DNA methylation patterns at birth predict health outcomes in young adults born very low birthweight.

Background: Individuals born very low birthweight (VLBW) are at increased risk of impaired cardiovascular and respiratory function in adulthood. To identify markers to predict future risk for VLBW individuals, we analyzed DNA methylation at birth and at 28 years in the New Zealand (NZ) VLBW cohort (all infants born < 1500 g in NZ in 1986) compared with age-matched, normal birthweight controls. Associations between neonatal methylation and cardiac structure and function (echocardiography), vascular function and respiratory outcomes at age 28 years were documented.

Dietary omega-6 fatty acid replacement selectively impairs cardiac functional recovery after ischemia in female (but not male) rats.

A definitive understanding of the role of dietary lipids in determining cardioprotection (or cardiodetriment) has been elusive. Randomized trial findings have been variable and sex specificity of dietary interventions has not been determined. In this investigation the sex-selective cardiac functional effects of three diets enriched by omega-3 or omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) or enriched to an equivalent extent in saturated fatty acid components were examined in rats after an 8-wk treatment period.

Aromatase deficiency confers paradoxical postischemic cardioprotection.

The conventional view is that estrogen confers female cardioprotection. Estrogen synthesis depends on androgen availability, with aromatase regulating conversion of testosterone to estradiol. Extragonadal aromatase expression mediates estrogen production in some tissues, but a role for local steroid conversion has not yet been demonstrated in the heart.

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase inhibition suppresses post-ischemic arrhythmogenesis and mediates sinus bradycardic recovery in reperfusion.

Background: Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII) activation is known to be associated with conditions where the incidence of arrhythmias is increased, and where cardiomyocyte Ca(2+)-overload occurs. The goal of this study was to determine whether CaMKII inhibition in the intact heart may be linked to the suppression of ventricular arrhythmias occurring during reperfusion after an ischemic insult.

Methods: Non-paced male rat hearts (n = 8-11) were treated with a CaMKII inhibitor (KN93, 2.

Evaluating RNA preparation options for archived myocardial biopsies.

High quality RNA is the key to producing meaningful gene expression analyses. Human cardiac tissue specimens are extremely valuable, but may not always be obtained under optimal conditions and are frequently fibrotic. We provide a practical guide to assist in assessing the efficacy of two different RNA extraction methods applied to these challenging specimens.