Jozef Čársky

Mechanisms that may be involved in calcium tolerance of the diabetic heart

In diabetes the hearts exhibit impaired membrane functions, but also increased tolerance to Ca2+ (iCaT) However, neither the true meaning nor the molecular mechanisms of these changes are fully understood. The present study is devoted to elucidation of molecular alterations, particularly those induced by non-enzymatic glycation of proteins, that may be responsible for iCaT of the rat hearts in the stage of fully developed, but still compensated diabetic cardiomyopathy (DH). Insulin-dependent diabetes (DIA) was induced by a single i.v. dose of streptozotocin (45 mg.kg-1). Beginning with the subsequent day, animals obtained 6 U insulin daily. Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and glycohemoglobin were investigated in blood. ATPase activities, the kinetics of activation of (Na,K)-ATPase by Na+ and K+, further the fluorescence anisotropy of diphenyl-hexatriene as well as the order parameters of membranes in isolated heart sarcolemma (SL) were also investigated. In addition, the degree of glycation and glycation-related potency for radical generation in SL proteins were determined by investigating their fructosamine content. In order to study calcium tolerance of DH in a ‘transparent’ model, hearts were subjected to calcium paradox (Ca-Pa, 3 min of Ca2+ depletion; 10 min of Ca2+ repletion). In this model of Ca2+-overload, Ca2+ ions enter the cardiac cells in a way that is not mediated by receptors. Results revealed that more than 83% of the isolated perfused DH recovered, while the non-DIA control hearts all failed after Ca-Pa. DH exhibited well preserved SL ATPase activities and kinetics of (Na,K)-ATPase activation by Na+, even after the Ca-Pa. This was considered as a reason for their iCaT. Pretreatment and administration of resorcylidene aminoguanidine (RAG 4 or 8 mg.kg-1) during the disease prevented partially the pathobiochemical effects of DIA-induced glycation of SL proteins. DIA-induced perturbations in anisotropy and order parameters of SL were completely prevented by administration of RAG (4 mg.kg-1). Although, the latter treatment exerted little influence on the (Na,K)-ATPase activity, it decreased the calcium tolerance of the DH. Results are supporting our hypothesis that the glycation-induced enhancement in free radical formation and protein crosslinking in SL may participate in adaptive mechanisms that may be also considered as ‘positive’ and are responsible for iCaT of the DH. (Mol Cell Biochem 176: 191–198, 1997)

Remodelling of the sarcolemma in diabetic rat hearts: The role of membrane fluidity

The hyperglycaemia and oxidative stress, that occur in diabetes mellitus, cause impairment of membrane functions in cardiomyocytes. Also reduced sensitivity to Ca-overload was reported in diabetic hearts (D). This enhanced calcium resistance is based on remodelling of the sarcolemmal membranes (SL) with down-regulated, but from the point of view of kinetics relatively well preserved Na,K-ATPase and abnormal Mg- and Ca-ATPase (Mg/Ca-ATPase) activities. It was hypothesised that in these changes may also participate the non-enzymatic glycation of proteins (NEG) and the related free radical formation (FRF), that decrease the membrane fluidity (SLMF), which is in reversal relationship to the fluorescence anisotropy (D 0.235 ± 0.022; controls (C) 0.185 ± 0.009; p 0.05). On the other hand, RAG increased considerably the vulnerability of the diabetic heart to overload with external Ca2+ (C 100% of hearts failed, D 83.3%, D + RAG 46.7% of hearts survived). So we may conclude, that: (i) The NEG and FRF caused alterations in SLMF, that accompanied the diabetes-induced remodelling of SL, also seem to participate in the protection of diabetic heart against Ca2+-overload; (ii) Although, the changes in SLMF were shown to influence considerably the ATPase activities in cells of diverse tissues, they seem to be little responsible for changes in ATPases-mediated processes in the SL of chronic diabetic hearts. (Mol Cell Biochem 249: 175–182, 2003)

Energy transfer in acute diabetic rat hearts: adaptation to increased energy demands due to augmented calcium transients.

