Rationale Rapid growth of cancer cells is permitted by metabolic changes, notably increased aerobic glycolysis and increased glutaminolysis. Aerobic glycolysis is also evident in the hypertrophying myocytes in right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), particularly in association with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It is unknown whether glutaminolysis occurs in the heart. We hypothesized that glutaminolysis occurs in RVH and assessed the precipitating factors, transcriptional mechanisms and physiological consequences of this metabolic pathway. Methods and Results RVH was induced in two models, one with PAH (Monocrotaline-RVH) and the other without PAH (pulmonary artery banding, PAB-RVH). Despite similar RVH, ischemia as determined by reductions in RV VEGFα, coronary blood flow and microvascular density was greater in Monocrotaline-RVH versus PAB-RVH. A 6-fold increase in 14C-glutamine metabolism occurred in Monocrotaline-RVH but not PAB-RVH. In the RV working-heart model, the glutamine antagonist 6-Diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) decreased glutaminolysis, caused a reciprocal increase in glucose oxidation and elevated cardiac output. Consistent with increased glutaminolysis in RVH, RV expression of glutamine transporters (SLC1A5 and SLC7A5) and mitochondrial malic enzyme were elevated (Monocrotaline-RVH>PAB-RVH>Control). Capillary rarefaction and glutamine transporter upregulation also occurred in RVH in patients with PAH. cMyc and Max, known to mediate transcriptional upregulation of glutaminolysis, were increased in Monocrotaline-RVH. In vivo, DON (0.5 mg/Kg/Da×3 weeks) restored pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, reduced RVH and increased cardiac output (89±8, vs. 55±13 ml/min, p<0.05) and treadmill distance (194±71, vs. 36 ±7 m, p<0.05) in Monocrotaline-RVH. Conclusions Glutaminolysis is induced in the RV in PAH by cMyc-Max, likely as a consequence of RV ischemia. Inhibition of glutaminolysis restores glucose oxidation and has therapeutic benefit in vivo.

Introduction Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) is activated in right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), causing an increase in glycolysis relative to glucose oxidation that impairs RV function. The stimulus for PDK upregulation, its isoform specificity and the long-term effects of PDK inhibition are unknown. We hypothesize that FOXO1-mediated PDK4 upregulation causes bioenergetic impairment and RV dysfunction, which can be reversed by dichloroacetate. Methods Adult male Fawn-Hooded rats (FHR) with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and RVH (age 6–12 months) were compared to age-matched controls. Cardiac glucose and fatty acid oxidation (GO, FAO) were measured at baseline and after acute dichloroacetate (1mM×40-minutes) in isolated working-hearts and in freshly dispersed RV myocytes. The effects of chronic dichloroacetate (0.75 g/L drinking water for 6 months) on cardiac output (CO) and exercise capacity were measured in vivo. Expression of PDK4 and its regulatory transcription factor, FOXO1, were also measured in FHR and RV specimens from PAH patients (n=10). Results Microarray analysis of 168 genes related to glucose or FA metabolism showed >4-fold upregulation of PDK4, aldolase B and acyl-coenzyme A oxidase. FOXO1 was increased, in FHR RV whereas HIF-1α was unaltered. PDK4 expression was increased and the inactivated form of FOXO1 decreased in human PAH RV (P<0.01). PDH inhibition in RVH increased proton production and reduced GO’s contribution to the TCA cycle. Acutely, dichloroacetate reduced RV proton production and increased GO’s contribution (relative to FAO) to the TCA cycle and ATP production in FHR (P<0.01). Chronically dichloroacetate decreased PDK4 and FOXO1, thereby activating PDH and increasing GO in FHR. These metabolic changes increased CO (84±14 vs. 69±14 ml/min, P<0.05) and treadmill-walking distance (239±20 vs. 171±22 m, P<0.05). Conclusion Chronic dichloroacetate inhibits FOXO1-induced PDK4 upregulation and restores GO, leading to improved bioenergetics and RV function in RVH.

