Reduction In Potassium Research Articles

Mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular effects of a labdenic diterpene isolated from Moldenhawera nutans in normotensive rats

Cardiovascular effects of Labd-8 (17)-en-15-oic acid (Labd-8), a labdenic diterpene isolated from methanolic extract of Moldenhawera nutans were investigated in normotensive rats. Additionally, this study examined the role of autonomic nervous system in the mediation of these cardiovascular effects. In pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, bolus intravenous (i.v.) injection of Labd-8 (1–10 mg/kg) induced dose-dependent hypotensive and tachycardiac responses. After cervical bivagotomy, hypotensive responses to Labd-8 were significantly enhanced whereas the tachycardia was completely abolished. In conscious rats, Labd-8 (1–10 mg/kg, i.v.) also decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with methylatropine (1 mg/kg, i.v.) or propranolol (2 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly reduced the tachycardia evoked by Labd-8 without affecting the hypotension. Blockade of ganglionic neurotransmission with hexamethonium (30 mg/kg, i.v.) reduced and abolished the hypotensive and tachycardic effects of Labd-8, respectively. However, hypotensive effects of Labd-8 were not reduced by pretreatment with N w-nitro- l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 20 mg/kg, i.v.), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. In rat endothelium-containing aorta preparations, Labd-8 (1–1000 μg/ml) induced a concentration-dependent reduction of potassium (60 mM)-induced contraction [IC 50 (geometric mean ± 95% confidence interval) = 313.6 (191.4–513.8) μg/ml], an effect that remained unaffected [IC 50 = 440.8 (225.1–863.3) μg/ml] by removal of vascular endothelium. These results show that i.v. treatment with Labd-8-induced dose-dependent hypotensive and tachycardiac effects in both conscious and anesthetized rats. The tachycardia is mediated reflexly through inhibition of vagal and activation of sympathetic drive to the heart. The hypotension is mainly due to withdrawal of sympathetic tone to the vasculature and also partly to an active vascular relaxation. Released nitric oxide from vascular endothelial cells is not involved in the mediation of Labd-8-induced hypotension.

Differences in the growth and ectomycorrhizal community of Dryobalanops lanceolata (Dipterocarpaceae) seedlings grown in ultramafic and non-ultramafic soils

Ultramafic soils have naturally high concentrations of metals and are often low in major plant nutrients. Plant species of non-ultramafic origin, such as Dryobalanops lanceolata (Dipterocarpaceae), generally grow less well on these soils. I found minimal changes in growth, but a 17% reduction in foliar potassium, when seedlings of D. lanceolata were grown in a non-native ultramafic soil when compared with a ‘normal’ tropical ultisol. There were, however, marked changes in the ectomycorrhizal community structure on the roots of D. lanceolata. Cenococcum geophilum was at least 10 times more common and Inocybe sp. was one and a half times more common in non-ultramafic soils, whereas Boletales sp. was over 30 times more common in the non-ultramafic soil. These changes may have been brought about by a number of edaphic differences between the two soil types, including high metal concentrations and differences in organic matter content.

Synthesis and structure of the diglyme-bridged lead hexafluoroacetylacetonate complex [Pb(hfac) 2(μ-η 3:η 1-diglyme)] 2

The hexafluoroacetylacetonate (hfac) chemistry of lead was investigated to make comparisons with the similarly sized lanthanides that form air stable Ln(hfac) 3(diglyme) complexes. [Pb(hfac) 2(μ-η 3:η 1-diglyme)] 2 was obtained from PbO, (MeOCH 2CH 2) 2O, and H(hfac) and was found to exist in the solid state as chiral pairs linked via diglyme. The metal is eight coordinate, but has sufficient vacant space in the coordination sphere to be considered to have an hemi-directed coordination environment. In contrast to the Ln(hfac) 3(digyme)/K reactions that generate [LnF(hfac) 3K(diglyme)] 2 fluoride complexes, the potassium reduction of the lead complex gave only [(18-crown-6)K(hfac)] n in pure form, a complex that displays bridging CF 3 linkages in the solid state.

