When the length of the myocardium is increased, a biphasic response to stretch occurs involving an initial rapid increase in force followed by a delayed slow increase called the slow force response (SFR). Confirming previous findings involving angiotensin II in the SFR, it was blunted by AT1 receptor blockade (losartan). The SFR was accompanied by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) of ∼30% and in intracellular Na + concentration ([Na + ] i ) of ∼2.5 mmol l −1 over basal detected by H 2 DCFDA and SBFI fluorescence, respectively. Abolition of ROS by 2-mercapto-propionyl-glycine (MPG) and EUK8 suppressed the increase in [Na + ] i and the SFR, which were also blunted by Na + /H + exchanger (NHE-1) inhibition (HOE642). NADPH oxidase inhibition (apocynin or DPI) or blockade of the ATP-sensitive mitochondrial potassium channels (5HD or glybenclamide) suppressed both the SFR and the increase in [Na + ] i after stretch, suggesting that endogenous angiotensin II activated NADPH oxidase leading to ROS release by the ATP-sensitive mitochondrial potassium channels, which promoted NHE-1 activation. Supporting the notion of ROS-mediated NHE-1 activation, stretch increased the ERK1/2 and p90rsk kinases phosphorylation, effect that was cancelled by losartan. In agreement, the SFR was cancelled by inhibiting the ERK1/2 signalling pathway with PD98059. Angiotensin II at a dose that mimics the SFR (1 nmol l −1 ) induced an increase in ·O 2 − production of ∼30-40% detected by lucigenin in cardiac slices, an effect that was blunted by losartan, MPG, apocynin, 5HD and glybenclamide. Taken together the data suggest a pivotal role of mitochondrial ROS in the genesis of the SFR to stretch.

Myocardial stretch elicits a biphasic contractile response: the Frank-Starling mechanism followed by the slow force response (SFR) or Anrep effect. In this study we hypothesized that the SFR depends on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation after the myocardial stretch-induced angiotensin II (Ang II)/endothelin (ET) release. Experiments were performed in isolated cat papillary muscles stretched from 92 to 98% of the length at which maximal twitch force was developed (L max ). The SFR was 123 ± 1% of the immediate rapid phase (n = 6, P < 0.05) and was blunted by preventing EGFR transactivation with the Src-kinase inhibitor PP1 (99 ± 2%, n = 4), matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor MMPI (108 ± 4%, n = 11), the EGFR blocker AG1478 (98 ± 2%, n = 6) or the mitochondrial transition pore blocker clyclosporine (99 ± 3%, n = 6). Stretch increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation by 196 ± 17% of control (n = 7, P < 0.05), an effect that was prevented by PP1 (124 ± 22%, n = 7) and AG1478 (131 ± 17%, n = 4). In myocardial slices, Ang II (which enhances ET mRNA) or endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced increase in O 2 − production (146 ± 14%, n = 9, and 191 ± 17%, n = 13, of control, respectively, P < 0.05) was cancelled by AG1478 (94 ± 5%, n = 12, and 98 ± 15%, n = 8, respectively) or PP1 (100 ± 4%, n = 6, and 99 ± 8%, n = 3, respectively). EGF increased O 2 − production by 149 ± 4% of control (n = 9, P < 0.05), an effect cancelled by inhibiting NADPH oxidase with apocynin (110 ± 6% n = 7), mKATP channels with 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5-HD; 105 ± 5%, n = 8), the respiratory chain with rotenone (110 ± 7%, n = 7) or the mitochondrial permeability transition pore with cyclosporine (111 ± 10%, n = 6). EGF increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation (136 ± 8% of control, n = 9, P < 0.05), which was blunted by 5-HD (97 ± 5%, n = 4), suggesting that ERK1/2 activation is downstream of mitochondrial oxidative stress. Finally, stretch increased Ser703 Na + /H + exchanger-1 (NHE-1) phosphorylation by 172 ± 24% of control (n = 4, P < 0.05), an effect that was cancelled by AG1478 (94 ± 17%, n = 4). In conclusion, our data show for the first time that EGFR transactivation is crucial in the chain of events leading to the Anrep effect.

