Anoxia-induced Increase Research Articles

Angiotensin dependent and angiotensin independent protective effects of renin-b in H9c2 cells after anoxia

The renin-angiotensin system is known to regulate blood pressure as well as water- and electrolyte balance. An activated RAS is involved in the development of hypertension and hypertension-related organ damage. Thus, inhibitors of the RAS are protective and markedly increasing the life span of patients. In contrast, renin transcripts have been discovered encoding a cytoplasmatic renin isoform, termed renin-b, which is not harmful but may be even protective. Here we demonstrate that depletion of renin-b encoding transcripts by small interference RNA decreased ATP levels and increased basal necrosis as well as apoptosis rates. Furthermore, renin-b depletion potentiated the anoxia-induced increase of necrosis rates. Vice versa, overexpression of renin-b prevented the anoxia-induced increase of caspase-mediated apoptosis rates. Besides, cells overexpressing renin-b exhibited even reduced mitochondrial mediated apoptosis rates under anoxia, when compared with normoxic conditions, as indicated by Annexin V labeling. However, whereas the protective effect of renin-b on caspase-mediated apoptosis was completely blocked by the renin inhibitor CH732, the effect on mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis was not affected by CH732 at all. From these data we conclude that renin-b overexpression mediates cardioprotective effects under anoxia with respect to mitochondrial induced apoptosis angiotensin-independently, but with respect to caspase induced apoptosis likely in an angiotensin-dependent manner.

Hypobaric Preconditioning Modifies Group I mGluRs Signaling in Brain Cortex.

The study assessed involvement of Ca(2+) signaling mediated by the metabotropic glutamate receptors mGluR1/5 in brain tolerance induced by hypoxic preconditioning. Acute slices of rat piriform cortex were tested 1 day after exposure of adult rats to mild hypobaric hypoxia for 2 h at a pressure of 480 hPa once a day for three consecutive days. We detected 44.1 ± 11.6 % suppression of in vitro anoxia-induced increases of intracellular Ca(2+) levels and a fivefold increase in Ca(2+) transients evoked by selective mGluR1/5 agonist, DHPG. Western blot analysis of cortical homogenates demonstrated a 11 ± 4 % decrease in mGluR1 immunoreactivity (IR), and in the nuclei-enriched fraction a 12 ± 3 % increase in IR of phospholipase Cβ1 (PLCβ1), which is a major mediator of mGluR1/5 signaling. Immunocytochemical analysis of the cortex revealed increase in the mGluR1/5 and PLCβ1 IR in perikarya, and a decrease in IR of the neuronal inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs). We suggest that enhanced expression of mGluR5 and PLCβ1 and potentiation of Ca(2+) signaling may represent pro-survival upregulation of Ca(2+)-dependent genomic processes, while decrease in mGluR1 and IP3R IR may be attributed to a feedback mechanism preventing excessive intracellular Ca(2+) release.

Anoxia induces Ca2+ influx and loss of cell membrane integrity in rat extensor digitorum longus muscle

Anoxia can lead to skeletal muscle damage. In this study we have investigated whether an increased influx of Ca2+, which is known to cause damage during electrical stimulation, is a causative factor in anoxia-induced muscle damage. Isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from 4-week-old Wistar rats were mounted at resting length and were either resting or stimulated (30 min, 40 Hz, 10 s on, 30 s off) in the presence of standard oxygenation (95% O2, 5% CO2), anoxia (95% N2, 5% CO2) or varying degrees of reduced oxygenation. At varying extracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]o), 45Ca influx and total cellular Ca2+ content were measured and the release of lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) was determined as an indicator of cell membrane leakage. In resting muscles, incubated at 1.3 mM Ca2+, 15-75 min of exposure to anoxia increased 45Ca influx by 46-129% (P<0.001) and Ca2+ content by 20-50% (P<0.001). Mg2+ (11.2 mM) reduced the anoxia-induced increase in 45Ca influx by 43% (P<0.001). In muscles incubated at 20 and 5% O2, 45Ca influx was also stimulated (P<0.001). Increasing [Ca2+]o to 5 mM induced a progressive increase in both 45Ca uptake and LDH release in resting anoxic muscles. When electrical stimulation was applied during anoxia, Ca2+ content and LDH release increased markedly and showed a significant correlation (r2=0.55, P<0.001). In conclusion, anoxia or incubation at 20 or 5% O2 leads to an increased influx of 45Ca. This is associated with a loss of cell membrane integrity, possibly initiated by Ca2+. The loss of cell membrane integrity further increases Ca2+ influx, which may elicit a self-amplifying process of cell membrane leakage.

