Mitochondria regulate inactivation of L-type Ca2+ channels in rat heart.

1. L-type Ca2+ channels play an important role in vital cell functions such as muscle contraction and hormone secretion. Both a voltage-dependent and a Ca2+-dependent process inactivate these channels. Here we present evidence that inhibition of the mitochondrial Ca2+ import mechanism in rat (Sprague-Dawley) ventricular myocytes by ruthenium red (RR), by Ru360 or by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) decreases the magnitude of electrically evoked transient elevations of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c). These agents were most effective at stimulus rates greater than 1 Hz. 2. RR and CCCP also caused a significant delay in the recovery from inactivation of L-type Ca2+ currents (I(Ca)). This suggests that sequestration of cytosolic Ca2+, probably near the mouth of L-type Ca2+ channels, into mitochondria during cardiac contractile cycles, helps to remove the Ca2+-dependent inactivation of L-type Ca2+ channels. 3. We conclude that impairment of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport has no impact on either L-type Ca2+ currents or SR Ca2+ release at low stimulation frequencies (e.g. 0.1 Hz); however, it causes a depression of cytosolic Ca2+ transients attributable to an impaired recovery of L-type Ca2+ currents from inactivation at high stimulation frequencies (e.g. 3 Hz). The impairment of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and subsequent effects on Ca2+ transients at high frequencies at room temperature could be physiologically relevant since the normal heart rate of rat is around 5 Hz at body temperature. The role of mitochondria in clearing Ca2+ in the micro-domain near L-type Ca2+ channels could be impaired during high frequencies of heart beats such as in ventricular tachycardia, explaining, at least in part, the reduction of muscle contractility.

Altered SR protein expression associated with contractile dysfunction in diabetic rat hearts.

The goal of this study was to examine whether alteration of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) protein levels is associated with early-onset diastolic and late-onset systolic dysfunction in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat hearts. Four-week diabetic rat hearts exhibited slow relaxation, whereas 6-wk diabetic rat hearts exhibited slow and depressed contraction. Total phospholamban level was increased, and phosphorylated level was decreased in 4- and 6-wk diabetic rat hearts. Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2) protein level was unchanged in 4-wk but decreased in 6-wk diabetic rat hearts. Only the apparent affinity of SR Ca2+ uptake for Ca2+ was decreased in 4-wk diabetic rat hearts, but the apparent affinity and the maximum rate was decreased in 6-wk diabetic rat hearts. Insulin treatment of the diabetic rats normalized SR protein expression and function. It was concluded that an increase in nonphosphorylated phospholamban and a decrease in the apparent affinity of SR Ca2+ pump for Ca2+ are associated with early-onset diastolic dysfunction and decreases in SERCA2 protein level and apparent affinity and maximum velocity of SR Ca2+ pump are associated with late-onset systolic dysfunction in diabetic rats.

Noninvasive evaluation of cardiac dysfunction by echocardiography in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: There has not been a noninvasive in vivo longitudinal evaluation of cardiac function in diabetic rats. The objective of this study is to examine the time course of development of cardiac dysfunction in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardiac function was evaluated by M-mode and Doppler echocardiography in anesthetized Wistar rats at 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 weeks after injection with 65 mg of STZ/kg and in age-matched control rats before and after the administration of isoproterenol. Body weight (BW) was significantly less and blood glucose level significantly greater in diabetic rats compared with controls at 2 weeks and remained at these levels at all time points. The calculated left ventricular (LV) mass appeared slightly decreased in diabetic rats. However, LV mass-BW ratios were similar in controls and diabetic rats at 2, 4, and 5 weeks, but were significantly greater in diabetic rats at 6 and 8 weeks. Basal heart rate (HR) was significantly lower in diabetic rats at all time points studied. Basal LV systolic and diastolic dimensions, fractional shortening (FS), velocity of circumferential shortening (Vcf), peak emptying rate (PER), peak filling rate (PFR), and aortic peak velocity (APV) were not significantly different between controls and diabetic rats at 2 and 4 weeks. PER and PFR were significantly less in 5-week diabetic rats. However, Vcf, PER, and PFR were significantly less and FS and APV were similar at 6 and 8 weeks. Administration of isoproterenol increased HR, Vcf, FS, PFR, and PER in controls at all time points, but the increases in diabetic rats at 5, 6, and 8 weeks were less compared with those in controls. The increase in APV was significantly less in diabetic rats at all time points studied. CONCLUSION: STZ-induced diabetic rats showed bradycardia before contractile dysfunction. Overt and covert contractile dysfunction unmasked by isoproterenol begins at 5 weeks of diabetes. The overt LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction are fully manifested after 6 weeks of diabetes.

Altered creatine kinase enzyme kinetics in diabetic cardiomyopathy. A(31)P NMR magnetization transfer study of the intact beating rat heart.

To determine whether the decreased contractile performance in diabetic hearts is associated with a reduced energy reserve due to decreased creatine kinase (CK) activity, we measured total CK activity (V(max)) in vitro and CK reaction velocity in vivo using(31)P NMR spectroscopy in isolated perfused rat hearts after 4 and 6 weeks of diabetes. After 4 weeks of diabetes, V(max)decreased by 22% with a larger decrease of CK MB than of CK MM and mitochondrial-CK isoenzymes. There was no further decrease in these parameters after 6 weeks of diabetes. Isovolumic contractile performance of 4 and 6 week diabetic hearts, estimated as rate-pressure product under identical perfusion and loading conditions (EDP set at 6-8 mmHg), was only 50% of that of control. ATP, PCr and total creatine concentrations were not different in control and 4 or 6 weeks diabetic rat hearts. After 4 weeks of diabetes, CK reaction velocity decreased by 22%. This was in proportion to the decline of V(max)and therefore predicted by the rate equation for the CK reaction. However, the further decline in the CK reaction velocity after 6 weeks of diabetes (45%) was greater than that predicted from the CK rate equation (17% decrease), and cannot be explained by substrate control of the enzyme. When hearts were inotropically stimulated by increasing perfusate calcium concentration, CK reaction velocity increased slightly (approximately 15%) in both control and diabetic hearts, thereby maintaining a constant ATP concentration. We conclude that in the diabetic myocardium, the CK reaction velocity decreases but does not limit the availability of high-energy phosphates for contraction over the range of workloads studied. We also conclude that a mechanism(s) in addition to substrate control regulates CK reaction velocity in the 6 week diabetic hearts.

Oxygen-bridged dinuclear ruthenium amine complex specifically inhibits Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria in vitro and in situ in single cardiac myocytes.

Ruthenium red is a well known inhibitor of Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria in vitro. However, its utility as an inhibitor of Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria in vivo or in situ in intact cells is limited because of its inhibitory effects on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release channel and other cellular processes. We have synthesized a ruthenium derivative and found it to be an oxygen-bridged dinuclear ruthenium amine complex. It has the same chemical structure as Ru360 reported previously (Emerson, J., Clarke, M. J., Ying, W-L., and Sanadi, D. R. (1993) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115, 11799-11805). Ru360 has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of Ca2+-stimulated respiration of liver mitochondria in vitro. However, the specificity of Ru360 on Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria in vitro or in intact cells has not been determined. The present study reports in detail the potency, the effectiveness, and the mechanism of inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake by Ru360 and its specificity in vitro in isolated mitochondria and in situ in isolated cardiac myocytes. Ru360 was more potent (IC50 = 0.184 nM) than ruthenium red (IC50 = 6.85 nM) in inhibiting Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria. 103Ru360 was found to bind to isolated mitochondria with high affinity (Kd = 0.34 nM, Bmax = 80 fmol/mg of mitochondrial protein). The IC50 of 103Ru360 for the inhibition of Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria was also 0.2 nM, indicating that saturation of a specific binding site is responsible for the inhibition of Ca2+ uptake. Ru360, as high as 10 microM, produced no effect on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake or release, sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchange, actomyosin ATPase activity, L-type Ca2+ channel current, cytosolic Ca2+ transients, or cell shortening. 103Ru360 was taken up by isolated myocytes in a time-dependent biphasic manner. Ru360 (10 microM) applied outside intact voltage-clamped ventricular myocytes prevented Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria in situ where the cells were progressively loaded with Ca2+ via sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchange by depolarization to +110 mV. We conclude that Ru360 specifically blocks Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria and can be used in intact cells.

Cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ signals in patch clamped mammalian ventricular myocytes.

1. Ventricular myocytes isolated from ferret or cat were loaded with the acetoxymethyl ester form of indo-1 (indo-1 AM) such that approximately 75% of cellular indo-1 was mitochondrial. The intramitochondrial indo-1 concentration was 0.5-2 mM. 2. Myocytes were also voltage clamped (membrane capacitance, Cm = 100 pF) and a typical wash-out time constant of cytosolic indo-1 by a patch pipette was found to be approximately 300 s. Depolarizations to +110 mV produced graded and progressive cellular Ca2+ load via Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange. 3. During these relatively slow Ca2+ transients, cell contraction (delta L) paralleled fluorescence ratio signals (R) such that delta L could be used as a bioassay of cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]c), where [Ca2+]CL is the inferred signal which is delayed by approximately 200 ms from true [Ca2+]c. 4. In myocytes without Mn2+ quench, the kinetics of the total cellular indo-1 signal, delta R (including cytosolic and mitochondrial components), match delta L during stimulations at low basal [Ca2+]i. However, after progressive Ca2+ loading, delta R kinetics deviate from delta L dramatically. The deviation can be completely blocked by a potent mitochondrial Ca2+ uniport blocker, Ru360. 5. When cytosolic indo-1 is quenched by Mn2+, initial moderate stimulation triggers contractions (delta L), but no change in indo-1 signal, indicating both the absence of cytosolic Ca(2+)-sensitive indo-1 and unchanged mitochondrial [Ca2+] (delta [Ca2+]m). Subsequent stronger stimulation evoked larger delta L and also delta R. The threshold [Ca2+]c for mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake was 300-500 nM, similar to that without Mn2+ quench. 6. At high Ca2+ loads where delta [Ca2+]m is detected, the time course of [Ca2+]m was different from that of [Ca2+]c. Peak [Ca2+]m after stimulation has an approximately 1 s latency with respect to [Ca2+]c, and [Ca2+]m decline is extremely slow. 7. Upon a Ca2+ influx which increased [Ca2+]c by 0.4 microM and [Ca2+]m by 0.2 microM, total mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake was approximately 13 mumol (1 mitochondria)-1. 8. With Mn2+ quench of cytosolic indo-1, there was no mitochondrial uptake of Mn2+ until the point at which mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake became apparent. However, after mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake starts, mitochondria continually take up Mn2+ even during relaxation, when [Ca2+]c is low. 9. It is concluded that mitochondria in intact myocytes do not take up detectable amounts of Ca2+ during individual contractions, unless resting [Ca2+]c exceeds 300-500 nM. At high cell Ca2+ loads and [Ca2+]c, mitochondrial Ca2+ transients occur during the twitch, but with much slower kinetics than those of [Ca2+]c.

Compensatory mechanisms associated with the hyperdynamic function of phospholamban-deficient mouse hearts.

Phospholamban ablation is associated with significant increases in the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and the basal cardiac contractile parameters. To determine whether the observed phenotype is due to loss of phospholamban alone or to accompanying compensatory mechanisms, hearts from phospholamban-deficient and age-matched wild-type mice were characterized in parallel. There were no morphological alterations detected at the light microscope level. Assessment of the protein levels of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, calsequestrin, myosin, actin, troponin I, and troponin T revealed no significant differences between phospholamban-deficient and wild-type hearts. However, the ryanodine receptor protein levels were significantly decreased (25%) upon ablation of phospholamban, probably in an attempt to regulate the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which had a significantly higher diastolic Ca2+ content in phospholamban-deficient compared with wild-type hearts (16.0 +/- 2.2 versus 8.6 +/- 1.0 mmol Ca2+/kg dry wt, respectively). The increases in Ca2+ content were specific to junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum stores, as there were no alterations in the Ca2+ content of the mitochondria or A band. Assessment of ATP levels revealed no alterations, although oxygen consumption increased (1.6-fold) to meet the increased ATP utilization in the hyperdynamic phospholamban-deficient hearts. The increases in oxygen consumption were associated with increases (2.2-fold) in the active fraction of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase, suggesting increased tricarboxylic acid cycle turnover and ATP synthesis. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance studies demonstrated decreases in phosphocreatine levels and increases in ADP and AMP levels in phospholamban-deficient compared with wild-type hearts. However, the creatine kinase activity and the creatine kinase reaction velocity were not different between phospholamban-deficient and wild-type hearts. These findings indicate that ablation of phospholamban is associated with downregulation of the ryanodine receptor to compensate for the increased Ca2+ content in the sarcoplasmic reticulum store and metabolic adaptations to establish a new energetic steady state to meet the increased ATP demand in the hyperdynamic phospholamban-deficient hearts.

