OBJECTIVES The effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on neonatal hearts is not well understood. The current hypothesis is that EPO has protective effects against ischaemia-reperfusion when administered prior to ischaemia induction. METHODS Systolic and diastolic indices, as well as the Akt and extracellular-regulated kinase (Erk) signalling pathways, were studied in vivo using a neonatal pig heart m...

We have determined the effects of alterations in preload on ischaemia-induced diastolic dysfunction in anaesthetized beagles instrumented to measure left ventricular pressure and regional dimensions. Low-flow regional ischaemia decreased peak lengthening rates in ischaemic (mean -26 (SEM 6) mm s-1, P < 0.01) and non-ischaemic (-8.6 (3.4) mm s-1, P < 0.05) myocardium. Peak lengthening rates and ...

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation (SUMOylation) is a post-translational protein modification that modulates almost all major cellular processes, and has been implicated in many human diseases. A growing body of evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrates that increasing global levels of SUMO conjugated proteins (global SUMOylation) protects cells against ischaemia-ind...

Context. Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a rare and sinister finding. Its mortality is associated with the underlying causative condition. When secondary to bowel ischaemia, mortality rates exceed 50%. Case Report. Two cases of HPVG are described. One case describes HPVG in association with gastric ischaemia, with complete resolution following conservative management. The second case descri...

Abstract Introduction Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been used in biological models for disease modification. Whilst challenges remain with targeted cell delivery, caspase-3, an executing enzyme of apoptosis and inflammation, plays a crucial role acute kidney injury. Using caspase-3 siRNA or erythropoietin derived peptide CHBP, we have demonstrated renoprotection against ischaemia-reperfusio...

Myocardial ischemia (MI) resulting in infarction is an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Acute ischaemia rapidly impairs myocardial contractile function. Myocardial dysfunction persisting for several hours after transient non-lethal ischaemia, eventually resulting in full functional recovery is termed as myocardial stunning. Hibernation is now thought to be...

Objective(s): Reperfusion of ischaemic myocardium results in reduced nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) leading to endothelial dysfunction and subsequent tissue damage. Impaired NO biosynthesis may be partly due to increased levels of asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of eNOS. As dimethylarginine dimet...

OBJECTIVE In adults with an interarterial and intramural course of an anomalous right coronary artery from the left sinus (AAORCA), surgical unroofing is recommended in the setting of myocardial ischaemia. However, data regarding functional testing are limited, and the management of adults without ischaemia is unclear. To evaluate these patients, we employed an exercise N(13)-ammonia positron e...

AIMS The CARDia (Coronary Artery Revascularization in Diabetes) trial compared coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and optimal percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in diabetic patients with multivessel coronary disease. Patients enrolled had symptoms of myocardial ischaemia. As symptom assessment is flawed in diabetic patients, a substudy was undertaken to compare the extent to which the...