Cellular model for induction of drip loss in meat.

Drip loss from porcine muscle (M. longissimus dorsi) contained high concentrations of K(+) ( approximately 135 mM) and organic osmolytes, for example, taurine ( approximately 15 mM), as well as significant amounts of protein ( approximately 125 mg.mL(-1)). Thus, the drip reflects release of intramuscular components. To simulate events taking place at the time of slaughter and leading to release of osmolytes and subsequent formation of drip loss, C2C12 myotubes were exposed to anoxia and reduction in pH (from 7.4 to 6.0). Anoxia and acidification increased the cellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) at a rate of 22-32 nM.min(-)(1). The anoxia-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i) was mainly due to influx via sarcolemmal Na(+) channels. As mammalian cells swell and release lysophospholipids during anoxia, C2C12 cells and primary porcine muscle cells were exposed to either hypotonic shock or lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and the release of taurine was followed. The swelling-induced taurine efflux was blocked in the presence of the anion channel blocker (DIDS), the 5-lipooxygenase inhibitors (ETH 615-139 and NDGA) but unaffected by the presence of vitamin E. In contrast, the LPC-induced taurine release was unaffected by DIDS but abolished by antioxidants (butylated hydroxytoluene and vitamin E). Thus, stress-induced taurine release from muscles may precede by two different mechanisms, one being 5-lipooxygenase dependent and the other involving generation of reactive oxygen species. A model for the cellular events, preceding formation of drip in meat, is presented.

Effect of anoxia and adenosine on cerebral blood flow in the leopard frog (Rana pipiens)

The effect of anoxia on cerebral blood velocity (CBV) on the dorsal surface of telencephalon was examined in the leopard frog, Rana pipiens, using a stereomicroscope. During exposure to anoxia, a transient 228% increase in CBV velocity was seen after 20 min, but CBV fell back to basal values after a further 20 min of anoxia. Topical application of 50 μM adenosine during normoxia caused a 52% increase in CBV, while 250 μM adenosine caused no further increase. At both concentrations, the effect was completely inhibited by the adenosine receptor blocker aminophylline (250 μM). Superfusing the brain with aminophylline during anoxia did not affect the anoxia-induced increase in CBV. We conclude that adenosine can stimulate CBV in R. pipiens. However, unlike in other anoxia-tolerant animals, adenosine seems not to be a main mediator of the anoxia induced increase in CBV in the frog.

Selected Contribution: Improved anoxic tolerance in rat diaphragm following intermittent hypoxia.

Intermittent hypoxia (IH), associated with obstructive sleep apnea, initiates adaptive physiological responses in a variety of organs. Little is known about its influence on diaphragm. IH was simulated by exposing rats to alternating 15-s cycles of 5% O2 and 21% O2 for 5 min, 9 sets/h, 8 h/day, for 10 days. Controls did not experience IH. Diaphragms were excised 20-36 h after IH. Diaphragm bundles were studied in vitro or analyzed for myosin heavy chain isoform composition. No differences in maximum tetanic stress were observed between groups. However, peak twitch stress (P < 0.005), twitch half-relaxation time (P < 0.02), and tetanic stress at 20 or 30 Hz (P < 0.05) were elevated in IH. No differences in expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms or susceptibility to fatigue were seen. Contractile function after 30 min of anoxia (95% N2-5% CO2) was markedly preserved at all stimulation frequencies during IH and at low frequencies after 15 min of reoxygenation. Anoxia-induced increases in passive muscle force were eliminated in the IH animals (P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that IH induces adaptive responses in the diaphragm that preserve its function in anoxia.

