We hypothesized that hypertension-related myocardial remodeling characterized by hypertrophy and fibrosis might be accompanied by cell-to-cell gap junction alterations that may account for increased arrhythmogenesis. Intercellular junctions and expression of gap junction protein connexin-43 were analyzed in rat heart tissues from both spontaneous (SHR) and L-NAME model of hypertension. Isolated heart preparation was used to examine susceptibility of the heart to lethal ventricular fibrillation induced by low potassium perfusion. Ultrastructure observation revealed enhanced neoformation of side-to-side type while internalization of end-to-end type (intercalated disc-related) of gap junctions prevailed in the myocardium of rats suffering from either spontaneous or L-NAME-induced hypertension. In parallel, immunolabeling showed increased number of connexin-43 positive gap junctions in lateral cell membrane surfaces, particularly in SHR. Besides, focal loss of immunopositive signal was observed more frequently in hearts of rats treated with L-NAME. There was a significantly higher incidence of hypokalemia-induced ventricular fibrillation in hypertensive compared to normotensive rat hearts. We conclude that adaptation of the heart to hypertension-induced mechanical overload results in maladaptive gap junction remodeling that consequently promotes development of fatal arrhythmias., M. Fialová, K. Dlugošová, L. Okrouhlicová, F. Kristek, M. Manoach, N. Tribulová., and Obsahuje bibliografii a biblioigrafické údaje
We studied the effects of the H2S donor Na2S on the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart and breathing rates of anesthetized Wistar rats in the presence and absence of captopril. Bolus administration of Na2S (1-4 μmol/kg) into the right jugular vein transiently decreased heart and increased breathing rates; at 8-30 μmol/kg, Na2S had a biphasic effect, transiently decreasing and increasing MAP, while transiently decreasing heart rate and increasing and decreasing breathing rate. These results may indicate independent mechanisms by which H2S influences MAP and heart and breathing rates. The effect of Na2S in decreasing MAP was less pronounced in the presence of captopril (2 μmol/l), which may indicate that the renin-angiotensin system is partially involved in the Na2S effect. Captopril decreased H2S-induced NO release from S-nitrosoglutathione, which may be related to some biological activities of H2S. These results contribute to the understanding of the effects of H2S on the cardiovascular system., M. Drobná, A. Misak, T. Holland, F. Kristek, M. Grman, L. Tomasova, A. Berenyiova, S. Cacanyiova, K. Ondrias., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We evaluated the effects of N G -nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) (50 mg/kg/day) and 7-nitroindazole (7NI) (10 mg/kg/day) administered from 10th-16th week of age either individually or together on cardiovascular system of Wistar rats and SHR. Systolic blood pressure (sBP) was measured weekly by the plethysmographic method. For morphological studies, the animals (n=10) were perfused with a fixative (120 mm Hg), and thoracic aorta and carotid and co ronary arteries were processed for electron microscopy. For functional investigation (n=10), aortic rings were used in an or gan bath. In Wistar rats, L-NAME evoked an increase of sBP; hype rtrophy of the heart and arterial walls; an increase in cross-sectional areas (CSA) of endothelial cells (EC), muscle cells (SMC), extracellular matrix (ECM), and a decrease in acetylcholin e-induced endothelial-dependent relaxation (EDR). 7NI evoked sBP-independent hypotrophy of the heart and arterial walls, a decrease in CSA of EC and SMC without affecting the CSA of ECM, and a mild decrease in acetylcholine-induced EDR. 7NI and L-NAME administered together evoked lower effect on BP and trophicity of the heart and all arteries, and a similar de crease in acetylcholine-induced EDR compared to L-NAME alone. In SHR, 7NI did not evoke any effect on the studied parameters., F. Kristek, M. Drobna, S. Cacanyiova., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Two exogenous NO donors were used to act as substitutes for impaired endogenous nitric oxide (NO) production due to inhibition of NO synthase in rats. Six weeks' lasting inhibition of NO synthase by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced stabilized hypertension. Simultaneously administered isosorbide-5-mononitrate did not prevent the development of hypertension. Molsidomine, administered concomitantly with L-NAME, significantly attenuated the BP increase. However, BP was still found to be moderately increased compared to the initial values. Remarkable alterations in the geometry of the aorta, carotid and coronary artery found in NO-deficient hypertension were prevented in rats administered L-NAME plus molsidomine at the same time. In spite of 6 weeks' lasting inhibition of NOS, the NOS activators acetylcholine and bradykinin induced BP decrease; the maximum hypotensive value did not differ from the values recorded in the controls or in animals treated with L-NAME