Time dependent partial loss of the effects of isoproterenol on function and energy metabolism of isolated rat hearts

Rate-dependent Ca2+ signalling underlying the force-frequency response in rat ventricular myocytes: a coupled electromechanical modeling study

BACKGROUND

Rate-dependent effects on the Ca2+ sub-system in a rat ventricular myocyte are investigated. Here, we employ a deterministic mathematical model describing various Ca2+ signalling pathways under voltage clamp (VC) conditions, to better understand the important role of calmodulin (CaM) in modulating the key control variables Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II (CaMKII), calcineurin (CaN), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) as they affect various intracellular targets. In particular, we study the frequency dependence of the peak force generated by the myofilaments, the force-frequency response (FFR).

METHODS

Our cell model incorporates frequency-dependent CaM-mediated spatially heterogenous interaction of CaMKII and CaN with their principal targets (dihydropyridine (DHPR) and ryanodine (RyR) receptors and the SERCA pump). It also accounts for the rate-dependent effects of phospholamban (PLB) on the SERCA pump; the rate-dependent role of cAMP in up-regulation of the L-type Ca2+ channel (ICa,L); and the enhancement in SERCA pump activity via phosphorylation of PLB.

RESULTS

Our model reproduces positive peak FFR observed in rat ventricular myocytes during voltage-clamp studies both in the presence/absence of cAMP mediated β-adrenergic stimulation. This study provides quantitative insight into the rate-dependence of Ca2+-induced Ca2+-release (CICR) by investigating the frequency-dependence of the trigger current (ICa,L) and RyR-release. It also highlights the relative role of the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) and the SERCA pump at higher frequencies, as well as the rate-dependence of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content. A rigorous Ca2+ balance imposed on our investigation of these Ca2+ signalling pathways clarifies their individual roles. Here, we present a coupled electromechanical study emphasizing the rate-dependence of isometric force developed and also investigate the temperature-dependence of FFR.

CONCLUSIONS

Our model provides mechanistic biophysically based explanations for the rate-dependence of CICR, generating useful and testable hypotheses. Although rat ventricular myocytes exhibit a positive peak FFR in the presence/absence of beta-adrenergic stimulation, they show a characteristic increase in the positive slope in FFR due to the presence of Norepinephrine or Isoproterenol. Our study identifies cAMP-mediated stimulation, and rate-dependent CaMKII-mediated up-regulation of ICa,L as the key mechanisms underlying the aforementioned positive FFR.

Interstitial lactate and glucose concentrations of the isolated perfused rat heart before, during and after anoxia

In isolated rat hearts perfused according to the Langendorff technique lactate and glucose concentrations were determined in the interstitial transudate and the venous effluent before, during and after periods of 15 or 30 min anoxia. The interstitial transudate emerged at the surface of the heart as a result of albumin-free perfusion. During normoxic perfusion the interstitial lactate concentration was 0.144 +/- 0.025 mmol/l (n = 6); the venous lactate concentration was 0.033 +/- 0.005 mmol/l. From the interstitial and the mean vascular concentration, together with the lactate release and the glucose uptake, the apparent permeability surface area products (P.S product) were calculated using Fick's law. The apparent P.S products for lactate and glucose were 4.6 and 3.9 ml/(min x g), respectively. During anoxia we measured a four- to sixfold increase of the interstitial lactate concentration. At the end of the anoxic periods the apparent P.S product was two- to threefold higher than during normoxia; the apparent glucose P.S product increased about fourfold. After 15 min anoxia the increases of permeability were completely reversed in the reoxygenation period. However, after a period of 30 min anoxia the apparent P.S products for lactate and glucose remained raised, which means that there was a prolonged or even irreversible increase of capillary permeability. Besides the marked transcapillary concentration difference for lactate, these data show prolonged functional alteration of the capillary wall after 30 min anoxia.

Phosphocreatine and adenine nucleotides in postasphyxial hearts with normal basal function and normal oxygen demand

We investigated whether there is a relationship between the prolonged dysfunction after myocardial ischaemia and the postischaemic phosphocreatine overshoot phenomenon. In 16 open-chest rats 3 periods of 4 minutes of oxygen deficiency were performed and basal haemodynamic variables and the myocardial oxygen demand were determined during the recovery period. At the end of the 20 minutes recovery period, left ventricular pressure, dp/dtmax, ejection fraction, and myocardial oxygen demand were completely recovered. High energy phosphate levels, however, were still altered. The sum of adeninenucleotides was decreased to 78 +/- 4% of control (mean +/- SEM, p less than 0.05). The level of phosphocreatine was markedly elevated to 162 +/- 14 (mean +/- SEM). The persistence of the phosphocreatine overshoot phenomenon, while basal function was already normalized, indicates that a reduced function and thus a reduced energy demand of the contractile apparatus are not the cause of the phosphocreatine overshoot. We found no close relationship between high energy levels and basal function or oxygen demand in myocardium after mild oxygen deficiency.

Function and energy metabolism of isolated rats hearts as influenced by Sr++

Effects of Sr++ and isoproterenol were studied in rat hearts perfused with red cell containing media. Sr++ in the presence of Ca++ causes a positive inotropic effect without corresponding metabolic changes. Without Ca++ 0.5 mM Sr++ causes an immediate arrest, 2 mM Sr++ a complete contracture (14 min) and 5 mM a contracture after about 44 min. At a level of 10 mM Sr++ phasic contractions are maintained (60 min). Occurring phasic contractions are prolonged 3 to 6fold. Administration of isoproterenol (ISO) at a level of 0.5 mM Sr++ causes a delayed occurrence of cardiac arrest and incomplete contracture. At a concentration of 2 and 5 mM Sr++ positive inotropic responses proceed to a contracture (7 min, 50 min resp.). VO2 is reduced by 0.5 mM Sr++ initially by 2 mM Sr++ with delay. 5 and 10 mM Sr++ induce an initial increase. Subsequent decrease is smallest at 10 mM Sr++ ISO at all Sr++ concentrations induces an increase in VO2 initially and strong reduction finally. During 10 min administration, high energy phosphate stores (HEP) are reduced at all Sr++ concentrations, but to the smallest extent at 10 mM Sr++, ISO at levels of 0.5 and 2 mM Sr++ induces a partial recovery of HEP, but at 5 and 10 mM a further reduction. Finally, under the influence of ISO the metabolic state is similar to that without ISO. Sr++ at high concentrations in absence of Ca++ seems to be capable of substituting in principle for Ca++ also concerning metabolism. Severe metabolic disturbances at low Sr++ concentrations indicate a failure of regulation of oxidative phosphorylation.