Decrease In Adenosine Triphosphate Research Articles

Effect of beta-blocker on metabolism and contraction of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in the isolated perfused rabbit heart.

The effect of beta-blocker (propranolol) on the metabolism and contraction of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy during pacing or ischemia was examined by the phosphorus 31-nuclear magnetic resonance (31 P-NMR) in Langendorff hearts of chronically treated rabbits after cumulative doses of 16 mg doxorubicin/kg. After 8 weeks of doxorubicin treatment, beta-blocker (propranolol) was given orally over a period of 2 weeks for a cumulative dose of 1.4 mg/kg. Isolated hearts were paced at higher heart rates, or hearts were perfused on low flow. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), pH, left ventricular systolic developed pressure (LVDev P), and coronary flow were measured. The hearts were divided into three experimental groups: Group I consisted of controls, Group II consisted of doxorubicin treatment, and Group III consisted of doxorubicin treatment with propranolol. Group II showed a significant decrease of ATP during pacing (48 +/- 2%) and during low flow (61 +/- 6%) compared with Group I (86 +/- 9% at pacing, 94 +/- 6% on low flow). But Group III showed a significantly marked improvement of ATP during pacing (95 +/- 10%) and during low flow (83 +/- 3%) compared with Group II. Furthermore, Group II showed a significant decrease of LVDev P during pacing (69 +/- 6 mm Hg) and during low flow (63 +/- 3 mm Hg) compared with Group I (101 +/- 5 mm Hg at pacing, 95 +/- 9 mm Hg on low flow). But Group III showed a significantly marked improvement of LVDev P during pacing (93 +/- 5 mm Hg) and during low flow (83 +/- 14 mm Hg) compared with Group II. In conclusion, propranolol had a significant beneficial effect on metabolism and contraction during high-energy demand and during low oxygen supply of doxorubicin cardiomyopathy.

The neuroprotective effect of cerebral poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase inhibition in a rat model of global ischemia

In the present study, the effect of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition on rat cortical energy state was investigated at 24 h after global cerebral ischemia induced by permanent bilateral common carotid artery ligation plus transient hypotension. The specific PARP inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide was injected 10 min before induction of ischemia at a dosage of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg intracerebroventricularly. Twenty-four hours after ischemia cortical PARP enzyme activity increased from 0.425±0.144 to 0.794±0.193 units/mg protein. Cerebral ischemia was associated by a decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphocreatine concentrations to 72.5 and 76.8% of controls, respectively. In addition, an 1.9- and 2.2-fold increase in adenosine monophosphate and adenosine was observed. Specific PARP inhibition with 10 mg/kg 3-aminobenzamide protected the rat energy state by preserving cortical phosphocreatine and NAD +. Cortical ATP was not changed significantly after PARP inhibition. In conclusion, activation of the nuclear enzyme PARP plays an important role in cerebral energy metabolism during rat global ischemia. Therefore, specific PARP inhibition may offer new strategies in the therapy of vascular diseases such as stroke.

Utility of near-infrared spectroscopic measurements during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

Background. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is used to monitor cerebral oxygenation during cardiac surgery. However, interpretation of the signals is controversial. The aim of the study was to determine which NIRS variable best correlated with brain damage as assessed by animal behavior and neurohistologic score and to compare the accuracy of NIRS and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in predicting brain injury.Methods. Forty 5-week-old piglets underwent 60 minutes of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) at 15°C. Changes in brain adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr), and intracellular pH (pHi) were determined by MRS and correlated to changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2), deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb), and oxidized cytochrome a,a3 (CytOx) NIRS signals. Brains were fixed on day 4 and examined using a neurohistologic score.Results. Reductions in CytOx and HbO2 values were correlated closely with decreases in ATP, PCr, and pHi. The changes in CytOx and PCr showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.623). Maximal CytOx reduction during DHCA of more than −25 μM ∗ differential pathlength factor (DPF) predicted brain damage with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 75%. The histologic score was also correlated with a decrease in ATP (r = −0.52 for CytOx; r = −0.32 for ATP); HbO2, PCr, and pHi showed no correlations.Conclusions. Reduction in CytOx correlates with decreased brain energy state and predicts histologic brain injury after DHCA with a high sensitivity. These data suggest that the level of CytOx could be a very important predictor of brain damage during DHCA.

