HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Abstract Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Guo-Wei He Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by He, G.-W. Articles by Yang, C.-Q. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by He, G.-W. Articles by Yang, C.-Q.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1998;116:122-130
© 1998 Mosby, Inc.

Cardiopulmonary Support And Physiology

Impaired Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor-Mediated Relaxation In Coronary Arteries By Cold Storage With University Of Wisconsin Solution

This study was supported by a Hong Kong Research Grants Council Grant (338/048/0001), the University of Hong Kong Committee of Research and Conference Grants (337/048/0018 and 335/048/0079), and University of Hong Kong Grants (014/048/9602 and 344/048/0001).

Received for publication June 6, 1997 Revisions requested Oct. 14, 1997; revisions received Feb. 9, 1998 Accepted for publication Feb. 17, 1998. Address for reprints: Professor Guo-Wei He, Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Grantham Hospital, 125 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., Aberdeen, Hong Kong.

	Abstract

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Objectives: University of Wisconsin solution is widely used to preserve organs for transplantation, but its effect on the individual endothelium-derived relaxing factors has not been studied. This study was designed to examine the effect of cold storage of the heart with University of Wisconsin solution on relaxation mediated by the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF).
Methods: Porcine coronary artery rings were studied in organ chambers. Relaxation in response to the EDHFs stimuli bradykinin and A23187 in U46619 (30 nmol/L)-induced precontraction after incubation with University of Wisconsin solution (either at 37° C in the oxygenated organ chamber or at 4° C in a refrigerator for 4 hours) was compared with the control.
Results: During the incubation, the coronary tone initially increased transiently (4.8  ± 0.8 gm) and was subsequently reduced by 10.9 ± 1.2 gm. Under both normothermia and hypothermia, after the incubation, the relaxation mediated by EDHF significantly decreased (under normothermia: from 68.7% ± 10.2% to 32.1% ± 8%, n = 7, p = 0.001, for bradykinin and from 79.9% ± 8.4% to 56.9% ± 8.5%, n = 7, p = 0.01, for A23187; under hypothermia and hypoxia: to 18.9% ± 5.6%, n = 9, p = 0.0005, for bradykinin and 52.7% ± 7.5%, n = 9, p = 0.03, for A23187). The incubation at normothermia also impaired the coronary smooth muscle contractility to U46619, but this contractility was preserved by cold storage.
Conclusions: During cold storage, University of Wisconsin solution impairs the endothelium-dependent relaxation mediated by EDHF in the coronary circulation. This effect exists after the storage for at least 1 hour.

	Introduction

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
During the preservation period of the donor organ, the vascular endothelium is in direct contact with the preservation solution. The effect of organ preservation solutions on endothelium is therefore an important issue in organ transplantation surgery. In fact, such effect has been investigated in several recent studies. ^1-10 It has been suggested that University of Wisconsin solution (UW) reduces the endothelium-dependent relaxation ^8,10,11 or causes endothelial dysfunction. ¹²

Endothelium plays an important modulatory role on vascular tone. Endothelium-dependent relaxation is known to be the effect of a variety of different endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs). These are endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO), epoprostenol (prostacyclin [PGI₂]), and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). ^6,7,9 Because of the complexity of the endothelial function, it is necessary to study the effect of UW on individual EDRFs to challenge the "perfect" method to preserve the endothelium. However, previous studies did not distinguish the effect of the individual EDRFs, and the effect of UW on the EDHF-mediated endothelial function has never been studied.

Since Kat high concentrations (hyperkalemia) is a key component in organ preservation solutions for transplantation or in cardioplegic solutions, we have performed a series of experiments to examine the effect of hyperkalemia on endothelial function. Our previous studies ^3,4 have demonstrated that when only cyclooxygenase pathway is blocked by indomethacin (INN: indometacin),the endothelium-dependent (composed of both EDNO and EDHF-mediated) relaxation is not altered by exposure to K⁺ up to 4 1/2 hours, ^3,4 and this is in agreement with studies by other investigators. ² Furthermore, our most recent studies have demonstrated that when EDNO and PGI₂ pathways are inhibited, the residual relaxation (mediated by the third component (EDHF) is significantly reduced by exposure to hyperkalemia (K concentration of 20 to 50 mmol/L). ^6,7 The mechanism of the impaired EDHF-mediated relaxation after exposure to hyperkalemia is related to the inhibition of K⁺ channels and prolonged depolarization of the smooth muscle membrane potential. ^6,9

