Claudia I. Caldiz

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species activate the slow force response to stretch in feline myocardium

When the length of the myocardium is increased, a biphasic response to stretch occurs involving an initial rapid increase in force followed by a delayed slow increase called the slow force response (SFR). Confirming previous findings involving angiotensin II in the SFR, it was blunted by AT1 receptor blockade (losartan). The SFR was accompanied by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) of ∼30% and in intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) of ∼2.5 mmol l−1 over basal detected by H2DCFDA and SBFI fluorescence, respectively. Abolition of ROS by 2‐mercapto‐propionyl‐glycine (MPG) and EUK8 suppressed the increase in [Na+]i and the SFR, which were also blunted by Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE‐1) inhibition (HOE642). NADPH oxidase inhibition (apocynin or DPI) or blockade of the ATP‐sensitive mitochondrial potassium channels (5HD or glybenclamide) suppressed both the SFR and the increase in [Na+]i after stretch, suggesting that endogenous angiotensin II activated NADPH oxidase leading to ROS release by the ATP‐sensitive mitochondrial potassium channels, which promoted NHE‐1 activation. Supporting the notion of ROS‐mediated NHE‐1 activation, stretch increased the ERK1/2 and p90rsk kinases phosphorylation, effect that was cancelled by losartan. In agreement, the SFR was cancelled by inhibiting the ERK1/2 signalling pathway with PD98059. Angiotensin II at a dose that mimics the SFR (1 nmol l−1) induced an increase in ·O2− production of ∼30–40% detected by lucigenin in cardiac slices, an effect that was blunted by losartan, MPG, apocynin, 5HD and glybenclamide. Taken together the data suggest a pivotal role of mitochondrial ROS in the genesis of the SFR to stretch.

Aldosterone Stimulates the Cardiac Na+/H+ Exchanger via Transactivation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

The use of antagonists of the mineralocorticoid receptor in the treatment of myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure has gained increasing importance in the last years. The cardiac Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE-1) upregulation induced by aldosterone could account for the genesis of these pathologies. We tested whether aldosterone-induced NHE-1 stimulation involves the transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Rat ventricular myocytes were used to measure intracellular pH with epifluorescence. Aldosterone enhanced the NHE-1 activity. This effect was canceled by spironolactone or eplerenone (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists), but not by mifepristone (glucocorticoid receptor antagonist) or cycloheximide (protein synthesis inhibitor), indicating that the mechanism is mediated by the mineralocorticoid receptor triggering nongenomic pathways. Aldosterone-induced NHE-1 stimulation was abolished by the EGFR kinase inhibitor AG1478, suggesting that is mediated by transactivation of EGFR. The increase in the phosphorylation level of the kinase p90RSK and NHE-1 serine703 induced by aldosterone was also blocked by AG1478. Exogenous epidermal growth factor mimicked the effects of aldosterone on NHE-1 activity. Epidermal growth factor was also able to increase reactive oxygen species production, and the epidermal growth factor–induced activation of the NHE-1 was abrogated by the reactive oxygen species scavenger N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine, indicating that reactive oxygen species are participating as signaling molecules in this mechanism. Aldosterone enhances the NHE-1 activity via transactivation of the EGFR, formation of reactive oxygen species, and phosphorylation of the exchanger. These results call attention to the consideration of the EGFR as a new potential therapeutic target of the cardiovascular pathologies involving the participation of aldosterone.

Is Cardiac Hypertrophy in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats the Cause or the Consequence of Oxidative Stress

The aim of this work was to assess the possible correlation between oxidative damage and the development of cardiac hypertrophy in heart tissue from young (40-d-old) and older (4-, 11- and 19-month-old) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in comparison with age-matched Wistar (W) rats. To this end, levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitrotyrosine contents, NAD(P)H oxidase activity, superoxide production, and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined. Compared to age-matched normotensive rats, SHR showed a significant increase in systolic blood pressure from 40 d of age and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was significantly evident from 4 months of age. W rats (11- and 19-month-old) also showed an increase in LVH with aging. TBARS and nitrotyrosine levels were similar in young rats from both strains and were significantly increased with age in both strains, with the values in SHR being significantly higher than those in age-matched W rats. NAD(P)H activity was similar in young SHR and W rats, whereas it was higher in aged SHR compared with age-matched W rats. Compared to W rats, superoxide production was higher in aged SHR, and was abolished by NAD(P)H inhibition with apocynin. CAT activity was increased in the hearts of 4-month-old SHR compared to age-matched W rats and was decreased in the hearts of the oldest SHR compared to the oldest W rats. SOD and GPx activities decreased in both rat strains with aging. Moreover,an increase in collagen deposition with aging was evident in both rat strains. Taken together, these data showed that aged SHR exhibited higher cardiac hypertrophy and oxidative damage compared to W rats, indicating that the two undesirable effects are associated. That is, oxidative stress appears to be a cause and/or consequence of hypertrophy development in this animal model.