Recreating an artificial biological pacemaker: Insights from a theoretical model

Normal cardiac rhythm is critically dependent on the sinoatrial (SA) node, the natural biological pacemaker. Although recent studies have focused on the development of "artificial" biological pacemakers using gene transfer, less is known about the functional consequences of such interventions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the electrophysiological consequences of two approaches used to create a biological pacemaker: overexpression of the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated channel (HCN "pacemaker" channels) and suppression of the inward-rectifier potassium current, I(K1). We used a linear multicellular Luo-Rudy (LRd) AP model consisting of 130 ventricular cells connected by resistive gap junctions. To induce automaticity, I(K1) current was reduced or I(f) (HCN) current was introduced in endocardial and midmyocardial (M) cells. Similar to the previously published results for a single LRd model, myocyte I(K1) suppression induced automaticity in the fiber. While introduction of I(f) also resulted in automaticity, the main differences between I(K1) suppression and I(f) expression were (1) a relatively more gradual phase 4 depolarization with HCN expression, (2) stabilization of cycle lengths during I(K1) suppression, but not during HCN expression, and (3) responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation during HCN expression, but not during I(K1) suppression. Upon further investigation, we found that cycle length instability during HCN expression was primarily due to a gradual reduction of intracellular potassium ([K(+)](i)) from its baseline value of 142 mM to 120 mM in 600 beats and subsequent alteration of potassium-dependent ionic currents. A twofold increase in HCN expression also led to a similar behavior. We attribute this decrease in [K(+)](i) to a large I(K1) during phase 4 depolarization. When intracellular [K(+)](i) loss was minimized, cycle lengths stabilized during HCN expression. Our results help to further understand the electrophysiologic consequences as well as some of the challenges associated with the creation of biological pacemakers using HCN and I(K1) gene transfer strategies.

Hypokalemia in a mouse model of Gitelman's syndrome

Hypokalemia is a prominent feature of Gitelman syndrome and a common side effect of thiazide use in the treatment of hypertension. It is widely recognized that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of the renal thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC) initiates the potentially severe renal potassium loss observed in these settings. Surprisingly, hypokalemia has not been detected in NCC (-/-) mice maintained on normal rodent diets (Schultheis PJ, Lorenz JN, Meneton P, Nieman ML, Riddle TM, Flagella M, Duffy JJ, Doetschman T, Miller ML, and Shull GE. J Biol Chem 273: 29150-29155, 1998). We show that modest reduction of dietary potassium induced a marked reduction in plasma potassium and elevated renal potassium excretion in NCC (-/-) mice that was associated with a pronounced polydipsia and polyuria of central origin. These findings are consistent with the development of potassium depletion in NCC (-/-) mice and were not seen in wild-type mice maintained on the same low-potassium diet. In addition, plasma aldosterone levels were significantly elevated in NCC (-/-) mice even in the presence of a low-potassium diet. Collectively, these findings suggest an early central component to the polyuria of Gitelman syndrome and show that both elevated aldosterone and dietary potassium content contribute to the development of hypokalemia in Gitelman syndrome. Therefore, NCC (-/-) mice are more sensitive to reductions in dietary potassium than wild-type mice and become hypokalemic, thus more faithfully representing the Gitelman phenotype seen in humans.

Lidar observations of sodium density depletions in the presence of polar mesospheric clouds