In UW the concentration of potassium (K) is as high as 125 mmol/L. The extremely high Kconcentration in UW is one of the major concerns with regard to endothelial preservation. ^10,13 However, the composition of UW is complex and the effect of this organ preservation solution may therefore be complicated by its multiple components. The effect of the storage of organs with UW on EDHF-mediated relaxation is unclear. It is unknown whether other components in this solution would prevent the organ from the alteration of EDHF-mediated relaxation owing to its extremely high Kconcentration.

The present study was designed to answer these questions. We examined the effect of UW (1) under normothermia without the combined effect of ischemia and temperature change and (2) after hypothermic storage combined with hypoxia as in the clinical setting.

	Methods

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Coronary arteries were obtained from porcine hearts that were harvested in a local abattoir. Immediately after the hog (either sex) was killed, the heart was rapidly removed, placed in a container filled with Krebs solution at 4° C, and transferred to the laboratory. Epicardial coronary arteries were dissected free from the surrounding connective tissue, cut into 3 mm long rings, and mounted on a pair of stainless steel wires in organ chambers ^6,14 filled by Krebs solution at 37° C. The Krebs solution had the following composition (in millimoles per liter): Na⁺144, K⁺5.9, Ca²⁺ 2.5, Mg²⁺ 1.2, Cl^- 128.7, HCO₃^- 25, SO₄^2- 1.2, H₂PO₄^- 1.2, and glucose 11. The solution was aerated with a gas mixture of 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide at 37° C.

A previously described organ-chamber technique ^6,14 was used to normalize vascular rings under a physiologic pressure with a computerized program (VESTAND 2.1 by Yang-Hui He, Princeton University, N.J.). ^15,16

The endothelium was carefully preserved by cautiously dissecting and mounting the rings. ^6,15,16 To examine the endothelium dependence of the relaxation, in some rings we removed the endothelium mechanically by using a fine wood stick moistened with Krebs solution to rub the intima of the rings gently. The tension development was recorded by a recording system composed of a Grass FT 03 transducer, a Grass preamplifier, and a personal computer by using the PolyView program (Grass Instrument Division, West Warwick, R.I.). Six organ-chamber arrangements were run concurrently.

Protocol
1. Exposure to UW under normothermia

CONTROL All rings were equilibrated for 30 minutes before and after normalization. Indomethacin (7 µmol/L), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and N^G-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 300 µmol/L), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, were added into the bath for 30 minutes. U46619 (30 nmol/L) was then added into the organ chamber to contract the rings. When the contraction reached a stable plateau (usually 10 minutes), cumulative concentration-response curves to receptor-mediated agonist bradykinin (BK) or non–receptor-mediated stimulus calcium ionophore A23187 were established. The concentrations were –10 to –6.5 log mol/L for BK and A23187.

The rings were then repeatedly washed and the following protocol was applied.

UW EXPOSURE. When the tension of the rings returned to the previous level, the bath solution was changed to UW. To isolate the effect of UW from ischemia, the UW was continuously bubbled with a mixture of 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide at 37° C. The incubation time to the UW was 4 hours. During the incubation, the tension of the coronary rings was continuously recorded.

After incubation for 4 hours, the rings were repeatedly washed again for 30 minutes and L-NNA and indomethacin were added for another 30 minutes. This protocol was then repeated.

TIME CONTROL. To exclude the effect of time (4 hours) on endothelial function, rings were left in the organ chamber for 4 hours in Krebs solution, instead of UW, and the EDHF-mediated relaxation to BK (n =6) or A23187 (n =8) was repeated again.