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Background The cause and consequences of impaired adrenergic signaling in right ventricular failure/hypertrophy (RVH) are poorly understood. We hypothesized that G protein–coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2)–mediated uncoupling of β-adrenergic receptor signaling impairs inotropic reserve. The implications of right ventricular (RV) adrenergic remodeling for inotrope selection and the therapeutic benefit of interrupting Gβγ–GRK2 interaction, using gallein, were tested. Methods and Results Chamber-specificity and cellular localization of adrenergic remodeling were compared in rodent RVH associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH-RVH; SU5416+chronic-hypoxia or Monocrotaline) versus pulmonary artery banding–induced RVH (PAB-RVH). Results were corroborated in RV arrays from 10 PAH patients versus controls. Inotropic reserve was assessed in RV- and left ventricular–Langendorff models and in vivo. Gallein therapy (1.8 mg/kg/day ×2-weeks) was assessed. Despite similar RVH, cardiac output (58.3±4.9 versus 82.9±4.8 mL/min; P<0.001) and treadmill distance (41.5±11.6 versus 244.1±12.4 m; P<0.001) were lower in PAH-RVH versus PAB-RVH. In PAH-RVH versus PAB-RVH there was greater downregulation of β1-, α1- and dopamine-1 receptors, more left ventricular involvement, and greater impairment of RV contractile reserve. RV GRK2 activity increased in parallel with a reduction in both adrenergic receptor expression and inotrope-stimulated cAMP levels (P<0.01). β1-receptor downregulation also occurred in human PAH-RVH. Dobutamine was superior to dopamine as an RV inotrope, both ex vivo and in vivo. Conclusions GRK2-mediated desensitization-down-regulation of adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors impairs inotropic reserve in PAH-RVH. Acute inotropic support in RVH is best accomplished by dobutamine, reflecting its better coupling to adenylyl cyclase and the reliance of dopamine on dopamine-1–receptor signaling, which is impaired in RVH. Inhibiting Gβγ–GRK2 interactions has therapeutic benefit in RVH.

Background-Early repolarization, indicated on the standard 12-lead ECG, has recently been associated with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation in patients without structural heart disease. It is unknown whether there is an association between early repolarization and ventricular arrhythmias in the coronary artery disease (CAD) population. Methods and Results-Patients with CAD with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in the healed phase of myocardial infarction were analyzed. In a case-control design, 60 patients who had ventricular arrhythmic events were matched for age and sex with 60 control subjects. ECGs were analyzed for early repolarization, defined as notching or slurring morphology of the terminal QRS complex or J-point elevation Ն0.1 mV above baseline in at least 2 lateral or inferior leads. Results were adjusted for left ventricular ejection fraction. Overall, early repolarization in 2 or more leads was more common in cases than control subjects (32% versus 8%, Pϭ0.005). Early repolarization was noted more commonly in inferior leads (23% versus 8%, Pϭ0.03), and a trend was noted in leads V 4 through V 6 (12% versus 3%, Pϭ0.11). Early repolarization was uncommon in leads I and aVL in cases and control subjects (3% versus 0%).Notching was more common in cases than control subjects (28% versus 7%, Pϭ0.008). Slurring and J-point elevation were not associated with ventricular arrhythmias. Conclusions-Early repolarization and, in particular, notching in the inferior leads is associated with increased risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in patients with CAD, even after adjustment for left ventricular ejection fraction. Our findings suggest early repolarization, and a notching morphology should be considered in a risk prediction model for arrhythmias in patients with CAD. (Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2010;3:489-495.)

BackgroundAs an increasing number of patients exhibit concomitant cardiac and pulmonary disease, limitations of standard diagnostic criteria are more frequently encountered. Here, we apply noninvasive 129Xe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy to identify patterns of regional gas transfer impairment and haemodynamics that are uniquely associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), left heart failure (LHF) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).MethodsHealthy volunteers (n=23) and patients with COPD (n=8), IPF (n=12), LHF (n=6) and PAH (n=10) underwent 129Xe gas transfer imaging and dynamic spectroscopy. For each patient, three-dimensional maps were generated to depict ventilation, barrier uptake (129Xe dissolved in interstitial tissue) and red blood cell (RBC) transfer (129Xe dissolved in RBCs). Dynamic 129Xe spectroscopy was used to quantify cardiogenic oscillations in the RBC signal amplitude and frequency shift.ResultsCompared with healthy volunteers, all patient groups exhibited decreased ventilation and RBC transfer (both p≤0.01). Patients with COPD demonstrated more ventilation and barrier defects compared with all other groups (both p≤0.02). In contrast, IPF patients demonstrated elevated barrier uptake compared with all other groups (p≤0.007), and increased RBC amplitude and shift oscillations compared with healthy volunteers (p=0.007 and p≤0.01, respectively). Patients with COPD and PAH both exhibited decreased RBC amplitude oscillations (p=0.02 and p=0.005, respectively) compared with healthy volunteers. LHF was distinguishable from PAH by enhanced RBC amplitude oscillations (p=0.01).ConclusionCOPD, IPF, LHF and PAH each exhibit unique 129Xe MRI and dynamic spectroscopy signatures. These metrics may help with diagnostic challenges in cardiopulmonary disease and increase understanding of regional lung function and haemodynamics at the alveolar–capillary level.

Percutaneous transcatheter closure of the aortic valve effectively treats LVAD-associated AI and reduces pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. This procedure should be considered to treat LVAD-associated AI in patients who are poor candidates for repeat operation. Further data are needed to assess long-term results.

Highlights There is a bidirectional relationship between HF and liver disease. NAFLD may drive some HFpEF phenotypes. This review proposes 3 HFpEF phenotypes: obstructive HFpEF, metabolic HFpEF/NAFLD, and advanced liver disease/cirrhosis HFpEF. Additional studies are required to explore the pathophysiology and hemodynamic parameters of these phenotypes and investigate potential treatments.