Since 1997, sodium resonance lidar and Rayleigh lidar measurements have been conducted simultaneously at the Sondrestrom upper atmosphere research facility near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (67.0°N, 309.1°E) for studying the arctic mesosphere. The summertime lidar observations during the typical polar mesospheric cloud (PMC) season from June through August are used to investigate changes in the mesospheric sodium layer related to the presence of PMCs. Our observations demonstrate, on average, a 20% reduction in sodium density below the sodium peak altitude when PMCs are detected by the Rayleigh lidar. Individual PMC events can produce appreciable depletions in the lower half of the sodium layer. We have observed nearly 50% reduction in sodium column abundance below 92 km in the presence of a PMC with moderate backscatter strength. The magnitude of the depletion is correlated with PMC backscatter strength. New modeling results that include the photolysis of sodium bicarbonate have suggested that the reduction in sodium density may be associated with adsorption of sodium atoms onto the surface of the ice particles. The observed sodium depletion is not as significant as the depletion in iron density observed from the South Pole during the austral PMC summer months. This difference in depletion may result from the fact that the sodium layer resides a few kilometers higher than the iron layer, and, therefore, is exposed to presumably smaller ice particles (with less surface area) and, thus, has a reduced uptake rate on ice. Our observations extend previously reported reductions in iron and potassium in the presence of PMCs to include sodium, and support the role of heterogeneous chemistry on ice particles as a new and important process for sodium chemistry near the mesopause.

Cardiovascular Effects of the Essential Oil of Aniba canelilla Bark in Normotensive Rats

Cardiovascular effects of intravenous (i.v.) treatment with the essential oil of the bark of Aniba canelilla (EOAC) were investigated in normotensive rats. In both pentobarbital-anesthetized and conscious rats, i.v. bolus injections of EOAC (1 to 20 mg/kg) elicited similar and dose-dependent hypotension and bradycardia. Pretreatment of anesthetized rats with bilateral vagotomy significantly reduced the bradycardia without affecting the hypotension. In conscious rats, pretreatment with hexamethonium (30 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly reduced the EOAC-induced bradycardia without affecting the hypotension. The opposite effect was observed after i.v. pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl esther (L-NAME, 20 mg/kg). However, both EOAC-induced hypotension and bradycardia were significantly reduced by pretreatment with methylatropine (1 mg/kg, i.v.). In rat endothelium-containing aorta preparations, EOAC (1-600 microg/mL) induced a concentration-dependent reduction of potassium (60 mM)-induced contraction [IC50 (geometric mean+/-95% confidence interval)=64.5 (45.6-91.2) microg/mL)], an effect that was significantly reduced by the addition of atropine (10 microM) in the perfusion medium [IC50=109.5 (72.5-165.4) microg/mL)]. Furthermore, the vasorelaxant effects of the EOAC were also but significantly reduced [IC50=139.1 (105.2-183.9) microg/mL)] by removal of the vascular endothelium. Furthermore, the CaCl2-induced contractions in calcium-free medium were reduced and even fully abolished by EOAC (100 and 600 microg/mL), respectively. However, EOAC (600 microg/mL) was without significant effect on caffeine-induced contractions in calcium-free medium. These data show that i.v. treatment of rats with EOAC induces dose-dependent hypotension and bradycardia, which occurred independently. The bradycardia appears mainly dependent upon the presence of an operational and functional parasympathetic drive to the heart. However, the hypotension is due to an active vascular relaxation rather than withdrawal of sympathetic tone. This relaxation seems partly mediated by an endothelial L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway through peripheral muscarinic receptor activation (endothelium-dependent relaxation) and predominantly through an inhibition of calcium inward current (endothelium-independent relaxation).

Effects of intravenous sodium bicarbonate and sodium acetate on equine acid-base status

Changes in blood gases, pH, and plasma electrolyte concentrations in response to intravenously infused sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and sodium acetate (NaCH3CO2) solutions (1.34 mEq/mL) in 5 light breed mares were investigated. Jugular venous blood samples were collected before and after completion of the infusions in 20-minute intervals for 200 minutes. Infusion of sodium bicarbonate and sodium acetate caused significant (P .05) thereafter. There were significant reductions (P < .01) in plasma-ionized calcium and potassium after infusion of both sodium bicarbonate and sodium acetate. This study found that significant metabolic alkalosis in horses and corresponding shifts in electrolyte concentrations can be induced by intravenous infusion of solutions of either sodium bicarbonate or sodium acetate, and they persist for at least 3 hours. These data show that the short-term elevation in pH and bicarbonate ion concentration is momentarily higher after infusion of sodium bicarbonate. This is likely due to the direct infusion of bicarbonate ions in the sodium bicarbonate treatment, such that further metabolism is not required to be effective. However, the longer-term alkalosis did not differ between isomolar solutions of sodium bicarbonate and sodium acetate.

