The relations between ATP depletion, increased cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca;]), contracture development, and lethal myocardial ischemic injury, as evaluated by enzyme release, were examined using 19F nuclear magnetic resonance to measure [CaiJ in 1,2-bis(2amino-5-fluorophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (5F-BAPTA)-loaded perfused rat hearts. Total ischemia at 370 C was induc...

Aging is the most important risk factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading causes of death worldwide and the second major cause of death in Taiwan. The major factor in heart failure during aging is heart remodeling, including long-term stress-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Exercise is good for aging heart health, but the impact of exercise training on aging is not ...

BACKGROUND/AIM There is no information on the dose-response relationship of curcumin on the hemodynamic variables of the heart at the organ level in isolated perfused rat hearts. We aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of curcumin on the hemodynamic variables of isolated perfused rat hearts. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rats were randomly divided into 9 groups. The isolated rat heart was ...

The free radical-generating enzyme xanthine oxidase has been hypothesized to be a central mechanism of the injury which occurs in postischemic tissues; however, its importance remains controversial. Much attention has focused on the role of this enzyme in myocardial reperfusion injury. While xanthine oxidase has been observed in ischemic tissue homogenates, the presence and importance of radica...

It has been reported that the mouse and the rat are susceptible to the action of plague murine toxin, whereas the rabbit is not (1). The effect of this toxin on mitochondrial respiration varies with respect to the animal species and organ from which the mitochondria are isolated. The respiration of rat heart (1) as well as rat and rabbit liver mitochondria (2) is inhibited by the toxin. In cont...

The concept of regenerating diseased myocardium by implanting engineered heart tissue (EHT) is intriguing. Yet it was limited by immune rejection and difficulties to be generated at a size with contractile properties. Somatic cell nuclear transfer is proposed as a practical strategy for generating autologous histocompatible stem (nuclear transferred embryonic stem [NT-ES]) cells to treat diseas...

Excessive collagen deposition may cause abnormal stiffness of the heart during hypertrophy and heart failure. The potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II seems, via an unknown mechanism, to stimulate collagen production. This study describes the in vitro and ex vivo effects of [Sar(1)]Ang II on collagen production by fibroblasts in culture and in beating, nonworking heart preparations. The effect...

A number of reports indicate that a long-chain free fatty acid export system may be operating in mitochondria. In this study, we sought evidence of its existence in rat heart mitochondria. To determine its potential role, we also sought evidence of its activation or inhibition in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat heart mitochondria. If confirmed, it could be a novel mechanism for regula...