Low Ca2+ reperfusion and enhanced susceptibility of the postischemic heart to the calcium paradox

This study was designed to define the effect of postischemic low Ca2+ perfusion on recovery of high-energy phosphates, intracellular pH, and contractile function in isolated rat hearts. Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to follow creatine phosphate, adenosine triphosphate, intracellular inorganic phosphate, and intracellular pH during control perfusion (15 minutes), total ischemia (30 minutes), and reperfusion (30 minutes). In Group I the perfusate [Ca2+] was 1.3 mmol/l throughout the experiment, whereas in Group II the perfusate [Ca2+] was reduced to 0.05 mmol/l during the first 10 minutes of reperfusion. Hearts from Group III were not made ischemic but were subjected to 10 minutes of low Ca2+ perfusion followed by 20 minutes of normal Ca2+ perfusion. During low Ca2+ reperfusion (Group II) recovery of high-energy phosphates and pH was significantly better than in controls (Group I). However, after reexposure to normal Ca2+, metabolic recovery was largely abolished, coronary flow was suddenly impaired, and contracture developed without any rhythmic contractions. These observations indicated the occurrence of a calcium paradox rather than postponed ischemia reperfusion damage. On the other hand, normoxic hearts (Group III) tolerated temporary perfusion with 0.05 mmol/l Ca2+ very well with respect to left ventricular developed pressure, coronary flow, and metabolic parameters. In conclusion, postischemic low Ca2+ (0.05 mmol/l) perfusion may reduce reperfusion damage, but at the same time ischemia appears to enhance the susceptibility of the heart to the calcium paradox

Protective effect of pretreatment with the calcium antagonist anipamil on the ischemic-reperfused rat myocardium;a phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance study

To assess whether the prophylactic administration of anipamil, a new calcium antagonist, protects the heart against the effects of ischemia and reperfusion, rats were injected intraperitoneally twice daily for 5 days with 5 mg/kg body weight of this drug. The heart was then isolated and perfused by the Langendorff technique. Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to monitor myocardial energy metabolism and intracellular pH during control perfusion and 30 min of total ischemia (37°C), followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Pretreatment with anipamil altered neither left ventricular developed pressure under normoxic conditions nor the rate and extent of depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate during ischemia. Intracellular acidification, however, was attenuated. On reperfusion, hearts from anipamil-pretreated animals recovered significantly better than untreated hearts with respect to replenishment of ATP and creatine phosphate stores, restitution of low levels of intracellular inorganic phosphate and recovery of left ventricular function and coronary flow. Intracellular pH recovered rapidly to preischemic levels, whereas in untreated hearts a complex intracellular inorganic phosphate peak indicated the existence of areas of different pH within the myocardium. It is concluded that anipamil pretreatment protects the heart against some of the deleterious effects of ischemia and reperfusion. Because this protection occurred in the absence of a negative inotropic effect during normoxia, it cannot be attributed to an energy-sparing effect during ischemia. Therefore, alternative mechanisms of action are to be considered

31P NMR study of intracellular pH during the calcium paradox

Reperfusion of an isolated mammalian heart with a calcium-containing solution after a brief calcium-free perfusion results in irreversible cell damage: the calcium paradox. It has been suggested that acidification of the cytosol, as a result of hydrolysis of ATP and accumulation of calcium by mitochondria, is an important factor in the development of the calcium paradox. Phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the course of intracellular pH during the calcium paradox in isolated rabbit heart at 37°C. Intracellular pH was measured from the chemical shift of the intracellular inorganic phosphate (Pi) peak. During control perfusion and the subsequent calcium-free period intracellular pH amounted to 7.1. After induction of the calcium paradox by readmitting calcium to the perfusion fluid, intracellular pH amounted to 7.0. It is concluded that acidification of the cytosol does not play a causal role in the development of the calcium paradox

Bestudering van de effecten van calciumantagonisten tijdens ischemie en reperfusie met behulp van NMR

Het principe van kernspinresonantie of NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) wordt al meer dan 30 jaar in de chemie gebruikt bij de opheldering van moleculaire structuren en processen. De laatste jaren wordt NMR in toenemende mate ook iI,1 het medisch wetenschappelijk en diagnostisch onderzoek toegepast, waarbij een onderscheid gemaakt dient te worden tussen MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) en MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Bij beide toepassingen wordt door middel van radiogolven op non-destructieve en non-invasieve wijze informatie verkregen over lokale dichtheid en eigenschappen van bepaalde atoomkernen in biologisch materiaal dat zich in een sterk magneetveld bevindt. Met MRI worden afbeeldingen van weefsels en organen verkregen; MRS daarentegen levert een biochemische analyse van het onderzochte materiaal in de vorm van een spectrum

Gender disparities in cardiac cellular electrophysiology and arrhythmia susceptibility in human failing ventricular myocytes

Gender disparities in ECG variables and susceptibility to arrhythmia exist. The basis of these sex-related distinctions in cardiac electrophysiology has been extensively studied in various species, but is virtually unexplored in humans. The aim of this study was to clarify the cellular basis of electrophysiological gender disparities in human cardiac myocytes. Human midmyocardial left ventricular myocytes were isolated from explanted hearts of male and female patients in end-stage heart failure at the time of cardiac transplantation. The action potentials, sarcolemmal ion currents, and susceptibility to the generation of early afterdepolarizations were studied using whole-cell patch-clamp methodology. The functional effects of gender disparities in sarcolemmal ion currents were assessed by computer simulations using the Priebe-Beuckelmann or the ten Tusscher-Noble-Noble-Panfilov human ventricular cell models. Female myocytes had significantly longer action potentials and greater susceptibility to early afterdepolarizations than male myocytes. All other action potential parameters (resting membrane potential, amplitude, plateau level, upstroke velocity, maximal velocity of phase-1 and phase-3 repolarization) had similar values for both genders. In female myocytes, the transient outward potassium current (I(to1)) tended to be smaller, while the L-type calcium current (I(Ca,L)) and quasi-steady state current (I(QSS)) tended to be larger. Computer simulations showed that these subtle differences in sarcolemmal ion currents may conspire to cause the observed gender disparities in action potential properties. Female failing myocytes have longer action potentials and a greater susceptibility to early afterdepolarizations than male failing myocytes. These gender disparities may be due to slightly larger depolarizing I(Ca,L) in conjunction with slightly smaller repolarizing I(QSS) and I(to1) in female myocyte