ryanodine and Heart-Failure

Ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) hyperactivity is observed in structural heart diseases that are a result of ischemia or heart failure. It causes abnormal calcium handling and calcium leaks that cause metabolic, electrical, and mechanical dysfunction, which can trigger arrhythmias. Here, we tested the antiarrhythmic potential of dantrolene (RyR inhibitor) in human hearts. Human hearts not used in transplantation were obtained, and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) wedges and left ventricular (LV) slices were prepared. Pseudo-ECGs were recorded to determine premature ventricular contraction (PVC) incidences. Optical mapping was performed to determine arrhythmogenic substrates. After baseline optical recordings, tissues were treated with

Topics: Action Potentials; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Caffeine; Calcium; Dantrolene; Heart Failure; Humans; Isoproterenol; Ryanodine; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel

Topics: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Calcium; Calcium Signaling; Heart Failure; Humans; Ryanodine; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel

In this study, we investigated the quantitative and qualitative role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in the regulation of the force-frequency relationship (FFR). We blocked the function of SR with cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and ryanodine and measured twitch kinetics and developed force at various stimulation frequencies in nonfailing and failing intact human right ventricular trabeculae. We found that developed forces are only slightly reduced upon SR blockade, while the positive FFR in nonfailing trabeculae and negative FFR in failing trabeculae were both preserved. The contraction kinetics (dF/dt, dF/dt/F, and time to peak), however, were significantly slower at all frequencies tested. Kinetics of first 50% of relaxation (RT50) was not affected by SR blockade. Kinetics of entire relaxation process (RT90) was overall slower at low frequencies, but not at high frequencies. From our findings, we conclude that the SR is not essential for FFR, and its role in regulation of FFR lies mostly in contraction kinetics. Unlike small rodents, human myocardium contractile function is near-normal in absence of a functional SR with little changes in contractile force, and with preservation with the main regulation of FFR.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Female; Heart Failure; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Indoles; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Contraction; Myocardium; Ryanodine; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases

Phosphorylation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) is thought to be important not only for normal cardiac excitation-contraction coupling but also in exacerbating abnormalities in Ca²+ homeostasis in heart failure. Linking phosphorylation to specific changes in the single-channel function of RyR2 has proved very difficult, yielding much controversy within the field. We therefore investigated the mechanistic changes that take place at the single-channel level after phosphorylating RyR2 and, in particular, the idea that PKA-dependent phosphorylation increases RyR2 sensitivity to cytosolic Ca²+. We show that hyperphosphorylation by exogenous PKA increases open probability (P(o)) but, crucially, RyR2 becomes uncoupled from the influence of cytosolic Ca²+; lowering [Ca²+] to subactivating levels no longer closes the channels. Phosphatase (PP1) treatment reverses these gating changes, returning the channels to a Ca²+-sensitive mode of gating. We additionally found that cytosolic incubation with Mg²+/ATP in the absence of exogenously added kinase could phosphorylate RyR2 in approximately 50% of channels, thereby indicating that an endogenous kinase incorporates into the bilayer together with RyR2. Channels activated by the endogenous kinase exhibited identical changes in gating behavior to those activated by exogenous PKA, including uncoupling from the influence of cytosolic Ca²+. We show that the endogenous kinase is both Ca²+-dependent and sensitive to inhibitors of PKC. Moreover, the Ca²+-dependent, endogenous kinase-induced changes in RyR2 gating do not appear to be related to phosphorylation of serine-2809. Further work is required to investigate the identity and physiological role of this Ca²+-dependent endogenous kinase that can uncouple RyR2 gating from direct cytosolic Ca²+ regulation.

