| 1. |
- Arlock, Per, et al.
(author)
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Excitation and contraction of cardiac muscle and coronary arteries of brain-dead pigs
- 2023
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In: FASEB BioAdvances. - : Wiley. - 2573-9832. ; 5:2, s. 71-84
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Excitability and contraction of cardiac muscle from brain-dead donors critically influence the success of heart transplantation. Membrane physiology, Ca2+-handling, and force production of cardiac muscle and the contractile properties of coronary arteries were studied in hearts of brain-dead pigs. Cardiac muscle and vascular function after 12 h brain death (decapitation between C2 and C3) were compared with properties of fresh tissue. In both isolated cardiomyocytes (whole-cell patch clamp) and trabecular muscle (conventional microelectrodes), action potential duration was shorter in brain dead, compared to controls. Cellular shortening and Ca2+ transients were attenuated in the brain dead, and linked to lower mRNA expression of L-type calcium channels and a slightly lower ICa,L, current, as well as to a lower expression of phospholamban. The current–voltage relationship and the current above the equilibrium potential of the inward K+ (IK1) channel were altered in the brain-dead group, associated with lower mRNA expression of the Kir2.2 channel. Delayed K+ currents were detected (IKr, IKs) and were not different between groups. The transient outward K+ current (Ito) was not observed in the pig heart. Coronary arteries exhibited increased contractility and sensitivity to the thromboxane analogue (U46619), and unaltered endothelial relaxation. In conclusion, brain death involves changes in cardiac cellular excitation which might lower contractility after transplantation. Changes in the inward rectifier K+ channel can be associated with an increased risk for arrhythmia. Increased reactivity of coronary arteries may lead to increased risk of vascular spasm, although endothelial relaxant function was well preserved.
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| 2. |
- Arlock, Per, et al.
(author)
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Ion currents of cardiomyocytes in different regions of the Göttingen minipig heart
- 2017
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In: Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods. - : Elsevier BV. - 1056-8719 .- 1873-488X. ; 86, s. 12-18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction The Göttingen minipig is a promising model for pharmacological safety assessment and for translational research in cardiology. We have examined the main ion currents in cardiomyocytes of the minipig heart. Methods Cardiac cells were isolated from different cardiac regions (endo-, mid- and epicardial left ventricle and right ventricle) from Göttingen minipigs and examined using the whole cell patch clamp technique combined with pharmacological interventions. Results The inward rectifier (IK1), the delayed rectifier (IK), with the rapid and slow components, (IKr, IKs) and the L-type Ca2 + channel (ICa,L) were identified in the different regions of the heart, whereas the Ca2 +-independent transient outward current (Ito1) was observed in only a few cells. IK1 was similar in the cardiac regions with a slightly lower value in the epicardial cells. IKs was smaller in epi- and endo-cardial regions. Discussion The equivalents of the main human cardiac ion currents are present in the minipig cardiomyocytes with the exception of the Ca2 +-independent Ito1. The study provides further evidence that the minipig is a valid model for investigating cardiovascular pharmacology.
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| 3. |
- Li, Mei, et al.
(author)
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Development and prevention of ischemic contracture (“stone heart”) in the pig heart
- 2023
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In: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2297-055X. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Stone heart (ischemic contracture) is a rare and serious condition observed in the heart after periods of warm ischemia. The underlying mechanisms are largely unknown and treatment options are lacking. In view of the possibilities for cardiac donation after circulatory death (DCD), introducing risks for ischemic damage, we have investigated stone heart in pigs. Following cessation of ventilation, circulatory death (systolic pressure <8 mmHg) occurred within 13.1 ± 1.2 min; and a stone heart, manifested with asystole, increased left ventricular wall thickness and stiffness, established after a further 17 ± 6 min. Adenosine triphosphate and phosphocreatine levels decreased by about 50% in the stone heart. Electron microscopy showed deteriorated structure with contraction bands, Z-line streaming and swollen mitochondria. Synchrotron based small angle X-ray scattering of trabecular samples from stone hearts revealed attachment of myosin to actin, without volume changes in the sarcomeres. Ca2+ sensitivity, determined in permeabilized muscle, was increased in stone heart samples. An in vitro model for stone heart, using isolated trabecular muscle exposed to hypoxia/zero glucose, exhibited the main characteristics of stone heart in whole animals, with a fall in high-energy phosphates and development of muscle contracture. The stone heart condition in vitro was significantly attenuated by the myosin inhibitor MYK-461 (Mavacamten). In conclusion, the stone heart is a hypercontracted state associated with myosin binding to actin and increased Ca2+ sensitivity. The hypercontractile state, once developed, is poorly reversible. The myosin inhibitor MYK-461, which is clinically approved for other indications, could be a promising venue for prevention.
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| 4. |
- Wang, Bowen, et al.
(author)
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Pharmacological and mechanical properties of isolated pig coronary veins
- 2023
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In: Frontiers in Physiology. - 1664-042X. ; 14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent successful cardiac transplantation from pig to non-human primates and the first pig-to-human transplantation has put the focus on the properties of the pig heart. In contrast to the coronary arteries, the coronary veins are less well characterized and the aim was to examine the mechanical and pharmacological properties of coronary veins in comparison to the arteries. Vessel segments from the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and the concomitant vein were isolated from pig hearts in cardioplegia and examined in vitro. The wall thickness, active tension and active stress at optimal circumference were lower in coronary veins, reflecting the lower intravascular pressure in vivo. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of myosin isoforms showed that the vein could be characterized as having a slower smooth muscle phenotype compared to the artery. Both vessel types contracted in response to the thromboxane agonist U46619 with EC50 values of about 20 nM. The artery contracted in response to acetylcholine. Precontracted arteries relaxed in noradrenaline and substance P. In contrast, the veins relaxed in acetylcholine, contracted in noradrenaline and were unresponsive to substance P. In conclusion, these results demonstrate significant differences between the coronary artery and vein in the smooth muscle properties and in the responses to sympathetic and parasympathetic stimuli.
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