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Biomedical subjects

W H Koster

Publications and source records attributed to W H Koster.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and the progression of congestive cardiomyopathy. Effects on left ventricular and myocyte structure and function.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials have demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACEI) improves survival in patients with long-term left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. However, it remained unclear from these clinical reports whether the beneficial effects of ACEI were due to direct improvements in LV myocardial structure and function. Accordingly, the overall objective of the present study was to examine the direct effects of ACEI on both LV and myocyte structure and function in the setting of cardiomyopathic disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: LV and isolated myocyte function and structure were examined in control dogs (n = 6), in dogs after the development of dilated cardiomyopathy caused by rapid ventricular pacing (RVP, 216 beats per minute, 4 weeks, n = 6), and in dogs with RVP and concomitant ACEI (RVP/ACEI, fosinopril 30 mg/kg BID, n = 6). LV ejection fraction fell with RVP compared with control values (35 +/- 3 versus 73 +/- 2%, P < .05) and was higher with RVP/ACEI compared with RVP values (41 +/- 4%, P = .048). LV end-diastolic volume increased with RVP compared with control values (78 +/- 7 versus 101 +/- 7 cm3, P < .05) and was lower with RVP/ACEI (82 +/- 3 cm3, P < .05). Isolated myocyte length increased with RVP (182 +- 1 versus 149 +/- 1 micron), and the velocity of shortening decreased (36 +/- 1 versus 57 +/- 1 micron/s) compared with control values (P < .05). With RVP/ACEI, myocyte length was reduced (169 +/- 1 micron) and velocity of shortening was increased (45 +/- 1 micron/s) compared with RVP values (P < .05). Myocyte velocity of shortening after beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation with 25 nmol/L isoproterenol was reduced with RVP compared with control values (142 +/- 5 versus 193 +/- 8 micron/s, P < .05) and significantly improved with RVP/ACEI (166 +/- 6 micron/s, P < .05). In the RVP group, beta-adrenergic receptor density fell 26%, and cAMP production with beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation was reduced 48% from control values. RVP/ACEI resulted in a normalization of beta-adrenergic receptor density and cAMP production. LV myosin heavy-chain content when normalized to dry weight of myocardium was unchanged with RVP (149 +/- 11 mg per gram dry weight of myocardium [gdwt]) and RVP/ACEI (150 +/- 4 mg/gdwt) compared with control values (165 +/- 4 mg/gdwt). LV collagen content decreased with RVP compared with control values (7.6 +/- 0.4 versus 9.6 +/- 0.8 mg per gram wet weight of myocardium [gwwt], P < .05) but was increased with RVP/ACEI (14.4 +/- 1.3 mg/gwwt, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant ACEI with chronic tachycardia reduced LV chamber dilation and improved myocyte contractile function and beta-adrenergic responsiveness. Contributory cellular and extracellular mechanisms for the beneficial effects of ACEI in this model of dilated cardiomyopathy included a normalization of beta-adrenergic receptor function and enhanced myocardial collagen support. The results from this study provide evidence that ACEI during the development of cardiomyopathic disease provided beneficial effects on LV myocyte contractile processes and myocardial structure.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

LV and myocyte structure and function after early recovery from tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.

Left ventricular (LV) function and mass were measured in six conscious dogs at weekly intervals during the progression of tachycardia-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and during a 1-mo recovery period from DCM (post-DCM). LV end-diastolic volume and LV wall stress increased and LV ejection fraction decreased with each week of pacing. Despite the increased LV wall stress, LV mass did not change during the progression of tachycardia DCM. One week post-DCM resulted in an improved LV ejection fraction and normalization of neurohormonal profiles. However, 1 wk post-DCM was accompanied by a 26% increase in LV mass and persistent LV chamber dilation. Isolated myocyte function was examined and compared with that in six normal control dogs. Myocyte percent and myocyte velocity of shortening were 19 and 32% lower, respectively, in the post-DCM group compared with controls. Thus termination of the tachycardia subsequent to the development of DCM resulted in persistent LV chamber dilation and abnormalities in myocyte contractile function. The improved LV pump function with early recovery from tachycardia-induced DCM was mediated by LV hypertrophy and a subsequent reduction in LV wall stress rather than a normalization of LV geometry and myocyte contractile function.

Animals

The new monobactams: chemistry and biology.

The discovery of the monobactams led to the successful development of aztreonam as the first of this novel class of beta-lactam antibiotics to enter the clinical field. Continued structural modification on the monobactam nucleus has resulted in two additional compounds from this class that show interesting biologic properties. The first, SQ 83,360, is like aztreonam in exhibiting high activity against members of the Enterobacteriaceae but has the added characteristic of being exceptionally active against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Also, significant gains are made with SQ 83,360 in activity against Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter. The second compound, tigemonam, is also like aztreonam, having good activity against Enterobacteriaceae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and showing good beta-lactam stability. Tigemonam differs from aztreonam in being well absorbed orally by experimental laboratory animals.

Bacteria

Xylocandin: a new complex of antifungal peptides. II. Structural studies and chemical modifications.

Xylocandins A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1 and D2 are new antifungal peptides isolated from Pseudomonas cepacia ATCC 39277. The molecular weights of the xylocandins were determined by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (A1 m/z 1,215; A2 1,199; B1 1,229; B2 1,213; C1 1,097; C2 1,081; D1 1,083; D2 1,067). Each xylocandin is a cyclic peptide containing glycine, serine, asparagine (1-3 residues), beta-hydroxytyrosine, and an unusual amino acid with the formula C18H37NO5. Additionally A1, A2, D1 and D2 contain 2,4-diaminobutyric acid; A1, B1, C1 and D1 contain erythro-beta-hydroxyasparagine; and A1, A2, B1 and B2 contain xylose. For each xylocandin pair, an erythro-beta-hydroxyasparagine residue in the first component of the pair is thus replaced by an asparagine in the second component, accounting for the 16 dalton mass difference for each pair. Chemical modification of A1 and A2 at the diaminobutyric acid and beta-hydroxytyrosine residues was used to probe structural requirements for activity.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Diastereomeric 7-ureidoacetyl cephalosporins. II. 7beta [[[(Aminocarbonyl) amino]-2-thienylacetyl] amino]-7-methoxy-3-[[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl) thio] methyl]-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo [4.2.0] oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid.

The synthesis and antibacterial activity in vitro of 7-methoxylated cephalosporins having a thienylureidoacetyl or a thienylglycyl C-7 side-chain are described. Acylation of 7 beta-amino-7-methoxycephems with a novel 2-aminooxazolone hydrochloride under neutral conditions gave the thienylureidoacetyl derivatives in good yield with retention of configuration. 7 beta-[[D-[(Aminocarbonyl)amino]-2-thienylacetyl]amino]-7-methoxy-3-[[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)thio] methyl]-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid sodium salt (SQ 14,359) was found to have a broad-spectrum of antibacterial activity in vitro, particularly against beta-lactamase-producing organisms.

Bacteria