The Anrep effect requires transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor

Myocardial stretch elicits a biphasic contractile response: the Frank–Starling mechanism followed by the slow force response (SFR) or Anrep effect. In this study we hypothesized that the SFR depends on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation after the myocardial stretch‐induced angiotensin II (Ang II)/endothelin (ET) release. Experiments were performed in isolated cat papillary muscles stretched from 92 to 98% of the length at which maximal twitch force was developed (Lmax). The SFR was 123 ± 1% of the immediate rapid phase (n= 6, P < 0.05) and was blunted by preventing EGFR transactivation with the Src‐kinase inhibitor PP1 (99 ± 2%, n= 4), matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor MMPI (108 ± 4%, n= 11), the EGFR blocker AG1478 (98 ± 2%, n= 6) or the mitochondrial transition pore blocker clyclosporine (99 ± 3%, n= 6). Stretch increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation by 196 ± 17% of control (n= 7, P < 0.05), an effect that was prevented by PP1 (124 ± 22%, n= 7) and AG1478 (131 ± 17%, n= 4). In myocardial slices, Ang II (which enhances ET mRNA) or endothelin‐1 (ET‐1)‐induced increase in O2− production (146 ± 14%, n= 9, and 191 ± 17%, n= 13, of control, respectively, P < 0.05) was cancelled by AG1478 (94 ± 5%, n= 12, and 98 ± 15%, n= 8, respectively) or PP1 (100 ± 4%, n= 6, and 99 ± 8%, n= 3, respectively). EGF increased O2− production by 149 ± 4% of control (n= 9, P < 0.05), an effect cancelled by inhibiting NADPH oxidase with apocynin (110 ± 6%n= 7), mKATP channels with 5‐hydroxydecanoic acid (5‐HD; 105 ± 5%, n= 8), the respiratory chain with rotenone (110 ± 7%, n= 7) or the mitochondrial permeability transition pore with cyclosporine (111 ± 10%, n= 6). EGF increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation (136 ± 8% of control, n= 9, P < 0.05), which was blunted by 5‐HD (97 ± 5%, n= 4), suggesting that ERK1/2 activation is downstream of mitochondrial oxidative stress. Finally, stretch increased Ser703 Na+/H+ exchanger‐1 (NHE‐1) phosphorylation by 172 ± 24% of control (n= 4, P < 0.05), an effect that was cancelled by AG1478 (94 ± 17%, n= 4). In conclusion, our data show for the first time that EGFR transactivation is crucial in the chain of events leading to the Anrep effect.

Apocynin administration prevents the changes induced by a fructose-rich diet on rat liver metabolism and the antioxidant system.

In the present study, we investigated the role of NADPH oxidase in F (fructose)-rich-diet-induced hepatic OS (oxidative stress) and metabolic changes, and their prevention by apocynin co-administration. Wistar rats were fed for 21 days on (i) a control diet, (ii) a control diet plus 10% F in the drinking water, (iii) a control diet with apocynin in the drinking water (CA) and (iv) F plus apocynin in the drinking water (FA). Glycaemia, triglyceridaemia, NEFAs (non-esterified fatty acids) and insulinaemia were determined. In the liver, we measured (i) NADPH oxidase activity, and gene and protein expression; (ii) protein carbonyl groups, GSH and TBARSs (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances); (iii) catalase, CuZn-SOD (superoxide dismutase) and Mn-SOD expression; (iv) liver glycogen and lipid content; (v) GK (glucokinase), G6Pase (glucose-6-phosphatase) and G6PDH (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) activities; (vi) FAS (fatty acid synthase), GPAT (glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase), G6Pase and G6PDH, IL-1β (interleukin-1β), PAI-1 (plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1) and TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) gene expression; and (vii) IκBα (inhibitor of nuclear factor κB α) protein expression. F-fed animals had high serum TAG (triacylglycerol), NEFA and insulin levels, high liver NADPH oxidase activity/expression, increased OS markers, reduced antioxidant enzyme expression, and increased glycogen, TAG storage and GK, G6Pase and G6PDH activities. They also had high G6Pase, G6PDH, FAS, GPAT, TNFα and IL-1β gene expression and decreased IκBα expression. Co-administration of apocynin to F-fed rats prevented the development of most of these abnormalities. In conclusion, NADPH oxidase plays a key role in F-induced hepatic OS production and probably also in the mechanism of liver steatosis, suggesting its potential usefulness for the prevention/treatment of T2DM (Type 2 diabetes mellitus).