2. Cold storage with UW. Coronary arteries were immersed in UW at 4° C for 4 hours without oxygenation. The artery was then suspended in the organ chamber and repeatedly washed with Krebs solution. The solutions in the organ chamber were continuously aerated with a mixture of 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide for the subsequent experiment. After equilibration for 1 hour, the normalization procedure was performed and the rings were equilibrated again as mentioned earlier. The relaxation to BK (n =9) or A23187 (n =9) in U46619-induced precontraction was tested in the presence of indomethacin and L-NNA. The results were compared with the control (stored in Krebs solution for 4 hours at 4° C, instead of UW, before the experiment).

3. Contractility after exposure to UW. In normothermic experiments, after UW incubation, the contraction to U46619 (30 nmol/L) was reduced (see Results). Therefore, in 10 rings, after exposure to UW for 4 hours, the concentration-contraction curve to U46619 was established. The contractility (expressed by the maximal contraction force and the EC₅₀) was compared with that in the control rings.

The composition of UW is as follows: Na⁺29 mEq/L, K⁺ 125 mEq/L, Mg²⁺ 5 mEq/L, pentafraction 50 gm/L, lactobionic acid 35.83 gm/L, raffinose 17.83 gm/L, adenosine 1.34 gm/L, allopurinol 0.136 gm/L, and total glutathione 0.922 gm/L. The pH of the solution is 7.4 at room temperature.

The effective concentration of the contraction or relaxation agent that caused 50% of maximal contraction (or relaxation) was defined as EC₅₀. The EC₅₀ was determined from each concentration-relaxation curve by a logistic, curve-fitting equation: E = MA^P/(A^P + K^P), where E is response, M is maximal contraction (or relaxation), A is concentration, K is EC₅₀ concentration, and P is the slope parameter. ¹⁴ From this fitted equation, the mean EC₅₀ value ± standard error of the mean was calculated for each group.

Statistical analysis
When the comparison was made in the same ring for the maximal response (either relaxation or contraction) in time-control experiments or under normothermia, the paired t test was used. The maximal response (either relaxation or contraction) in two groups of different rings, such as in the cold storage experiments, was compared by the unpaired t test.

Drugs
Drugs used and their sources were BK, A23187, (L-NNA), and indomethacin (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), and U46619 (Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, Mich.). UW was purchased from Du Pont Merck Pharmaceutical Co. (Wilmington, Del.). L-NNA (dissolved in distilled water) and indomethacin (dissolved in ethanol) were stored at 4° C. The solution of U46619 was held frozen until required.

	Results

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
The coronary tension during exposure to UW
Under normothermia in the organ chamber, during incubation with UW, the coronary tone showed two-phased changes. It transiently increased during the first 7.5 minutes and reached the peak (4.8  ± 0.8 gm) at 3.5 minutes, followed by a decrease after 8 minutes. Forty minutes later, the decrease of tone reached more than 95% of the lowest value (-10.9 ± 1.2 gm from the baseline) and remained at this low tone for the subsequent incubation period (Fig. 1).

View larger version (20K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 1. Isometric force developed in porcine coronary artery ring segments during 4-hour period of incubation with UW (a). Symbols represent data averaged from five coronary rings. Vertical error bars are 1 standard error of the mean. The initial force change during the first 30 minutes is shown in an enlarged time scale in b. The figure shows that there are two phases (the initial contraction and the subsequent relaxation) in terms of force change in coronary arteries during exposure to UW.

The effect of UW on EDHF-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation
Normothermia
BK
UW exposure reduced the BK-induced relaxation from 68.7% ± 10.2% in the control group to 32.1% ± 8% (n =7, 95% confidence interval: 0.04% to 1.0%, p = 0.001, paired t test) (Fig. 2, a). In the control rings, the EC₅₀ was –7.82 ± 0.1 log mol/L. After UW treatment, in some rings, the relaxation was almost abolished and therefore the EC₅₀ value could not be calculated.

View larger version (15K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 2. Mean concentration (–log mol/L) and relaxation (percent of contraction by U46619 30 nmol/L) curves for bradykinin (a) or A23187 (b) in the coronary arteries exposed to UW for 4 hours at 37° C. Vertical error bars are 1 standard error of the mean. , Control (n =7): in the presence of indomethacin (7 µmol/L) and L-NNA (300 µmol/L) in physiologic solution; ), UW 37° C: after exposure to UW at 37° C for 4 hours (n =7 in each group) in the presence of indomethacin (7 µmol/L) and L-NNA (300 µmol/L); E-: response to bradykinin or A23187 in endothelium-denuded coronary arteries (n =4). **p = 0.01; ***p = 0.001 compared with the control (paired t test).

