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S Ronca-Testoni

Publications and source records attributed to S Ronca-Testoni.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Variations in the purine metabolism of the reperfused heart].

Isolated hearts were subjected to 30 min of aerobic perfusion followed by 10 min of global normothermic ischemia and 40 min of reperfusion. We determined the release of purine catabolites (adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, uric acid) and the incorporation of exogenous 3H-adenosine and 14C-hypoxanthine into cellular nucleotides. Ischemia-reperfusion produced remarkable reduction in the release of purine catabolites, with no significant variation in the incorporation of adenosine and hypoxanthine.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Effect of carnitine and coenzyme Q10 on the calcium uptake in heart sarcoplasmic reticulum of rats treated with anthracyclines.

The effect of the association of carnitine and coenzyme Q10 on doxorubicin cardiotoxicity has been investigated. The two drugs administered to rats for two weeks have lower protective activity when they are administered separately rather than given in association (carnitine 200 mg/kg/day, coenzyme Q10 10 mg/kg/day) for the acute toxic effect of doxorubicin on perfused functioning isolated hearts. The sarcoplasmic reticulum damage measured by calcium-uptake is lower in rat hearts treated with the combined drugs. Deferoxamine and phosphocreatine, two compounds which protect from peroxidative damage due to iron and copper ions, show very strong protection from acute doxorubicin toxicity in isolated perfused hearts. Carnitine and coenzyme Q10 do not protect sarcoplasmic reticulum from iron ions damage, suggesting that their mechanism of protection is not directly related to peroxidation due to metal ion-dependent cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin.

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↗
PubMed1992

Adenosine and carnitine derivatives and calcium movements in rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Many researches indicate that some Ca antagonists modulate Ca fluxes not only at the level of the cytoplasmic membrane but also across the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The present study investigates whether certain compounds like propionylcarnitine or acetylcarnitine which have the capacity to influence cardiac activity might interfere with intracellular Ca movements. The results demonstrate that acetylcarnitine and propionylcarnitine do not affect the calcium intracellular movement in sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Acetylcarnitine↗
PubMed1990

Noradrenergic receptor binding during sleep-waking states in the rat.

It was recently shown that the number of muscarinic receptors in the rat pons undergoes short-term changes which are related to sleep-waking states and may thus play a role in determining their time course. In this study we investigated whether also noradrenergic receptors change in relation to polygraphically documented wakefulness (W), synchronized (S) and desynchronized sleep (D). Brain noradrenergic systems are deeply involved in the control of vigilance states, and a new hypothesis about the function of D has suggested that adrenoceptors would be desensitized or downregulated during W and upregulated during D. We examined the number of alpha 1-, alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptors in the forebrain and the cerebellum, and the number and affinity of alpha 2-receptors in a brainstem region including the locus coeruleus. The results indicate that the number of alpha 1-, alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptors does not change in relation to sleep-waking states either in the forebrain or in the cerebellum, and that the number and the affinity of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in the brainstem are stable as well.

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

Protection of isolated rat heart from oxidative stress by exogenous creatine phosphate.

The influence of exogenous creatine phosphate (CP) on peroxidative heart injury was investigated in two experimental models: isolated working rat hearts and myocardial membrane preparations. In the first model the addition of 190 microM hydrogen peroxide to the perfusion buffer caused a marked decrease of aortic flow, minute work and peak aortic pressure, and leakage of intracellular enzymes. In the presence of 10 mM CP the hemodynamic damage produced by the same concentration of hydrogen peroxide was significantly lower and enzyme release was also remarkably reduced. The protection was concentration-dependent and the whole structure of the molecule was required since creatine was found to be ineffective. In the absence of hydrogen peroxide, CP and creatine did not affect heart performance. In microsomal membrane preparations CP decreased the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive material (malonaldehyde) induced by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ferrous ions. This protection was concentration-dependent and occurred at physiological concentrations of CP. Also in this experimental model creatine had no effect and creatine plus inorganic phosphate was much less active than CP. The influence of CP on oxidative heart stress could account for the beneficial effect of this substance in different models of ischemic injury.

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

Adenosine binding sites in pig ventricular sarcolemma and interaction with calcium channels.

Two classes of adenosine binding sites were identified in pig ventricular sarcolemma using 5'-N-[3H]ethylcarboxamideadenosine ([3H]NECA) as radioligand (Bmax = 88 fmol/mg protein, Kd = 28 nM; Bmax = 7100 fmol/mg protein, Kd = 730 nM). Competition experiments indicated that the higher affinity group had the pharmacological characteristics of the A2 adenosine receptors. The lower affinity binding sites may correspond to the A3 adenosine receptors demonstrated in rat brain. Results with the calcium antagonist [3H]nitrendipine suggest that adenosine exerts some of its effects on the heart also through a direct binding to specific calcium-channel subtypes.

Adenosine↗
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

Interaction of smooth muscle relaxant drugs with calmodulin and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase.

Some smooth muscle relaxant drugs with an unknown mechanism of action have been tested for their interaction with calmodulin and with calmodulin-induced cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. The affinity of these drugs for calmodulin does not parallel their inhibitory effect on the calmodulin activation of PDE. The lack of parallelism could be due to a binding of the drugs to different sites on calmodulin; furthermore a binding of papaverine, octylonium bromide and felodipine to PDE molecule might also be considered to explain their inhibitory effect on PDE basal activity. The myolytic effect of octylonium bromide and pinaverium bromide may be due to their interaction with calmodulin-dependent systems.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