On the Chemistry of Zn−Zn Bonds, RZn−ZnR (R = [{(2,6-Pri2C6H3)N(Me)C}2CH]): Synthesis, Structure, and Computations

Potassium reduction of RZn(mu-I)2Li(OEt2)2 (R = [{(2,6-Pri2C6H3)N(Me)C}2CH]) affords the second compound with a Zn-Zn bond, RZn-ZnR. The air- and moisture-sensitive title compound was characterized by 1H NMR, elemental analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The Zn-Zn bond was determined to be 2.3586(7) A; this value is only about 0.05 A longer than the Zn-Zn bond reported for Cp*Zn-ZnCp* (Cp* = C5Me5), the first reported compound with a Zn-Zn bond. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) computations on related model RZn-ZnR compounds provide insight into the intriguing Zn-Zn bond.

Cardiovascular Benefits of Aldosterone Receptor Antagonists

Before the mid-1990s, much data supported the hypothesis that the primary mechanism action of aldosterone was to maintain sodium, volume, and potassium homeostasis. This is accomplished by a direct effect on epithelial cells of the distal segments of the nephron to actively promote sodium transport out of and potassium transport into the tubular lumen. This primary mechanism of action was reinforced by the 2 major mechanisms controlling adrenal aldosterone secretion: activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and, specifically, the concentration of angiotensin II, and the level of potassium.1 For nearly 50 years, inappropriate activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), with a particular emphasis on increased angiotensin II production, has been documented to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Less well appreciated are the adverse effects of the other major outcome from activation of the RAAS: potassium reduction. In experimental animals and humans, potassium reduction increases cardiovascular risk, and potassium replacement reduces it. Because of the adverse effects of potassium reduction, inhibitors of the mineralocorticoid receptor have been used for many years to counteract the adverse effects of thiazide diuretics or an activated RAAS. Because of potential adverse side effects from spironolactone, the only mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist available at the time, other potassium-sparing diuretics were developed, among them triamterene. During the past 10 years, an increasing body of evidence has suggested that aldosterone and specifically activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor in nonepithelial cells also can induce cardiovascular damage. Data to support this conclusion come from clinical and experimental studies. The first major clinical study was the Randomized Aldactone Evaluation Study (RALES), in which the mortality of subjects with severe congestive heart …

The faster potassium-lowering effect of high dialysate bicarbonate concentrations in chronic haemodialysis patients

