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 effects of dopamine on renin release in the isolated perfused rat kidney

Summary In the isolated and perfused kidney of the rat, the stimulant effect of dopamine on renin release is blocked by propanolol and not by haloperidol. This suggests that the release of renin induced by dopamine is due to the activation of \-receptors.     

Isoprenaline-like effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine on mechanical,biochemical and electrophysiological parameters in the mammalian heart

Summary The phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) mimicked the effects of isoprenaline on the force of contraction, the cAMP content and the slow Ca⁺⁺ inward current (I_si) in isolated guinea pig papillary muscles. The results support the hypothesis that phosphodiesterase inhibitors and -adrenoceptor agonists exert their positive inotropic effects by increasing I_si via the common mediator cAMP.Acknowledgment. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Isoprenaline-like effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine on mechanical, biochemical and electrophysiological parameters in the mammalian heart

The phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) mimicked the effects of isoprenaline on the force of contraction, the cAMP content and the slow Ca++ inward current (Isi) in isolated guinea pig papillary muscles. The results support the hypothesis that phosphodiesterase inhibitors and beta-adrenoceptor agonists exert their positive inotropic effects by increasing Isi via the common mediator cAMP.     

Cyclic nucleotide levels in the perfused rat heart subjected to hypoxia

Summary Isolated rat hearts were subjected to hypoxic perfusion on a recirculating Langendorff apparatus. Following a 30-min-period of aerobic stabilization the hearts were perfused for 30 min with media equilibrated with 84% N₂, 12% O₂ and 4% CO₂. At the end of the hypoxic period myocardial concentrations of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were determined by radioimmunoassay. Exposure to hypoxia resulted in a significant increase in cyclic AMP (p<0.01) and a decrease in cyclic GMP (p<0.05) as compared to hearts perfused for 60 min with media gassed with 96% O₂, 4% CO₂.Acknowledgment. We gratefully acknowledge the excellent technical assistance provided by Mrs Inger O. Boggs and Miss Patricia C. Hannigan. This work was supported in part by U. S. Public Health Service grant HL 14661 from the National Heart and Lung Institute, and by a grant from the Central Ohio Heart Chapter.     

Cyclic nucleotide levels in the perfused rat heart subjected to hypoxia.

Isolated rat hearts were subjected to hypoxic perfusion on a recirculating Langendorff apparatus. Following a 30-min-period of aerobic stabilization the hearts were perfused for 30 min with media equilibrated with 84% N2, 12%O2 and 4% CO2. At the end of the hypoxic period myocardial concentrations of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were determined by radioimmunoassay. Exposure to hypoxia resulted in a significant increase in cyclic AMP (p less than 0.01) and a decrease in cyclic GMP (p less than 0.05) as compared to hearts perfused for 60 min with media gassed with 96% O2. 4% CO2.     

Isoprenaline, modifications of the turnover of ATP in the perfused rat heart]

5 hrs after a single sub-cutaneous injection of the drug in a dose of 5 mg/kg, the ATP concentration was reduced by 15%, the incorporation of 14C adenine was augmented by 20% and the turnover of ATP was accelerated: the reduction of specific radioactivity attained 16%, 75 mn after the period of marquage, instead of 7% in the control hearts. When the drug was added to the perfusion fluid, there was no supplementary reduction of the ATP concentration and the action on the nucleotide turnover only existed if the ATP level was reduced by a pretreatment: the reduction of specific radioactivity then attained 24% after 75 min. of perfusion.     

The intracellular pH of the isolated perfused rat liver

Zusammenfassung Die intrazellulären pH-Werte von Rattenleber wurden mit Hilfe der DMO-Verteilungsmethode untersucht. Der intrazelluläre pH-Mittelwert der Leberzellen betrug 7,17±0,09; die intra-extrazelluläre pH-Differenz war 0,23.     

The inhibitory effect of sodium on the contraction of frog's heart perfused with sucrose solution

Résumé Le cur de grenouille continue à battre de lui-même et répond à une stimulation électrique durant 5–6 h s'il reçoit une injection contenant une demi solution isotonique de saccharose, de pyrophosphate de sodium et d'adénosinetriphosphate ou de citrate de sodium. Le chloride de sodium annule ces deux réactions.     

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.     

Dissociation between biochemical and ultrastructural effects of 6-hydroxydopamine in rat brain

Zusammenfassung Im Gehirn von Ratten bewirkt einmalige intraventrikuläre Injektion von 200 g 6-Hydroxydopamin nach 2 und 5 Tagen eine deutliche Verminderung von Noradrenalin und Dopamin, während 5-Hydroxytryptamin nur geringfügig herabgesetzt wird. Elektronenmikroskopisch sind keine strukturellen Veränderungen festzustellen. Zweimalige Injektion von 200 g 6-Hydroxydopamin führt dagegen zu schweren spezifischen Degenerationen im Bereich des Nucleus caudatus und Hypothalamus. Daraus wird geschlossen, dass niedrige Dosen 6-Hydroxydopamin die cerebralen Catecholamine vermindern können, ohne ultrastrukturelle Schädigungen des Gehirns zu verursachen.     

The effects of salicylate and aspirin on the activity of phosphorylase a in perfused hearts of rats

Summary Sodium salicylate and aspirin are known to have a glycogenolytic effect as judged by either the glycogen level or lactate production in perfused hearts of rats. In this work it was possible to demonstrate that phosphorylase a level was increased in the hearts subjected to the action of these drugs.     

Morphological and biochemical effects of ethylene on Tulips

Summary Tulip bulbs treated with ethylene at various concentrations, at different stages of development and during various lengths of time, exhibited various morphological abnormalities: open bud, stamen blasting, abnormal number of floral parts, increased number of second-year bulbs. These morphological changes were paralleled by rapid variations in the contents of proteins and RNAs, and a slow, yet noticeable, increase of the DNA content of flower buds.     

The effects of halothane on ovulation in the rat

Zusammenfassung Halothan-Anaesthesie während der sogenannten «kritischen Periode» der Proöstrusphase bewirkt eine zentrale Hemmung der Spontanovulation bei der Ratte. Wie Barbiturate und Urethan ist deshalb Halothan als Anaesthetikum zur Erforschung neuroendokriner Mechanismen nur in beschränktem Masse geeignet.

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Supported by a group grant in Developmental Neurobiology from the Canadian Medical Research Council.     

Effect of PGE1 on lipogenesis in perfused rat liver

Summary In perfused livers of 24 hour-fasted rats, PGE₁ (prostaglandin E₁) infused continuously into the perfusate, was found to cause a 45% increase in the incorporation of 1-¹⁴C acetate into liver fatty acids. PGE₁ was found to have no effect, however, on the activity of the key lipogenic enzymes.