Anti-arrhythmic Cardiac Phenotype Elicited by Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia Is Associated With Alterations in Connexin-43 Expression, Phosphorylation, and Distribution

Remodeling of the cellular distribution of gap junctions formed mainly by connexin-43 (Cx43) can be related to the increased incidence of cardiac arrhythmias. It has been shown that adaptation to chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) attenuates the incidence and severity of ischemic and reperfusion ventricular arrhythmias and increases the proportion of anti-arrhythmic n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n−3 PUFA) in heart phospholipids. Wistar rats were exposed to simulated IHH (7,000 m, 8-h/day, 35 exposures) and compared with normoxic controls (N). Cx43 expression, phosphorylation, localization and n−3 PUFA proportion were analyzed in left ventricular myocardium. Compared to N, IHH led to higher expression of total Cx43, its variant phosphorylated at Ser368 [p-Cx43(Ser368)], which maintains “end to end” communication, as well as p-Cx43(Ser364/365), which facilitates conductivity. By contrast, expression of non-phosphorylated Cx43 and p-Cx43(Ser278/289), attenuating intercellular communication, was lower in IHH than in N. IHH also resulted in increased expression of protein kinase A and protein kinase G while casein kinase 1 did not change compared to N. In IHH group, which exhibited reduced incidence of ischemic ventricular arrhythmias, Cx43 and p-Cx43(Ser368) were more abundant at “end to end” gap junctions than in N group and this difference was preserved after acute regional ischemia (10 min). We further confirmed higher n-3 PUFA proportion in heart phospholipids after adaptation to IHH, which was even further increased by ischemia. Our results suggest that adaptation to IHH alters expression, phosphorylation and distribution of Cx43 as well as cardioprotective n-3PUFA proportion suggesting that the anti-arrhythmic phenotype elicited by IHH can be at least partly related to the stabilization of the “end to end” conductivity between cardiomyocytes during brief ischemia

Desmin Knock-Out Cardiomyopathy: A Heart on the Verge of Metabolic Crisis

Desmin mutations cause familial and sporadic cardiomyopathies. In addition to perturbing the contractile apparatus, both desmin deficiency and mutated desmin negatively impact mitochondria. Impaired myocardial metabolism secondary to mitochondrial defects could conceivably exacerbate cardiac contractile dysfunction. We performed metabolic myocardial phenotyping in left ventricular cardiac muscle tissue in desmin knock-out mice. Our analyses revealed decreased mitochondrial number, ultrastructural mitochondrial defects, and impaired mitochondria-related metabolic pathways including fatty acid transport, activation, and catabolism. Glucose transporter 1 and hexokinase-1 expression and hexokinase activity were increased. While mitochondrial creatine kinase expression was reduced, fetal creatine kinase expression was increased. Proteomic analysis revealed reduced expression of proteins involved in electron transport mainly of complexes I and II, oxidative phosphorylation, citrate cycle, beta-oxidation including auxiliary pathways, amino acid catabolism, and redox reactions and oxidative stress. Thus, desmin deficiency elicits a secondary cardiac mitochondriopathy with severely impaired oxidative phosphorylation and fatty and amino acid metabolism. Increased glucose utilization and fetal creatine kinase upregulation likely portray attempts to maintain myocardial energy supply. It may be prudent to avoid medications worsening mitochondrial function and other metabolic stressors. Therapeutic interventions for mitochondriopathies might also improve the metabolic condition in desmin deficient hearts

Chronic Hypoxia Enhances Expression and Activity of Mitochondrial Creatine Kinase and Hexokinase in the Rat Ventricular Myocardium