In time-control arteries, there was no significant difference in the first and second relaxation induced by either BK (76.7% ± 7.3% vs 85.4% ± 5.4%, n = 6, p = 0.4, paired t test) or A23187 (81.3% ± 7.9% vs 68.4% ± 12.1%, n = 8, p = 0.13, paired t test). The contraction induced by U46619 (30 nmol/L) did not change in the BK group (10.1 ± 0.7 gm vs 10.8 ± 1.1 gm, p = 0.26), although it slightly increased in the A23187 group (13.8 ± 1.2 vs 15.4 ± 1.2 gm, n = 8, 95% confidence interval: 0.8 to 1.0, p = 0.001, paired t test).

Cold storage with UW
BK
After UW exposure, the BK-induced relaxation was 18.9% ± 5.6% (n =9, p < 0.001, compared with the control of 76.7% ± 7.2%, 95% confidence interval: 0.7% to 10.8%, unpaired t test, Fig. 3, a). In two of the arteries, the relaxation was abolished so the EC₅₀ value could not be calculated.

View larger version (15K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 3. Mean concentration (–log mol/L) and relaxation (percent of contraction by U46619 30 nmol/L) curves for bradykinin (a) or A23187 (b) in the coronary arteries exposed to UW for 4 hours at 4° C. Vertical error bars are 1 standard error of the mean. , Control (n =7 for BK and n = 15 for A23187), in the presence of indomethacin (7 µmol/L) and L-NNA (300 µmol/L) in physiologic solution; ), UW 4° C: after exposure to UW at 4° C for 4 hours (n =9 in each group) in the presence of indomethacin (7 µmol/L) and L-NNA (300 µmol/L); E-: response to bradykinin or A23187 in endothelium-denuded coronary arteries (n =4). **p = 0.006; ***p < 0.001 compared with the control (unpaired t test).

Contractility of coronary artery after exposure to UW
Under normothermia, exposure to UW significantly reduced the degree of contraction induced by U46619 (30 nmol/L). In the BK experiments, the contraction was 11.4 ± 1.0 gm, and it was reduced to 6.0 ± 1.9 gm by the UW exposure (95% confidence interval: –0.1 to 0.9 gm, p = 0.01, paired t test, Fig. 4, a). Similarly, in A23187 experiments, contraction was 7.1 ± 1.3 gm compared with 10.0  ± 0.6 gm (95% confidence interval: –0.2 to 0.9 gm, p  = 0.03, paired t test) in the control rings (Fig. 4, a).

View larger version (25K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 4. Contraction force (gm) to U46619 (30 nmol/L) (a) and mean concentration (-10 to -6.5 log mol/L)–contraction (gm) curves to U46619 (b) after incubation with UW at 37° C for 4 hours. a, Control: before the incubation; UW group I: in bradykinin experiments (n =7); UW group II: in A23187 experiments (n =7). b, , Control, in physiologic solution, n = 10; ), after incubation with UW at 37° C for 4 hours (n =10). *p = 0.02 (unpaired t test). c, Contraction force (gm) to U46619 (30 nmol/L) after incubation with UW at 4° C for 4 hours. Control: n = 6 for BK (group I, n = 9) and n = 15 for A23187 (group II, n = 9).

In contrast, after cold storage with UW, the contraction to U46619 (30 nmol/L) did not change (11.4 ± 1.0 gm, n = 9 vs 9.6 ± 1.1 gm, n = 9, p = 0.3, in BK experiments and 12.0 ± 0.8 gm, n = 15 vs 10.4 ± 0.9 gm, n = 9, p = 0.2, in A23187 experiments, unpaired t test, Fig. 4, c).