The possibility of a direct mitochondrial action of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger-1 (NHE-1) inhibitors decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed in cat myocardium. Angiotensin II and endothelin-1 induced an NADPH oxidase (NOX)-dependent increase in anion superoxide (O(2)(-)) production detected by chemiluminescence. Three different NHE-1 inhibitors [cariporide, BIIB-723, and EMD-87580] with no ROS scavenger activity prevented this increase. The mitochondria appeared to be the source of the NOX-dependent ROS released by the "ROS-induced ROS release mechanism" that was blunted by the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel blockers 5-hydroxydecanoate and glibenclamide, inhibition of complex I of the electron transport chain with rotenone, and inhibition of the permeability transition pore (MPTP) by cyclosporin A. Cariporide also prevented O(2)(-) production induced by the opening of mK(ATP) with diazoxide. Ca(2+)-induced swelling was evaluated in isolated mitochondria as an indicator of MPTP formation. Cariporide decreased mitochondrial swelling to the same extent as cyclosporin A and bongkrekic acid, confirming its direct mitochondrial action. Increased O(2)(-) production, as expected, stimulated ERK1/2 and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase phosphorylation. This was also prevented by cariporide, giving additional support to the existence of a direct mitochondrial action of NHE-1 inhibitors in preventing ROS release. In conclusion, we report a mitochondrial action of NHE-1 inhibitors that should lead us to revisit or reinterpret previous landmark observations about their beneficial effect in several cardiac diseases, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury and cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Further studies are needed to clarify the precise mechanism and site of action of these drugs in blunting MPTP formation and ROS release.

Abstract-The use of antagonists of the mineralocorticoid receptor in the treatment of myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure has gained increasing importance in the last years. The cardiac Na ϩ /H ϩ exchanger (NHE-1) upregulation induced by aldosterone could account for the genesis of these pathologies. We tested whether aldosterone-induced NHE-1 stimulation involves the transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Rat ventricular myocytes were used to measure intracellular pH with epifluorescence. Aldosterone enhanced the NHE-1 activity. This effect was canceled by spironolactone or eplerenone (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists), but not by mifepristone (glucocorticoid receptor antagonist) or cycloheximide (protein synthesis inhibitor), indicating that the mechanism is mediated by the mineralocorticoid receptor triggering nongenomic pathways. Aldosterone-induced NHE-1 stimulation was abolished by the EGFR kinase inhibitor AG1478, suggesting that is mediated by transactivation of EGFR. The increase in the phosphorylation level of the kinase p90 RSK and NHE-1 serine703 induced by aldosterone was also blocked by AG1478. Exogenous epidermal growth factor mimicked the effects of aldosterone on NHE-1 activity. Epidermal growth factor was also able to increase reactive oxygen species production, and the epidermal growth factor-induced activation of the NHE-1 was abrogated by the reactive oxygen species scavenger N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine, indicating that reactive oxygen species are participating as signaling molecules in this mechanism. Aldosterone enhances the NHE-1 activity via transactivation of the EGFR, formation of reactive oxygen species, and phosphorylation of the exchanger. These results call attention to the consideration of the EGFR as a new potential therapeutic target of the cardiovascular pathologies involving the participation of aldosterone. [1][2][3][4] Aldosterone has been shown to induce left ventricular hypertrophy independently from its classic effects on regulation of renal Na ϩ and blood pressure. 5-7 However, the cellular, subcellular, and molecular bases for this effect are not yet understood. Fujisawa et al 8 demonstrated that the mineralocorticoid/salt-induced rat cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy were prevented by the selective Na ϩ /H ϩ exchanger (NHE-1) blocker cariporide. It has also been reported that aldosterone upregulates the expression and function of the NHE-1 9 -12 and that selective blockade of this transporter prevents and/or reverts left ventricular hypertrophy in various animal models. 13 Therefore, we focused our attention on the intracellular pathway that involves aldosterone and NHE-1 as trigger and end point target, respectively.Steroids, including aldosterone, are able to interact with peptide hormone signaling. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) represent one of these signals involving aldosterone. 14,15 It has been shown that spironolactone reduces the EGFR mRNA synthesis after cerebral ischemia. 16 Accordingly, Gross...