Mitochondrial dysfunction accompanies diastolic dysfunction in diabetic rat heart.

The objective of this study was to determine whether a defect in mitochondrial respiratory function accompanies the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. The hypothesis tested in this study is that a decrease in Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria may prevent the stimulation of Ca(2+)-sensitive matrix dehydrogenases and the rate of ATP synthesis. Streptozotocin (55 mg/kg)-induced diabetic rats were used as a model of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Hearts from 4-wk diabetic rats had basal heart rates and rates of contraction and relaxation similar to control. Isoproterenol caused a similar increase in the rate of contraction in diabetic and control hearts, whereas the peak rate of relaxation was reduced in diabetic hearts. Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake was reduced in mitochondria from diabetic hearts after 2 wk of diabetes. Na(+)-induced Ca2+ release was unchanged. State 3 respiration rate was depressed in mitochondria from diabetic rats only when the respiration was supported by the substrate of a Ca(2+)-regulated matrix enzyme. The pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was reduced in diabetic mitochondria compared with that of control. It was concluded that mitochondria from diabetic hearts had a decreased capacity to upregulate ATP synthesis via stimulation of Ca(2+)-sensitive matrix dehydrogenases. The impairment in the augmentation of ATP synthesis rate accompanies a decreased rate of relaxation during increased work load.

Modulation of intramitochondrial free Ca2+ concentration by antagonists of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange.

Evidence has accumulated in the past decade suggesting that Ca2+ acts as a second messenger not only in the cytosol of the heart to regulate contractility, but also within the mitochondria to regulate the rate of oxidative ATP synthesis. Just as elucidation of the second messenger pathways for Ca2+ in the cytosol has led to the development of pharmacological interventions that alter mechanical functioning of the heart, understanding the role of Ca2+ as a second messenger within the mitochondria and the mechanisms by which this organelle transports and regulates Ca2+ has exciting potential for developing pharmacological interventions that alter myocardial energy metabolism. In this article, David Cox and Mohammed Matlib discuss the potential consequences of pharmacologically increasing the intramitochondrial Ca2+ concentration on myocardial energy metabolism, and suggest some pathological conditions in which such an effect may be beneficial.

Role of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle tension.

To determine the role of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange systems of nerve terminal and sarcolemmal membrane on development of tension in rabbit aortic rings, internal or external Na+ concentration was changed with either ouabain or Na(+)-free solution, respectively. Ouabain produced a verapamil-insensitive but external Na(+)- and Ca(2+)-dependent biphasic tension with distinct lag periods both of which were shortened by depolarization with KCl. The first phase of tension was inhibited by prazosin, phentolamine, in vitro neurolysis with 6-hydroxydopamine and in vivo treatment with reserpine to deplete catecholamines in nerve terminals. Therefore, first phase of tension was attributed to catecholamines released from nerve terminals induced by increased axoplasmic Ca2+ concentration mediated by the neural Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger due to the increased axoplasmic Na+ concentration resulting from inhibition of the Na(+)-Ka+ pump with ouabain. In the absence of the first phase of tension, the second phase of tension was enhanced by caffeine, presumably by preventing sequestration of the sarcolemmal Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger-mediated increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in vascular smooth muscle cells. The prazosin-insensitive tension was dependent on the external Na+ concentration and was also attributed to the sarcolemmal Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger of vascular smooth muscle. The magnitude of the increase in tension with ouabain or Na(+)-free solution attributed to the sarcolemmal Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger of vascular smooth muscle was larger than that mediated by the exchanger of the nerve terminal. It was concluded that the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange systems of both the nerve terminal and the vascular smooth muscle sarcolemma contribute to the development of tension by different mechanisms and to different extents when internal or external Na+ concentration was changed.