	Discussion

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
The present study, for the first time, has demonstrated (1) that indomethacin– and L-NNA–resistant endothelium-dependent (EDHF-related) relaxation is reduced by preservation with UW, which is an intrinsic characteristic of the solution, and that this damaging effect is seen in the coronary artery after normothermic and normoxic exposure, as well as after hypothermic and hypoxic storage; (2) that the coronary tone during exposure to UW is biphasic—an initial phase with a transient increase and subsequent phase with a decrease; and (3) that the exposure to UW may impair the coronary smooth muscle contractility but this is protected by hypothermia.

The findings from the present study, in addition to the previous ones, may reveal a new mechanism for endothelial dysfunction after exposure to UW and therefore have clinical implications in transplantation surgery.

Coronary endothelial function
Endothelial cells derive three major EDRFs. Unlike EDNO and PGI₂, which have been well studied, the nature of EDHF has not been finally identified, although most recently the cytochrome P450-monooxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid has been suggested to be EDHF. ¹⁷ EDHF induces vascular smooth muscle relaxation via hyperpolarization of the smooth muscle cells, ^6,9,18,19 which may involve potassium (K⁺) channels. ^6,9,20,21 In contrast, EDNO relaxes blood vessels through the cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway. However, all of these EDRFs are released in response to the increase of intracellular (cytosolic free) calcium concentration in the endothelial cell. ^6,17

Although the exact role of EDHF in regulating vascular tone and the development of vascular diseases is still unclear, there is evidence that EDNO and EDHF are two primary mechanisms of endothelium-dependent relaxation. ²¹ In the present study, the EDHF stimuli BK and A23187 induced 68.7% and 79.9% relaxation, respectively. This suggests the role of EDHF in regulating the coronary tone at least under the stimulated condition when the EDNO mechanism is blocked. Studies also show that EDHF may back up or enhance the relaxing action of EDNO, particularly when EDNO-mediated relaxation is impaired, ²¹ as seen in some pathologic states such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. ²¹ It may be true that in the coronary circulation during ischemia and reperfusion period, when the EDNO mechanism is impaired, ¹⁰ the EDHF mechanism may play an important role in regulating the coronary circulation and in developing vasculopathy.

Coronary tone during UW incubation
K⁺ is a depolarizing agent and a strong vasoconstrictor. ^3,6,22,23 There is concern that UW may constrict vessels during the exposure (preservation) period. Our present study provides evidence that during the incubation with UW, although initially the coronary artery contracts, the contraction period is very short (during the first 7.5 minutes) (see Fig. 1). After 8 minutes the vessel started to relax and the relaxation persisted for the rest of the incubation period (4 hours). Therefore, despite its extremely high K concentration, the coronary artery is in a relaxant rather than a contraction state during the heart preservation period with UW. The vascular tone is determined by the interaction among the effects of the individual components in the solution. As we demonstrated previously, in the St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution, the vascular tone is slightly reduced although it is a hyperkalemic solution. ^3,4 This effect is probably related to components such as magnesium (Mg²⁺) or adenosine in the solution. In fact, UW contains a 5 mEq/L concentration of Mg²⁺. Studies have demonstrated that high concentrations of Mg²⁺depress the sensitivity of vessels to K⁺²⁴ and that Mg²⁺induces smooth muscle relaxation ²⁵ because of the decreases of the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. ²⁴

It is therefore logical to hypothesize that the vasorelaxant effect of UW is related to its Mg²⁺ content, although the effect of other components such as adenosine may also be involved.

EDHF-related relaxation after UW exposure
The effect of UW on EDHF-mediated endothelial function is shown by the reduction of the relaxation induced by either BK or A23187 after exposure to UW for 4 hours under normothermia. In the BK experiments, the relaxation was reduced to 32.1% (p = 0.001), whereas the A23187-induced relaxation was reduced to 56.9% (p = 0.01). The alteration of the EDHF-mediated relaxation is also shown by the increased EC₅₀ to A23187 (1.9-fold higher, p < 0.05).