PROPIONYL- [formula omitted] -CARNITINE AS POTENTIAL PROTECTIVE AGENT AGAINST ADRIAMYCIN-INDUCED IMPAIRMENT OF FATTY ACID BETA-OXIDATION IN ISOLATED HEART MITOCHONDRIA

Propionyl- l -carnitine (PLC), a natural short-chain derivative of l -carnitine, has been tested in this study as a potential protective agent against adriamycin (ADR)-induced cardiotoxicity in isolated rat heart myocytes and mitochondria. In cardiac myocytes, ADR (0.5 m m) caused a significant (70%) inhibition of palmitate oxidation, whereas, PLC (5 m m) induced a significant (49%) stimulation. Addition of PLC to ADR-incubated myocytes induced 79% reversal of ADR-induced inhibition of palmitate oxidation. In isolated rat heart mitochondria, ADR produced concentration-dependent inhibition of both palmitoyl-CoA and palmitoyl-carnitine oxidation, while PLC caused a more than 2.5-fold increase in both substrates. Preincubation of mitochondria with 5 m m PLC caused complete reversal of ADR-induced inhibition in the oxidation of both substrates. Also ADR induced concentration-dependent inhibition of CPT I which is parallel to the inhibition of its substrate palmitoyl-CoA. In rat heart slices, ADR induced a significant (65%) decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and this effect is reduced to 17% only by PLC. Results of this study revealed that ADR induced its cardiotoxicity by inhibition of CPT I and β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids with the consequent depletion of ATP in cardiac tissues, and that PLC can be used as a protective agent against ADR-induced cardiotoxicity.

Effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist on metabolism and contraction in ischemia-reperfused rabbit heart.

The effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, temocaprilat and/or angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, CV-11974 on myocardial metabolism and contraction during ischemia and reperfusion was examined by phosphorus 31-nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) in Langendorff rabbit hearts. After normothermic 15 min global ischemia, postischemic reperfusion of 60min was carried out. Temocaprilat and/or CV-11974 were administered from 40 min prior to the global ischemia. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), intracellular pH (pHi), left ventricular developed pressure (LVDevP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and coronary flow were measured. Twenty-eight hearts were divided into 4 experimental groups consisting of 7 hearts each: group I consisted of controls, group II was perfused with temocaprilat (10(-6)mol/L), group III was perfused with CV-11974 (10(-6)mol/L), and group IV was perfused with temocaprilat (10(-6)mol/L) in combination with CV-11974 (10(-6) mol/L). Groups II and III showed a significant (p<0.05) inhibition of an overshoot phenomenon of PCr during postischemic reperfusion compared with group I. Group IV also showed a more pronounced significant (p<0.01) inhibition of the overshoot of PCr during reperfusion compared with group I. Groups II, III and IV showed a significant (p<0.05) inhibition of the decrease in ATP during global ischemia (59+/-2, 54+/-3 and 54+/-7%, respectively) compared with group I (45+/-3%). Groups II and IV showed a significant (p<0.05) early recovery of ATP during reperfusion (81+/-2, 80+/-6%) compared with group I (71+/-3%) and group II (73+/-2%). Group IV showed no more significant recovery in ATP than group III. There were no differences in LVDevP, LVEDP and coronary flow among these groups. In conclusion, temocaprilat in combination with CV-11974 has significant potential for improving myocardial energy metabolism during both myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.

Effect of a novel cardioprotective agent, JTV-519, on metabolism, contraction and relaxation in the ischemia-reperfused rabbit heart.

The effect of a novel cardioprotective agent, JTV-519 on myocardial metabolism and contraction during ischemia and reperfusion was investigated by means of phosphorus 31-nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) in Langendorff rabbit hearts. Normothermic, 20-min, global ischemia was followed by 30-min of postischemic reperfusion and JTV-519 was administered from 40 min prior to the global ischemia. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), intracellular pH (pHi), left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and coronary flow were measured. Fourteen hearts were divided into 2 experimental groups of 7: Group I were controls and Group II were perfused with JTV-519 (10(-6) mol/L). During ischemia, Group II showed a significant (p<0.01) inhibition of the increase in Pi and LVEDP and the decrease in ATP and pHi, compared with Group I. After postischemic reperfusion, Group II also showed a significant (p<0.01) improvement in ATP and pHi as compared with Group I. There were no differences in LVDP or coronary flow during ischemia and reperfusion between the 2 groups. In conclusion, JTV-519 had a significant beneficial effect on myocardial energy metabolism and relaxation during both myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.

