Acute effect of ischemia on adrenomedullin immunoreactivity in the rat heart: An immunocytochemical study
We investigated by immunocytochemistry (ICC) the acute effects of ischemia on the distribution in the rat heart of adrenomedullin (AM), a potent hypotensive peptide which is expressed in the cardiovascular system, where it is known to play a major regulatory and protective role. Hearts,
collected from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, were perfused with the Langendorff technique, and ‘global’ ischemia was obtained by stopping perfusion for 20 min. Hearts were frozen, and ICC was performed using a specific anti-rat AM1-50 antibody and secondary peroxidase-conjugated
antibodies. ICC demonstrated AM-immunoreactivity (IR) in cardiomyocytes and especially in the wall of coronary vessels. Quantitative densitometry showed that acute ischemia significantly decreased AM-IR in coronary arterioles, thereby suggesting that it markedly stimulates AM release. The
conclusion is drawn that acute ischemia and ensuing hypoxia activate in the rat heart the release of AM, which by its coronarodilatory action may enhance heart blood flow.
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: Human Anatomy and Physiology, Section of Anatomy, University of Padova, I-35121 Padova, Italy
Publication date: 01 January 2004
- The International Journal of Molecular Medicine is a monthly, peer-reviewed journal devoted to the publication of high quality studies related to the molecular mechanisms of human disease. The journal welcomes research on all aspects of molecular and clinical research, ranging from biochemistry to immunology, pathology, genetics, human genomics, microbiology, molecular pathogenesis, molecular cardiology, molecular surgery and molecular psychology.
The International Journal of Molecular Medicine aims to provide an insight for researchers within the community in regard to developing molecular tools and identifying molecular targets for the diagnosis and treatment of a diverse number of human diseases. - Editorial Board
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