The cardiovascular responses of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta) acclimated to either 22 or 5 degrees C. II. Effects of anoxia on adrenergic and cholinergic control.

Cardiovascular control in cold-acclimated freshwater turtles during chronic anoxic exposure is not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that the observed bradycardia in Trachemys scripta results from increased cholinergic inhibitory tone and reduced sympathetic activity. Cardiovascular status was measured in vivo in turtles acclimated to either 22 degrees C or 5 degrees C and either acutely exposed (6 h) to anoxia at 22 degrees C or chronically exposed (22 days) to anoxia at 5 degrees C. In 22 degrees C-acclimated turtles, injection of the cholinergic antagonist atropine induced a significant tachycardia under both normoxic and anoxic conditions. However, in 5 degrees C-acclimated turtles, atropine injection had little effect on heart rate. Therefore, cholinergic control of heart rate was suppressed during cold acclimation; instead, temperature effects are more important in bringing about bradycardia, while the intrinsic effects of anoxia and acidosis are probably important during chronic anoxia. Injection of adrenaline caused a pressor response through increased systemic resistance at both acclimation temperatures. This response was blunted by acute and chronic anoxic exposure, suggesting that systemic vasomotor control was altered independently of acclimation temperature. This anoxic blunting may be related in part to the anoxia-induced increase in systemic resistance. Injection of nadolol after atropine decreased systemic cardiac output. The tonic beta-adrenergic cardiac stimulation was attenuated by acute and chronic anoxic exposure. Some of this attenuation of beta-adrenergic control could be attributed to the 39-40 % reduction in cell surface beta-adrenoreceptor density in the ventricles of these turtles that accompanied acute and chronic anoxic exposure. In conclusion and contrary to our original hypothesis, cholinergic and adrenergic control of the cardiovascular system in turtles was attenuated under cold anoxic conditions, perhaps assisting in the depressed physiological state of these animals.

Chronic hypoxia reduces adenosine A2A receptor-mediated inhibition of calcium current in rat PC12 cells via downregulation of protein kinase A.

1. Adenosine has been shown to decrease Ca2+ current (ICa) and attenuate the hypoxia-induced enhancement of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in oxygen-sensitive rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells. These effects are mediated via the adenosine A2A receptor and protein kinase A (PKA). The current study was undertaken to determine the effects of adenosine on Ca2+ current and hypoxia-induced change in [Ca2+]i during chronic hypoxia. 2. Whole cell patch-clamp studies revealed that the effect of adenosine on ICa was significantly reduced when PC12 cells were exposed to hypoxia (10 % O2) for 24 and 48 h. 3. Ca2+ imaging studies using fura-2 revealed that the anoxia-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was significantly enhanced when PC12 cells were exposed to 10 % O2 for up to 48 h. In contrast, the inhibitory effects of adenosine on anoxia-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i was significantly blunted in PC12 cells exposed to hypoxia for 48 h. 4. Northern blot analysis revealed that mRNA for the A2A receptor, which is the only adenosine receptor subtype expressed in PC12 cells, was significantly upregulated by hypoxia. Radioligand binding analysis with [3H]CGS21680, a selective A2A receptor ligand, showed that the number of adenosine A2A receptor binding sites was similarly increased during exposure to 10% O2 for 48 h. 5. PKA enzyme activity was significantly inhibited when PC12 cells were exposed to 10% O2 for 24 and 48 h. However, we found that hypoxia failed to induce change in adenosine- and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase enzyme activity. Chronic hypoxia also did not alter the immunoreactivity level of the G protein Gsalpha, an effector of the A2 signalling pathway. 6. Whole cell patch-clamp analysis showed that the effect of 8-bromo-cAMP, an activator of PKA, on ICa was significantly attenuated during 48 h exposure to 10% O2.7. We conclude therefore that the reduced effect of adenosine on ICa and [Ca2+]i in PC12 cells exposed to chronic hypoxia is due to hypoxia-induced downregulation of PKA. This mechanism may serve to reduce the negative feedback on ICa and [Ca2+]i by adenosine and therefore maintain enhanced membrane excitability of PC12 cells during long-term hypoxia.

