In isolated transgenic myocytes, intracellular pH was elevated in Hepes buffer but not in physiological bicarbonate buffer, yet intracellular Na(+) concentrations were higher under both conditions. In addition, both diastolic and systolic Ca(2+) levels were increased as a consequence of Na(+)-induced Ca(2+) overload; this was accompanied by enhanced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) loading via Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) II-dependent phosphorylation of phospholamban. Negative force-frequency dependence was observed with preservation of high Ca(2+), suggesting

a decrease in myofibril Ca(2+) sensitivity. Furthermore, the Ca(2+)-dependent prohypertrophic molecules calcineurin and CaMKII were highly activated in transgenic hearts. These check details effects observed in vivo and in vitro were largely prevented by the NHE1 inhibitor cariporide. Interestingly, overexpression of NHE1 in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes induced cariporide-sensitive nuclear translocation of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) and nuclear export of histone deacetylase 4, suggesting that increased Na(+)/H(+) exchange activity can alter hypertrophy-associated gene expression. However, in transgenic myocytes, contrary to exclusive translocation of histone deacetylase 4, NFAT only partially translocated to nucleus, possibly because

of marked activation of p38, a negative regulator of NFAT signaling. We conclude that activation of NHE1 is sufficient to initiate cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure mainly through activation of CaMKII-histone deacetylase pathway.”
“Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a functional LDK378 in vivo gastrointestinal disorder (FGID). Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been indicated as possible Selleck ABT-263 etiological factors, such as delayed gastric emptying, impaired proximal gastric accommodation and visceral hypersensitivity.\n\nGhrelin is an important gut hormone. It is a motilin-related peptide that was discovered in the stomach, and it acts as an endogenous ligand of growth hormone secretagogue receptor. Ghrelin plays an important role in the stimulation of food intake and gut motility. Acyl ghrelin

stimulates the percentage motor index (%MI) in the antrum and induces fasted motor activity in the duodenum. Des-acyl ghrelin decreases food intake and decrease gastric emptying.\n\nAlthough some studies have demonstrated that plasma acyl ghrelin levels tend to be lower in FD patients than in controls, the association between plasma ghrelin levels and FD remains controversial. Previous reports have demonstrated that hunger sensation was elevated through the administration of ghrelin to patients with FD. However, there have been few clinical reports relating to the administration of ghrelin.\n\nAltered gut-brain interactions may underlie the symptoms of FD. Ghrelin may be associated with FD through its effect on the regulation of gut motility. Further studies are needed to examine the effects of ghrelin in FD.