Cerebral hypoperfusion, capillary degeneration, and development of Alzheimer disease.

Considerable clinical and experimental data have shown that cerebral perfusion is progressively decreased during increased aging and that this decrease in brain blood flow is significantly greater in Alzheimer disease (AD). The authors propose that advanced aging with a comorbid condition, such as a vascular risk factor, which further decreases cerebral perfusion, promotes a critically attained threshold of cerebral hypoperfusion (CATCH). With time, CATCH induces brain capillary degeneration and suboptimal delivery of energy substrates to neuronal tissue. Because glucose is the main fuel of brain cells, its impaired delivery, with the deficient delivery of oxygen, compromises neuronal stability because the supply for aerobic glycolysis fails to meet brain tissue demand. The outcome of CATCH is a metabolic cascade that involves, among other things, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, decreased adenosine triphosphate production, abnormal protein synthesis, cell ionic pump deficiency, signal transduction defects, and neurotransmission failure. These events contribute to the progressive cognitive decline characteristic of patients with AD, as well as regional anatomic pathology, consisting of synaptic loss, senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, tissue atrophy, and neurodegeneration. CATCH identifies the clinical heterogeneic pattern that characterizes AD because it provides compelling evidence that any of a multitude of different etiopathophysiologic vascular risk factors, in the presence of advanced aging, can lead to AD. The evidence in support of CATCH as the pathogenic trigger of AD is crystallized in this review.

AMP deamination and purine exchange in human skeletal muscle during and after intense exercise.

1. The present study examined the regulation of human skeletal muscle AMP deamination during intense exercise and quantified muscle accumulation and release of purines during and after intense exercise. 2. Seven healthy males performed knee extensor exercise at 64.3 W (range: 50-70 W) to exhaustion (234 s; 191-259 s). In addition, on two separate days the subjects performed exercise at the same intensity for 30 s and 80 % of exhaustion time (mean, 186 s; range, 153-207 s), respectively. Muscle biopsies were obtained from m.v. lateralis before and after each of the exercise bouts. For the exhaustive bout femoral arterio-venous concentration differences and blood flow were also determined. 3. During the first 30 s of exercise there was no change in muscle adenosine triphosphate (ATP), inosine monophosphate (IMP) and ammonia (NH3), although estimated free ADP and AMP increased 5- and 45-fold, respectively, during this period. After 186 s and at exhaustion muscle ATP had decreased (P < 0.05) by 15 and 19 %, respectively, muscle IMP was elevated (P < 0. 05) from 0.20 to 3.65 and 5.67 mmol (kg dry weight)-1, respectively, and muscle NH3 had increased (P < 0.05) from 0.47 to 2.55 and 2.33 mmol (kg d.w.)-1, respectively. The concentration of H+ did not change during the first 30 s of exercise, but increased (P < 0.05) to 245.9 nmol l-1 (pH 6.61) after 186 s and to 374.5 nmol l-1 (pH 6. 43) at exhaustion. 4. Muscle inosine and hypoxanthine did not change during exercise. In the first 10 min after exercise the muscle IMP concentration decreased (P < 0.05) by 2.96 mmol (kg d.w.)-1 of which inosine and hypoxanthine formation could account for 30 %. The total release of inosine and hypoxanthine during exercise and 90 min of recovery amounted to 1.07 mmol corresponding to 46 % of the net ATP decrease during exercise or 9 % of ATP at rest. 5. The present data suggest that AMP deamination is inhibited during the initial phase of intense exercise, probably due to accumulation of orthophosphate, and that lowered pH is an important positive modulator of AMP deaminase in contracting human skeletal muscle in vivo. Furthermore, formation and release of purines occurs mainly after intense exercise and leads to a considerable loss of nucleotides.