Selectivity of inhibition of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange of heart mitochondria by benzothiazepine CGP-37157.

The objective was to determine if the benzothiazepine compound CGP-37157 selectively inhibits the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger of cardiac mitochondria without affecting the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel, the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, or the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase of the cardiac sarcolemma, or the Ca(2+)-ATPase of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. Mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange activity was determined by monitoring intramitochondrial free [Ca2+] in isolated heart mitochondria loaded with the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorophore fura-2. CGP-37157 inhibited the activity of mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 0.36 microM). Calcium currents were recorded by whole-cell voltage clamp in isolated neonatal ventricular myocytes. Diltiazem was able to block the recorded current completely, thus confirming the current to be exclusively L-type. CGP-37157 had no effect on the calcium current recorded under identical conditions. CGP-37157, at concentrations < or = 10 microM, had no effect on the activities of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in isolated cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles or on activity of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in isolated cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. The data suggest that CGP-37157 is a potent, selective, and specific inhibitor of mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange at concentrations < or = 10 microM.

A role for the mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger in the regulation of oxidative phosphorylation in isolated heart mitochondria.

The role of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger of heart mitochondria in cellular functioning is not yet clear. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of stimulation and inhibition of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger on the matrix free Ca2+ concentration in isolated heart mitochondria and to determine the consequences of these changes on the rate of NADH production via Krebs cycle turnover and the oxidative phosphorylation rate (OPR) supported by alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, a Ca(2+)-regulated matrix enzyme. Activation of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange by increasing extramitochondrial Na+ concentration was found to decrease the matrix free [Ca2+] in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibitors of mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange activity inhibited the decrease in matrix free [Ca2+] mediated by Na+. Increasing concentrations of Na+ were also found to inhibit both the rate of NADH production and OPR. Inhibitors of mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange also blocked the effects of Na+ on the rate of NADH production and OPR in a similar concentration range. The results indicate that alterations in matrix free [Ca2+] induced by changes in mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange activity are translated into changes in the rate of NADH production and the overall rate of oxidative phosphorylation.

Identification of a 17-kDa protein associated with the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor in vascular and other smooth muscle types.

The existence of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) in vascular smooth muscle has been demonstrated in this laboratory. The present study utilized the photoaffinity ligand [3H]PK14105 to identify the protein subunit in rat aortic and other smooth muscle types to which high affinity ligands for the PBR bind. [3H]PK14105 bound to mitochondrial fractions isolated from rat aortic smooth muscle with high affinity (Kd = 7.0 +/- 0.5 nM) and high density (Bmax = 10.1 +/- 1.5 pmol/mg protein). The rank order of potency of a series of PBR ligands displacing the binding was PK11195 approximately equal to Ro5-4864 greater than protoporphyrin IX greater than flunitrazepam greater than diazepam much greater than clonazepam. [3H]PK14105 bound with comparable affinity and density to mitochondria isolated from rat myometrium and gastric smooth muscle as well. With ultraviolet irradiation, [3H]PK14105 specifically labeled a single protein of approximately 17 kDa in all three smooth muscle types examined. This protein was identical in size to that identified by [3H]PK14105 in rat adrenal gland. In adrenal gland an additional, minor protein of approximately 43 kDa was also specifically labeled by [3H]PK14105. Utilizing a probe designed from the known nucleotide sequence of the PBR in rat adrenal gland, an mRNA transcript of approximately 0.8 kilobases in size was identified in rat aortic smooth muscle by Northern blot analysis. These data indicate that a protein subunit of approximately 17 kDa comprises, at least in part, the PBR not only in vascular smooth muscle, but also in other smooth muscle types and adrenal gland as well.