Hyperkalaemia is common in patients with advanced renal disease. In this double-blind, randomized, three-sequence, crossover study, we compared the effect of three dialysate bicarbonate concentrations ([HCO3-]) on the kinetics of serum potassium (K+) reduction during a conventional haemodialysis (HD) session in chronic HD patients. We studied eight stable HD patients. The choice of dialysate [HCO3-] followed a previously assigned treatment protocol and the [HCO3-] used were low bicarbonate (LB; 27 mmol/l), standard bicarbonate (SB; 35 mmol/l) and high bicarbonate (HB; 39 mmol/l). Polysulphone dialysers and automated machines provided blood flow rates of 300 ml/min and dialysis flow rates of 500 ml/min for each HD session. Blood samples were drawn at 0 (baseline), 15, 30, 60 and 240 min from the arterial extracorporeal line to assess blood gases and serum electrolytes. In three of the eight patients, we measured serum K+ 1 h post-dialysis as well as K+ removal by the dialysis. The same procedures were followed until the completion of the three arms of the study, with a 1 week interval between each experimental arm. Serum K+ decreased from 5.4+/-0.26 (baseline) to 4.96+/-0.20, 4.90+/-0.19, 4.68+/-0.13 and 4.24+/-0.15 mmol/l at 15, 30, 60 and 240 min, respectively, with LB; from 5.38+/-0.21 to 5.01+/-0.23, 4.70+/-0.25, 4.3+/-0.15 and 3.8+/-0.19 mmol/l, respectively, with SB; and from 5.45+/-0.25 to 4.79+/-0.17, 4.48+/-0.17, 3.86+/-0.16 and 3.34+/-0.11 mmol/l, respectively, with HB (P<0.05 for high vs standard and low [HCO3-] at 60 and 240 min). The decrease in serum K+ correlated with the rise in serum [HCO3-] in all but LB (P<0.05). Potassium rebound was 3.9+/-10.2%, 5.2+/-6.6% and 8.9+/-4.9% for LB, SB and HB dialysates, respectively (P=NS), while total K+ removal (mmol/dialysis) was 116.4+/-21.6 for LB, 73.2+/-12.8 for SB and 80.9+/-15.4 for HB (P=NS). High dialysate [HCO3-] was associated with a faster decrease in serum K+. Our results strongly suggest that this reduction was due to the enhanced shifting of K+ from the extracellular to the intracellular fluid compartment rather than its removal by dialysis. This finding could have an impact for those patients with life-threatening pre-HD hyperkalaemia.

ターチオフェン修飾金およびパラジウムナノ粒子の合成と電解重合 : 金属ナノ粒子-ポリチオフェン複合体

The reduction of tetrachloroaurate or potassium tetrachloropalladate with sodium borohydride in the presence of terthienyldecanethiol gave the terthiophene-modified gold or palladium nanoparticles which showed the small core (1.8 nm for TTP-Au or 1.7 nm for TTP-Pd) with narrow size distribution and remarkably high stability. The redox -active multifunctional gold nanoparticles (C 6 0 -TTP-Au : particle size 1.8nm) containing C 6 0 -fullerene and terth-ienyl groups were prepared by the ligand-exchange reaction of TTP-Au with a C 6 0 -substituted decanethiol. Their novel polythiophene-metal nanoparticle composite films were deposited on metal electrodes by electropolymerization. The poly (C 6 0 -TTP-Au) films modified metal electrodes show two distinct reversible redox peaks due to the C 6 0 groups and are considerably stable in organic solvents under repeated potential cycling.

Polycyclooctatetraeneoxy Alkane Polyanionic Polyradicals

The room temperature potassium reduction of 1,2,3-triscyclooctatetraeneoxypropane, in hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA), yields an anion radical, which disproportionates so strongly to the dianion diradical that the anion radical cannot be observed via EPR. The dianion diradical has one unpaired electron in a primary and one in a secondary ring system, and it can be readily reduced to the corresponding trianion triradical. An analogous reduction of 1,2,3,4-tetrakiscyclooctatetraeneoxybutane does produce an observable anion radical, but it also is readily reduced to the system corresponding to one electron per eight-membered ring (the tetraanion tetraradical). These results and those obtained from systems containing two cyclooctatetraene (COT) moieties are explained in terms of the geometry changes COT undergoes upon one-electron reduction, the interactions between reduced and adjacent unreduced ring systems, and the electron- electron repulsion present in the polyanion polyradicals.

Mineral Composition and Dry Mass Production of Corn Plants Affected by Different Phosphate Sources and Different Soil Aluminum Saturation Levels

The effects of different commercial phosphate fertilizers [Triple superphosphate (TSP), Tricalcium phosphate (TCP), and ARAD rock phosphate) and soil aluminum (Al) saturation (86, 29, and 0%) on the mineral composition and dry mass production of corn (Zea mays) plants were studied. As soil Al saturation values decreased, pH, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) levels in the soil increased. High Ca values in the shoot resulted in the reduction in potassium (K) concentrations. The high values of P availability in the soil for the ARAD source of P did not correspond to the high values of dry mass production of corn plants. The high values of corn mass production were noticed for the TSP phosphate source, and the mass productions values were reduced as the soil Al saturation values increased.