Nitric oxide modulates synaptic glutamate release during anoxia

The ability of nitric oxide to enhance vesicular glutamate release during anoxia was examined in the present study. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were obtained from CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal slices perfused in media containing tetrodotoxin. These cells exhibit spontaneous inward currents previously identified as glutamatergic miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). The frequency of these mEPSCs increases during exposure to anoxia. The anoxia-induced increase in frequency is reduced when experiments are performed in the presence of the competitive nitric oxide (NO)-synthase inhibitors N G-nitro- l-arginine methyl ester and N G-nitro- l-arginine, as well as reduced hemoglobin. Arginine reversed the suppression by the NO-synthase inhibitors. The N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists 3-(2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)propyl-l-phosphonic acid and MK-801 also suppressed the anoxia-induced increase in mEPSC frequency. These data indicate that NMDA receptor-activated NO production may enhance vesicular synaptic glutamate release, which would in turn contribute to excitotoxicity during hypometabolic states.

The Protective Action of Tetrodotoxin and (±)-Kavain on Anaerobic Glycolysis, ATP Content and Intracellular Na+ and Ca2+ of Anoxic Brain Vesicles

Because recent reports point to Na+ channel blockers as protective agents directed against anoxia-induced neuronal damage including protection of anaerobic glycolysis, the influences of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and (±)-kavain on anoxic rat brain vesicles were investigated with respect to lactate synthesis, vesicular ATP content and cytosolic free Na+ and Ca2+ ([Na+]i, [Ca2+]i), both of the latter determined fluorometrically employing SBFI and FURA-2, respectively. After anoxia, basal lactate production was increased from 2.9 to 9.8 nmol lactate/min/mg protein. Although lactate synthesis seemed to be stable for at least 45 min of anoxia, as deduced from the linearity of lactate production, the ATP content declined continuously with a half life (τ12) af 14.5 min, indicating that anaerobic glycolysis was insufficient to cover the energy demand of anoxic vesicles. Correspondingly, [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i increased persistently after anoxia by 22.1 mmol/l Na+ and 274.9 nmol/l Ca2+, determined 6.3 min after onset. An additional stimulation of vesicles with veratridine accelerated the drop of ATP (τ12 = 5.1 min) and provoked a massive Na+ overload, which levelled off to 119 mmol/l Na+ within a few minutes. Concomitantly, [Ca2+]i increased linearly with a rate of 355 nmol Ca2+/l/min. Despite the massive perturbation of ion homeostasis, lactate production was unaffected during the first 8 min of veratridine stimulation. However, complete inhibition of lactate synthesis took place 30 min after veratridine was added. The Na+ channel blockers TTX and (±)-kavain, if applied before anoxia, preserved vesicular ATP content, diminished anoxia-induced increases in [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i and prevented both the veratridine-induced increases of [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i and the inhibition of lactate production. The data indicate a considerable Na+ influx via voltage-dependent Na+ channels during anoxia, which speeds up the decline in ATP and provokes an increase in [Ca2+]i. A massive Na+ and Ca2+ overload induced by veratridine failed to influence lactate synthesis directly, but initiated its inhibition. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Continuous enzyme-linked fluorometric detection of l-(+)-lactate released from rat brain vesicles under anoxic conditions