Improvement of cerebral ATP and choline deficiencies by Shao-Yin-Ren Shi-Quang-Da-Bu-Tang in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8

Shao-Yin-Ren Shi-Quang-Da-Bu-Tang (SDT) has been used traditionally to improve the systemic blood circulation and biological energy production in the body. The object of this study is to determine the effect of SDT extract on the decline of cerebral adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and choline content associated with learning and memory impairments in senescence-accelerated mice prone 8 (SAM P8). Twenty-four-week old mice were orally treated with SDT at 400 mg/kg body weight per day, and continued for 12 consecutive weeks. At the termination of the treatment, the body weight of SAM P8 was markedly lower than that of the equal aged senescence-resistant prone 1 (SAM R1), but this was conspicuously recovered to the level of SAM R1 by SDT treatment. SDT also significantly reduced the decline of cerebral weight ( P<0.05). By comparison with normal mice, a spontaneous decrease of cerebral ATP was observed in the SAM P8. Two- and 6-fold increases of cerebral ATP content were found in SAM R1 and SAM P8 by SDT administration, respectively. The cerebral choline content was significantly different between SAM R1 and SAM P8 aged 36-week old ( P<0.01). SDT remarkably restored the decrease of cerebral choline content in SAM P8 ( P<0.01). Taken together, these results demonstrate that SDT can reduce the decrease of cerebral weight, and restore the decline of cerebral ATP and choline content associated with an alteration of neuronal metabolism in SAM P8 brain. This suggests that pharmacological properties of SDT may participate in improvement of declined cerebral energy production and cholinergic neurotransmitter synthesis in senile dementia.

31P NMR studies of phosphate metabolism in the ovulatory process induced by gonadotropins in perfused rabbit ovary

The concentrations of phosphate metabolites were measured in perfused rabbit ovaries before, during and after ischemia, and during the ovulatory process induced by the administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) using 31P NMR spectroscopy. A decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and an increase in inorganic phosphate (Pi) during ischemia were observed. After reperfusion of the ovary, both ATP and Pi levels returned to their initial control levels. These results are in agreement with the results observed in other organ tissues. On the other hand, ATP levels rapidly decreased dose dependently with infusion of HCG during 10 h of perfusion. A decrease in ovarian ATP concentration after infusion of HCG was also confirmed by enzymatic analysis of the extracts from ovarian tissues. On the other hand, significant changes in Pi levels were not observed throughout the perfusion period. Furthermore, significant changes in phosphomonoester (PME) levels, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) levels and intracellular pH were not observed before and during the infusion of HCG. The concentration of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) in the perfusate after the perfusion was also measured during the ovulatory period. Within 30 min cAMP significantly increased dose dependently and reached peak levels within 60 min. The concentration of cAMP then gradually decreased. Ovulatory efficacy during the infusion of HCG was also observed. These results suggest that the decreased ATP in the successive processes leading to ovulation probably reflects protein phosphorylation through the activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinases prior to induction of various chemical reactions related to the initiation of ovulation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

31P NMR studies of phosphate metabolism in the ovulatory process induced by gonadotropins in perfused rabbit ovary.

The concentrations of phosphate metabolites were measured in perfused rabbit ovaries before, during and after ischemia, and during the ovulatory process induced by the administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) using 31P NMR spectroscopy. A decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and an increase in inorganic phosphate (Pi) during ischemia were observed. After reperfusion of the ovary, both ATP and Pi levels returned to their initial control levels. These results are in agreement with the results observed in other organ tissues. On the other hand, ATP levels rapidly decreased dose dependently with infusion of HCG during 10 h of perfusion. A decrease in ovarian ATP concentration after infusion of HCG was also confirmed by enzymatic analysis of the extracts from ovarian tissues. On the other hand, significant changes in Pi levels were not observed throughout the perfusion period. Furthermore, significant changes in phosphomonoester (PME) levels, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) levels and intracellular pH were not observed before and during the infusion of HCG. The concentration of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) in the perfusate after the perfusion was also measured during the ovulatory period. Within 30 min cAMP significantly increased dose dependently and reached peak levels within 60 min. The concentration of cAMP then gradually decreased. Ovulatory efficacy during the infusion of HCG was also observed. These results suggest that the decreased ATP in the successive processes leading to ovulation probably reflects protein phosphorylation through the activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinases prior to induction of various chemical reactions related to the initiation of ovulation.