ATP Excites Interneurons and Astrocytes to Increase Synaptic Inhibition in Neuronal Networks

We investigated the role of extracellular ATP at astrocytes and inhibitory GABAergic interneurons in the stratum radiatum area of the mouse hippocampus. We show that exogenously applied ATP increased astrocyte intracellular Ca2+ levels and depolarized all calbindinand calretinin-positive interneurons in the stratum radiatum region of mouse hippocampus, leading to action potential firing and enhanced synaptic inhibition onto the postsynaptic targets of interneurons. Electrophysiological, pharmacological, and immunostaining studies suggested that the effect of ATP on interneurons was mediated by P2Y1 receptors, and that the depolarization of interneurons was caused by the concomitant reduction and activation of potassium and nonselective cationic conductances, respectively. Electrical stimulation of the Schaffer collaterals and perforant path, as well as local stimulation within the stratum radiatum, evoked increases in intracellular Ca2+ in astrocytes. Facilitation of GABAergic IPSCs onto interneurons also occurred during electrical stimulation. Both the stimulation-evoked increases in astrocyte Ca2+ levels and facilitation of GABAergic IPSCs were sensitive to antagonists of P2Y1 receptors and mimicked by exogenous P2Y1 receptor agonists, suggesting that endogenously released ATP can activate P2Y receptors on both astrocytes and interneurons. Overall, our data are consistent with the hypothesis that ATP released from neurons and astrocytes acts on P2Y1 receptors to excite interneurons, resulting in increased synaptic inhibition within intact hippocampal circuits.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy: electromechanical cellular alterations.

Diabetic patients show a higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation and sudden death. However, although diabetic cardiomyopathy is a frequent and important complication of diabetes mellitus, its physiological basis is not completely known. The electrocardiogram of diabetic patients shows several alterations from normal patterns, most of them related to the QT interval and T wave. Recently, different alterations in cardiac ionic currents have been described in myocytes isolated from diabetic hearts, mainly a reduction in potassium repolarizing currents. Three different mechanisms could be involved in these alterations. First, direct metabolic alterations of the cardiac myocyte, such as impaired activity of protein kinases and phosphatases, intracellular pH regulation, intracellular calcium handling, and others. Second, impaired support of extra cardiac factors regulating cardiac activity, such as sympathetic regulation of heart rate and contractility. Thus, diabetic autonomic neuropathy leads to diminished noradrenaline release in cardiac ventricle in response to standing, exercise or cold stress. Besides, diabetic cardiomyopathy reduces cardiac myocyte response to acute noradrenaline exposure and finally, impairs support of different trophic factors responsible for the regulation of ionic channel expression. Thus, basal noradrenaline release in the ventricles, necessary to maintain adequate potassium channel expression, is reduced by sympathetic neuropathy. Moreover, the levels of insulin and other trophic factors required for the maintenance of adequate ionic channel expression are also altered in diabetic patients. Therefore, different physiopathological mechanisms are involved in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Thus, further research is needed in order to prevent the development of this long-term complication, and to improve the pharmacological management of diabetic patients.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate used to reduce the potassium content of a high-protein enteral formula: a quantitative analysis.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) commonly is used in treating hyperkalemia. As a cation exchange resin, it also can be used to reduce the potassium content of enteral nutrition formulas. This study evaluates the use of Kayexalate to reduce potassium in one high-protein enteral formula and describes the quantitative analysis of the product. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate and enteral formula were mixed into a slurry and allowed to settle, and then the supernatant was decanted off and tested as samples. Three sample concentrations were analyzed: a control not subjected to potassium reduction, 0.5 g of Kayexalate per mEq K+ sample, and a 1 g/mEq K+ sample. Of these samples, moisture, lipid, protein, carbohydrate, ash, and mineral content were obtained. Compared with the control, the percentage decrease of potassium ranged from 25% to 36%, depending on the concentration of Kayexalate. A significant increase of 324% in sodium concentration was found in the 1.0 g/mEq K+ sample. Although there was no change in magnesium content, a slight increase in phosphorus, iron, and zinc was evident. The treatment of an enteral formula with sodium polystyrene sulfonate significantly increases its sodium content, with a modest decrease in potassium content. Clinicians using this method in clinical practice should be aware of the increase in sodium content.

