Rapid gene transcription induced by stretch in cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts and their paracrine influence on stationary myocytes and fibroblasts.

Functional adaptation of cardiac cells in response to haemodynamic load requires dynamic alteration of gene expression. In this study, we examined early changes in gene expression following stretch in myocytes and fibroblasts isolated from neonatal rat hearts. In the first hour of biaxially applied static stretch, the changes in expression of immediate-early genes, such as c-fos, c-jun and fra-1, were quantified.

Alpha-adrenergic agonist and endothelin-1 induced intracellular Ca2+ response in the presence of a Ca2+ entry blocker in cultured rat ventricular myocytes.

Previously we demonstrated that stimulation of cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes by either alpha 1-adrenergic agonist or endothelin-1 resulted in a rapid formation of total inositolphosphates, although the levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate did not rise significantly. The aim of this study was to examine whether stimulation by alpha 1-adrenergic agonist and endothelin-1 could still elicit phosphatidylinositol cycle mediated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in these cells. The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured by single cell imaging dual wavelength fluorescence microscopy in Fura-2-loaded cardiomyocytes.

Oxidative stress-induced perturbations of calcium homeostasis and cell death in cultured myocytes: role of extracellular calcium.

The role of extracellular calcium in the process of oxidative stress-induced calcium overload and cell death was investigated in cultured neonatal rat myocytes. Oxidative stress was induced by addition of cumene hydroperoxide (CHPO), a toxic organic hydroperoxide, in combination with varying extracellular calcium concentrations (1. normal calcium buffer: 2.

Cumene hydroperoxide induced changes in calcium homeostasis in cultured neonatal rat heart cells.

Objective: The relationship between oxidative stress induced cell necrosis and perturbation of intracellular calcium homeostasis was investigated in cultured myocytes.

Methods: Cultured neonatal rat heart cells were loaded with fura-2 AM to measure cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i). Probenecid, an inhibitor of organic anion transport, was present during the experiment to reduce efflux of fura-2 from the cytoplasm.

Prevention of cumene hydroperoxide induced oxidative stress in cultured neonatal rat myocytes by scavengers and enzyme inhibitors.

Oxidative stress induced by cumene hydroperoxide was studied in cultured neonatal rat myocytes. A progressive increase of irreversible cell injury as determined by leakage of the cytoplastic enzyme alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (alpha-HBDH) from the cells was noted at concentrations ranging from 25-100 microM cumene hydroperoxide (incubation time 90 min). Cumene hydroperoxide-induced damage was reduced or prevented by several compounds: the application of Trolox C, a water-soluble vitamin E analogue, and of phospholipase A2 inhibitors chlorpromazine and (to a lesser extent) quinacrine prevented alpha-HBDH release.