Caffeine-induced Contraction Research Articles

Exertional heat stroke causes long-term skeletal muscle epigenetic reprogramming, altered gene expression, and impaired satellite cell function in mice.

The effect of exertional heat stroke (EHS) exposure on skeletal muscles is incompletely understood. Muscle weakness is an early symptom of EHS but is not considered a major target of multiorgan injury. Previously, in a preclinical mouse model of EHS, we observed the vulnerability of limb muscles to a second EHS exposure, suggesting hidden processes contributing to declines in muscle resilience. Here, we evaluated the possible molecular origins of EHS-induced declines in muscle resilience. Female C57BL/6 mice [total n = 56; 28/condition, i.e., EHS and exercise control (EXC)] underwent forced wheel running at 37.5°C/40% relative humidity until symptom limitation (unconsciousness). EXC mice exercised identically at room temperature (22-23°C). After 1 mo of recovery, the following were assessed: 1) specific force and caffeine-induced contracture in soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles; 2) transcriptome and DNA methylome responses in gastrocnemius (GAST); and 3) primary satellite cell function (proliferation and differentiation). There were no differences in specific force in either SOL or EDL from EXC. Only EHS solei exhibited lower caffeine sensitivity. EHS GAST exhibited higher RNA expression of genes encoding structural proteins of slow fibers, heat shock proteins, and myogenesis. A total of ∼2,500 differentially methylated regions of DNA that could potentially affect many cell functions were identified. Primary satellite cells exhibited suppressed proliferation rates but normal differentiation responses. Results demonstrate long-term changes in skeletal muscles 1 mo after EHS that could contribute to declines in muscle resilience. Skeletal muscle may join other, more recognized tissues considered vulnerable to long-term effects of EHS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Exertional heat stroke (EHS) in mice induces long-term molecular and functional changes in limb muscle that could reflect a loss of "resilience" to further stress. The phenotype was characterized by altered caffeine sensitivity and suppressed satellite cell proliferative potential. This was accompanied by changes in gene expression and DNA methylation consistent with ongoing muscle remodeling and stress adaptation. We propose that EHS may induce a prolonged vulnerability of skeletal muscle to further stress or injury.

RuBPY decreases intracellular calcium by decreasing influx and increasing storage.

cis-[Ru(bpy)2(py)NO2](PF6) (RuBPY) is a ruthenium complex nitric oxide (NO) donor that presents a nitrite in its moiety and has been shown to induce vasodilation in various arteries, as well as arterial pressure reduction with no changes in heart rate. Because vascular tone is highly dependent on the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+ ]c), the current study aimed to investigate the effects of RuBPY on the intracellular mobilization of calcium stores of rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Vascular reactivity experiments were performed in isolated aortic rings that were contracted with a high concentration of KCl or phenylephrine (Phe). Moreover, primary cultured vascular smooth muscle cells were used to measure [Ca2+ ]c by confocal microscopy. The NO donor RuBPY decreased the [Ca2+ ]c and reduced KCl and Phe-induced contractile responses. The selective inhibitor of sarco-endoplasmic Ca-ATPase (SERCA) with thapsigargin impaired the effect of RuBPY on Phe-induced contractile response. RuBPY also reduced caffeine-induced contraction, and the contraction dependent on the capacitive Ca2+ influx. Therefore, our results suggest that NO released from RuBPY decreased [Ca2+ ]c by calcium influx blockade and activation of guanylyl-cyclase-cGMP-GK pathway. These results indicate that RuBPY increases Ca2+ storage in the sarcoplasmic reticulum by SERCA activation and also by capacitive Ca2+ influx inhibition, which is dependent on the intracellular release of nitric oxide from this compound.