plus molsidomine. Notably enough, the hypotension was similar to that found in rats administered L-NAME alone for six weeks. After NO synthase inhibition, Isosorbide-5-mononitrate does not substitute and molsidomine substitute only partially the impaired endogenous NO production., M. Gerová, F. Kristek., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Numerous studies concerning the cardiovascular system in SHR often yield controversial data. The background of this diversity has various roots, ranging from different vascular segments or areas studied up to the different age of experimental animals. Our study aimed to follow the BP as an integrated response of vascular system. This approach was justified since stabilized cardiac output in SHR was proved till 1 year of age. The groups of male SHR (aged 3, 5, 9, 17 and 52 weeks) and age-matched Wistar rats were used. Significant basal BP difference between SHR and Wistar rats was found at 9 weeks of age and continued till the age of 52 weeks, reaching 189.6±11.9 mm Hg in SHR and 117.3±6.9 mm Hg in Wistar rats (P<0.01). The significant difference in BP increase to two doses of noradrenaline (0.1μg and 1 μg) between SHR and control rats was also found at the age of 9 weeks. At 52 weeks the BP increment to two doses of noradrenaline was in SHR 19.7±2.0 mm Hg and 60.5±3.9 mm Hg and in Wistar rats 7.4±1.9 mm Hg and 40.5±3.2 mm Hg (P<0.01). The hypotensive response to acetylcholine (0.1 μg, 1 μg and 10 μ) in SHR was enhanced at 17 weeks of age only and this amplification persisted till the age of 52 weeks. In 52-week-old SHR the hypotensive response to three doses was 69.9±10.2 mm Hg, 87.5±11.8 mm Hg and 103.4±10.6 mm Hg, while in Wistar rats it was 37.4 4.2 mm Hg P<0.0), 62.3±3.5 mm Hg (P<0.01) and 73.5±2.8 mm Hg (P<0.05). In conclusion, the efficiency of cardiovascular system of SHR to respond to noradrenaline was already enhanced from 9 weeks of age, whereas the response to acetylcholine was not augmented before the age of 17 weeks., M. Gerová, F. Kristek., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické údaje
We studied the effects of long-term administration of molsidomine and pentaerythrityl tetranitrate (PETN) on the cardiovascular system of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). One control and three experimental groups of 10-week-old animals were used: 1) control Wistar rats, 2) SHR, 3) SHR treated with molsidomine in tap water (100 mg/kg/day, by gavage), and 4) SHR treated with PETN in tap water (200 mg/kg/day, by gavage). After six weeks, the content of cGMP in platelets and NO synthase (NOS) activity in aortas were evaluated in the experimental groups. For morphological evaluation the rats were perfused at 120 mm Hg with a glutaraldehyde fixative and the arteries were processed for electron microscopy. Blood pressure and heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW) were increased in all experimental groups with respect to the controls. HW/BW was lower in the molsidomine group in comparison to both SHR and PETN-treated group. The platelet content of cGMP was increased and the activity of NOS in the aortas was decreased in the molsidomine and PETN-treated groups. Wall thickness and cross-sectional area of thoracic aorta, carotid artery and coronary artery were increased similarly in all experimental groups compared to the controls, but there were no differences among the experimental groups. We summarize that long-term administration of exogenous NO donors did not improve pathological changes of the cardiovascular system in SHR., F. Kristek, V. Fáberová, I. Varga., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We investigated the effect of pertussis toxin (PTX) on hypotensive response induced by acetylcholine (ACh) and bradykinin (BK) and on noradrenaline (NA)-induced pressor response in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Fifteen-week-old Wistar rats and age-matched SHR were used. Half of SHR received PTX (10 μg/kg/i.v.) and the experiments were performed 48 h later. After the anesthesia the right carotid artery was cannulated in order to record blood pressure (BP). The hypotensive response to ACh was enhanced in SHR compared to Wistar rats. After pretreatment of SHR with PTX the hypotensive response to ACh was reduced compared to untreated SHR and it was also diminished in comparison to Wistar rats. Similarly, the hypotensive response to BK was also decreased after PTX pretreatment. The pressor response to NA was increased in SHR compared to Wistar rats. NA-induced pressor response was considerably decreased after PTX pretreatment compared to untreated SHR. In conclusion, the enhancement of hypotensive and pressor responses in SHR was abolished after PTX pretreatment. Our results suggested that the activation of PTX-sensitive inhibitory Gi proteins is involved in the regulation of integrated vasoactive responses in SHR and PTX pretreatment could be effectively used for modification of BP regulation in this type of experimental hypertension., S. Čačányiová, F. Kristek, J. Kuneš, J. Zicha., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy