Effects of levosimendan on cardiac gene expression profile and post-infarct cardiac remodelling in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats.

The calcium sensitizer levosimendan has shown beneficial effects on cardiac remodelling in spontaneously diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats 12 weeks after experimental myocardial infarction (MI). However, the short-term effects and the cellular mechanisms remain partially unresolved. The aim was to study the effects of oral levosimendan treatment on the myocardial gene expression profile in diabetic GK rats 4 weeks after MI/sham operation.

Levosimendan improves cardiac function and survival in rats with angiotensin II-induced hypertensive heart failure.

Calcium-sensitizing agents improve cardiac function in acute heart failure; however, their long-term effects on cardiovascular mortality are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that levosimendan, an inodilator that acts through calcium sensitization, opening of ATP-dependent potassium channels and phosphodiesterase III inhibition, improves cardiac function and survival in double transgenic rats harboring human renin and angiotensinogen genes (dTGRs), a model of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertensive heart failure. Levosimendan (1 mg kg(-1)) was administered orally to 4-week-old dTGRs and normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats for 4 weeks.

Resveratrol induces mitochondrial biogenesis and ameliorates Ang II-induced cardiac remodeling in transgenic rats harboring human renin and angiotensinogen genes.

There is compelling evidence to indicate an important role for increased local renin-angiotensin system activity in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol that activates SIRT1, a novel cardioprotective and longevity factor having NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase activity. We tested the hypothesis whether resveratrol could prevent from angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiovascular damage.

Effects of the calcium sensitizer OR-1896, a metabolite of levosimendan, on post-infarct heart failure and cardiac remodelling in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats.

Background And Purpose: Levosimendan is a novel, short half-life calcium sensitizer used as pharmacological inotropic support in acute decompensated heart failure. After oral administration, levosimendan is metabolized to OR-1855, which, in rats, is further metabolized into OR-1896. OR-1896 is a long-lasting metabolite of levosimendan sharing the pharmacological properties of the parent compound.

Sirtuin1-p53, forkhead box O3a, p38 and post-infarct cardiac remodeling in the spontaneously diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rat.

Background: Diabetes is associated with changes in myocardial stress-response pathways and is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiac remodeling. Using spontaneously diabetic Goto Kakizaki rats as a model of type 2 DM we investigated whether post-translational modifications in the Akt - FOXO3a pathway, Sirt1 - p53 pathway and the mitogen activated protein kinase p38 regulator are involved in post-infarct cardiac remodeling

Methods: Experimental myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation in spontaneously diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats and non-diabetic Wistar controls. Cardiac function was studied by echocardiography.

Metabolomics in angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) induces mitochondrial dysfunction. We tested whether Ang II alters the "metabolomic" profile. We harvested hearts from 8-week-old double transgenic rats harboring human renin and angiotensinogen genes (dTGRs) and controls (Sprague-Dawley), all with or without Ang II type 1 receptor (valsartan) blockade.

Oral levosimendan prevents postinfarct heart failure and cardiac remodeling in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats.

Background: Diabetes increases the risk for fatal myocardial infarction and development of heart failure. Levosimendan, an inodilator acting both via calcium sensitization and opening of ATP-dependent potassium channels, is used intravenously for acute decompensated heart failure. The long-term effects of oral levosimendan on postinfarct heart failure are largely unknown.

Forkhead class O transcription factor 3a activation and Sirtuin1 overexpression in the hypertrophied myocardium of the diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rat.

Background: Ventricular remodeling in type 2 diabetes predisposes to fatal coronary heart disease. The proapoptotic forkhead class O transcription factor 3a (FOXO3a) and its modulator, the cardioprotective longevity factor and class III histone deacetylase Sirtuin1 (Sirt1), have been implicated in the regulation of the cardiomyocyte lifespan and hypertrophy.

Objective: To examine whether FOXO3a-Sirt1 activation is involved in diabetes-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ventricular hypertrophy.

Effect of dietary calcium and dairy proteins on the adipose tissue gene expression profile in diet-induced obesity.

Background/aims: Calcium and dairy proteins have been postulated to explain why the intake of dairy products correlates inversely with body mass index in several populations. We have shown that a high-calcium diet with whey protein attenuates weight gain and now we describe the effects of this diet on adipose tissue gene expression.

Methods: Nine-week-old C57Bl/6J mice were divided into two groups (n = 10/group).

Inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase 3beta in sepsis.

The serine-threonine protein kinase glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3 is involved in the regulation of many cell functions, but its role in the regulation of the inflammatory response is unknown. Here we investigate the effects of GSK-3beta inhibition on organ injury/dysfunction caused by endotoxaemia or severe inflammation in the rat. Rats received either intravenous Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (6 mg/kg) or LPS (1mg/kg) plus Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan (PepG) (0.

Lipoic acid supplementation prevents cyclosporine-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Background: Cyclosporine (CsA) has significantly improved long-term survival after organ transplantations. Hypertension and nephrotoxicity are common side effects during CsA treatment and are aggravated by high salt intake.

Objective: To examine whether lipoic acid (LA), a natural antioxidant that scavenges reactive oxygen species and regenerates/recycles endogenous antioxidants, could prevent CsA-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity.

GSK-3beta inhibitors attenuate the organ injury/dysfunction caused by endotoxemia in the rat.

Objective: Serine-threonine protein kinase glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3 is involved in regulation of many cell functions, but its role in regulation of inflammatory response is unknown. Here we investigate the effects of GSK-3beta inhibition on organ injury/dysfunction caused by lipopolysaccharide or coadministration of lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan in the rat.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Vascular and renal effects of vasopeptidase inhibition and angiotensin-converting enzyme blockade in spontaneously diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats.

Background: The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes-induced vascular and renal complications. Vasopeptidase inhibitors simultaneously inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of vasopeptidase inhibition and ACE inhibition in preventing hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and diabetic nephropathy in spontaneously diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats.

Magnesium supplementation prevents angiotensin II-induced myocardial damage and CTGF overexpression.

Objectives And Design: Magnesium deficiency promotes vasoconstriction and myocardial damage. Recent studies provide evidence that Ang II mobilizes intracellular Mg through AT1 receptor-mediated pathways. We tested the hypothesis of whether magnesium supplementation prevents Ang II-induced myocardial damage and induction of the profibrotic connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).

Entacapone protects from angiotensin II-induced inflammation and renal injury.

Objectives And Design: Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced renal damage is associated with perivascular inflammation and increased oxidative stress. We tested the hypothesis whether entacapone, a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor exerting antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, protects against the Ang II-induced inflammatory response and end-organ damage.

Methods: Samples from double-transgenic rats harbouring human renin and human angiotensinogen genes (dTGR) and normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) were assessed by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and high pressure liquid chromatography.

Angiotensin II induces connective tissue growth factor gene expression via calcineurin-dependent pathways.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a polypeptide implicated in the extracellular matrix synthesis. Previous studies have provided evidence that angiotensin II (Ang II) promotes collagen synthesis and regulates collagen degradation. We investigated whether or not CTGF mediates the profibrotic effects of Ang II in the heart and kidneys and the role of calcineurin-dependent pathways in CTGF gene regulation.

Cardiovascular and renal effects of cyclooxygenase inhibition in transgenic rats harboring mouse renin-2 gene (TGR[mREN2]27).

The present study examined the role of cyclooxygenase-synthetized prostanoids in the pathogenesis of angiotensin-II-induced inflammatory response and vascular injury in transgenic rats harboring mouse renin-2 gene (mREN2 rats). Five- to six-week-old, heterozygous mREN2 rats received the following drug regimens for 8 weeks: (1) controls; (2) cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (MF-tricyclic [3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl) phenyl)-2(5H)-furanone], 14 mg kg(-1) p.o.