A novel RyR1-selective inhibitor prevents and rescues sudden death in mouse models of malignant hyperthermia and heat stroke

Mutations in the type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1), a Ca2+ release channel in skeletal muscle, hyperactivate the channel to cause malignant hyperthermia (MH) and are implicated in severe heat stroke. Dantrolene, the only approved drug for MH, has the disadvantages of having very poor water solubility and long plasma half-life. We show here that an oxolinic acid-derivative RyR1-selective inhibitor, 6,7-(methylenedioxy)-1-octyl-4-quinolone-3-carboxylic acid (Compound 1, Cpd1), effectively prevents and treats MH and heat stroke in several mouse models relevant to MH. Cpd1 reduces resting intracellular Ca2+, inhibits halothane- and isoflurane-induced Ca2+ release, suppresses caffeine-induced contracture in skeletal muscle, reduces sarcolemmal cation influx, and prevents or reverses the fulminant MH crisis induced by isoflurane anesthesia and rescues animals from heat stroke caused by environmental heat stress. Notably, Cpd1 has great advantages of better water solubility and rapid clearance in vivo over dantrolene. Cpd1 has the potential to be a promising candidate for effective treatment of patients carrying RyR1 mutations.

The mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger enables mitochondrial calcium balance in placental vessel from preeclampsia

Placental ischaemia and hypoxia accelerate the development of preeclampsia. Although mitochondria could actively regulate Ca2+ signals and involves in sarcoendoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release in smooth muscle. AIM: To investigate mitochondrial calcium responses to caffeine-induced Ca2+ release via ryanodine receptor (RyR) in placental vessels from preeclampsia. METHODS: Placenta was collected from normal pregnancy (N = 40) or preeclampsia (N = 30). Vascular tension was recorded using Power-Lab system. Total internal reflection fluorescent microscope (TIRFM) was used to recorded and analyzed the [Ca2+]m uptake and efflux. RESULTS: Caffeine-induced contraction was decreased both in placental artery and placental vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from preeclampsia, which was related to the mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria in placental vessels from preeclampsia showed impaired [Ca2+]m efflux function. To understand the role of NCLX in preeclampsia, studies about on vascular smooth muscle cells under ischaemia and hypoxia was performed in the absence of overexpression NCLX or not. Cells under ischaemia and hypoxia showed mitochondrial dyfunction similar to placental vessel from preeclampsia.

Activation of Cav1.2 and BKCa is involved in the downregulation of caffeine-induced contraction in mice mesenteric arteries

AimsCaffeine is a methylxanthine with multiple actions in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), including the increase in the intracellular Ca2+ (iCa2+) concentration by the activation of ryanodine receptors (RyRs). The present study aimed at investigating the participation of Ca2+-influx through different Ca2+-channels on the transient contraction (TC) induced by caffeine in mice mesenteric arteries. Main methodsSecond-order of mesenteric arteries was isolated from male Swiss mice. Vessels without functional endothelium were stimulated with caffeine (10 mM). The caffeine-induced TC was evaluated after the incubation of artery rings for 30 min with the following drugs: nifedipine (10 μM), a Cav1.2 blocker; 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB; 10 μM) and ruthenium red (RuR; 10 μM), transient receptor potential (TRPs) channels blockers; capsazepine (10 μM) and HC067047 (10 μM), TRPV1 and TRPV4 antagonists, respectively; paxilline (1 μM), a selective BKCa blocker; and SKF-96365 (30 μM), an Orai blocker. Ca2+-fluorescence measurements were also performed on the investigated arteries. Key findingsThe TC induced by caffeine was partially dependent on Ca2+-influx. However, the blockage of Cav1.2 increased the TC while reduced the iCa2+ signal. Similar results were observed after the blockage of TRPs or BKCa. Therefore, caffeine promoted Ca2+-influx via TRPs and Cav1.2, and hyperpolarization through the activation of BKCa, inducing negative feedback of TC. SignificanceOur results indicate an alternative mechanism for the control of VSMCs contraction in resistance arteries. The evidence of the negative feedback of contraction via TRP-Cav1.2-BKCa provides a new perspective for understanding the mechanism involved in the vascular responses triggered by caffeine.

Prunetin Relaxed Isolated Rat Aortic Rings by Blocking Calcium Channels.