Diltiazem inhibition of sodium-induced calcium release. Effects on energy metabolism of heart mitochondria.

The effect of d-cis-diltiazem, a calcium antagonist, on calcium transport processes of rabbit heart mitochondria was studied in vitro. Up to a concentration of 350 mumol/L, the drug produced very little effect on calcium uptake; however, the rate of sodium-induced calcium release progressively decreased as diltiazem concentrations increased. The diltiazem concentration required to inhibit half the rate (IC50) of calcium release induced by 10 mmol/L of sodium chloride was 4.5 mumol/L. The IC50 of the 1-cis isomer of diltiazem was 350 mumol/L, indicating that the inhibitory effect is stereospecific. Of the calcium antagonists, d-cis-diltiazem most effectively inhibited sodium-induced calcium release from heart mitochondria. The consequences of that inhibitory effect were then investigated. When the calcium uptake process was not blocked, the progressive inhibition of sodium-induced calcium release by diltiazem resulted in a net gain of calcium by mitochondria in vitro, suggesting that a similar effect in vivo may increase intramitochondrial calcium. To determine whether sodium-induced calcium release affects respiration and whether diltiazem prevents this effect, we studied the effects of sodium ion and diltiazem on respiration and oxidative phosphorylation of isolated mitochondria. Sodium was found to decrease the rate of state 3 respiration, respiratory control index, and rate of oxidative phosphorylation; diltiazem prevented these effects on mitochondria. Diltiazem's effect was attributed to increased intramitochondrial calcium because of inhibited sodium-induced calcium release and activation of calcium-sensitive dehydrogenases in the matrix. The data indicate that diltiazem may increase the rate of ATP synthesis by mitochondria due to increased intramitochondrial calcium resulting from inhibition of sodium induced Ca2+ release.

Role of sarcolemmal membrane sodium-calcium exchange in vascular smooth muscle tension.

A body of information obtained by experiments with intact tissues, isolated cells, and sarcolemmal vesicles indicates, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a specific Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange system exists in vascular smooth muscle. However, its role in the regulation of cytosolic free-Ca2+ concentration and cell tension under physiological conditions remains unclear. Under pharmacological conditions in which the Na(+)-K+ pump is inhibited either by digitalis glycosides or K(+)-free medium, Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange may be modulated by increases in cytosolic free Na+ to increase the cytosolic free-Ca2+ concentration and cell tension. Under pathological conditions in which the cytosolic Na+ concentration is increased as a result of inhibition of the Na(+)-K+ pump by endogenous ouabain or a digitalis-like factor, or activation of the Na(+)-H+ exchange or passive permeability of Na+, the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange activity of vascular smooth muscle and the nerve terminal may play an important role in the development and/or maintenance of hypertension. These and other premises remain to be confirmed or discounted.

Relaxation of potassium chloride-induced contractions by amlodipine and its interaction with the 1,4-dihydropyridine-binding site in pig coronary artery.

Amlodipine is a light-insensitive and water soluble 1,4-dihydropyridine with prolonged vasodilatory action and plasma half-life. To determine whether the vasodilatory action of amlodipine is due to inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx through the calcium channel, its effects on KCl-induced contraction of pig coronary artery rings and its interaction with the 1,4-dihydropyridine binding site in isolated sarcolemmal membranes were studied. The contractile function of artery rings was studied in an organ bath system, and the interaction with the 1,4-dihydropyridine binding site was studied in isolated sarcolemmal membranes of pig coronary artery using [3H](+)PN200-110 as a radioligand. Amlodipine, (+)PN200-110 and (-)PN200-110 inhibited KCl-induced contractions of arterial rings in a dose-dependent manner. The half-maximal inhibition (IC50) was observed at 0.46 +/- 0.02, 36 +/- 8 and 55 +/- 9 nM of (+)PN200-110, (-)PN200-110 and amlodipine, respectively. [3H](+)PN200-110 was found to bind to isolated sarcolemmal membranes with high affinity (KD = 0.04 nM, Bmax = 312 fmoles/mg protein) and stereospecifically, (+)PN200-110 (Ki = 0.05 nM) having about 130-fold higher affinity than (-)PN200-110 (Ki = 6.61 nM). Amlodipine also inhibited [3H](+)PN200-110 binding with high affinity (Ki = 4.41 nM). The inhibition was characterized by an increase in KD of binding of [3H](+)PN200-110 with very little effect on Bmax. The order of relative potency of inhibition of KCl-induced contraction was almost identical to the order of relative affinity for the 1,4-dihydropyridine binding site, as indicated by Ki.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protection of regional mechanics and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by amlodipine in transiently ischemic myocardium.

