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Biomedical subjects

R Chahine

Publications and source records attributed to R Chahine.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Antiarrhythmic effects of ceruloplasmin during reperfusion in the ischemic isolated rat heart.

The ability of ceruloplasmin, an important serum antioxidant, to reduce the vulnerability of the isolated rat heart to reperfusion arrhythmias has been investigated. Bovine plasma ceruloplasmin was purified by chromatography on aminoethyl-agarose. Isolated rat hearts were submitted to 15 min of regional ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion. The dose-effect relationship and the role of ceruloplasmin conformational integrity in cardioprotection were established by treatment of ischemic hearts with ceruloplasmin at various concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 microM) and at different degrees of conformational integrity (A610/A280 = 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06), 5 min before reperfusion. Deferoxamine (20-500 microM) was used as a positive control. As negative controls we used chemically inactivated ceruloplasmin (1 microM), heat-denatured ceruloplasmin (1 microM), and albumin (1-4 microM). In the control group during the first 5 min of reperfusion, the incidence of total ventricular fibrillation was 100% and of irreversible ventricular fibrillation was 83%. The incidence of reversible and irreversible ventricular fibrillation was significantly decreased in the ceruloplasmin-treated groups in both a dose and molecular integrity dependent manner. Ceruloplasmin had no effect on the incidence of ventricular tachycardia. Deferoxamine reduced the incidence of ventricular fibrillation to the same degree as ceruloplasmin but at concentrations much higher than those of ceruloplasmin. Chemically inactivated ceruloplasmin, heat-denatured ceruloplasmin, and albumin had no protective effects on reperfusion-induced arrhythmias.

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Protection of myocardial tissue against deleterious effects of oxygen free radicals by ceruloplasmin.

This study describes the carioprotective effect of ceruloplasmin (CAS 9031-37-2) against oxygen free radical injury, as indicated by several biochemical indicators and some cardiodynamic variables. Isolated rat hearts (n = 4-8, p < 0.05, for each experimental point) in Langendorff preparation were exposed to oxygen free radicals generated by electrolysis (10 mA) in the absence and the presence of 0.25 mumol/l purified ceruloplasmin and denaturated ceruloplasmin, in Krebs-Henseleit perfusion solutions. Biochemical indicators (noradrenaline, malondialdehyde, creatine-kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, Ca2+ and Mg2+) as well as the electrocardiogram and the left ventricular pressure (LVP), were altered by oxygen free radicals formation, denoting major cellular and tissular damages in the nontreated hearts. Ceruloplasmin exhibited a cardioprotective effect and prevented the oxygen free radical-induced release of noradrenaline, indicating that it can also protect the sympathetic nerve endings from oxygen free-radical injury. Purified ceruloplasmin, a circulating extracellular antioxidant and oxygen free radical scavenger, seems to be an effective heart protective agent against myocardial and neuronal injuries generated by oxygen free radicals.

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Oxygen-free radicals and myocardial nerve fibers endings.

Previous data from our laboratory have shown that electrolysis-induced oxygen free radicals (OFR) and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury both produced a significant decrease of myocardial noradrenaline (NA) stocks in the isolated perfused rat heart. Therefore, we carried out the present study by immuno- and fluorescence histochemistry techniques to demonstrate the possibility that fibers nerve endings of the heart may be injured and to evaluate the subsequent damages. Isolated rat hearts were perfused according to the Langendorff technique and subdivided into i) control; ii) electrolyzed (two platinum electrodes, DC current, 10 mA, 1 min); iii) xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X-XO) perfusion for 30 min, and iv) 30 min global ischemia followed by 5 min reperfusion. Results indicate that in the last three groups myocardial fibers were altered. However, in electrolyzed hearts and those submitted to X-XO perfusion, but not in the I/R model, a disruption of many of the nerve fibers could be noted. Thus, NA leakage may be due to a neural injury when OFR are generated exogenously, whereas in the I/R model NA overflow may be explained by a metabolic dysfunction such as the inversion of the uptake I carrier. The major conclusion of this study is that OFR as generated exogenously (by electrolysis or by X-XO) cannot be considered to closely mimic the conditions of I/R injury, at least as concerns neural injury.