Prunetin, a component of herbal medicines and various foods, such as pea, peach, cherry, and Prunus yedoensis, is a useful pharmacological compound. We previously reported the potent vasorelaxant effect of the bark of P. yedoensis. Therefore, we investigated the vasorelaxant activities of prunetin on isolated rat aortic rings and hypotensive activity on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in this study. In the present study, prunetin (1–30 μg/mL) relaxed isolated rat aortic rings pre-contracted by phenylephrine (PE) in a concentration-dependent manner. Pre-incubation with prunetin (3 and 10 μg/mL) inhibited vasoconstriction induced by the supply of Ca2+ in rat aortic rings pre-contracted with PE or KCl in a Ca2+-free Krebs–Henseleit (KH) buffer. Prunetin (10 μg/mL) pre-treatment also inhibited caffeine-induced contraction of aortic rings in a Ca2+-free KH buffer. To investigate the hypotensive effect of prunetin, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the SHR was measured by using a tail cuff assay. The SBP of SHR was significantly lower in the prunetin (25 mg/kg)-treated group. These results suggested that prunetin decreased blood pressure and relaxed blood vessels by blocking receptor-operated calcium channels, voltage-dependent calcium channels, and ryanodine receptor channels.

Altered Calcium Handling in Peripheral Nerve Terminals and Blood Vessels in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

The present study was designed to clarify the roles of N-type and P/Q-type calcium channels in the increased sympathetic activity of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR/Izm). We also tested in SHR/Izm the contribution to increased vascular tone of α1A adrenoceptor-linked L-type calcium channels and α1B receptor-mediated calcium mobilization from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Methods: Six-week-old SHR/Izm and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY/Izm) were used. A superior mesenteric arterial preparation was electrically stimulated before and after treatment with ω-conotoxin GVIa (N-type calcium channel blocker [CgTX]) and ω-agatoxinIVa (P/Q-type calcium channel blocker [AgaTX]). Pressor response to norepinephrine was measured before and after treatment with the α1A blocker WB-4101 and the α1B blocker chloroethyl clonidine (CEC). To determine the intracellular calcium store size, the effects of ryanodine on pressor response and caffeine-induced vascular contraction were also tested. Results: Norepinephrine overflow evoked by electrical stimulation was increased in SHR/Izm. CgTX but not AgaTX suppressed the increased NE overflow in SHR/Izm. WB-4101 suppressed the pressor response to norepinephrine in SHR/Izm but not WKY/Izm rats. CEC had no effects on pressor response to norepinephrine in both types of rats. Caffeine-induced contraction to a high potassium-induced maximal contraction ratio was reduced in SHR/Izm. The effect of ryanodine on pressor response was reduced in SHR/Izm. Conclusion: N-type calcium channels but not P/Q-type calcium channels play an important role in the increased sympathetic tone in SHR/ Izm. Although α1A adrenoceptor-linked L-type calcium channels contribute to the increased vascular tone, the intracellular calcium store size was reduced in SHR/Izm.

Functional Effects of Hyperthyroidism on Cardiac Papillary Muscle in Rats.

BackgroundHyperthyroidism is currently recognized to affect the cardiovascular system, leading to a series of molecular and functional changes. However, little is known about the functional influence of hyperthyroidism in the regulation of cytoplasmic calcium and on the sodium/calcium exchanger (NCX) in the cardiac muscle.ObjectivesTo evaluate the functional changes in papillary muscles isolated from animals with induced hyperthyroidism.MethodsWe divided 36 Wistar rats into a group of controls and another of animals with hyperthyroidism induced by intraperitoneal T3 injection. We measured in the animals' papillary muscles the maximum contraction force, speed of contraction (+df/dt) and relaxation (-df/dt), contraction and relaxation time, contraction force at different concentrations of extracellular sodium, post-rest potentiation (PRP), and contraction force induced by caffeine.ResultsIn hyperthyroid animals, we observed decreased PRP at all rest times (p < 0.05), increased +df/dt and -df/dt (p < 0.001), low positive inotropic response to decreased concentration of extracellular sodium (p < 0.001), reduction of the maximum force in caffeine-induced contraction (p < 0.003), and decreased total contraction time (p < 0.001). The maximal contraction force did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.973).ConclusionWe hypothesize that the changes observed are likely due to a decrease in calcium content in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, caused by calcium leakage, decreased expression of NCX, and increased expression of a-MHC and SERCA2.