The effects of amlodipine (0.3 mg/kg administered intravenously, n = 5) and placebo (n = 5) on recovery of myocardial function and respiration of isolated mitochondria were examined in "stunned" myocardium of normotensive pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs. Measures of myocardial wall motion, using sonomicrometers, and tissue blood flow, by radioactive microspheres, were obtained at baseline, 15 minutes after administration of amlodipine or placebo, after 10 minutes of left circumflex artery ligation and at 60 minutes of reperfusion. Mean aortic pressure decreased from 115 +/- 6 to 101 +/- 5 mm Hg after administration of amlodipine and remained decreased throughout the experiment. Heart rate was not significantly affected at any time. Both groups showed similar degrees of ischemia: elevation of ST segment to 4.7 +/- 1.4 vs 6.2 +/- 1.9 mV; reduction of ischemic zone shortening fraction to 0.6 +/- 1.9 vs -3.4 +/- 2.7%; and reduction of epicardial and endocardial blood flows (epicardial = 40 +/- 13 vs 43 +/- 13 ml/100 g/min; endocardial = 7 +/- 4 vs 13 +/- 6 ml/100 g/min [values for amlodipine vs placebo]). Mitochondrial state 3 rate of respiration and respiratory control index indicative of rate of adenosine triphosphate synthesis and membrane integrity in myocardial samples taken after 10 minutes of ischemia were significantly reduced in the placebo but not in the amlodipine group. Myocardial function showed significantly greater improvement in amlodipine vs placebo at 60 minutes of reperfusion as indicated by shortening fraction (17.7 +/- -1.4 vs 5.8 +/- -3.5%, amlodipine vs placebo), which may have been related to increased myocardial blood flow and decreased blood pressure during reperfusion. Thus, amlodipine pretreatment prevented mitochondrial dysfunction during ischemia and accelerated recovery of both myocardial mechanical function and blood flow when compared with placebo.

Possible mechanism of benzodiazepine-induced relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.

This study investigated the mechanism of benzodiazepine-induced relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. The ability of several benzodiazepine and isoquinolinecarboxamide compounds, including a pair of enantiomers, to inhibit [3H]Ro5-4864 binding to the peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding site in rat aortic smooth muscle was compared with their relative ability to induce relaxation of rat aortic rings. The binding was performed in a membrane fraction obtained from a pellet centrifuged at 11,400 g and enriched with high-affinity [3H]Ro5-4864 binding. The rank order of potency (Ki) for inhibition of [3H]Ro5-4864 binding to isolated membranes was: (-)PK 14067 (6.4 +/- 0.7 nM) = PK 11195 (6.6 +/- 0.8 nM) greater than Ro5-4864 (17.6 +/- 2.1 nM) greater than diazepam (600 +/- 180 nM) = (+)PK 14068 (530 +/- 70 nM) greater than clonazepam (14,300 +/- 2,100 nM). However, micromolar concentrations of these agents were required to induce relaxation of rat aortic rings contracted with KCl and/or norepinephrine (NE). Moreover, the relaxations induced by these agents were not stereoselective. The rank order of potency (IC50) for relaxation of KCl-induced contracted muscle was: Ro5-4864 (6.6 +/- 0.3 microM) = PK 11195 (6.7 +/- 0.9 microM) = (-)PK 14067 (11.6 +/- 0.7 microM) = (+)PK 14068 (7.6 +/- 1.1 microM) greater than diazepam (47.4 +/- 5.3 microM) = clonazepam (47.5 +/- 5.7 microM). Further investigation of the mechanism of benzodiazepine-induced relaxation showed that (-)PK 14067 and (+)PK 14068 inhibited CaCl2-induced contractions. The benzodiazepines relaxed muscle contracted with KCl to a greater magnitude than those contracted with NE or prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Identification of a high-affinity peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding site in rat aortic smooth muscle membranes.

