Propagation of Ca2+ release in cardiac myocytes: role of mitochondria.

Factors contributing to "local control" of Ca2+ release in cardiac myocytes are incompletely understood. We induced local release of Ca2+ by regional exposure of mouse atrial and ventricular myocytes to 10mM caffeine for 500 ms using a rapid solution switcher. Propagation of Ca2+ release was imaged by means of a Nipkow confocal microscope, and fluo-3. Under physiologic conditions, a local release of Ca2+ propagated in atrial myocytes, not in ventricular myocytes. Inhibition of SR Ca2+ uptake (500 nM thapsigargin), and of Ca2+ extrusion via Na/Ca exchange (5mM Ni2+), did not result in propagation in ventricular myocytes. The density of mitochondria was greater in ventricular than in atrial myocytes, although the abundance of ryanodine receptors and myofilaments was similar. Partial inhibition of Ca2+ uptake via the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (5 microM Ru360) caused an increase in the [Ca2+]i transient in paced ventricular myocytes, and consistently resulted in propagation of Ca2+ release. This effect of Ru360 did not appear to be due to altered SR Ca2+ content. These data indicate that Ca2+ uptake via the mitochondrial uniporter occurs on a beat-to-beat basis, and may contribute to local control of Ca2+ release. Propagation of Ca2+ release in atrial myocytes may result in part from the relatively low density of mitochondria present.

Direct nitric oxide release from nipradilol in human coronary arterial smooth muscle cells observed with fluorescent NO probe and NO-electrode.

BACKGROUND:: Nipradilol (3,4-dihydro-8-[2-hydroxy-3-isopropyl-amino]propoxy-3-nitroxy-2-H-1-benzopyran), a potent non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, has been shown to increase NO production. The mechanisms are up-regulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and direct release of NO from nipradilol. The process of direct NO release from nipradilol requires a reductase, such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) in some cells but non-enzymatic NO release was reported in pig coronary arteries. Direct NO release from nipradilol in human coronary arteries has not been examined yet, though this information is of importance. PURPOSE:: To demonstrate direct NO release from nipradilol in human coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (HCASMC) by using a fluorescent NO probe (DAF-2) and an NO-electrode. METHODS AND RESULTS:: HCASMC were loaded with DAF-2 and images of fluorescence (515nm) were obtained under excitation at 488nm through an intensified CCD with an inverted phase-contrast microscope. Concomitantly, NO was measured using an NO-electrode (0.2mm o.d.; 501, Inter Medical Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan) after addition of various concentrations of nipradilol (1, 5 or 10microM) with or without ethacrynic acid (GST inhibitor). The cells showed no fluorescence at baseline, but intense fluorescence appeared at 30min after addition of 10microM nipradilol. The intensities of fluorescence at 30min in the control, nipradilol and nipradilol with ethacrynic acid groups were 98 +/- 6, 163 +/- 10 and 128 +/- 6% of the baseline level, respectively. Ethacrynic acid itself did not affect the fluorescence. Continuous measurements of NO by the electrode showed the NO generation peaked at about 30min, remained at the same level till about 45min and then gradually declined. Nipradilol did not produce NO at all in the absence of cells. The dose-dependency study of NO release from nipradilol showed 45 +/- 12, 72 +/- 24 and 157 +/- 23nM, respectively, at 1, 5 and 10microM nipradilol. All experiments were performed under conditions where endogenous formation of NO was inhibited by an NOS inhibitor (10(-4)M N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA)). CONCLUSION:: Nipradilol can release NO in the presence of human coronary arterial smooth muscle cells and the denitration reaction catalyzed by a reductase such as glutathione S-transferase contributes substantially to NO release from nipradilol.