Aging changes agonist induced contractile responses in permeabilized rat bladder.

Aging alters bladder functions where a decrease in filling, storage and emptying is observed. These changes cause urinary incontinence, especially in women. The aim of this study is to examine how aging affects the intracellular calcium movements due to agonist-induced contractions in permeabilized female rat bladder. Urinary bladder isolated from young and old female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Small detrusor strips were permeabilized with β-escin. The contractile responses induced with agonists were compared between young and old groups. Carbachol-induced contractions were decreased in permeabilized detrusor from old rats compared to young group. Heparin and ryanodine decreased carbachol-induced contractions in young rats where only heparin inhibited these contractions in olds. Caffeine-induced contractions but not inositol triphosphate (IP3)-induced contractions were decreased in old group compared to youngs. The cumulative calcium response curves (pCa 8-4) were also decreased in old rats. Carbachol-induced calcium sensitization responses did not alter by age where GTP-β-S and GF-109203X but not Y-27632 inhibited these responses. Carbachol-induced contractions decrease with aging in rat bladder detrusor. It can be postulated as IP3-induced calcium release (IICR) is primarily responsible for the contractions in older rats where the decrease in carbachol contractions in aging may be as a result of a decrease in calcium-induced calcium release (CICR), rather than carbachol-induced calcium sensitization.

Capsaicin and N-arachidonoyl-dopamine (NADA) decrease tension by activating both cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors in fast skeletal muscle fibers of the frog.

Previous studies have indicated that vanilloid receptor (VR1) mRNA is expressed in muscle fibers. In this study, we evaluated the functional effects of VR1 activation. We measured caffeine-induced contractions in bundles of the extensor digitorum longus muscle of Rana pipiens. Isometric tension measurements showed that two VR1 agonists, capsaicin (CAP) and N-arachidonoyl-dopamine (NADA), reduced muscle peak tension to 57 ± 4 % and 71 ± 3% of control, respectively. The effect of CAP was partially blocked by a VR1 blocker, capsazepine (CPZ), but the effect of NADA was not changed by CPZ. Because NADA is able to act on cannabinoid receptors, which are also present in muscle fibers, we tested the cannabinoid antagonist AM281. We found that AM281 antagonized both CAP and NADA effects. AM281 alone reduced peak tension to 80 ± 6 % of control. With both antagonists, the CAP effect was completely blocked, and the NADA effect was partially blocked. These results provide pharmacological evidence of the functional presence of the VR1 receptor in fast skeletal muscle fibers of the frog and suggest that capsaicin and NADA reduce tension by activating both cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors.

Vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects of methanolic fraction of the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet

Alpinia zerumbet is used in folk medicine in Brazil to treat hypertension. However, several pathways involved in the mechanism of vasorelaxation are still unclear. This study was designed to verify the antihypertensive effect of the methanolic fraction of the essential oil of A. zerumbet (MFEOAz) and to characterize its mechanism of action. The thoracic aortic rings from the Wistar rats were perfused in the organ chambers filled with Kreb's solution, where the tension of each ring was measured. The antihypertensive effect of MFEOAz was assessed in rats submitted to chronic hypertension by inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis by indirect measurement of blood pressure with indirect tail cuff method. MFEOAz relaxed phenylephrine and KCl-induced contraction of either endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner. Pre-incubation with MFEOAz (100 and 300μg/mL) in Ca2+-free Krebs solution attenuated phenylephrine- or caffeine-induced contraction. Pre-incubation with L-NAME, ODQ, wortmannin, atropine, indomethacin, catalase, SOD, TEA, 4-aminopyridine, glibenclamide, apamin, charybdotoxin, or iberiotoxin did not affect MFEOAz-induced relaxation. The intragastric administration of MFEOAz induced an antihypertensive effect. MFEOAz it seems inhibited the calcium influx via voltage-operated calcium channels and receptor-operated calcium channels, as well as inhibition of calcium mobilization from intracellular stores.

Vasorelaxant effects of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, the main constituent of the essential oil of Aniba canelilla, in superior mesenteric arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats

The present study investigated the mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxant effects of the essential oil of Aniba canelilla (EOAC) and its main constituent 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NP) in isolated superior mesenteric artery from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). At 0.1–1000μg/mL, EOAC and NP relaxed SMA preparations pre-contracted with 75mMKCl with IC50 (geometric mean [95% confidence interval]) values of 294.19 [158.20–94.64] and 501.27 [378.60–624.00] μg/mL, respectively); or with phenylephrine (PHE) (IC50s=11.07 [6.40–15.68] and 7.91 [4.08–11.74) μg/mL, respectively). All these effects were reversible and remained unaltered by vascular endothelium removal. In preparations maintained under Ca2+-free conditions, EOAC and NP (both at 600μg/mL) reduced the PHE-, but not the caffeine-induced contraction. In Ca2+-free and high K+ (75mM) medium, the contractions produced by CaCl2 or BaCl2 were reduced or even abolished by EOAC and NP at 100 and 600μg/mL, respectively. EOAC and NP (both at 10–1000μg/mL) also relaxed the contraction evoked by phorbol dibutyrate (IC50=52.66 [10.82–94.64] and 39.13 [31.55–46.72] μg/mL, respectively). It is concluded that NP has a myogenic endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effects and appears to be the active principle of the EOAC. Vasorelaxant effect induced by both EOAC and NP is preferential to receptor-activated pathways and it appears to occur intracellularly more than a superficial action restricted to the membrane environment such as a simple blocking activity on a given receptor or ion channel.

N-Acetylcysteine, a Potent Anti-Oxidant, Rescues the Malignant Hyperthermia and Environmental Heat Stroke Phenotype of Calsequestrin-1 Knockout Mice

Calsequestrin type 1 (CASQ1) is both the major Ca2+ binding protein in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in skeletal muscle and a direct modulator of type 1 ryanodine receptor (RYR1) Ca2+-release channel activity. Mice lacking CASQ1 (CASQ1-null) exhibit increased susceptibility for Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) and Environmental Heat Stroke (EHS), life-threatening disorders triggered by volatile anaesthetics and high temperature, respectively. Excessive oxidative stress during MH/EHS crises are proposed to result in increased RYR1 nitrosylation, and subsequently, enhanced SR Ca2+ leak that leads to hypercontractures and rhabdomyolysis. Here, we treated CASQ1-null mice for 2 months (from 2-to-4 months of age) with N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a potent anti-oxidant) provided ad libitum in their drinking water (1% w/v). NAC treatment significantly protected CASQ1-null mice from lethal episodes induced by both halothane (2%, 1h at 32°C) and heat challenge (41°C, 1h) with the rate of mortality being 79 vs 25% and 86 vs 30% in control vs NAC-treated mice, respectively. This protection resulted from several factors including: a) reduced oxidative stress measured as both GSH/GSSG ratio and the frequency of mitochondrial superoxide flash activity (P<0.05); b) decreased maximum core temperature during heat challenge (from 42.1 to 40.8°C); and c) reduced number of fibers undergoingrhabdomyolysis (from 37.6 to 11.6 %). Furthermore, in-vitro contracture test (IVCT) showed that the threshold for caffeine-induced contracture is back to normal values. These results support the hypothesis that excessive production of reactive oxygen species plays a critical role in the onset of MH/EHS crises. Therefore, anti-oxidants may be useful for the treatment and prevention of oxidative stress related skeletal muscle disorders.

