• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.567-575
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• 1998

Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer has been known for hundreds of years as the most valuable drug having mysterious effects among all the herbal medicines and plants in Korea. Also, many experimental studies have been performed recently that the various effects were identified and applied clinically. So we attempted an experimental study on the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures in an isolated rat heart with the use of the Langendorff model. The objective of this study was to determine whether this ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures would protect the myocardial injury after ischemic arrest and reperfusion. Isolated rat hearts were allowed to equilibrate for 20 minutes and were then subjected to 15 minutes of normothermic ischemia. After this ischemic period, isolated rat hearts were allowed to reperfusion for 10 minutes(Ischemic Group). In other group , isolated rat hearts were perfused for 60 minutes continuously with normothermia( Normothermic Group). Hemodynamic and biochemical parameters such as heart rate, left ventricular pressure, +dp/dt max, coronary blood flow and cardiac enzymes were measured during initial perfusion, ischemia, reperfusion period (Ischemic group) and 20, 40 and 60 minutes after continuous perfusion(Normothermic group). After completion of the experiment, this data was evaluated and the following results were obtained. 1. Heart rates showed an increase in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups, but statistically significant differences were not identified. 2. LVP(Left Ventricular Pressure) showed statistically significant differences in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups(p<0.005, p<0.01). 3. +dp/dt max showed statistically significant differences in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups(p<0.01, p<0.01). 4. There were no statistically significant differences in coronary blood flow and cardiac cenzymes in all groups, but experimental groups seemed to have better protection and recovery. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures has a protective effect on the myocardial injury after ischemia and reperfusion.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.268-277
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• 2009

Ginsenosides are among the most well-known traditional herbal medicines frequently used for the treatment of cardiovascular symptoms in South Korea. The anti-ischemic effects of compound K (CK), a metabolite of ginsenoside Rb1, on ischemia-induced isolated rat hearts were investigated through the analyses of the changes in the hemodynamics (blood pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output) and the measurement of the infarct region. The subjects in this study were divided into four groups: the normal control, the CK-alone group, the ischemia-induced group without any treatment, and the ischemia-induced group treated with CK. No significant differences in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output were found between the groups before ischemia was induced. The oxygen and buffer supply was stopped for 30 min to induce ischemia 60 min after reperfusion in the isolated rat hearts, and the CK was administered 5 min before ischemia induction. The CK treatment significantly prevented decreases in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output under ischemic conditions. In addition, the hemodynamics (except for the heart rate) of the group treated with CK significantly recovered 60 min after reperfusion, unlike in the control group. CK significantly limited the infarct. These results suggest that CK treatment has distinct anti-ischemic effects in an exvivo model of an ischemia-reperfusion-induced rat heart.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.391-397
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Myocardial cell death due to occlusion of the coronary arteries leads to myocardial infarction, a subset of coronary heart disease (CHD). Dietary fiber is known to be associated with a reduced risk of CHD, the underlying mechanisms of which were suggested to delay the onset of occlusion by ameliorating risk factors. In this study, we tested a hypothesis that a beneficial role of dietary fiber could arise from protection of myocardial cells against ischemic injury, manifested after occlusion of the arteries. MATERIALS/METHODS: Three days after rats were fed apple pectin (AP) (with 10, 40, 100, and 400 mg/kg/day), myocardial ischemic injury was induced by 30 min-ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by 3 hr-reperfusion. The area at risk and infarct area were evaluated using Evans blue dye and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, respectively. DNA nicks reflecting the extent of myocardial apoptosis were assessed by TUNEL assay. Levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax were assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Supplementation of AP (with 100 and 400 mg/kg/day) resulted in significantly attenuated infarct size (IS) (ratio of infarct area to area at risk) by 21.9 and 22.4%, respectively, in the AP-treated group, compared with that in the control group. This attenuation in IS showed correlation with improvement in biomarkers involved in the apoptotic cascades: reduction of apoptotic cells, inhibition of conversion of procaspase-3 to caspase-3, and increase of Bcl-2/Bax ratio, a determinant of cell fate. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that supplementation of AP results in amelioration of myocardial infarction by inhibition of apoptosis. Thus, the current study suggests that intake of dietary fiber reduces the risk of CHD, not only by blocking steps leading to occlusion, but also by protecting against ischemic injury caused by occlusion of the arteries.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 2000