Cardiovascular effects of methyleugenol, a natural constituent of many plant essential oils, in normotensive rats

Cardiovascular effects of intravenous (i.v.) treatment with methyleugenol (ME), a natural constituent of many plant essential oils, were investigated in normotensive rats. Additionally this study examined (I) whether the autonomic nervous system is involved in the mediation of ME-induced changes in mean aortic pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), and (II) whether the hypotensive effects of ME could result from its vasodilatory effects directly upon vascular smooth muscle. In both pentobarbital-anesthetized and conscious rats, i.v. bolus injections of ME (1 to 10 mg/kg) elicited similar and dose-dependent decreases in MAP. In anesthetized rats, ME decreased HR only at the highest dose (10 mg/kg), while changes of this parameter were not uniform in conscious rats. Pretreatment of anesthetized rats with bilateral vagotomy significantly reduced the bradycardia response to ME (10 mg/kg) without affecting the hypotension. In conscious rats, i.v. pretreatment with methylatropine (1 mg/kg) or hexamethonium (30 mg/kg) had no significant effect on ME-induced hypotension. In rat isolated thoracic aorta preparations, ME (0.006–1.68 mM) induced a concentration-dependent reduction of potassium (60 mM)-induced contraction. This is the first physiological evidence that i.v. treatment with ME in either anesthetized or conscious rats elicits hypotension; an effect that seems related to an active vascular relaxation rather than withdrawal of sympathetic tone.

Cardiovascular effects of methyleugenol, a natural constituent of many plant essential oils, in normotensive rats

Cardiovascular effects of intravenous (i.v.) treatment with methyleugenol (ME), a natural constituent of many plant essential oils, were investigated in normotensive rats. Additionally this study examined (I) whether the autonomic nervous system is involved in the mediation of ME-induced changes in mean aortic pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), and (II) whether the hypotensive effects of ME could result from its vasodilatory effects directly upon vascular smooth muscle. In both pentobarbital-anesthetized and conscious rats, i.v. bolus injections of ME (1 to 10 mg/kg) elicited similar and dose-dependent decreases in MAP. In anesthetized rats, ME decreased HR only at the highest dose (10 mg/kg), while changes of this parameter were not uniform in conscious rats. Pretreatment of anesthetized rats with bilateral vagotomy significantly reduced the bradycardia response to ME (10 mg/kg) without affecting the hypotension. In conscious rats, i.v. pretreatment with methylatropine (1 mg/kg) or hexamethonium (30 mg/kg) had no significant effect on ME-induced hypotension. In rat isolated thoracic aorta preparations, ME (0.006–1.68 mM) induced a concentration-dependent reduction of potassium (60 mM)-induced contraction. This is the first physiological evidence that i.v. treatment with ME in either anesthetized or conscious rats elicits hypotension; an effect that seems related to an active vascular relaxation rather than withdrawal of sympathetic tone.

Mineral Composition and Dry Mass Production of Corn Plants Affected by Different Phosphate Sources and Different Soil Aluminum Saturation Levels

Abstract The effects of different commercial phosphate fertilizers [Triple superphosphate (TSP), Tricalcium phosphate (TCP), and ARAD rock phosphate) and soil aluminum (Al) saturation (86, 29, and 0%) on the mineral composition and dry mass production of corn (Zea mays) plants were studied. As soil Al saturation values decreased, pH, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) levels in the soil increased. High Ca values in the shoot resulted in the reduction in potassium (K) concentrations. The high values of P availability in the soil for the ARAD source of P did not correspond to the high values of dry mass production of corn plants. The high values of corn mass production were noticed for the TSP phosphate source, and the mass productions values were reduced as the soil Al saturation values increased.