The mechanical and biochemical effects of pentoxifylline on the perfused rat heart

Perfusion of the isolated rat heart at constant heart rate and coronary flow with the inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, pentoxifylline (10(-4) moles/l), produced no significant effect on the maximum rate and the peak of contraction, but increased the maximum rate of relaxation. cAMP level and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity were increased in the absence of changes in cGMP. The results were identical in hearts of reserpinized rats.     

The mechanical and biochemical effects of pentoxifylline on the perfused rat heart

Summary Perfusion of the isolated rat heart at constant heart rate and coronary flow with the inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, pentoxifylline (10^–4 moles/l), produced no significant effect on the maximum rate and the peak of contraction, but increased the maximum rate of relaxation. cAMP level and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity were increased in the absence of changes in cGMP. The results were identical in hearts of reserpinized rats.This work was supported by grants from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas and the Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Buenos Aires, Argentina.We thank Hoechst Laboratories for the partial support and Mrs Alicia R. Ramirez and María Prinzo for the excellent technical assistance.     

The effect of sodium fluoride on the autoxidation of cysteine

Zusammenfassung Fluoride beschleunigen die Autoxydation von Zystein zu Zystin in saure Lösung (p _H 1,8). Zusatz von Fe-Salzen hat keinen Einfluß auf die Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit.     

Down-regulation of sodium current in chronic heart failure: effect of long-term therapy with carvedilol

Evidence has accumulated recently about the importance of alterations in Na⁺ channel function and slow myocardial conduction for arrhythmias in the infarcted and failing heart. The present study tested a hypothesis that Na⁺ current (I_Na/C) density decreases in chronic heart failure (HF) and that Na⁺ channel (NaCh) functional density can be restored by long-term therapy with carvedilol, a mixed α- and β-adrenergic blocker. Studies were performed using a canine model of chronic HF produced in dogs by sequential intracoronary embolizations with microspheres. HF developed approximately 3 months after the last embolization (left ventricle, LV, ejection fraction = 28 ± 1 %). Ventricular cardiomyocytes (VCs) were isolated enzymatically from LV mid-myocardium, and I_Na was measured by whole-cell patch-clamp. The maximum I_NA/C was decreased in failing (n = 19) compared to normal (n = 12) hearts (33.1 ± 1.6 vs 48.5 ± 5.1 pA/pF, mean ± SE, p < 0.001). The steady-state inactivation and activation of I_Na remained unchanged in failing compared to normal hearts. Long-term treatment with carvedilol (1 mg/kg, twice daily for 3 months) normalized I_Na/C in dogs with HF. I_Na/C in HF dogs (n = 6) treated with carvedilol was higher compared to that of non-treated HF dogs (n = 6) (49.4 ± 0.9 vs 29 ± 4.8 pA/pF, p < 0.007). In vitro culture of VCs of failing hearts for 24 h did not restore I_Na/C. However, I_Na/C was partially restored when VCs were incubated for 24 h with BAPTA-AM, an intracellular Ca²⁺ buffer. Thus, we conclude that experimental chronic HF in dogs results in down-regulation of the functional density of NaCh that can be restored by long-term therapy with carvedilol. The mechanism of NaCh down-regulation in HF may be linked to poor Ca²⁺ handling in this stage of disease. Received 4 June 2002; received after revision 1 July 2002; accepted 17 July 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author.     

The inhibitory effect of 6-azauracil riboside on the multiplication of vaccinia virus

Zusammenfassung Die Hemmwirkung von 6-Azauracilribosid auf die Vermehrung des Vaccina-Virus in Gewebekulturen wurde festgestellt. Die Substanz blieb gegen andere Viren (Influenza A, NDV, EEE) wirkungslos.     

The effect of urethane on histamine-induced contraction of guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle

Summary Urethane possesses a direct depressant action on histamine-induced contractions of guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle both in vivo and in vitro.     

The effect of sodium nitrite on red cell GSH

Zusammenfassung Bei der Nachuntersuchung der Nitritwirkung auf das GSH der unversehrten Erythrocyten konnte nur ein geringfügiger Effekt festgestellt werden. Die früher mitgeteilte totale Zerstörung der GSH wurde auf einen Artefakt zurückgeführt, der während der Eiweissfällung mit Metaphosphorsäure auftrat.

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Supported in part by U.S.P.H.S. Grants H-5313 and H-5292.     

The inhibitory effect of α-2-macroglobulin on tumour growth

Zusammenfassung Versuche an Leukämiezellen L 1210 und in vivo-Versuche an DÄNA 435-tragenden R-Ratten haben gezeigt, dass ₂-Makroglobulin selektiv das Tumorwachstum hemmt.     

The inhibitory effect of duodenal souring on shay ulceration in rat

Résumé L'acidification du duodenum pratiquée parallèlement à l'opération de Shay empèche totalement le développement de l'ulcus chez le rat. Les auteurs expliquent cet effet de la manière suivante: les parahormones activées gènent la sécrétion et la contraction de l'estomac et provoquent dans les vaisseaux splanchniques une vaso-dilatation fonctionelle. De ce fait, la vasoconstriction réflective qui suit la ligature du pylore ne peut pas se résaliser dans les parois de l'estomac.     

The effect of some neurohormones on the heart rate of spiders

Résumé Les auteurs ont étudié l'effet de l'adrénaline et de l'acétylocholine sur le rythme du cur chez l'araignéeTegenaria atrica C. L. Koch. L'enregistrement s'est fait au moyen de l'électroencephalographe. L'injection de l'adrénaline provoquait l'accélération du rythme du cur, l'acétylocholine — son ralentissement.     

The effect of maltose on the aldosterone activated sodium transport of the frog bladder

Zusammenfassung Es wird gezeigt, dass Maltose als Energielieferant für die Na-Pumpe in der Harnblase von Amphibien (Rana catesbiana) dienen kann.     

Differential inhibitory effects of noradrenaline upon insulin secretion by the isolated perfused pancreas of the rat

Summary Responses of basal and glucose-induced secretion phases of the isolated perfused pancreas of the rat to graded doses of noradrenaline (NA) are described. Maximal inhibition of basal secretion was achieved at [NA]=40, ng/100 ml; at [NA]=80 ng/100 ml, the 1st phase of glucose induced secretion was abolished; at [NA]=100 ng/100 ml the 2nd phase was abolished. At [NA]40 ng/100 ml basal secretion was less sensitive to NA inhibition than glucose induced output.Acknowledgment. The authors are most grateful to Mr J. Stevenson for advice upon and assistance with statistical analysis of data.