Insulin resistance in adipocytes from spontaneously hypertensive rats: Effect of long-term treatment with enalapril and losartan

Insulin responsiveness was studied in isolated adipocytes from the normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat and the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). The effect of insulin (0.1 to 5 nmol/L) on glucose uptake (glucose transport and lipogenesis) was measured, and the maximal effect of insulin (Emax) and the dose of insulin required to elicit 50% of the maximal response (EC50) were calculated. A diminished Emax on lipogenesis without changes in the EC50 was detected in SHRs. The Emax was 0.49 +/- 0.09 (SHR) and 1.16 +/- 0.14 (WKY) micromol/10(5) cells (P < .05), and the EC50 was 0.13 +/- 0.03 and 0.11 +/- 0.02 nmol/L for WKY and SHR, respectively. Similar results were obtained when measuring insulin-stimulated glucose transport. A 30-day long-term treatment with enalapril (20 mg/kg/d) normalized insulin responsiveness in adipocytes from SHRs. The effect of enalapril was suppressed when SHRs were pretreated with enalapril and 150 microg/kg/d of the bradykinin (BK) B2-receptor blocker Hoe 140. Pretreatment with losartan (40 mg/kg/d) did not improve insulin action in the SHR. Since these results were obtained with isolated cells in which glucose availability was not a function of blood flow, and the effect of insulin in the SHR was improved by pretreatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor but not with the AT1-receptor blocker, it appears that the insulin resistance linked to the hypertension is not related to changes in blood flow.

Early signals after stretch leading to cardiac hypertrophy. Key role of NHE-1.

The enhanced activity of the cardiac Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE-1) after myocardial stretch is considered a key step of the intracellular signaling pathway leading to the slow force response to stretch as well as an early signal for the development of cardiac hypertrophy. We propose that the chain of events triggered by stretch begins with the release of small amounts of Angiotensin II (Ang II)/endothelin (ET) and ends with the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in reverse mode (NCX(rev)), which triggers cardiac hypertrophy by activation of widely recognized Ca2+-dependent intracellular signaling pathways.

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) as signaling molecules of intracellular pathways triggered by the cardiac renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone system (RAAS).

Mitochondria represent major sources of basal reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of the cardiomyocyte. The role of ROS as signaling molecules that mediate different intracellular pathways has gained increasing interest among physiologists in the last years. In our lab, we have been studying the participation of mitochondrial ROS in the intracellular pathways triggered by the renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the myocardium during the past few years. We have demonstrated that acute activation of cardiac RAAS induces mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium channel (mitoKATP) opening with the consequent enhanced production of mitochondrial ROS. These oxidant molecules, in turn, activate membrane transporters, as sodium/hydrogen exchanger (NHE-1) and sodium/bicarbonate cotransporter (NBC) via the stimulation of the ROS-sensitive MAPK cascade. The stimulation of such effectors leads to an increase in cardiac contractility. In addition, it is feasible to suggest that a sustained enhanced production of mitochondrial ROS induced by chronic cardiac RAAS, and hence, chronic NHE-1 and NBC stimulation, would also result in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

Mineralocorticoid receptor activation is crucial in the signalling pathway leading to the Anrep effect

Non‐technical summary  Myocardial stretch increases force in two phases. The first one is immediate and attributed to an increase in myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness (Frank–Starling mechanism). The second phase gradually develops and is known as slow force response (SFR) or Anrep effect due to an increase in intracellular Ca2+ transient. We previously showed that Ca2+ entry through reverse Na+/Ca2+ exchange underlies the SFR, as the final step of an autocrine/paracrine loop involving release of angiotensin II/endothelin, transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, increased mitochondrial oxidative stress and a Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE‐1) activation‐mediated rise in Na+. In the present study we show that mineralocorticoid receptor activation is a necessary step between endothelin and epidermal growth factor receptor activation in the stretch‐triggered reactive oxygen species‐mediated NHE‐1 activation leading to the SFR.

Myocardial Reperfusion Injury: Reactive Oxygen Species vs. NHE-1 Reactivation

Background/Aims: Flow restoration to ischemic myocardium reduces infarct size (IS), but it also promotes reperfusion injury. A burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or NHE-1 reactivation were proposed to explain this injury. Our study was aimed to shed light on this unresolved issue. Methods: Regional infarction (40 min-ischemia/2 hs-reperfusion) was induced in isolated and perfused rat hearts. Maximal doses of N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (MPG 2mmol/L, ROS scavenger), cariporide (10µmol/L, NHE-1 inhibitor), or sildenafil (1µmol/L, phosphodiesterase5A inhibitor) were applied at reperfusion onset. Their effects on IS, myocardial concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), ERK1/2, p90RSK, and NHE-1 phosphorylation were analyzed. Results: All treatments decreased IS ∼ 50% vs. control. No further protection was obtained by combining cariporide or MPG with sildenafil. Myocardial TBARS increased after infarction and were decreased by MPG or cariporide, but unaffected by sildenafil. In line with the fact that ROS induce MAPK-mediated NHE-1 activation, myocardial infarction increased ERK1/2, p90RSK, and NHE-1 phosphorylation. MPG and cariporide cancelled these effects. Sildenafil did not reduce the phosphorylated ERK1/2-p90RSK levels but blunted NHE-1 phosphorylation suggesting a direct dephosphorylating action. Conclusions: 1) Reperfusion injury would result from ROS-triggered MAPK-mediated NHE-1 phosphorylation (and reactivation) during reperfusion; 2) sildenafil protects the myocardium by favouring NHE-1 dephosphorylation and bypassing ROS generation.