Effect of aging on calcium signaling in C57Bl6J mouse cerebral arteries

In cerebral arteries, alterations of vascular reactivity have been observed but not well molecularly characterized. Therefore, we have hypothesized that cerebrovascular reactivity could be modified by aging via a modification of Ca(2+) signaling in smooth muscle cells. Ca(2+) signals and gene expression implicated in contraction have been measured in posterior and middle cerebral arteries from young (2-3 months) and old (20-22 months) C57Bl6/J mice. Aging induced a decrease of KCl- and caffeine-induced contraction as well as a decrease of the amplitudes and an increase of the durations of KCl- and caffeine-induced Ca(2+) signals. These results could be linked with the decrease of gene expression coding for Cav1.2, RyR2, SERCA2, PLB, STIM1, TRIC-B, and the increase of FKBP12.6 and TPCN1 gene expression. Finally, aging induced a modification of InsP3 subtype expression pattern responsible for a modification of the InsP3 affinity to activate Ca(2+) signals. These results show that aging induces a decrease of contractility correlated with modifications of the expression of genes encoding Ca(2+) signaling toolkit. Globally, the amplitude of Ca(2+) signals was decreased, whereas their duration was increased by a defection of Ca(2+) store refilling.

Vasodilation and Hypotension of CZ454, an Analogue of Lacidipine through Inhibiting Extracellular Calcium Influx

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an analogue of lacidipine, CZ454 in in vitro and in vivo. The isometric tension of Sprague-Dawley rat arterial ring segments was recorded by a myography system. Intracellular calcium of vascular smooth muscle was determined by the confocal laser microscopy. Blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats was measured using a tail-cuff blood pressure system. The results showed that CZ454 (10 - 9-10 - 6 mol/L) relaxed the mesenteric artery contracted by high K + concentration-dependently, which was not affected by removal of the endothelium. CZ454 treatment shifted the concentration-contractile curves induced by phenylephrine, U46619, KCl and CaCl2 to the right with the decreased Emax. CZ454 was more potent in the coronary and basilar artery than in the mesenteric artery. CZ454 did not reduce phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction; however, it did inhibit the contraction caused by addition of CaCl2 and did not change caffeine-induced contraction in the mesenteric artery in Ca2 + -free solution. CZ454 decreased the vasoconstriction induced by Bay K 8644 in the presence of 60 mmol/L K + . CZ454 1.0 mg/kg administered by gavage lowered the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure by 20% and 17%, respectively. It was concluded that CZ454 lowers blood pressure and relaxes arteries with higher potency in coronary and basilar artery and that the vasodilation may involve inhibition of calcium influx.

Endothelium-independent effects of phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin on vascular tension

The purpose of this study was to investigate the modulating effects of phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin on vascular tension, using in the in vitro model of isolated rat aorta. Our results indicated that both phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin significantly relaxed the sustained contraction induced by phenylephrine (PE) in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, endothelial removal had no significant influence on the vasorelaxation responses of the aortic rings toward these two compounds. Furthermore, both compounds inhibited the contraction of aortic muscle provoked by either PE (1μM) or KCl (40mM) as well as the spontaneous contraction of the Ca2+-depleted muscle. In high K+- Ca2+ free solution, phyllanthin (100μM), but not hypophyllanthin, significantly inhibited the contractile responses upon cumulative addition of CaCl2. Both compounds (100μM) significantly inhibited PE-induced contraction in Ca2+-free condition, but could not affect caffeine-induced contraction. Taken together, phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin could modulate the vascular tension via the endothelium-independent mechanisms. The modulating effects of both compounds were possibly involved with the blockade of Ca2+ entry into vascular smooth muscle cells and inhibition of PE-mediated Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Inhibition of cholinergic response by taurine in frog isolated skeletal muscle.

Carbamylcholine-stimulated contractions of isolated frog gastrocnemius muscle were inhibited in a non-competitive fashion by 5-25 mM taurine. Taurine had no effect on the resting length of the muscle. Caffeine-induced contractures were unaffected by taurine which indicates that the sarcoplasmic reticulum is not an important site of action for taurine. A possible functional role for taurine in skeletal muscle is discussed.

Analysis of the effects of adenosine in skinned bovine coronary artery.

