 nM). Displacement experiments show that various BDZ are differently effective in inhibiting [3H]-RO 5-4864 binding: RO 5-4864 greater than diazepam greater than flunitrazepam greater than lorazepam greater than chlordiazepoxide. In conclusion, these data seem to demonstrate that human myometrium possesses specific binding sites of 'peripheral type' for BDZ. It may be suggested that these binding sites are involved in mediating the myometrial relaxant effect exerted by BDZ. Thus, peripherally active BDZ could be used as tocolytic agents, avoiding BDZ central effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Effect of creatine phosphate administration on the rat heart adenylate pool.

Creatine phosphate (CP) has been shown to possess some pharmacological properties. When added to cardioplegic solutions it improves their myocardial protection. Furthermore exogenous creatine phosphate shows an anti-arrhythmic effect in the experimental animal and appears to decrease lactate formation following haemorrhagic shock. These properties have been ascribed to the conservation of the tissue stores of ATP. Recently Down et al. have observed higher rat heart levels of ATP and creatine phosphate after the intravenous administration of creatine phosphate. Since it is difficult to find the conditions for an increase of the adenylate pool, it seems of interest to establish whether the ATP increase is due to a rise of the total adenylate pool or of the energy charge or of both. Similarly the higher creatine phosphate concentration may be ascribed to a variation of the CP/creatine ratio or to an increase in the creatine plus CP pool. In the present paper we report that the administration of creatine phosphate raises both the adenylate pool and the energy charge. An increase of creatine and the creatine phosphate pool was also observed.

Adenine Nucleotides↗