Ageing-related cardiomyocyte functional decline is sex and angiotensin II dependent.

Clinically, heart failure is an age-dependent pathological phenomenon and displays sex-specific characteristics. The renin-angiotensin system mediates cardiac pathology in heart failure. This study investigated the sexually dimorphic functional effects of ageing combined with angiotensin II (AngII) on cardiac muscle cell function, twitch and Ca(2+)-handling characteristics of isolated cardiomyocytes from young (~13 weeks) and aged (~87 weeks) adult wild type (WT) and AngII-transgenic (TG) mice.

Fructose diet treatment in mice induces fundamental disturbance of cardiomyocyte Ca2+ handling and myofilament responsiveness.

High fructose intake has been linked to insulin resistance and cardiac pathology. Dietary fructose-induced myocardial signaling and morphological alterations have been described, but whether cardiomyocyte function is influenced by chronic high fructose intake is yet to be elucidated. The goal of this study was to evaluate the cardiomyocyte excitation-contraction coupling effects of high dietary fructose and determine the capacity for murine cardiomyocyte fructose transport.

Fructose modulates cardiomyocyte excitation-contraction coupling and Ca²⁺ handling in vitro.

Background: High dietary fructose has structural and metabolic cardiac impact, but the potential for fructose to exert direct myocardial action is uncertain. Cardiomyocyte functional responsiveness to fructose, and capacity to transport fructose has not been previously demonstrated.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to seek evidence of fructose-induced modulation of cardiomyocyte excitation-contraction coupling in an acute, in vitro setting.

Exploiting cGMP-based therapies for the prevention of left ventricular hypertrophy: NO* and beyond.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), an increased left ventricular (LV) mass, is common to many cardiovascular disorders, initially developing as an adaptive response to maintain myocardial function. In the longer term, this LV remodelling becomes maladaptive, with progressive decline in LV contractility and diastolic function. Indeed LVH is recognised as an important blood-pressure independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Sex differences in cardiac muscle responsiveness to Ca2+ and L-type Ca2+ channel modulation.

This study investigated sex-related differences in rat papillary muscle force generation in response to altered extracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+](o), 0.2 to 5.0 mM) and to L-type Ca2+ channel modulators (nifedipine and Bay K8644).

Electrical characterization of interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells and smooth muscle cells isolated from the mouse ureteropelvic junction.

Purpose: We characterized membrane currents in smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells freshly isolated from the mouse ureteropelvic junction.

Materials And Methods: Interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells were identified using c-Kit antibodies and fresh whole mount preparations of ureteropelvic junction. Whole cell and ion channel currents were recorded in collagenase dispersed single cells using standard patch clamp techniques.

Pyeloureteric peristalsis: role of atypical smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells as pacemakers.

Pyeloureteric peristalsis has long been considered to be triggered by pacemaker atypical smooth muscle cells (SMC) located in the proximal regions of the renal pelvis. However, interstitial cells with many of the morphological features and c-Kit immuno-reactivity of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), the established pacemaker cells in the intestine, have been demonstrated to be present in small numbers within the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) of many mammals. Freshly isolated ICC-like cells (ICC-LC) of the mouse UPJ also display autorhyhmicity.

Energy cost of contraction in rat urinary bladder smooth muscle during anoxia.

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of hypoxia on energy metabolism and contraction of rat urinary bladder smooth muscle, thereby gaining insight into the capacity of this smooth muscle to maintain contractile function when rendered hypoxic. 2.

Effects of ovariectomy and 17 beta-oestradiol replacement on [Ca2+]i in female rat cardiac myocytes.

1. The present study investigated the effects of ovariectomy (OVX) and 17beta-oestradiol replacement on [Ca2+]i in rat freshly isolated cardiac myocytes. 2.