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Norepinephrine and dihydroxyphenylglycol effluxes from sympathetic nerve endings during hypoxia and reoxygenation in the isolated rat heart.

The present experiments were carried out in isolated rat hearts perfused according to the Langendorff method at a constant pressure of 10 kPa. The aim was to measure norepinephrine (NE) overflow and its deaminated metabolite dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) by changing the composition of the buffer perfusing the heart to simulate hypoxia. When aerobic and glycolytic pathways were simultaneously reduced, NE and DOPEG overflow increased 711 and 145%, respectively, after 30 min, compared with control values of 0.45 +/- 0.06 and 0.66 +/- 0.7 ng.min-1.g-1 of heart (n = 8, p < 0.05). Whereas NE leakage decreased sharply after reoxygenation and glucose addition, DOPEG continued to increase up to 260% after 5 min of normal reperfusion. This mechanism was calcium independent and inhibited by 80% with desipramine (1 microM), confirming the role of the uptake I carrier, which reversed its normal transport direction. Neuropeptide Y, a marker of exocytotic release, did not increase in the perfusate with the progression of hypoxia, which supports the hypothesis of a nonexocytotic release. Tyramine (1 microM) significantly enhanced NE outflow by displacing the amine from its storage vesicles through a calcium-independent mechanism, indicating that a pool of NE was still available. In the presence of 1 microM clorgyline (a monoamine oxidase A inhibitor) but not deprenyl (a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor), NE outflow increased 934% and DOPEG only 40% at 30 min (n = 6, p < 0.05 versus control hearts).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Taurine and myocardial noradrenaline.

Taurine (CAS 107-35-17) is an anticonvulsant used also as an adjunct in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, we studied its effects noradrenergic transmission in the isolated rabbit heart prelabelled with 3H-noradrenaline. At the concentrations of 1 and 10 mmol/l taurine treatment was without effect on the neuronal and extraneuronal uptake of noradrenaline by the myocardial tissue. At the highest concentration, it decreased the spontaneous release of the transmitter and enhanced its catabolism. Without any significant effect on tyramine-induced noradrenaline release, taurine decreased the release of the amine induced by dimethylphenylpiperazinium and nerve stimulation. These results suggested that taurine may reduce the peripheral sympathetic activity by accelerating noradrenaline catabolism and decreasing its release probably via its ability to prevent a rise of intracellular calcium ion.

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Protective effects of bradykinin on the ischaemic heart: implication of the B1 receptor.

1. We studied the role of bradykinin (BK) and its active metabolite Des-Arg9-BK on noradrenaline release in association with the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias at reperfusion of the ischaemic myocardium. 2. Experiments were performed in Langendorff perfused isolated hearts of rats subjected to 30 min no flow followed by 5 min reperfusion. The electrocardiogram was monitored continuously and noradrenaline was measured in the effluent as well as in the myocardial tissue. 3. In untreated hearts, cumulative noradrenaline overflow following global ischaemia reached 226 +/- 35 pmol g-1 of heart (n = 8, P < 0.05) during the 5 min of reperfusion along with ventricular tachycardia and/or fibrillation. A decrease in myocardial noradrenaline (-31%) was also observed. 4. Bradykinin perfused at concentrations between 0.01 and 1 microM, 10 min before flow was stopped and at reperfusion, inhibited noradrenaline overflow in a concentration-dependent manner. At a concentration of 1 microM, bradykinin completely abolished noradrenaline overflow. For the same concentration of bradykinin, myocardial noradrenaline contents were significantly higher (n = 5-8, P < 0.05). Ventricular fibrillation but not ventricular tachycardia was also prevented. 5. Des-Arg9-BK (0.1 microM) in the same experimental conditions had similar effects. While Hoe 140, a selective antagonist at B2 receptors, did not abolish the effects of bradykinin, Lys [Leu8] Des-Arg9-BK, an antagonist at B1 receptors, abolished the effects of both Des-Arg9-BK and bradykinin. 6. These results suggest that the cardioprotective action of bradykinin in the preparation may be mediated partially by an inhibitory effect on noradrenaline liberation which could be mediated by the activation of B1 receptors.