Abstract: Objectives—Hearts of rats with diabetes mellitus (DM) are characterized by energy demands exceeding their energy production, but they might also exhibit decreased vulnerability to ischemia and calcium overload. This indicates adaptation in cardiac energetics (CE), where energy transport is not rate‐limiting. Aim—This study was designed to elucidate the functional significance of the DM‐induced adaptation in CE by investigating the formation of mitochondrial contact sites (MiCS), facilitating the Ca‐dependent/high‐capacity energy transfer from mitochondria, in conjunction with testing the ischemic tolerance (IT) of hearts. Methods—After 1 week of streptozotocin‐induced DM (45 mg/kg iv), the hearts of male diabetic and age‐matched control rats (C) were isolated and Langendorff‐perfused with either 1.6 or 2.2 mmol/L of CaCl2. MiCS formation was assessed by cytochemical detection of mCPK octamers and was quantified stereologically as MiCS to mitochondrial surface ratio (SS). IT was evaluated in anesthetized open‐chest animals subjected to 30‐min occlusion of the LAD coronary artery followed by 4‐h reperfusion, by monitoring ischemic arrhythmias and by measuring the size of infarction (tetrazolium double staining). Results—In C hearts, increasing Ca2+ induced both positive inotropic response (dP/dt increase from 2270 ± 220 to 2955 ± 229, p < 0.01) and elevated MiCS formation (SS increase from 0.070 ± 0.011 to 0.123 ± 0.012, p < 0.01). In DM hearts, basic MiCS formation was already comparable with that induced by elevated Ca2+ in C hearts and could not be further stimulated by Ca2+. In C, ventricular tachycardia represented 55.4% of the total arrhythmias and occurred in 90% of the animals. In DM rats, the arrhythmia profile was similar to that in C, and the incidence of tachyarrhythmias and their severity were not enhanced (arrhythmia score: 3.18 ± 0.4 vs. 3.30 ± 0.3 in C). The infarct size normalized to the size of area at risk was smaller in the DM than in C hearts (52.3 ± 5.8% vs. 69.2 ± 2.2%, respectively; p < 0.05). Conclusions—Ca‐signaling represents the link between energy delivery from mitochondria (via MiCS) and energy requirements of the heart. In DM hearts, energy transport via MiCS is elevated to the maximum value. This contributes to increased resistance of DM hearts to irreversible cell damage.

Prevention of processes coupled with free radical formation prevents also the development of calcium-resistance in the diabetic heart.

Recently it was shown that besides their negative role in pathogenesis of diabetes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and particularly the products of non-enzymatic glycation of proteins (NEGP) may also participate in some processes of adaptation of the myocardium to diabetes, such as in the mechanism of development of calcium resistance of the heart. Our study revealed that the hearts of rats with experimentally induced diabetes (single dose of streptozotocin, 45 mg/kg i.v., 6 U/kg insulin daily) develop considerable resistance against calcium overload (induced by means of Ca-paradox). On the day 63 after the beginning of experiment, when the diabetic cardiomyopathy became fully developed but the hearts were still not failing, their calcium resistance was increased to 83.33%. Our results provide evidence that, when applied in a special regimen, resorcylidene aminoguanidine (RAG, 4 mg/kg) prevented both, the formation of fructosamine (a source of ROS generation), and also that of the advanced Maillard products, in the heart sarcolemma of diabetic rats. The effect of RAG was accompanied by a decrease in calcium resistance in the group of rats with chronic diabetes (63 days) from 83.3 to 46.7%. It is concluded that NEGP and ROS formation are inevitably needed for development of calcium resistance in the diabetic hearts.

Fluidity gradient of erythrocyte membranes in diabetics: the effect of resorcylidene aminoguanidine.

We estimated in vitro membrane fluidity gradient in erythrocytes (RBC) from diabetic patients, using a fluorescent dye 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). The rate constant of DPH incorporation (k) into the membranes was determined by fitting experimental data to an exponential equation. Four important findings were made. First, membrane fluidity in the hydrocarbon region of RBC from diabetic patients is decreased compared with control cells (P<0.01). Second, the rate constant k of DPH incorporation into the membranes of RBC from diabetic patients was lower (P<0.01), which indicates an altered fluidity gradient in the membranes. Third, resorcylidene aminoguanidine (RAG) decreased significantly (P<0.001) the anisotropy values in RBC membranes from diabetic patients, which means that it apparently acted as a fluidizing agent. Lastly, no significant differences in the rate constants k were found between the control membranes (from RAG untreated RBC) and the membranes isolated from RAG pretreated blood from diabetic patients, as well as between the control membranes and those from RAG pretreated control blood. In conclusion, RAG affects lipid-protein interactions in RBC membranes, which results in membrane lipid bilayer fluidization and leads to the restoration of natural physiological membrane dynamic parameters in RBC from diabetic patients.

Effects of resorcylidene aminoguanidine (RAG) on selected parameters of isolated rat liver mitochondria.

In the present investigation, we attempted to study possible mechanisms of the interactions of resorcylidene aminoguanidine (RAG), the agent with a recognized anti-glycation and antioxidative activity, with rat liver mitochondria. We hypothesized that RAG affects organization of the lipid bilayer in mitochondrial membranes and thus impairs transmembrane Ca(2+) redistribution, transmembrane potential, and respiration capacity. Isolated mitochondria were exposed to RAG (50-200 microM) and several parameters of their function monitored employing spectrofluorimetric, cytometric, and respirometric techniques. Mitochondrial membrane potential and membrane fluidity were tracked using the staining with rhodamine 123 (Rh123) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), respectively. Mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation was monitored with a high-resolution respirometry, and mobilization of Ca(2+) was detected using spectrofluorimetry with Calcium Green 5-N. RAG depolarized and fluidized mitochondrial membrane, as deduced from reduced fluorescence of intramitochondrial Rh123 and decreased DPH fluorescence anisotropy. The slight inhibitory effect of 100-200 microM RAG on mitochondrial respiratory capacity was observed merely when monitored in the presence of ADP. The reduced sensitivity of mitochondria to calcium-induced depolarization was significant only at higher RAG concentrations (100-200 microM). Moreover, RAG induced pronounced conformational changes in two model proteins: bovine serum albumin and cytochrome c. These findings indicate that regardless of its depolarizing and fluidizing properties, RAG does not largely affect the mitochondrial respiration, although it may significantly lower oxidative phosphorylation when used at higher concentrations.