The existence of a benzodiazepine binding site in rat aortic smooth muscle membranes was explored employing [3H]Ro5-4864 as radioligand. The binding site was concentrated in the mitochondrial fraction enriched with cytochrome c oxidase and semicarbazide-insensitive monoamine oxidase. [3H]Ro5-4864 binds to the membranes in the mitochondrial fraction with high affinity. The dissociation constant (KD) determined by saturation binding was 2.8 +/- 0.7 nM (n = 5). The association rate constant (k1) was 4.7 +/- 0.8 x 10(6) M1 min-1, and the dissociation rate constant (k-1) was 0.028 +/- 0.005 min-1 (n = 3). The kinetically determined KD was 6.0 +/- 0.8 nM (n = 3) at 0.5 nM [3H]Ro5-4864. The density of binding determined from saturation binding experiments was 14.0 +/- 1.2 pmol/mg protein (n = 5). The Hill coefficient of binding was 0.94 +/- 0.02 (n = 5) indicating that [3H] Ro5-4864 binds to a single site. The [3H]Ro5-4864 binding was inhibited by Ro5-4864 (Ki = 6.1 +/- 1.9 nM), PK 11195 (Ki = 8.9 +/- 1.8 nM), diazepam (Ki = 87.3 +/- 3.4 nM), flunitrazepam (Ki = 94.6 +/- 1.8 nM), clonazepam (Ki = 6.3 +/- 1.3 microM) and Ro15-1788 (Ki = 16.8 +/- 1.5 microM). The rank order of potency of the competitive inhibition of [3H]Ro5-4864 binding (Ro5-4864 = PK 11195 greater than diazepam = flunitrazepam much greater than clonazepam greater than Ro15-1788) is characteristic of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding site. The data indicate an abundant high affinity peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding site of unknown function in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

Na+-Ca2+ exchange in sarcolemmal membrane vesicles of dog mesenteric artery.

The kinetic characteristics of a Na+-Ca2+ exchange system in the cell membrane of vascular smooth muscle were explored in vitro in isolated sarcolemmal membrane vesicles of dog mesenteric artery. Na+-loaded vesicles rapidly accumulated Ca2+ when an outwardly directed Na+ concentration gradient was created by suspension of the vesicles in a Na+-free medium. This Ca2+ uptake process was reversible depending on the direction and the magnitude of the Na+ concentration gradient across the membrane of the vesicles. Low temperature, monensin, and external Na+ drastically decreased Ca2+ uptake in Na+-loaded vesicles. Monovalent cations K+, Rb+, Li+, and Cs+ did not substitute for Na+ in the exchange process. Divalent cations Ba2+, Cd2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, and Sr2+ inhibited Ca2+ uptake in Na+-loaded vesicles. The order of potency of these divalent cations and concentration which produced 50% inhibition (IC50, microM) were Cd2+(38) greater than Sr2+(110) greater than Ba2+(405) greater than Mn2+(500) greater than Mg2+(greater than 2,500). The trivalent cation La3+ also inhibited Ca2+ uptake (IC50 = 0.175 microM). The apparent Km for free Ca2+ in vesicles loaded with 150 mM NaCl was 2.64 +/- 0.5 microM, and the apparent maximum velocity was 14.8 +/- 1.9 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1. The half of the apparent maximum rate (K0.5) of Ca2+ uptake was observed at 45.5 mM Na+ when loaded internally in the vesicles. Valinomycin in the presence of K+ increased the magnitude of Ca2+ uptake by 16% in Na+-loaded vesicles, indicating that the process may be electrogenic. These data indicate the existence and operation of a specific carrier-mediated Na+-Ca2+ exchange system in sarcolemmal membrane vesicles isolated from a small blood vessel.