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Effects of glycerol acetonide on adrenergic neurotransmission in isolated rabbit heart.

In the present investigation, the solvent glycerol acetonide (GA, CAS 100-79-8) was added (110 mg/min) to the Tyrode buffer perfusing an isolated rabbit heart preloaded with 14C-noradrenaline (NA). GA inhibits the neuronal uptake of NA but stimulates its spontaneous release. The latter effect was not ascribed to the stimulation of NA biosynthesis or to an inhibition of its catabolism. Moreover GA inhibits the evoked-release of the transmitter by tyramine and dimethyl phenyl piperazinium (DMPP). By stimulating the spontaneous release of NA, GA may induce both a depletion of myocardial stores and an important increase of the transmitter, inhibiting thereby the evoked-release by a negative feed-back mechanism on presynaptic alpha 2 adrenoceptors. Hence, the impact of GA on some steps of the cardiac adrenergic transmission may provide an adequate explanation for its observed hypotensive effect.

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Inotropic and chronotropic effect of glycerol formal on the isolated rabbit heart.

Glycerol formal (CAS 5464-28-8), an organic solvent used to vehicle drugs to target cells, has been shown to possess its own toxicopharmacological properties. The present work was undertaken to study its direct effect on the isolated rabbit heart. At 2.3 and 4.6 mmol/l (bolus) glycerol formal exerted a positive inotropic effect. Upon a perfusion of 4.5 mmol/l/h, the left ventricular pressure and the coronary flow were increased, while at 11 mmol/l/h these two parameters showed a tendency to decrease. Glycerol formal upon a perfusion at 11 mmol/l/h decreased mildly the positive inotropic effect of noradrenaline, and strongly that produced by acetylcholine at a nicotinic dose, while it accentuated the bradycardia induced by acetylcholine at a muscarinic dose. On the contrary it potentiated the stimulant effect of nicotine. The positive inotropic effects of tyramine, dimethylphenylpiperazinium and potassium chloride were decreased showing an inhibition of noradrenaline liberation induced by glycerol formal at the doses used. The action of glycerol formal on agents inducing a positive inotropic effect, except nicotine, and its cardiodepressant effect are probably partly due to its action on the Ca2+ ion.

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Effects of bradykinin and Des-Arg9-bradykinin on the ischemic rat heart.

In isolated rat hearts subjected to 30 min stop flow followed by 5 min reperfusion, Bradykinin (Bk), 1 and 0.1 microM, significantly decreased ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, noradrenaline (NA) output at reperfusion as well as myocardial NA loss and lipid peroxidation, and preserved creatine kinase activity. Des-Arg9-Bk 0.1 microM had also similar effects. Hence, the active metabolite des-Arg9-Bk may be involved in the protective action of Bk, partly mediated by its inhibitory effect on NA liberation.

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Myocardial dysfunction and norepinephrine release in the isolated rat heart injured by electrolysis-induced oxygen free radicals.

In the present investigation, we used electrolysis as a source of oxygen free radicals to test their possible role in norepinephrine release, as well as in the mechanism of cellular injury, cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmias. In the isolated rat heart perfused under constant pressure, according to the Langendorff technique, electrolysis of the Krebs-Henseleit solution (10 mA d.c. current for 1 min) produced myocardial irreversible dysfunction within 5 min. Fifteen minutes after electrolysis, significant falls in the left ventricular pressure (from 87.5 +/- 6.8 to 33.7 +/- 5.2 mmHg), dP/dt max (from 1230 +/- 90 to 375 +/- 59 mmHg/s), heart rate (from 287 +/- 18 to 119 +/- 13.5 beats/min) and coronary flow (from 14.8 +/- 9 to 3.4 +/- 1.7 ml/min) were observed, along with an increase in left ventricular end diastolic pressure from 10 to 50 +/- 3.5 mmHg (n = 8, P less than 0.01). AV conduction block and/or sinus bradycardia were noted in all preparations. An increase in norepinephrine washout from 298.5 +/- 84 at baseline to 610 +/- 110 pg/min/g 5 min after electrolysis was measured (n = 8, P less than 0.05) and a 44.8 +/- 9.2% and 35 +/- 7.5% reduction, respectively in right and left ventricular tissue norepinephrine content was also found at 30 min (n = 5, P less than 0.05). Pretreatment of the hearts 10 min before electrolysis and throughout the experimental period by superoxide dismutase (SOD; 100 U/ml), catalase (150 U/ml), a combination of SOD + catalase or mannitol (50 mM) partially blocked the deleterious effect of free radicals and permitted a functional recovery of 50 to 60%, mannitol being the more potent protective agent. Furthermore, these scavengers also significantly reduced norepinephrine washout.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Myocardial prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 synthetase activities during ischemia and reperfusion in isolated rabbit heart.