A method is described for the on-line detection of l-(+)-lactate released from brain vesicles under physiological conditions. The principle of l-lactate detection is based on the reversible oxidation of l-lactate catalysed by l-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) employing 3-acetylpyridine-adenine-dinucleotide (APAD) as analogue of NAD according to the reaction: l-lactate + APAD ⇌ pyruvate + APADH. In practical terms, l-lactate synthesis of vesicles incubated in the presence of LDH and APAD was continuously followed by the fluorescence (490 nm) of APADH excited at 410 nm. Addition of a l-lactate standard (10 μmol/l) enhanced APADH fluorescence with a half-life of 6.0 ± 0.6 s allowing us to uncover a short-term alteration of l-lactate synthesis. This method was applied to evaluate a prospective change of l-lactate generation caused by the anoxia-induced increase in intravesicular Na + and Ca 2+ concentration ([Na +] i, [Ca 2+] i), both fluorometrically determined by SBFI and Fura, respectively. Upon anoxia, [Na +] i and [Ca 2+] i increased continuously up to 40 mmol/l Na + and 900 nmol/l Ca 2+ within 400 s. Concurrently, intravesicular NADH ([NADH] i) and basal l-lactate synthesis were enhanced within a few seconds, the latter from 4.2 ± 1.5 to 15.8 ± 1.5 nmol l-lactate/min per mg protein. Incubation of vesicles in the presence of 10 μmol/l tetrodotoxin (TTX) suppressed the increase in [Na +] i and [Ca 2+] i but failed to influence l-lactate synthesis. The data indicate a continuous Na + influx via voltage-dependent Na + channels accompanied by an increase in [Ca 2+] i during anoxia which did not affect anaerobic l-lactate synthesis. The method of fluorometric l-lactate determination was confirmed to be suitable for the detection of l-lactate released under physiological conditions from brain vesicles and seems to be applicable to various cell models.

Mechanisms of Injury‐Induced Calcium Entry into Peripheral Nerve Myelinated Axons: Role of Reverse Sodium‐Calcium Exchange

To investigate the route of axonal Ca2+ entry during anoxia, electron probe x-ray microanalysis was used to measure elemental composition of anoxic tibial nerve myelinated axons after in vitro experimental procedures that modify transaxolemmal Na+ and Ca2+ movements. Perfusion of nerve segments with zero-Na+/Li(+)-substituted medium and Na+ channel blockade by tetrodotoxin (1 microM) prevented anoxia-induced increases in Na and Ca concentrations of axoplasm and mitochondria. Incubation with a zero-Ca2+/EGTA perfusate impeded axonal and mitochondrial Ca accumulation during anoxia but did not affect characteristic Na and K responses. Inhibition of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange with bepridil (50 microM) reduced significantly the Ca content of anoxic axons although mitochondrial Ca remained at anoxic levels. Nifedipine (10 microM), an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, did not alter anoxia-induced changes in axonal Na, Ca, and K. Exposure of normoxic control nerves to tetrodotoxin, bepridil, or nifedipine did not affect axonal elemental composition, whereas both zero-Ca2+ and zero-Na+ solutions altered normal elemental content characteristically and significantly. The findings of this study suggest that during anoxia, Na+ enters axons via voltage-gated Na+ channels and that subsequent increases in axoplasmic Na+ are coupled functionally to extraaxonal Ca2+ import. Intracellular Na(+)-dependent, extraaxonal Ca2+ entry is consistent with reverse operation of the axolemmal Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, and we suggest that this mode of Ca2+ influx plays a general role in peripheral nerve axon injury.

Time course of anoxia-induced increase in cerebral blood flow rate in turtles: evidence for a role of adenosine.

The exceptional ability of the turtle brain to survive prolonged anoxia makes it a unique model for studying anoxic survival mechanisms. We have used epi-illumination microscopy to record blood flow rate in venules on the cortical surface of turtles (Trachemys scripta). During anoxia, blood flow rate increased 1.7 times after 45-75 min, whereupon it fell back, reaching preanoxic values after 115 min of anoxia. Topical superfusion with adenosine (50 microM) during normoxia caused a 3.8-fold increase in flow rate. Superfusing the brain with the adenosine receptor blocker aminophylline (250 microM) totally inhibited the effects of both adenosine and anoxia, while aminophylline had no effect on normoxic flow rate. None of the treatments affected systemic blood pressure. These results indicate an initial adenosine-mediated increase in cerebral blood flow rate during anoxia, probably representing an emergency response before deep metabolic depression sets in.

