The role of alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation in inositol phosphate metabolism during post-ischaemic reperfusion

The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of enhanced inositol phosphate metabolism during reperfusion. Inositol phosphate stores were prelabelled by perfusing isolated rat hearts for 1 h with [3H]inositol (1.5 microCi/ml). LiCl (10 mM) and prazosin (0.3 microM) were subsequently added 15 min before (i) 20 min control perfusion; (ii) 20 min normothermic ischaemic cardiac arrest (NICA); (iii) 20 min NICA followed by 1 min reperfusion. The ventricles were freeze-clamped before determination of isotopical incorporation of [3H]inositol into the inositol phosphates (Dowex anion exchange chromatography) and InsP3 levels (Amersham InsP3 assay system). In addition, noradrenaline release into the perfusate was also assessed (HPLC and electrochemical detection). The results showed: (i) increased noradrenaline release into the perfusate immediately after the onset of reperfusion; (ii) significant depression of [3H]inositol incorporation into inositol phosphates and InsP3 levels after 20 min NICA; (iii) reperfusion caused an immediate significant increase in isotopical incorporation of [3H]inositol into inositol phosphates as well as InsP3 levels; (iv) the alpha 1-adrenergic blocker, prazosin (0.3 microM), completely inhibited the reperfusion-induced increase in inositol phosphate metabolism. These observations suggested that increased alpha 1-adrenergic receptor stimulation by noradrenaline might be responsible for the stimulation of ventricular inositol phosphate metabolism during postischaemic reperfusion.