The aim of the study was to determine the prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase activities of myocardial tissue and their variation during ischemia and reperfusion. Regional ischemia was induced by 10 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery in isolated Langendorff rabbit hearts. Biosynthesis of PGI2 and TXA2 were carried out by using arachidonic acid as substrate and left ventricle microsomes (LVM) from ischemic and non-ischemic areas as sources of PGI2 and TXA2 synthetase. 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2, stable metabolites of PGI2 and TXA2 respectively, were determined by radioimmunoassay. Experiments carried out under the adopted conditions showed that LVM were able to synthetise PGI2 as well as TXA2 from arachidonic acid. On the other hand, ischemia depressed both PGI2 and TXA2 synthetase activities of cardiac tissue: the depression was more pronounced on TXA2 synthetase than on PGI2 synthetase with no significant difference between ischemic and non-ischemic regions. Moreover, ischemia increased the ratio 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/TXB2 indicating therefore that it can facilitate the formation of PGI2. The post ischemic reperfusion of the heart counteracted the decrease in PGI2 synthetase induced by ischemia which returned to the normal level: reperfusion also slightly reversed the decrease in TXA2 the decrease in TXA2 synthetase. However, the diminution in TXA2 synthetase of non-ischemic myocardium was attenuated but it remained lower than the normal level. These results suggested that the whole left ventricle is affected by regional ischemia. Furthermore it appears that myocardial TXA2 synthetase is more vulnerable than PGI2 synthetase to a lack of oxygen and nutrients.

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Protective effects of ceruloplasmin against electrolysis-induced oxygen free radicals in rat heart.

The potentially injurious effects of oxygen-derived free radicals (OFR) on the myocardium can be prevented in part by pretreatment with OFR scavengers or antioxidants. Since ceruloplasmin (CP) has been shown to possess potent antioxidant activity and scavenge a variety of OFR in vitro, we have undertaken to study its protective effects against myocardial injury induced by OFR. CP was freshly purified by a fast method that minimized proteolytic enzyme degradation. Free radicals were generated by the electrolysis (10 mA DC current for 1 min) of a Krebs-Henseleit solution perfusing an isolated rat heart preparation under constant pressure conditions. CP (0.25 microM) afforded 80 and 63% protection (n = 8, p less than 0.05), respectively, against the deleterious effects of electrolysis-induced OFR on left ventricular pressure and coronary flow. The increase in left ventricular end diastolic pressure used here as an index of heart failure did not occur in the presence of 0.25 microM CP. Moreover, CP significantly reduced the increase of norepinephrine washout in the effluent perfusate after electrolysis suggesting a protection against free radical-induced injury to sympathetic nerve endings.

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Effects of glycerolformal on sympathetic neurotransmission in the isolated rabbit heart.

Glycerolformal (CAS 5464-28-8; a mixture of 1,3-dioxan-5-ol and 1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol) used as an organic solvent or vehicle for drugs has been shown to possess its own toxicopharmacological activities. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effects of glycerolformal on sympathetic neurotransmission in the isolated rabbit heart. At concentrations between 0.05 and 1 mmol/l glycerolformal inhibits both the neuronal and extraneuronal uptake of noradrenaline and its metabolism degradation which could explain the initial positive inotropic action of glycerolformal on the heart by increasing noradrenaline concentration in the synaptic cleft. However, the preponderant effect of glycerolformal was an inhibition of noradrenaline release, resulting in a myocardial depression which may explain the hypotension observed in the anesthetized rat. Hence, it is important to take into account the interference effects of glycerolformal with other molecules, when used as solvent or vehicle for drugs.