Anoxia and adenosine induce increased cerebral blood flow rate in crucian carp

The crucian carp (Carassius carassius) has the rare ability to survive prolonged anoxia, indicating an extraordinary capacity for glycolytic ATP production, especially in a highly energy-consuming organ like the brain. For the brain to be able to increase its glycolytic flux during anoxia and profit from the large liver glycogen store, an increased glucose delivery from the blood would be expected. Nevertheless, the effect of anoxia on brain blood flow in crucian carp has never been studied previously. We have used epireflection microscopy to directly observe and measure blood flow rate on the brain surface (optic lobes) during normoxia and anoxia in crucian carp. We have also examined the possibility that adenosine participates in the regulation of brain blood flow rate in crucian carp. The results showed a 2.16-fold increase in brain blood flow rate during anoxia. A similar increase was seen after topical application of adenosine during normoxia, while adenosine was without effect during anoxia. Moreover, superfusing the brain with the adenosine receptor blocker aminophylline inhibited the effect of anoxia on brain blood flow rate, clearly suggesting a mediatory role of adenosine in the anoxia-induced increase in brain blood flow rate.

Anoxia-induced increases in intracellular calcium concentration in primary cultures of rabbit thick ascending limb of Henle's loop

The effect of anoxia on intracellular Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+] i) in primary cultures of medullary (mTAL) and cortical (cTAL) thick ascending limb of Henle's loop was investigated. Previously, we reported a method to monitor [Ca 2+] i continuously in cultured proximal tubule cells during 1 h of anoxic incubation in the absence of glycolytic substrates [1]. Complete absence of O 2 was realised by inclusion of a mixture of oxygenases in an anoxic chamber. As a result of substrate-free anoxia, [Ca 2+] i started to rise in individual cells of mTAL and cTAL monolayers and reached maximal levels within 60 min after starting the anoxic incubation. Anoxia induced significant increases in [Ca 2+] i from 76 ± 1 ( n = 176) to 469 ± 18 nM ( n = 203) in mTAL monolayers and from 58 ± 1 ( n = 91) to 442 ± 27 nM ( n = 106) in cTAL monolayers ( P < 0.05). At the re-introduction of oxygen and glucose, elevated [Ca 2+] i rapidly declined to 110 ± 4 ( n =167) and 105 ± 5 nM ( n = 87) in mTAL and cTAL, respectively ( P < 0.05). Removal of extracellular Ca 2+ and addition of 0.1 mM La 3+ partially prevented anoxia-induced increase in [Ca 2+] i in both cell types. The L-type Ca 2+ channel blocker D600 (1 μM) was as effective as Ca 2+ removal and La 3+ addition. Comparing mTAL and cTAL cells, only one difference was consistently observed. Prevention of Ca 2+ influx by exposure to La 3+ combined with Ca 2+ removal or addition of 1 μM D600 had a greater inhibitory effect on anoxic [Ca 2+] i values in mTAL than in cTAL monolayers, indicative of a larger role of Ca 2+ influx through L-type Ca 2+ channels in anoxia-induced increases in [Ca 2+] i in the former cell type. In conclusion, substrate-free anoxia reversibly increases [Ca 2+] i in primary cultures of cTAL and mTAL, which results from Ca 2+ release from stores as well as from Ca 2+ influx via D600-sensitive Ca 2+ channels.