Evaluation of the effects of photodynamic therapy with phosphorus 31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in situ was used to study changes in phosphorus 31 metabolism after photodynamic therapy (PDT) of transplanted HeLa cell tumours. Tumours were irradiated 2 h after administration of ATX-S10 (8-formyloximethylidene-7-hydroxy-3-ethenyl-2,7,12,18, tetramethyl-porphyrin-13,17-bispropionil aspartate), a new photosensitizer and chlorin derivative. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were measured prior to illumination and 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after PDT on each mouse. A drastic decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and a concomitant increase in inorganic phosphate (Pi) were evident on the first day after PDT in all cases. The β-ATP/total phosphate (P) ratio was 0.64 ± 0.29% (average ± s.d.) in complete response, 0.67 ± 0.30% in recurrence and 2.45 ± 0.93% in partial response. Comparison of this ratio to the histological findings revealed that the β-ATP/total P ratio reflects the HeLa cell tumours which survived PDT. In other words, partial response on the one hand was distinguished from complete response and recurrence on the other with this ratio 1 day after PDT (P < 0.05). In addition, the ratio of phosphomonoester (PME) to Pi rose beyond 1.0 when macroscopic recurrence occurred, while it stayed under 1.0 in complete response. This finding suggests that the recurrence of HeLa cell tumours can be detected by the PME/Pi ratio. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign

Effect of an endothelin receptor antagonist and an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor on metabolism and contraction in the ischemic and reperfused rabbit heart.

The effect of an endothelin (ET) A/ETB receptor antagonist, TAK-044, and/or an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, temocaprilat, on myocardial metabolism and contraction during ischemia and reperfusion was examined by phosphorus 31-nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) in Langendorff rabbit hearts. After normothermic 15 min global ischemia, 60min of postischemic reperfusion was carried out. TAK-044 and/or temocaprilat was administered from 40 min prior to the global ischemia. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate, inorganic phosphate, pH, left ventricular systolic developed pressure (LVDev.P), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and coronary flow were measured. Twenty-eight hearts were divided into 4 experimental groups consisted of seven hearts each: Group I consisted of controls, Group II was perfused with TAK-044 (10(-6) mol/L), Group III was perfused with temocaprilat (10(-6) mol/L), and Group IV was perfused with TAK-044 (10(-6) mol/L) in combination with temocaprilat (10(-6) mol/L). Group II showed a more early recovery of ATP during postischemic reperfusion (82+/-3%) compared with Group I (71+/-3%). Group III showed a significant inhibition of the decrease in ATP during global ischemia (54+/-3%) compared with Group I (45+/-3%). Group IV also showed a significant marked inhibition of the decrease in ATP during global ischemia (59+/-5%) and a more significant improvement on recovery of ATP during postischemic reperfusion (86+/-3%) compared with the other 3 groups. There were no differences in LVDev.P, LVEDP and coronary flow among these groups. In conclusion, TAK-044 in combination with temocaprilat had a significant potentiation on myocardial metabolism during both ischemia and reperfusion.

Muscle anaerobic response to a maximal treadmill exercise test in Standardbred trotters.

The purpose of this study was to develop a standardised maximal treadmill exercise test performed until fatigue in order to find reproducible markers for anaerobic metabolism, specifically adenine nucleotide degradation. Six Standardbred trotters performed an incremental maximal treadmill exercise test in 1 min steps (starting with 7 m/s) until they could no longer keep pace with the treadmill. The test was performed twice with at least one week between the tests. Heart rate was recorded and venous blood samples were obtained during the test and in the recovery period for determination of plasma lactate, hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid. Muscle biopsy samples (m. gluteus) were collected at rest, immediately post exercise, and after 15 min recovery and analysed for their concentrations of glycogen, creatine phosphate (CP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), inosine monophosphate (IMP) and muscle lactate (MLa). Significant decreases in glycogen, CP and ATP and significant increases in IMP and MLa were seen immediately post exercise. None of these metabolites had returned to resting levels after 15 min of recovery. A marked increase in plasma lactate (PLa) occurred during exercise and the peak concentration (mean value = 27.2 mmol/l) was reached within 5 min of recovery. Plasma uric acid concentration did not increase during exercise but rose markedly immediately post exercise, reaching the highest level (mean value = 121.5 micromol/l) at 20-30 min recovery. The duration of the maximal test was related to peak PLa and the uric acid concentration at 30 min of recovery. A correlation was also found between the ATP and IMP concentrations immediately post exercise and the plasma uric acid concentration at 30 min of recovery. The results show that this treadmill test triggered anaerobic metabolism and also that uric acid concentration post exercise seems to be a marker for the adenine nucleotide degradation that occurs during intense exercise. No significant differences were seen in metabolic response between the 2 test occasions.