Effect of hypothermic storage on EDHF-related relaxation
UW is designed for cold storage of the organ. It has been shown that temperature is an important factor when UW is used for the preservation of the rat heart. ¹² The coronary vascular resistance significantly increased when UW was used at 15° or 20° C, which implies an impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation. However, the increase was not significant at 4° or 10° C. To study whether the impaired EDHF-mediated relaxation occurs during hypothermic and hypoxic storage, the second protocol of the experiment was designed in our study. The coronary artery was stored in cold UW (4° C) for 4 hours without oxygenation, a situation similar to the clinical setting. Our results clearly demonstrate that after cold storage with UW, EDHF-mediated relaxation is also impaired. Therefore we believe that the influence of UW on the coronary EDHF-mediated relaxation exists in the clinical setting in which the organ is stored in cold UW.

The possible mechanism of the impairment of the relaxation
We have previously demonstrated that after exposure to hyperkalemia, the reduced EDHF-mediated relaxation is related to two mechanisms. ^6,9 First, the prolonged membrane hyperpolarization of the smooth muscle affects the EDHF-mediated hyperpolarization, which is linked with the relaxation. Second, the exposure to hyperkalemia affects K⁺ channels, particularly calcium-activated K⁺ channels, which is related to the EDHF-mediated hyperpolarization in the coronary artery. Since UW contains an extremely high concentration of K, it is most likely that the reduced EDHF-mediated relaxation after exposure to UW is also related to the above mechanisms.

Fig. 5 shows a proposal for the mechanism. UW, as a hyperkalemic solution, reduces the EDHF-related relaxation. This is probably the result of two mechanisms. ⁶ First, it inhibits K⁺ channels, particularly calcium-activated K⁺ channels, similar to the effect of a calcium-activated K blocker tetraethylammonium. ⁶ Second, it may have a prolonged depolarizing effect on the membrane. These actions greatly affect the hyperpolarizing effect of EDHF and, therefore, reduce the EDHF-related relaxation. This impairment of the relaxation is imposed to impaired EDNO mechanism, ¹⁰ enhances coronary endothelial dysfunction, and reduces the reserve of the coronary relaxation.

View larger version (26K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 5. Schematic diagram describing the possible pathway by which UW alters the endothelium-dependent relaxation. In response to the increase of the intracellular (cytosolic free) calcium level, endothelial cells derive three major EDRFs (PGI2, EDNO, and EDHF). These EDRFs decrease the intracellular calcium concentration in the smooth muscle cell through different mechanisms and ultimately relax the smooth muscle cell. The mechanism of EDHF-mediated relaxation is to hyperpolarize the membrane and to open K channels. Subsequently, the voltage-operated Ca2+ channels are inhibited and therefore the Ca2+ influx is reduced and this causes relaxation. Exposure to UW reduces the EDNO release (reference 10) and the EDHF-mediated relaxation (the present study). As a hyperkalemic solution, the mechanism of the reduced EDHF-related relaxation is likely caused by the change of K channels and the prolonged depolarization of the membrane, as suggested for the mechanism by hyperkalemia. 6

In summary, exposure to UW at either 37° or 4° C impairs the EDHF-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation, although cold storage with UW may protect the contractility of the coronary smooth muscle. Taken together with the previous findings that UW impairs the EDNO release, ¹⁰ the preservation of coronary artery with UW impairs the endothelial reserve for the endothelium-dependent relaxation.

Clinical implications
The present study suggests that during incubation with UW the coronary tone is reduced and therefore no vasoconstrictor effect is seen in this period. However, during reperfusion (after incubation) the EDHF-mediated relaxation is significantly impaired. The impairment of the EDHF-mediated relaxation reduces the functional reserve of the endothelium-dependent relaxation and therefore may impair myocardial perfusion.

In addition, because endothelium also plays an important role in antiplatelet aggregation and prevention of atherosclerosis, ^26-28 the endothelial dysfunction observed in the present study may have an adverse effect on the long-term results of heart or other organ transplantation. In fact, in cardiac allografts preserved in UW, the incidence of late graft atherosclerosis has been twice as high as in grafts preserved in Stanford solution. ¹¹

The findings from the present study may provide some insight into the cause of the higher atherosclerotic incidence after heart transplantation using UW and open a new area in terms of better preservation of coronary or other vascular endothelium for organ transplantation by adjusting the concentration of K⁺²⁸ or other components. However, the impact of impaired EDHF on the development of posttransplantation atherosclerosis needs to be further studied.