Effects of Ca2+ channel blockers, low Ca2+ medium and glycine on cell Ca2+ and injury in anoxic rabbit proximal tubules

L-type Ca2+ channel blockers (CCBs) have been shown to be protective against ischemia-induced injury of the kidney, suggesting that increased intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) play an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic cell injury. To assess the role of [Ca2+]i in anoxic injury of the proximal tubule (PT) and the protective effect of CCBs, digital imaging fluorescence microscopy was used to monitor [Ca2+]i in individual PT cells during 60 minutes of anoxia. [Ca2+]i started to rise within 10 minutes and reached maximal levels between 30 to 45 minutes of anoxia. The onset of this increase and the maximal levels reached varied markedly among individual cells. The mean values for initial and maximal anoxic [Ca2+]i were 109 +/- 2 (N = 209) and 422 +/- 14 (N = 240) nM, respectively. Methoxyverapamil (D600; 1 microM) significantly reduced anoxic [Ca2+]i to 122 +/- 5 nM (P < 0.05; N = 79). Removal of extracellular Ca2+ completely abolished anoxia-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, confirming that these increases in [Ca2+]i result from Ca2+ influx. During 60 minutes of anoxia, PT cells showed a gradual decrease in cell viability to 54 +/- 2%. D600 (1 microM) significantly increased cell viability to 64 +/- 3% (P < 0.05). Glycine (5 mM), however, increased cell viability to 77 +/- 4% without a significant reduction in anoxic [Ca2+]i levels. Low Ca2+ medium only protected when 0.1 mM La3+ was included, a condition which increased cell viability to 82 +/- 5%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arachidonic acid participates in the anoxia-induced increase in mEPSC frequency in CA1 neurons of the rat hippocampus

Patch clamp in the whole cell configuration was used to examine the effects of a variety of agents that influence arachidonic acid metabolism on vesicular glutamate release in CA1 neurons of rat hippocampal slices. As previously demonstrated, anoxia induced a significant increase in the frequency of spontaneous glutamate-mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) during the first 5 min following anoxia. This increase in frequency was almost completely abolished if slices were preincubated in artificial cerebral spinal fluid (ACSF) containing the phospholipase C/A 2 inhibitor, bromophenacyl-bromide (BPB; 20 μM) or the cyclooxygenase inhibitors, indomethacin (20 μM) and piroxicam (10 μM). This observation may be important to our understanding of the neuroprotective action of these agents. These data suggest that arachidonic acid (AA) and its cyclooxygenase products or by-products (oxygen free radicals) contribute to vesicular glutamate release during the early phase of anoxia.

Early anoxia-induced vesicular glutamate release results from mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores.

1. The cause of the increased frequency of glutamatergic miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) resulting from anoxia was investigated in CA1 neurons of the in vitro rat hippocampal slice. These neurons were examined by whole-cell patch-clamp recording, and hypoxia was induced by switching the perfusion of the slice from oxygenated artificial cerebral spinal fluid (ACSF) to ACSF saturated with 95% N2-5% O2. Except where noted, experiments were carried out in ACSF containing 1 microM tetrodotoxin (TTX). 2. Although anoxia resulted in a significant increase in the frequency of mEPSCs, the amplitude, rise time, and half-decay time of the mEPSCs were unchanged. This increase in frequency indicates that there is a change in presynaptic neurotransmitter release mechanisms, probably an increase in calcium concentration, soon after the onset of anoxia. The unchanged kinetics and amplitude of the mEPSCs indicate that anoxic-induced synaptic changes are not a result of changes in the postsynaptic glutamate receptor. 3. When hippocampal slices were exposed to anoxic conditions in ACSF with calcium excluded, an increase in mEPSC frequency equal to that in normal ACSF was observed. When 0.2 mM of CdCl2 was added to the zero-calcium ACSF, anoxia still resulted in increases in mEPSC frequency equal to those of normal ACSF. It is therefore concluded that the anoxia-induced increase in mEPSC frequency does not result from an increase in a transmembrane calcium influx. The zero-calcium plus 0.2 mM CdCl2 ACSF solution completely abolished orthodromically elicited synaptic potential (in the absence of TTX), indicating that calcium currents that mediate normal orthodromic transmitter release were completely abolished in the latter experiments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of L-type Ca2+ channel blockers on anoxia-induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in rabbit proximal tubule cells in primary culture