Bacteriocin inhibition of two glucose transport systems in Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes transports glucose by proton motive force-mediated and phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase systems (PEP-dependent PTS). Inhibition of both systems by nisin, pediocin JD and leuconosin S is reported here for four strains of L. monocytogenes. Intracellular and extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and extracellular inorganic phosphate were measured in energized L. monocytogenes Scott A cells to determine whether inhibition of the PEP-dependent PTS might occur as a result of bacteriocin-induced leakage of intracellular components. Addition of nisin resulted in a decrease in intracellular ATP with an increase in extracellular ATP. Leuconosin S and pediocin JD induced a depletion of intracellular ATP. ATP efflux was low for the leuconosin S-treated cells and barely detectable for pediocin JD-treated cells. Addition of nisin, leuconosin S and pediocin JD induced efflux of inorganic phosphate. It appears that bacteriocin-mediated inhibition of the glucose PEP-dependent PTS occurs as a result of hydrolysis or efflux of ATP, PEP and other essential molecules from L. monocytogenes cells.

Steatohepatitis-inducing drugs cause mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid peroxidation in rat hepatocytes

Background & Aims: 4,4'-Diethylaminoethoxyhexestrol (DEAEH), amiodarone, and perhexiline cause steatohepatitis in humans. The mechanisms of these effects are unknown for DEAEH and have not been completely elucidated for amiodarone and perhexiline. The aim of this study was to determine these mechanisms. Methods: Rat liver mitochondria, cultured rat hepatocytes, or rats were treated with these drugs, and the effects on mitochondrial respiration, β-oxidation, reactive oxygen species formation, and lipid peroxidation were determined. Results: DEAEH accumulated in mitochondria and inhibited carnitine palmitoyl transferase I and acyl–coenzyme A dehydrogenases; it decreased β-oxidation and caused lipid deposits in hepatocytes. DEAEH also inhibited mitochondrial respiration and decreased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in hepatocytes. DEAEH, amiodarone, and perhexiline augmented the mitochondrial formation of reactive oxygen species and caused lipid peroxidation in rats. Conclusions: Like amiodarone and perhexiline, DEAEH accumulates in mitochondria, where it inhibits both β-oxidation (causing steatosis) and respiration. Inhibition of respiration decreases ATP and also increases the mitochondrial formation of reactive oxygen species. The latter oxidize fat deposits, causing lipid peroxidation. We suggest that ATP depletion and lipid peroxidation may cause cell death and that lipid peroxidation products may account, in part, for other steatohepatitis lesions. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1998;114:764-774

Quantitative proton-decoupled 31P MRS and 1H MRS in the evaluation of Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases.

To determine cerebral energy status in patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The study included 15 patients with DNA-proven, symptomatic HD and five patients with medically treated, idiopathic PD, all of whom were candidates for neurotransplant treatment, as well as 20 age-related normal subjects. Quantitative noninvasive, MRI-guided proton MRS was performed of single volumes in putamen of basal ganglia (BG), occipital gray matter, and posterior parietal white matter; in addition, quantitative phosphorus and proton-decoupled phosphorus MRS of superior biparietal white and gray matter was done. Outcome measures were quantitative metabolite ratios and millimolar concentrations of neuronal and glial markers, creatine (Cr) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and intracellular pH. In volume-corrected control BG (10.46 +/- 0.37 mM), [Cr] was 29% (p < 0.05) higher than in control gray matter (8.10 +/- 1.04 mM). In HD and PD, energy metabolism was not abnormal in the four cerebral locations measured by MRS. No increase in cerebral lactate or decrease in phosphocreatine and ATP was detected. Small, systematic abnormalities in N-acetylaspartate (NAA, decreased), Cr (decreased), choline-containing compounds (Cho, increased), and myoinositol (mI, increased) were demonstrable in all patient's individually and in summed spectra but were insufficient to make diagnosis possible in the individual patient. Previously described failure of global energy metabolism in HD was not confirmed. However, quantitative 1-hydrogen MRS and decoupled 31-phosphorus MRS are sensitive to +/-10% alterations in key cerebral metabolites, and may be of value in noninvasive monitoring of appropriate therapies.

