Purpose- Rat isolated atria and ventricles releases endothelium-derived 6-nitrodopamine and this novel catecholamine induces a potent endogenous positive chronotropic and inotropic response. 6-Cyanodopamine is released from rabbit isolated atria and ventricles, however it is not known whether this novel catecholamine has any action on the isolated heart. Therefore, it was investigated whether rat isolated atria and ventricles release 6-cyanodopamine and its action on the rat isolated heart.
Methods- Basal release of 6-cyanodopamine was assessed by LC-MS/MS and tyrosine hydroxylase by both immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Chronotropic and inotropic effects were evaluated in isolated atria and Langendorff’s preparation, respectively.
Results- Rat isolated ventricles presented basal release of 6-cyanodopamine, which was unaffected by pre-treatment with tetrodotoxin. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization identified tyrosine hydroxylase expression in both the endothelium and in the cardiomyocytes. 6-Cyanodopamine at 10 and 100 pM induced increases in the atrial rate, which were maintained even at 30min after the preparation was washed. In the Langendorff’s preparation, 1min infusion of 6-cyanodopamine (10 and 100pM) significantly increased heart frequency, LVDP, and dP/dt(max). Bolus injection of noradrenaline (1pmol) had no effect on heart frequency, LVDP and dPdt(max). Infusion of 6-cyanodopamine (0.01pM) significantly increased heart frequency, LVDP, and dP/dt(max) when noradrenaline (1pmol) was injected at the end of the infusion.
Conclusion- The results indicate that 6-cyanodopamine is a potent endogenous mediator of both chronotropism and inotropism in the rat isolated heart. It has potential therapeutic effect in heart failure and may be useful as a biomarker of pathophysiological processes.