Background: Adhesion of leukocytes to myocardium or vascular endothelium has been known as an importation initial step in the ischemia-reperfusion injury which may affect the cardiac function. Therefore, leukocyte-depleted reperfusion may inhibit ischemia-reperfusion induced functional and ultrastructural deterioration. In this study, we quantified the time-dependent expression of the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCMA-1) on piglet myocardium and demonstrated its relation to functional recovery using isolated piglet heart perfusion model. Material and Method: Neonatal(1 to 3 day old) piglet heart was harvested with 4$^{\circ}C$ University of Wisconsin solution (UWS) and presrved in the same solution for 12 hours. Ex vivo model of an isolated working neonatal piglet heart perfusion consisting of membrane oxygenator and roller-pump was used (Fig. 1). Hearts were grouped into leukocyte-non-depleted (group A, n=8) and leukocyte-depleted group(group B, n=8). In group B, hearts were reperfused with leukocyte-depleted blood using a leukocyte filter (Sepacell R, Asahi Medical, Japan). Segments of right atrium were taken before and after 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours of reperfusion for the evaluation of expression of VCAM-1. The intensity of immunohistochyemical satining of the VCAM-1 on the myocardium were graded semiquantitatively (0 to 4). For the evaluation of myocardial stroke work indices were calculated as well at the same time-points. Result: Mean expressins of VCAM-1 on the myocardium at 0, 1, 2, 3, adn 4 hours of reperfusion were 0.63, 1.44, 1.64, 2.65, and 3.34 in group A, while 0.56, 1.40, 1.50, 1.88 and 2.14 in group B (Fig. 3). Mean stroke work indices at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after reperfusion were 1.35$\times$104, 1.32$\times$104, 1.14$\times$104, 0.81$\times$104, 0.68$\times$104 erg/gm in group A, while 1.40$\times$104, 1.43$\times$104, 1.43$\times$104, 1.28$\times$104, and 1.12$\times$104 erg/em in group B(Fig. 4). Conclusion : In this study, we demonstrated that leukocyte-depletion attenuated the expression of VCAM-1 during reperfusion and the time-dependent functional deterioration of the myocardium was well correlated with the degree of VCAM-1 expression.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.647-659
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• 2020

Objective: The occurrence of intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) and microvascular obstruction (MVO) in myocardial infarction (MI), known as severe ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), has been associated with adverse remodeling. APT102, a soluble human recombinant ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1, can hydrolyze extracellular nucleotides to attenuate their prothrombotic and proinflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to temporally evaluate the therapeutic effect of APT102 on IRI in rats and to elucidate the evolution of IRI in the acute stage using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). Materials and Methods: Fifty-four rats with MI, induced by ligation of the origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 60 minutes, were randomly divided into the APT102 (n = 27) or control (n = 27) group. Intravenous infusion of APT102 (0.3 mg/kg) or placebo was administered 15 minutes before reperfusion, and then 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and on day 4 after reperfusion. CMRI was performed at 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and on day 5 post-reperfusion using a 7T system and the hearts were collected for histopathological examination. Cardiac function was quantified using cine imaging and IMH/edema using T2 mapping, and infarct/MVO using late gadolinium enhancement. Results: The extent of infarction (p < 0.001), edema (p < 0.001), IMH (p = 0.013), and MVO (p = 0.049) was less severe in the APT102 group than in the control group. IMH size at 48 hours was significantly greater than that at 24 hours, 72 hours, and 5 days after reperfusion (all p < 0.001). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly greater in the APT102 group than in the control group (p = 0.006). There was a negative correlation between LVEF and IMH (r = -0.294, p = 0.010) and a positive correlation between IMH and MVO (r = 0.392, p < 0.001). Conclusion: APT102 can significantly alleviate damage to the ischemic myocardium and microvasculature. IMH size peaked at 48 hours post reperfusion and IMH is a downstream consequence of MVO. IMH may be a potential therapeutic target to prevent adverse remodeling in MI.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.845-854
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• 1998