Background: Creatine kinase (CK) and hexokinase (HK) play a key role in myocardial energy homeostasis. We aimed to determine CK and HK expression and enzyme activity in the left (LV) and right (RV) ventricles of rats adapted for 3 weeks to normobaric hypoxia (10 % O2) either continuously (CNH) or intermittently with 1-h or 16-h normoxic episode per day. Methods: The Real-Time RT-PCR, Western blot, and enzyme-coupled assays were used. In addition, the effect of CNH on the HK co-localization with mitochondria, which can inhibit apoptosis, was assessed using immunofluorescence techniques. Results: CK and HK activities increased in the LV during all hypoxic adaptations, which was consistent with elevated protein levels of mitochondrial mtCKs, cytosolic CKB, HK1, and HK2 isoforms. Enzyme activities also increased in the hypoxic RV, but only CKB protein was elevated. No effect of CNH on HK1 or HK2 co-localization with mitochondria was observed. Conclusion: Up-regulation of mtCKs and HK isoforms may stimulate the respiratory chain and help to maintain energy homeostasis of chronically hypoxic myocardium and prevent oxidative stress. In this way, CK and HK enzymes can possibly participate in the establishment of ischemia-resistant phenotype of chronically hypoxic hearts

Right-To-Left Ventricular Differences in the Expression of Mitochondrial Hexokinase and Phosphorylation of Akt

Background/Aims: Hexokinase (HK) is a key glycolytic enzyme which promotes the maintenance of glucose homeostasis in cardiomyocytes. HK1 isoform is predominantly bound to the outer mitochondrial membrane and highly supports oxidative phosphorylation by increasing the availability of ADP for complex V of the respiratory chain. HK2 isoform is under physiological conditions predominantly localized in the cytosol and upon stimulation of PI3K/ Akt pathway associates with mitochondria and thus can prevent apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate expression and subcellular localization of both HK isoforms in left (LV) and right (RV) heart ventricles of adult male Wistar rats. Methods: Real-Time RT-PCR, Western blotting, and quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy were used. Results: Our results showed a significantly higher expression of both HK1 and HK2 at mRNA and protein levels in the RV compared to the LV. These findings were corroborated by immunofluorescence staining which revealed substantially higher fluorescence signals of both HKs in the RV than in the LV. The ratios of phospho-Ser473-Akt/non-phospho-Akt and phospho-Thr308-Akt/non-phospho-Akt were also markedly higher in the RV than in the LV. Conclusion: These results suggest that the RV has a higher activity of aerobic glycolytic metabolism and may be able to respond faster and more powerfully to stressful stimuli than the LV

Continuous short-term acclimation to moderate cold elicits cardioprotection in rats, and alters β-adrenergic signaling and immune status

Abstract Moderate cold acclimation (MCA) is a non-invasive intervention mitigating effects of various pathological conditions including myocardial infarction. We aim to determine the shortest cardioprotective regimen of MCA and the response of β1/2/3-adrenoceptors (β-AR), its downstream signaling, and inflammatory status, which play a role in cell-survival during myocardial infarction. Adult male Wistar rats were acclimated (9 °C, 1–3-10 days). Infarct size, echocardiography, western blotting, ELISA, mitochondrial respirometry, receptor binding assay, and quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy were carried out on left ventricular myocardium and brown adipose tissue (BAT). MultiPlex analysis of cytokines and chemokines in serum was accomplished. We found that short-term MCA reduced myocardial infarction, improved resistance of mitochondria to Ca2+-overload, and downregulated β1-ARs. The β2-ARs/protein kinase B/Akt were attenuated while β3-ARs translocated on the T-tubular system suggesting its activation. Protein kinase G (PKG) translocated to sarcoplasmic reticulum and phosphorylation of AMPKThr172 increased after 10 days. Principal component analysis revealed a significant shift in cytokine/chemokine serum levels on day 10 of acclimation, which corresponds to maturation of BAT. In conclusion, short-term MCA increases heart resilience to ischemia without any negative side effects such as hypertension or hypertrophy. Cold-elicited cardioprotection is accompanied by β1/2-AR desensitization, activation of the β3-AR/PKG/AMPK pathways, and an immunomodulatory effect