Ca2+ channel blockers (CCB) have been shown to be protective against ischaemic damage of the kidney, suggesting an important role for intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in generating cell damage. To delineate the mechanism behind this protective effect, we studied [Ca2+]i in cultured proximal tubule (PT) cells during anoxia in the absence of glycolysis and the effect of methoxyverapamil (D 600) and felodipine on [Ca2+]i during anoxia. A method was developed whereby [Ca2+]i in cultured PT cells could be measured continuously with a fura-2 imaging technique during anoxic periods up to 60 min. Complete absence of O2 was realised by inclusion of a mixture of oxygenases in an anoxic chamber. [Ca2+]i in PT cells started to rise after 10 min of anoxia and reached maximal levels at 30 min, which remained stable up to 60 min. The onset of this increase and the maximal levels reached varied markedly among individual cells. The mean values for normoxic and anoxic [Ca2+]i were 118 +/- 2 (n = 98) and 662 +/- 22 (n = 160) nM, respectively. D 600 (1 microM), but not felodipine (10 microM), significantly reduced basal [Ca2+]i in normoxic incubations. During anoxia 1 microM and 100 microM D 600 significantly decreased anoxic [Ca2+]i levels by 22 and 63% respectively. Felodipine at 10 microM was as effective as 1 microM D 600. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ and addition of 0.1 mM La3+ completely abolished anoxia-induced increases in [Ca2+]i. We conclude that anoxia induces increases in [Ca2+]i in rabbit PT cells in primary culture, which results from Ca2+ influx. Since this Ca2+ influx is partially inhibited by low doses of CCBs, L-type Ca2+ channels may be involved.

Anoxia-induced changes in extracellular K+ and pH in mammalian central white matter.

In gray matter (GM), anoxia induces prominent extracellular ionic changes that are important in understanding the pathophysiology of this insult. White matter (WM) is also injured by anoxia but the accompanying changes in extracellular ions have not been studied. To provide such information, the time course and magnitude of anoxia-induced changes in extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) and extracellular pH (pHo) were measured in the isolated rat optic nerve, a representative central WM tract, using ion-selective microelectrodes. Anoxia produced less extreme changes in [K+]o and pHo in WM than are known to occur in GM; in WM during anoxia, the average maximum [K+]o was 14 +/- 2.9 mM (bath [K+]o = 3 mM) and the average maximum acid shift was 0.31 +/- 0.07 pH unit. The extracellular space volume rapidly decreased by approximately 20% during anoxia. Excitability of the rat optic nerve, monitored as the amplitude of the supramaximal compound action potential, was lost in close temporal association with the increase in [K+]o. Increasing the bath glucose concentration from 10 to 20 mM resulted in a much larger acid shift during anoxia (0.58 +/- 0.08 pH unit) and a smaller average increase in [K]o (9.2 +/- 2.6 mM). The increased extracellular glucose concentration presumably provided more substrate for anaerobic metabolism, resulting in more extracellular lactate accumulation (although not directly measured) and a greater acid shift. Enhanced anaerobic metabolism during anoxia would provide energy for operation of ion pumps, including the sodium pump, that would result in smaller changes in [K+]o. These effects were probably responsible for the observation that the optic nerve showed significantly less damage after 60 min of anoxia in the presence of 20 mM glucose compared to 10 mM glucose. Under normoxic conditions, increasing bath K+ concentration to 30 mM (i.e., well beyond the level shown to occur with anoxia) for 60 min caused abrupt loss of excitability during the period of application but minimal change in the amplitude of the compound action potential following the period of exposure. The anoxia-induced increase in [K+]o, therefore, was not itself directly responsible for irreversible loss of optic nerve function. These observations indicate that major qualitative differences exist between mammalian GM and WM with regard to anoxia-induced extracellular ionic changes.