The American journal of physiology
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This study tests the hypothesis that a 2-4 degrees C reduction in myocardial temperature, obtained by using topical regional hypothermia (TRH), reduces infarct size. Anesthetized rabbits received coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. We cooled hearts in the TRH group by applying an ice bag directly over the risk zone; the control group received no intervention. ⋯ Infarct size closely correlated with MT in the risk region at the time of occlusion. In a second protocol in which all hearts were paced, infarct size was 21% of the risk region in TRH hearts compared with 44% in controls. These results strongly support the important role of MT in the progression of necrosis and demonstrate that the application of local cooling to the risk region profoundly reduces myocardial infarct size.
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Comparative Study
Signal transduction pathways via guanylin and uroguanylin in stomach and intestine.
Guanylin and uroguanylin are peptides that activate receptor guanylate cyclases (GCs) and elicit increased intestinal secretion. Bacteria that cause traveler's diarrhea produce heat-stable toxins (STs) that mimic this action. Investigation of the distribution and identity of receptor GCs in the gastrointestinal tract of rats revealed that receptors were localized to epithelial cells in stomach and intestine. ⋯ Uroguanylin and guanylin mRNAs were detected in stomach and intestine. Uroguanylin mRNA was most abundant in small intestine, whereas guanylin mRNA was highest in large intestine. Thus the stomach and intestine are targets for regulation of transport by guanylin and uroguanylin via cGMP.