Background: S-2-(3 aminoprophlamino) ethylphosphorothioic acid(WR-2721) is one of the radical scavenging thiols. We tested its protective effects in the reperfused heart. Material and Method: The experimental setup was the constant pressure Langendorffs perfusion system. We investigated the radical scavenging properties of this compound in isolated rat hearts which were exposed to 20 minutes ischemia and 20 minutes reperfusion. Four experimental groups were used:group I, control, Amifostine 50 mg(1 mL) peritoneal injection 30 minutes before ischemia(group II), Amifostine 10 mg(0.2 mL) injection during ischemia through coronary artery(group III),and Amifostine 50 mg(1 mL) peritoneal injection 2 hrs before ischemia(group IV). The experimental parameters were the levels of latate, CK-MB, and adenosine deaminase(ADA) in frozen myocardium, the quantity of coronary flow,and left ventricular developed pressure, and it's dp/dt. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measured analysis of variance and student t-test. Result: The coronary flow of group II and IV were less than group I and III at equilibrium state but recovery of coronary flow at reperfusion state of group II, III, and IV were more increased compared with group I. The change of systolic left ventricular devoloping pressure of group II and IV were less than control group at equilibrium state, which seemed to be the influence of the pharmacological hypotensive effect of amifostine. But it was higher compared with group I at reperfusion state. The lactic acid contents of group II were less than control group in frozen myocardium.(Group I was 0.20 0.29 mM/g vs Group II, which was 0.10 0.11 mM/g). The quantity of CK-MB in myocardial tissue was highest in group IV (P=0.026 I: 120.0 97.8 U/L vs IV: 242.2 79.15 U/L). The adenosine deaminase contents in the coronary flow and frozen myocardium were not significantly different among each group. Conclusion: Amifostine seemed to have significant cardioprotective effect during ischemia and reperfusion injuries of myocardium.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2010

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) protects various tissues and cells from ischemic insults and is activated by many stimuli including mechanical stretch. Therefore, this study investigated if the activation of AMPK is involved in stretch-induced cardioprotection (SIC). Intraventricular balloon and aorto-caval shunt (ACS) were used to stretch rat hearts ex vivo and in vivo, respectively. Stretch preconditioning reduced myocardial infarct induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) and improved post-ischemic functional recovery. Phosphorylation of AMPK and its downstream substrate, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were increased by mechanical stretch and ACC phosphorylation was completely blocked by the AMPK inhibitor, Compound C. AMPK activator (AICAR) mimicked SIC. Gadolinium, a blocker of stretch-activated ion channels (SACs), inhibited the stretch-induced phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC, whereas diltiazem, a specific L-type calcium channel blocker, did not affect AMPK activation. Furthermore, SIC was abrogated by Compound C and gadolinium. The in vivo stretch induced by ACS increased AMPK activation and reduced myocardial infarct. These findings indicate that stretch preconditioning can induce the cardioprotection against I/R injury, and activation of AMPK plays an important role in SIC, which might be mediated by SACs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.579-586
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• 1999

Complement-mediated neutrophil activation has been hypothesized to be an important mechanism of reperfusion injury. It has been proposed that C1 esterase inhibitor (C1 INH) may prevent the complement- dependent activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) that occurs within postischemic myocardium. Therefore, The effect of C1 INH was examined in neutrophil dependent isolated perfused rat heart model of ischemia (I) (20 min) and reperfusion (R) (45 min). Administration of C1 INH (5 mg/Kg) to I/R hearts in the presence of PMNs $(100{\times}10^6)$ and homologous plasma improved coronary flow and preserved cardiac contractile function (p＜0.001) in comparison to those I/R hearts receiving only vehicle. In addition, C1 INH significantly (p＜0.001) reduced PMN accumulation in the ischemic myocardium as evidenced by an attenuation in myeloperoxidase activity. These findings demonstrate the C1 INH is a potent and effective cardioprotective agent inhibits leukocyte-endothelial interaction and preserves cardiac contractile function and coronary perfusion following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.605-612
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• 2000