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The in vitro effects of nicotine and cotinine on prostacyclin and thromboxane biosynthesis.

The comparative effects of nicotine and cotinine on the biosynthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in the horse aorta and platelet microsomes were studied. TXB2 and 6-keto PGF1a stable metabolites of TXA2 and PGI2 respectively were determined by radioimmunoassay. TXA2 production in the presence of either nicotine or cotinine treatment was not altered. However, a dose dependent inhibition of PGI2 biosynthesis, and a dose dependent stimulation of PGI2 biosynthesis, was observed in the presence of nicotine and cotinine respectively. Moreover, cotinine (10b3 M) was able to prevent the inhibitory effect of nicotine on PGI2 synthetase when preincubated with horse aorta microsomes. It appears that cotinine, the major nicotine metabolite resulting from a breakdown process, could be useful for the organism, at least for the cardiovascular system.

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Comparative effects of some 3-amino 4,6-diarylpyridazines on the biosynthesis in vitro of TXA2 and PGI2- and on the TXA2- and PGI2-synthesizing activities of cardiac tissue.

Some 3-amino 4,6-diarylpyridazine derivatives were tested for their effects on TXA2 and PGI2 biosyntheses in vitro and on the TXA2- and PGI2-synthesizing activities of cardiac tissue. Horse platelet and aorta microsomes were used as sources of thromboxane and prostacyclin synthetases respectively. The TXA2- and PGI2-synthesizing activities of cardiac tissue were studied on isolated perfused rabbit hearts (the heart microsomes being used both as TXA2 synthetase and PGI2 synthetase sources). TXB2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha were determined by RIA. Among the compounds under study, 3-morpholino 4,6-diphenylpyridazine (III) was shown to inhibit specifically the TXA2 synthetase. Substitution of the morpholino group by a dimethylamino one (I) reinforced the inhibiting effects on TXA2 synthetase but it also revealed a slight anti-prostacyclin synthetase action of the molecule. Replacement of 3-morpholino moieties by either a 3-hydrazino (IV), or a 2-dimethylaminoethylamino (V), or a 2-morpholinoethylamino group (VI) abolished completely the effects of the molecule on TXA2 and PGI2 synthetases. Likewise the addition of chlorine on the para-position on the phenyl ring of I neutralized all its inhibitory effects both on TXA2 and PGI2 synthetases in vitro. None of the 3-amino 4,6-diarylpyridazine derivatives was active on either the TXA2- or PGI2-synthesizing activities of cardiac tissue.

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[Pharmalogic effects of benzonitrile on the central nervous system].

The present experiments intended to explore the psychopharmacological properties of benzonitrile on mice. Benzonitrile decreased motility, muscular force and inquisitiveness. The hypnotic effects of chloral and pentobarbital were increased by benzonitrile. The drug antagonized reserpine-induced palpebral ptosis and apomorphine-induced stereotypy. That benzonitrile was more effective against convulsions induced by pentetrazol and electric shock than those induced by strychnine suggested a central site of action. Perhaps benzonitrile interfers with the release or the action of central amines.

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Effects of corticoadrenal extract on haemorrhagic shock-induced perturbation of systemic haemodynamics and general metabolism in anesthetized dogs.

The effects of intravenous administration of corticoadrenal extract on anesthetized dogs subjected to repeated haemorrhagic shock were studied by measuring 10 variables of respiration, general metabolism and systemic haemodynamics. Haemorrhagic shock induced a slowing down of respiratory rate and a decrease in the ventilatory output, stimulated the general metabolism, depressed cardiac performance and provoked a decrease in the total peripheral resistance and elastic resistance of arteries. In the group of animals treated with corticoadrenal extract (10 U/kg/min), the slowing down of respiratory rate was completely abolished as well as the depression of the total peripheral and elastic resistance of arteries. Meanwhile general metabolism was stimulated. These results suggest that corticoadrenal extract protect anesthetized dogs against the hypotension induced by a sudden fall of blood volume.

Adrenal Cortex↗