	References

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 

1. Saldanha C, Hearse DJ. Coronary vascular responsiveness to 5-hydroxytryptamine before and after infusion of hyperkalemic crystalloid cardioplegic solution in the rat heart: possible evidence of endothelial damage. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1989;98:783-7. [Abstract]
   
2. Evora PRB, Pearson PJ, Schaff HV. Crystalloid cardioplegia and hypothermia do not impair endothelium-dependent relaxation or damage vascular smooth muscle of epicardial coronary arteries. J  Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1992;104:1365-74. [Abstract]
   
3. He G-W, Yang C-Q, Wilson GJ, Rebeyka IM. Tolerance of coronary endothelium and smooth muscle to hyperkalemia. Ann Thorac Surg 1994;57:682-8. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
4. He G-W, Yang C-Q, Rebeyka IM, Wilson GJ. Effect of neonatal endothelium and smooth muscle to hyperkalemic cardioplegic solutions. J Heart Lung Transplant 1995;14:92-101. [Medline]
   
5. Nilsson FN, Miller VM, Vanhoutte PM, McGregor CGA. Methods of cardiac preservation alter the function of the endothelium in porcine coronary arteries. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1991;102:923-30. [Abstract]
   
6. He G-W, Yang C-Q. Graier WF, Yang J-A. Hyperkalemia alters EDHF-mediated hyperpolarization and relaxation in coronary arteries. Am J Physiol 1996;271:H760-7. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
7. He G-W, Yang C-Q. Hyperkalemia alters endothelium-dependent relaxation through non-nitric oxide and non-cyclooxygenase pathway: a mechanism for coronary dysfunction due to cardioplegia. Ann Thorac Surg 1996;61:1394-9. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
8. Dagenais F, Buluran J, Cartier R. In vitro endothelial dysfunction after cold storage: comparison with various preservative solutions. Ann Chir 1995;49:700-5. [Medline]
   
9. He G-W, Yang C-Q, Yang J-A. Depolarizing cardiac arrest and EDHF-mediated hyperpolarization and relaxation in coronary arteries: the effect and mechanism. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1997;113:932-41. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
10. Pearl JM, Laks H, Drinkwater DC, et al. Loss of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and nitric oxide release after myocardial protection with University of Wisconsin solution. J  Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1994;107:257-64. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
11. 
    
12. nkwater D, Rudis E, Laks H, et al. UW versus Stanford cardioplegia and the development of allograft coronary arterial vasculopathy [Abstract]. J Heart Lung Transplant 1994;13:S47:64. \ %12. Mankad PS, Slavik Z, Yacoub M. Endothelial dysfunction caused by University of Wisconsin preservation solution in the rat heart: the importance of temperature. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1992;104:1618-24. [Abstract]
    
13. Drinkwater DC, Ziv ET, Laks H, et al. Extracellular and standard University of Wisconsin solutions provide equivalent preservation of myocardial function. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1995;110:738-45. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
14. He G-W, Buxton B, Rosenfeldt F, Wilson AC, Angus JA. Weak ß-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation in the human internal mammary artery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1989;97:259-66. [Abstract]
    
15. He G-W, Yang C-Q. Effects of thromboxane A₂ antagonist GR32191B on prostanoid and nonprostanoid receptors in the human internal mammary artery. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1995;26:13-9. [Medline]
    
16. He G-W. Hyperkalemia-exposure impairs EDHF-mediated endothelial function in the human coronary artery. Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:84-7. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
17. Graier WF, Simecek S, Sturek M. Cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenase-related signalling of Ca²⁺ entry in human and bovine endothelial cells. J Physiol 1995;482:259-74. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
18. Feletou M, Vanhoutte PM. Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization of canine coronary smooth muscle. Br J Pharmacol 1988;93:515-24. [Medline]
    
19. Chen G, Suzuki H, Weston AH. Acetylcholine releases endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor and EDRF from rat blood vessels. Br J Pharmacol 1988;95:1165-74. [Medline]
    
20. Scornik, FS, Codina J, Birnbaumer L, Toro L. Modulation of coronary smooth muscle Kca channels by Gs alpha independent of phosphorylation by protein kinase A. Am J Physiol 1993;265(4 pt 2):H1460-5. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
21. Cohen RA, Vanhoutte PM. Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization: beyond nitric oxide and cyclic GMP. Circulation 1995;92:3337-49. [Free Full Text]
    
22. He G-W, Yang C-Q. Comparison among arterial grafts and coronary artery: an attempt at functional classification. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1995;109:707-15.
    