Non-technical summary Myocardial stretch increases force in two phases. The first one is immediate and attributed to an increase in myofilament Ca 2+ responsiveness (Frank-Starling mechanism). The second phase gradually develops and is known as slow force response (SFR) or Anrep effect due to an increase in intracellular Ca 2+ transient. We previously showed that Ca 2+ entry through reverse Na + /Ca 2+ exchange underlies the SFR, as the final step of an autocrine/paracrine loop involving release of angiotensin II/endothelin, transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, increased mitochondrial oxidative stress and a Na + /H + exchanger (NHE-1) activation-mediated rise in Na + . In the present study we show that mineralocorticoid receptor activation is a necessary step between endothelin and epidermal growth factor receptor activation in the stretch-triggered reactive oxygen species-mediated NHE-1 activation leading to the SFR. AbstractThe increase in myocardial reactive oxygen species after epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation is a crucial step in the autocrine/paracrine angiotensin II/endothelin receptor activation leading to the slow force response to stretch (SFR). Since experimental evidence suggests a link between angiotensin II or its AT1 receptor and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and MR transactivates the epidermal growth factor receptor, we thought to determine whether MR activation participates in the SFR development in rat myocardium. We show here that MR activation is necessary to promote reactive oxygen species formation by a physiological concentration of angiotensin II (1 nmol l −1 ), since an increase in superoxide anion formation of ∼50% of basal was suppressed by blocking MR with spironolactone or eplerenone. This effect was also suppressed by blocking AT1, endothelin (type A) or epidermal growth factor receptors, by inhibiting NADPH oxydase or by targeting mitochondria, and was unaffected by glucocorticoid receptor inhibition. All interventions except AT1 receptor blockade blunted the increase in superoxide anion promoted by an equipotent dose of endothelin-1 (1 nmol l −1 ) confirming that endothelin receptors activation is downstream of AT1. Similarly, an increase in superoxide anion promoted by an equipotent dose of aldosterone (10 nmol l −1 ) was blocked by spironolactone or eplerenone, by preventing epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation, but not by inhibiting glucocorticoid receptors or protein synthesis, suggesting non-genomic MR effects. Combination of aldosterone plus endothelin-1 did not increase superoxide anion formation more than each agonist separately. We found that aldosterone increased phosphorylation of the redox-sensitive kinases ERK1/2-p90RSK and the NHE-1, effects that were eliminated by eplerenone or by preventing epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation. Finally, we provide evidence that the SFR is suppressed by MR blockade, by preventing epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation or by scavenging reactive oxygen specie...

Mitochondria represent major sources of basal reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of the cardiomyocyte. The role of ROS as signaling molecules that mediate different intracellular pathways has gained increasing interest among physiologists in the last years. In our lab, we have been studying the participation of mitochondrial ROS in the intracellular pathways triggered by the renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the myocardium during the past few years. We have demonstrated that acute activation of cardiac RAAS induces mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium channel (mitoKATP) opening with the consequent enhanced production of mitochondrial ROS. These oxidant molecules, in turn, activate membrane transporters, as sodium/hydrogen exchanger (NHE-1) and sodium/bicarbonate cotransporter (NBC) via the stimulation of the ROS-sensitive MAPK cascade. The stimulation of such effectors leads to an increase in cardiac contractility. In addition, it is feasible to suggest that a sustained enhanced production of mitochondrial ROS induced by chronic cardiac RAAS, and hence, chronic NHE-1 and NBC stimulation, would also result in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

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In the present study, we investigated the role of NADPH oxidase in F (fructose)-rich-diet-induced hepatic OS (oxidative stress) and metabolic changes, and their prevention by apocynin co-administration. Wistar rats were fed for 21 days on (i) a control diet, (ii) a control diet plus 10% F in the drinking water, (iii) a control diet with apocynin in the drinking water (CA) and (iv) F plus apocynin in the drinking water (FA). Glycaemia, triglyceridaemia, NEFAs (non-esterified fatty acids) and insulinaemia were determined. In the liver, we measured (i) NADPH oxidase activity, and gene and protein expression; (ii) protein carbonyl groups, GSH and TBARSs (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances); (iii) catalase, CuZn-SOD (superoxide dismutase) and Mn-SOD expression; (iv) liver glycogen and lipid content; (v) GK (glucokinase), G6Pase (glucose-6-phosphatase) and G6PDH (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) activities; (vi) FAS (fatty acid synthase), GPAT (glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase), G6Pase and G6PDH, IL-1β (interleukin-1β), PAI-1 (plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1) and TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) gene expression; and (vii) IκBα (inhibitor of nuclear factor κB α) protein expression. F-fed animals had high serum TAG (triacylglycerol), NEFA and insulin levels, high liver NADPH oxidase activity/expression, increased OS markers, reduced antioxidant enzyme expression, and increased glycogen, TAG storage and GK, G6Pase and G6PDH activities. They also had high G6Pase, G6PDH, FAS, GPAT, TNFα and IL-1β gene expression and decreased IκBα expression. Co-administration of apocynin to F-fed rats prevented the development of most of these abnormalities. In conclusion, NADPH oxidase plays a key role in F-induced hepatic OS production and probably also in the mechanism of liver steatosis, suggesting its potential usefulness for the prevention/treatment of T2DM (Type 2 diabetes mellitus).