phosphocreatine and Contracture

The hypothesis tested was that reoxygenation-induced contracture of myocardial cells, a form of reperfusion injury, can be due to a rigor-type mechanism. Isolated adult cardiomyocytes were exposed to 30- or 60-min anoxia (pH 6.4) and reoxygenation (pH 7.4). In cardiomyocytes, cytosolic Ca(2+) and cell length, and in isolated rat hearts left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were measured. During reoxygenation, cardiomyocytes developed contracture. When energy recovery was slowed down, less Ca(2+) overload was required for contracture: (1) after 30-min anoxia Ca(20) (cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration in cells with 20% cell length reduction) was 1.42 +/- 0.11 micromol/l; (2) after 30-min anoxia with partial mitochondrial inhibition during reoxygenation (NaCN, 0.1 mmol/l) Ca(20) was reduced to 0.69 +/- 0.05 micromol/l; (3) after 60-min anoxia Ca(20) was reduced to 0.78 +/- 0.05 micromol/l and (4) when energy recovery was accelerated (succinate, 0.2 mmol/l), Ca(20) rose to 1.35 +/- 0.05 micromol/l. In isolated hearts, the reperfusion-induced rise in LVEDP was modulated by the same interventions. Slow recovery of energy production favors reoxygenation-induced contracture in cardiomyocytes and hearts. This shows that rigor contracture contributes to reoxygenation-induced cell injury.

Topics: Animals; Calcium; Cell Hypoxia; Cells, Cultured; Contracture; Cytosol; Heart Ventricles; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Myocardial Ischemia; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury; Myocardium; Myocytes, Cardiac; Oxygen; Phosphocreatine; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Time Factors

Protection of the ischemic myocardium by pretreatment with a high dose of 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) is attributed to the enhancement of glycolytic ATP production rather than to the inhibition of contracture during mild ischemia. Our objective was to investigate whether the inhibition of contracture would protect the arrested heart during prolonged ischemia. Isolated perfused rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of low-flow ischemia followed by reperfusion. Ischemic hearts were treated with BDM (5 mmol/l) after beating stopped. BDM ameliorated the increase in intraventricular pressure after ischemia without significant changes in ATP levels and with a decreased accumulation of lactate. BDM treatment accelerated the recovery of function and high-energy phosphates with reduced myocardial Ca2+ overload. The results of this study suggested that inhibition of contracture can protect the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Animals; Calcium; Contracture; Diacetyl; Energy Metabolism; Heart; In Vitro Techniques; Lactic Acid; Male; Myocardial Ischemia; Myocardium; Phosphocreatine; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Ventricular Function, Left

Myocardial ischemia is characterized by a decrease in phosphocreatine (PCr) and Mg(2+)-ATP contents as well as an accumulation of myosin ATPase reaction products (inorganic phosphate [P(i)], protons, and Mg(2+)-ADP). The possibility that these metabolites play a role in rigor tension development was checked in rat ventricular Triton X-100-skinned fibers. Rigor tension was induced by stepwise decreasing [Mg(2+)-ATP] in the presence or in the absence of 12 mmol/L PCr. To mimic the diastolic ionic environment of the myofibrils, [free Ca2+] was set at 100 nmol/L (pCa 7); [free Mg2+], at 1 mmol/L; and ionic strength, at 160 mmol/L. In control conditions (pH 7.1, with no added P(i) or Mg(2+)-ADP), the pMg(2+)-ATP for half-maximal rigor tension (pMg(2+)-ATP50) was 5.07 +/- 0.03 in the presence of PCr. After withdrawal of PCr, the pMg2+)-ATP50 value was shifted toward higher Mg(2+)-ATP values (3.57 +/- 0.03). Addition of 20 mmol/L P(i) shifted the pMg(2+)-ATP50 to 3.71 +/- 0.04 (P < .05) in the absence of PCr and in the opposite direction to 4.98 +/- 0.02 (P < .01) in the presence of PCr. Acidic pH (6.6) strongly increased pMg(2+)-ATP50 in both the absence (3.90 +/- 0.03, P < .001) and presence (5.44 +/- 0.02, P < .001) of PCr. Conversely, Mg(2+)-ADP (250 mumol/L) decreased pMg(2+)-ATP50 to 3.26 +/- 0.06 (P < .001) in the absence of PCr; at pMg(2+)-ATP 4, no rigor tension was observed until PCr concentration was decreased to < 2 mmol/L. At acidic pH, maximal rigor tension was lower by 29% compared with control conditions, whereas in the presence of Mg(2+)-ADP, maximal rigor tension developed to 143% of the control value; P(i) had no effect. The tension-to-stiffness (measured by the quick length-change technique) ratio was lower in rigor (no PCr and pMg(2+)-ATP 6) than during Ca2+ activation in the presence of both PCr and ATP. Compared with control rigor conditions, this parameter was unchanged by Mg(2+)-ADP and decreased by acidic pH, suggesting a proton-induced decrease in the amount of force per crossbridge. In addition to their known effects on active tension, Mg(2+)-ADP and protons affect rigor tension and influence ischemic contracture development. It is concluded that ischemic contracture and increased myocardial stiffness may be mediated by a decreased PCr and local Mg(2+)-ADP accumulation. This emphasizes the importance of myofibrillar creatine kinase activity in preventing ischemic contracture.

Topics: Adenosine Diphosphate; Adenosine Triphosphate; Animals; Contracture; Creatine Kinase; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Myocardial Contraction; Myocardial Ischemia; Papillary Muscles; Phosphocreatine; Phosphorus; Phosphorylation; Rats

Structural and functional changes in the mitochondrium have been described following timed cardiac ischemia. However, mitochondrial abnormalities associated with acute muscular dysfunction have not been well defined. In the present investigation, the isolated rat heart subjected to global ischemia was used to determine the relationship between the biochemical parameters of high-energy phosphate content and mitochondrial function and the physiological event of ischemic contracture. High-energy phosphate content and mitochondrial structure and function were determined under control conditions, at the initiation of ischemic contracture, at the completion of ischemic contracture, and 20 minutes after completion of contracture. Contracture initiation and completion were associated with the anticipated depletion of high-energy phosphate content. Also demonstrated were specific degrees of structural and functional deterioration of the mitochondria associated with specific degrees of contracture. In addition to its prior applications, this model seems well suited for investigation of the interdependence of high-energy phosphate levels, ischemic contracture, and mitochondrial function as affected by specific protective interventions designed to limit ischemic injury.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Animals; Contracture; Coronary Disease; Male; Mitochondria, Heart; Phosphocreatine; Rats

Topics: Adenine Nucleotides; Adenosine Triphosphate; Blood Chemical Analysis; Contracture; Electromyography; Glycogen; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Lactates; Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Muscle Contraction; Muscle Cramp; Muscle Proteins; Muscles; Muscular Diseases; Myoglobinuria; Phosphocreatine; Phosphotransferases; Physical Exertion; Spectrophotometry

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Animals; Anura; Calcium Chloride; Coenzymes; Contracture; Metabolism; Muscle Contraction; Muscles; Pharmacology; Phosphocreatine; Potassium; Research; Sodium Chloride