Background: Ischemic preconditioning enhances the tolerance of myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury, with the enhancement of the recovery of post-ischemic myocardial function. This study was disigned to assess whether the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning could provide one additional hour of myocardial preservation in four hour myocardial ischemia in a rate heart. Material and method: Fourty four Spargue-Dawley rats, weighing 300~450gm, were divided into four groups. Group 1(n=7) and group 3(n=12) were subjected to 30 minutes of aerobic Langendorff perfusion without ischemic preconditioning and then preserved in saline solution at 2~4$^{\circ}C$ for 4 hours and 5 respectively. Group 2(n=7) and group 4(n=18) were perfused in the same way for 20 minutes, followed by 3 minutes of global mormothermic ischemia and 10 minutes of perfusion and then preserved in the same cold saline solution for 4 hours and 5 hours respectively. Heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure(LVDP), and coronary flow were measured at 15 minutes during perfusion as baseline. Spontaneous defibrillation time was measured after reperfusion. Heart rate, LVDP, and coronary flow were also recorded at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes during reperfusion. Samples of the apical left ventricular wall were studied using a transmission electron microscope. Result: Time of spontaneous defibrillation(TSD) was significantly longer in group 4 than in group 1(p<0.001), and TSD in group 1 was significantly longer in comparision to that of group 2(p<0.05). Heart rate at 45 minutes was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 4(p<0.05). Heart rate at 15 min was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1(p<0.001) and in group 4 than in group 3(p<0.05). Left ventricular developed pressure(LVDP) at 30 minutes and 45 minutes was higher in group 1 than in group 4(p<0.01), LVDP at 45 minutes was higher in group 4 than in group 3(p<0.05). Rate-pressure product(RPP) at 30 minutes and 45 minutes was higher in group 1 than in group 4(p<0.05). RPP at 15 minutes was higher in group 2 than in group 1(p<0.01). RPP at 30 minutes and 45 minutes was higher in group 4 than in group 3(p<0.05). Group 2 showed relatively less sarcoplasmic edema and less nuclear chromatin clearance than group 1. Group 4 showed less myocardial cell damage than group 3, group 4 showed less myocardial cell damage than group 3, group 4 showed more myocardial cell edema than group 1. Conclusion: Ischemic preconditioning enhanced the recovery of postischemic myocardial function after 4 hours and 5 hours preservation. However, it was not demonstrated that ischemic preconditioning could definitely provide one additional hour of myocardial preservation in four hour myocardial ischemia in a rat heart.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.42-54
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• 1992

To understand the structural changes of the myocardial myocytes and endothelial cells in ischemic and reperfused heart, and to elucidate their roles in those conditions, the authors observed cat and rat myocardium ultrastructurally and evaluated them with morphometric techniques. In cat, mild ischemia and moderate degree reperfusion injury was induced by ligation of the anterior interventricular branch of left coronary artery and reperfusion. In rat, severe ischemia and irreversible reperfusion iniury was made using in vitro Langendorff techniques. In normal cat myocytes, the volume densities of cytoplasm, myofibrils, mitochondria, sarcoplasmic reticulum and T tubules were $0.11{\pm}0.013,\;0.51{\pm}0.096,\;0.25{\pm}0.082,\;0.09{\pm}0.008,\;0.02{\pm}0.010$ (Mean${\pm}$S.D.) respectively, and the myofibril/mitochondria ratio was $2.33{\pm}1.379$. The numerical density and average volume of mitochondria were $0.76{\pm}0.210/{\mu}m^3$ and $0.33{\pm}0.057{\mu}m^3$ respectively. In normal cat endothelial cells, the volume densities of cytoplasm, cytoplasmic vesicles, tubular systems (including endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus) and mitochondria were $0.43{\pm}0.023,\;0.28{\pm}0.007,\;0.22{\pm}0.021,\;0.03{\pm}0.014$ respectively. The mean thickness of endothelial cells was $230{\pm}45.2{\mu}m$. The numerical density and average volume of cytoplasmic vesicles were $508{\pm}55.0/{\mu}m^3,\;578{\pm}104.8nm^3$ respectively. In cat myocytes which received mild ischemic injury, the volume densities of organelles were not changed significantly in ischemic and reperfusion states. In reperfusion group myocytes, the numerical density of mitochondria was decreased significantly and the average volume was increased significantly. In endothelial cells, the volume density of tubular system in ischemic group and the average volume of cytoplasmic vesicles in reperfusion group were increased significantly. In rat myocytes which received severe ischemic injury, the volume density and average volume of mitochondria were increased significantly, and the volume density of sarcoplasmic reticulum and numerical density of mitochondria were decreased significantly in both ischemic and reperfusion groups. In ischemic and reperfused endothelial cells, the volume density and numerical density of cytoplasmic vesicles, the volume density of cytoplasm were decreased significantly. The volume densities of tubular system were increased significantly in both ischemic and reperfused groups. The volume density of mitochondria in ischemic group and the average volume of cytoplasmic vesicles in reperfusion group showed significant increase. The authors, based on the above observations, conclude that the mitochondria of myocytes and the cytoplasmic vesicles of endothelia are the first group of targets in ischemic and reperfusion injury and in this respect, the degree of ischemic insult is not significant. The role of myocyte mitochondria in reperfusion injury may be insignificant, but endothelial cells may contribute actively to reperfusion injury.