Effect of Ginkor Fort on hypoxia-induced neutrophil adherence to human saphenous vein endothelium.

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Ginkor Fort, a venotropic drug composed of Ginkgo biloba extract, troxerutine, and heptaminol, on neutrophil adherence to the endothelium of saphenous veins. When saphenous veins were incubated 2 h in hypoxic conditions, they showed a five- to sixfold increase in neutrophil adherence to the endothelium. Ginkor Fort at 0.3 mg/ml was able to inhibit this increase by 69%. These results were confirmed by observations in scanning electron microscopy. Ginkor Fort also inhibited the subsequent activation of these neutrophils, as evidenced by the inhibition of superoxide anion release. The biochemical mechanism of this inhibition of neutrophil adherence was studied on endothelial cells in culture. We observed that Ginkor Fort was able to inhibit the different steps of the activation of endothelial cells by hypoxia: the activation of phospholipase A2 and the decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. By preventing the first step of the activation cascade, the decrease in ATP content, Ginkor Fort blocks the subsequent increase in neutrophil adherence as well as neutrophil activation. The biochemical mechanism evidenced in this work might explain the beneficial effect of this drug in the treatment of patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Energy supply and muscle fatigue in humans.

Limitations in energy supply is a classical hypothesis of muscle fatigue. The present paper reviews the evidence available from human studies that energy deficiency is an important factor in fatigue. The maximal rate of energy expenditure determined in skinned fibres is close to the rate of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) utilisation observed in vivo and data suggest that performance during short bursts of exercise (<5 s duration) primarily is limited by other factors than energy supply (e.g. Vmax of myosine adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), motor unit recruitment, engaged muscle mass). Within 10 s of exercise maximal power output decreases considerably and coincides with depletion of phosphocreatine. During recovery, maximal force and power output is restored with a similar time course as the resynthesis of phosphocreatine. Increases in muscle store of phosphocreatine through dietary supplementation with creatine increases performance during high-intensity exercise. These findings support the hypothesis that energy supply limits performance during high-intensity exercise. It is well documented that pre-exercise muscle glycogen content is related to performance during moderate intensity exercise. Recent data indicates that the interfibre variation in phosphocreatine is large after prolonged exercise to fatigue and that some fibres are depleted to the same extent as after high-intensity exercise. Despite relatively small decreases in ATP, the products of ATP hydrolysis (Pi and free ADP) may increase considerably. Free ADP calculated from the creatine kinase reaction increases 10-fold both after high-intensity exercise and after prolonged exercise to fatigue. It is suggested that local increases in ADP may reach inhibitory levels for the contraction process.

Effect of thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor on metabolism and contractility in ischemic reperfused rabbit heart.

The effect of thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor (OKY-046) on myocardial metabolism and contractility during ischemia and reperfusion was examined by the phosphorus 31-nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) in Langendorff rabbit hearts with use of an artificial blood substitute, perfluorochemical emulsion Fluosol-43. After normothermic fifteen-minute global zero-flow ischemia or fifteen-minute global low-flow ischemia (coronary perfusion pressure = 20 mmHg), reperfusion of sixty minutes was carried out. OKY-046 was administered from forty-five minutes prior to the global ischemia. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate (CrP), inorganic phosphate (Pi), pH, left ventricular systolic developed pressure (LV Dev.P) and coronary flow were continuously measured. Twenty-eight heart were divided into four experimental groups consisting of 7 hearts each; Group I consisted of controls with zero-flow ischemia; Group II, perfusion with OKY-046 (10(-6) M) in zero-flow ischemia; Group III, controls with low-flow ischemia; and Group IV, perfusion with OKY-046 in low-flow ischemia. Group II showed a significant inhibition of the increase in Pi and of the decrease in ATP, CrP, and pH during global ischemia compared with Group I, and a suppression of the overshoot of CrP observed after postischemic reperfusion. Group IV also showed a significantly marked improvement of ATP, CrP, and pH and significant suppression in Pi during low-flow ischemia compared with Group III. These were no differences in LV Dev.P and coronary flow among any groups. In conclusion, OKY-046 has a significantly beneficial effect on metabolism during both myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.