23. He G-W, Yang C-Q, Starr A. An overview of the nature of vasoconstriction in arterial grafts for coronary surgery. Ann Thorac Surg 1995;59:676-83. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
24. Skajja K, Forman A, Andersson K-E. Effects of magnesium on isolated human fetal and maternal uteroplacental vessels. Acta Physiol Scand 1990;139:551-9. [Medline]
    
25. Barany M, Barany K. Protein phosphorylation during contraction and relaxation. In: Barany M, editors. Biochemistry of smooth muscle contraction. San Diego. Academic Press: 1996. p. 330-1.
    
26. Shimokawa H, Vanhoutte PM. Impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation to aggregating platelets and related vasoactive substances in porcine coronary arteries in hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Circ Res 1989;64:900-14. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
27. Shimokawa H, Aarhus LL, Vanhoutte PM. Porcine coronary arteries with regenerated endothelium have a reduced endothelium-dependent responsiveness to aggregating platelets and serotonin. Circ Res 1987;61:256-70. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
28. Lee J, Drinkwater D, Laks H, et al. Preservation of endothelium-dependent vasodilation with low-potassium University of Wisconsin solution. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1996;112:103-10. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
    

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R.-Z. Zhang, Q. Yang, A. P. C. Yim, and G.-W. He Alteration of cellular electrophysiologic properties in porcine pulmonary microcirculation after preservation with University of Wisconsin and Euro-Collins solutions Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2004; 77(6): 1944 - 1950. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. H. Fischer, C. Funcke, G. Yotsumoto, S. Jeschkeit-Schubbert, and F. Kuhn-Regnier Maintenance of physiological coronary endothelial function after 3.3 h of hypothermic oxygen persufflation preservation and orthotopic transplantation of non-heart-beating donor hearts Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, January 1, 2004; 25(1): 98 - 104. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Q. Yang, R.-Z. Zhang, A. P. C. Yim, and G.-W. He Effect of 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid as an additive to st. thomas' cardioplegia and university of wisconsin solutions on endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated function in coronary microarteries: influence of temperature and time Ann. Thorac. Surg., November 1, 2003; 76(5): 1623 - 1630. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Zou, Q. Yang, A. P. C. Yim, and G.-W. He Impaired endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated relaxation in porcine pulmonary microarteries after cold storage with Euro-Collins and University of Wisconsin solutions J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., July 1, 2003; 126(1): 208 - 215. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Kunze, S. Jeschkeit-Schubbert, S. Dahnken, J. H. Fischer, and S. Herzig Endothelial function after prolonged coronary artery oxygen persufflation in a rabbit model of heart preservation Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg, September 1, 2002; 1(1): 16 - 22. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Parolari, P. Rubini, A. Cannata, L. Bonati, F. Alamanni, E. Tremoli, and P. Biglioli Endothelial damage during myocardial preservation and storage Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 2002; 73(2): 682 - 690. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Zou, Q. Yang, A. P.C. Yim, and G.-W. He Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET11,12) may partially restore endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated function in coronary microarteries Ann. Thorac. Surg., December 1, 2001; 72(6): 1970 - 1976. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z.-D. Ge and G.-W. He ALTERED ENDOTHELIUM-DERIVED HYPERPOLARIZING FACTOR-MEDIATEDENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN CORONARY MICROARTERIES BY ST THOMAS' HOSPITAL SOLUTION J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., July 1, 1999; 118(1): 173 - 180. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Abstract Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Guo-Wei He Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by He, G.-W. Articles by Yang, C.-Q. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by He, G.-W. Articles by Yang, C.-Q.