We have investigated the mechanism of adenosine-induced relaxation in relation to its effects on intracellular organelles in Triton X-100- and saponin-skinned bovine coronary arteries. In intact coronary arteries, high K+ and prostaglandin F2 alpha caused sustained contractions, whereas caffeine produced transient contractions. Triton X-100 treatment abolished these contractions. However, Triton X-100-skinned coronary arteries were responsive to added free calcium. There was no significant difference between calcium concentration-response curves obtained in the absence and presence of adenosine (50 microM). Unlike Triton X-100, in saponin-skinned arteries, caffeine produced transient contractions but high K+ and prostaglandin F2 alpha did not. Adenosine had no effect on caffeine-induced contractions in saponin-skinned coronary arteries. These data suggest that adenosine had no direct inhibitory effect on either the contractile apparatus or calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum in coronary arteries.

Hydrogen sulphide inhibits carbachol-induced contractile responses in β-escin permeabilized guinea-pig taenia caecum

Hydrogen sulphide (H 2S) is an endogenous mediator producing a potent relaxation response in vascular and non-vascular smooth muscles. While ATP-sensitive potassium channels are mainly involved in this relaxant effect in vascular smooth muscle, the mechanism in other smooth muscles has not been revealed yet. In the present study, we investigated how H 2S relaxes non-vascular smooth muscle by using intact and β-escin permeabilized guinea-pig taenia caecum. In intact tissues, concentration-dependent relaxation response to H 2S donor NaHS in carbachol-precontracted preparations did not change in the presence of a K ATP channel blocker glibenclamide, adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ-22536, guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ, protein kinase A inhibitor KT-5720, protein kinase C inhibitor H-7, tetrodotoxin, apamin/charybdotoxin, NOS inhibitor L-NAME and cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. We then studied how H 2S affected carbachol- or Ca 2+-induced contractions in permeabilized tissues. When Ca 2+ was clamped to a constant value ( pCa6), a further contraction could be elicited by carbachol that was decreased by NaHS. This decrease in contraction was reversed by catalase but not by superoxide dismutase or N-acetyl cysteine. The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+-ATPase pump inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid, also decreased the carbachol-induced contraction that was further inhibited by NaHS. Mitochondrial proton pump inhibitor carbonyl cyanide p-trifluromethoxyphenylhydrazone also decreased the carbachol-induced contraction but this was not additionally changed by NaHS. The carbachol-induced Ca 2+ sensitization, calcium concentration–response curves, IP 3- and caffeine-induced contractions were not affected by NaHS. In conclusion, we propose that hydrogen peroxide and mitochondria may have a role in H 2S-induced relaxation response in taenia caecum.

The aqueous extract, not organic extracts, of Terminalia arjuna bark exerts cardiotonic effect on adult ventricular myocytes

The bark of Terminalia arjuna (TA) has been used for centuries in ayurvedic medicine as cardiotonics for treatment of cardiac disorders. It became recently available as over-the-counter supplements marketed for maintaining a healthy heart. However, the cellular mechanism of its cardiotonic effect remains undefined. The present study was designed to investigate the physicochemical property and inotropic effect of the aqueous extract of TA bark (TA(AqE)) on adult rat ventricular myocytes in comparison with extracts prepared sequentially with organic solvents (organic extracts). The kinetics of myocyte contraction and caffeine-induced contraction were analyzed to assess the effect of TA(AqE) on sarcoplasmic reticular (SR) function. The inotropic effect of TA(AqE) was also compared with that of known cardiotonics, isoproterenol (ISO) and ouabain (Ouab). We found that TA(AqE) decoctions exerted positive inotropy, accelerated myocyte relaxation and increased caffeine-induced contraction concentration-dependently. In contrast, TA organic extracts caused interruption of excitability and arrhythmias without consistent inotropic action. In conclusion, TA(AqE)-induced cardiotonic action via enhancing SR function, a unique action minimizing the occurrence of arrhythmias, makes TA(AqE) a promising and relatively safe cardiotonic beneficial to the healthy heart and the treatment for chronic heart disease. The cardiotonic effect of TA(AqE) is consistent with the therapeutic property of TA bark used in ayurvedic medicine. The method of administration and/or selective omission of hydrophobic components from bark powder could be crucial to the efficacy and safety of TA bark in cardiac therapy and uses as over-the-counter supplements.