Resorcylidene aminoguanidine induces antithrombotic action that is not dependent on its antiglycation activity

There is good evidence supporting the notion that aminoguanidine(AG)-derived compounds prevent glycation/glycooxidation-dependent processes and therefore inhibit late diabetic complications. The aim of the present work was to analyse the antithrombotic action and antiglycation activity of beta-resorcylidene aminoguanidine (RAG) in comparison with another commonly used aminoguanidine (AG)-derived compound, pyridoxal aminoguanidine (PAG). In vitro RAG and PAG prevented exhaustive glycation and glycooxidation of BSA to a similar extent. However, merely RAG showed almost complete binding to sepharose-immobilized heparin, while PAG and other AG derivatives had much poorer affinities. In the model of in vivo thrombosis in Wistar rats with extracorporeal circulation RAG (i.v. 30 mg/kg), but not PAG, produced sustained (2 h) antithrombotic effect, which was abrogated by indomethacin (5 mg/kg) and rofecoxib (1 mg/kg). The 60-day treatment of streptozotocin-diabetic animals with RAG (p.o. 4 mg/kg) significantly decreased plasma concentration of a thromboxane B(2) and reduced whole blood platelet aggregability triggered by ADP or collagen. In conclusion, although RAG and PAG displayed similar antiglycation and antioxidation activities in vitro, only RAG showed antithrombotic activity in vivo that involved activation of COX-2/PGI(2) pathway. Our results indicate that designing novel RAG derivatives with optimal antithrombotic and antiglycation activities may prove useful to treat diabetic complications.

Crystal and molecular structure of β-resorcylidene aminoguanidine copper(II) complex

The tridentate Schiff base, β-resorcylidene aminoguanidine (RAG)1 was synthesized from 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and aminoguanidine and complexed with copper(II) to form a copper(II)-β-resorcylidene aminoguanidine (Cu-RAG)2 complex. X-ray diffraction analysis of compound2 (orthorhombic, Pnma,a=11.674(1);b=6.7198(7);c=17.836(2) Å) revealed a square-planar copper(II) cation with a tridentate·ligand bound through two nitrogen atoms (N1 and N3) of the aminoguanidine moiety and an oxygen (O1) of the monodeprotonated dihydroxybenzaldehyde function. The remaining coordination site was occupied by chloride and the structure was rigidly planar as demanded by the restrictions of the crystallographic space group. The unit cell contents exhibited an extended sheet-like structure constructed via hydrogen bonds both intermolecularly and involving two water molecules (O3 and O4) also restricted by the same mirror symmetry. The remaining water (O5) provided for interlayer hydrogen bonding.

Antimutagenic and bacteriostatic activities of Schiff‐base compounds derived from aminoguanidine, semicarbazone and thiosemicarbazone and a copper(II)‐coordination complex

The Schiff‐base aminoguanidine compounds including a resorcylidene aminoguanidine copper(II) complex that were synthesized at our laboratory posses non‐mutagenic properties when tested with Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium TA97, TA100 and TA102 bacterial strains. These compounds were tested as possible pharmacological agents in preventing a wide array of illnesses. Additionally, some of these compounds exhibit strong antimutagenic and bacteriostatic activity. Nitrovin, a known mutagen, was used in the antimutagenicity tests as the inducer. A three‐dimensional projection of the copper(II) complex was derived by the semi‐empirical method ZINDO/1 to obtain additional information about its structure, and to help elucidate a possible mechanism of action.

β-Resorcylidene aminoguanidine (RAG) dilates coronary arteries in an endothelium-independent manner.

BACKGROUND β-Resorcylidene aminoguanidine (RAG), a highly reactive derivative of aminoguanidine, possesses antithrombotic activity which involves the activation of the vascular COX-2/PGI2 pathway. This endothelium-dependent effect suggests that RAG may demonstrate vasomotor activity in arterial vessels. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible vasoactive action of RAG in coronary arteries of rat heart. METHODS Isolated rat hearts were perfused in the Langendorff model. To investigate the dose dependency of the effect of RAG on coronary flow, the hearts were perfused with RAG at increasing concentrations. Mechanisms of RAG-mediated vasodilation were subsequently tested using selective inhibitors of the endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent mechanisms responsible for regulation of vascular tone. RESULTS RAG dilated coronary arteries at concentrations above 10(-5)mol/l. Inhibition of the endothelium-dependent mechanism of vasodilation by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, indomethacin and aminobenzotriazole did not affect RAG-mediated vasodilation. Other compounds also had no impact on the vasodilating effect of RAG: the NO-dependent guanylate cyclase inhibitor - 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3]quinoxalin-1-one, the cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor - PKAi, and the K(+) channel blockers - glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium, charybdotoxin, and apamin. CONCLUSIONS RAG is a strong vasodilator that exerts its effect via endothelium-independent mechanisms.