Topics: Animals; Calcium; Calcium Channels; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cytosol; Heart Failure; Homeostasis; Humans; Ion Channel Gating; Lipid Bilayers; Myocardium; Myocytes, Cardiac; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; Phosphorylation; Ryanodine; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum; Serine; Sheep

QT prolongation may increase the risk of torsades de pointes (TdP). Early afterdepolarizations (EADs) and transmural dispersion of repolarization have been known to serve as physiological substrates and predictors for TdP. Abnormal Ca(2+) cycling is the proximate cause of EADs, and Ca(2+) cycling is abnormal in heart failure (HF). However, the mechanisms for drug-induced TdP in HF are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to search for torsadogenic-modifying effects of verapamil, ryanodine, KB-R7943, W-7, KN-93, and H-8 on ventricular premature depolarizations (VPD) and TdP in rabbits with HF. Rabbits with HF were pretreated with propranolol followed by test articles before continuous infusion of dofetilide to induce TdP. In the control hearts, VPD and TdP were induced in all rabbits and the onsets of VPD and TdP were 3.6 +/- 1.3 minutes and 10.3 +/- 1.4 minutes, respectively. Dofetilide lengthened RR, QT and QTc. Verapamil, ryanodine and H-8 significantly delayed onset of VPD (P < 0.05) and suppressed TdP (P < 0.01). KB-R7943, W-7, and KN-93 accelerated onset of TdP. Blockades of L-type Ca(2+) channel, ryanodine channel, and protein kinase A prevent dofetilide-induced TdP, suggesting roles for intracellular Ca(2+) overload and Ca(2+) signaling pathways in drug-induced TdP.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Benzylamines; Disease Models, Animal; Heart Failure; Isoquinolines; Male; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Rabbits; Ryanodine; Sulfonamides; Thiourea; Torsades de Pointes; Ventricular Premature Complexes; Verapamil

Heart failure increases autonomic nerve activities and changes intracellular calcium (Ca(i)) dynamics.. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that abnormal Ca(i) dynamics are responsible for triggered activity in the pulmonary veins (PVs) during acetylcholine infusion in a canine model of heart failure.. Simultaneous optical mapping of Ca(i) and membrane potential was performed in isolated Langendorff-perfused PV-left atrial (LA) preparations from nine dogs with ventricular pacing-induced heart failure. Mapping was performed at baseline, during acetylcholine (1 micromol/L) infusion (N = 9), and during thapsigargin and ryanodine infusion (N = 6).. Acetylcholine abbreviated the action potential. In four tissues, long pauses were followed by elevated diastolic Ca(i), late phase 3 early afterdepolarizations, and atrial fibrillation (AF). The incidence of PV focal discharges during AF was increased by acetylcholine from 2.4 +/- 0.6 beats/s (N = 4) to 6.5 +/- 2.2 beats/s (N = 8; P = .003). PV focal discharge and PV-LA microreentry coexisted in 6 of 9 preparations. The spatial distribution of dominant frequency demonstrated a focal source pattern, with the highest dominant frequency areas colocalized with PV focal discharge sites in 35 (95%) of 37 cholinergic AF episodes (N = 8). Thapsigargin and ryanodine infusion eliminated focal discharges in 6 of 6 preparations and suppressed the inducibility of AF in 4 of 6 preparations. PVs with focal discharge have higher densities of parasympathetic nerves than do PVs without focal discharges (P = .01), and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive cells were present at the focal discharge sites.. Ca(i) dynamics are important in promoting triggered activity during acetylcholine infusion in PVs from pacing-induced heart failure. PV focal discharge sites have PAS-positive cells and high densities of parasympathetic nerves.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Animals; Calcium; Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Dogs; Enzyme Inhibitors; Heart Failure; Heart Ventricles; Models, Animal; Pulmonary Veins; Ryanodine; Stroke Volume; Thapsigargin; Vasodilator Agents; Ventricular Function, Left

Apelin, a ligand for apelin-angiotension receptor-like 1 (APJ), has recently been shown to be a potent positive inotropic agent in normal hearts. In humans, levels of apelin have been shown to rise in early-stage heart failure and to fall in late-stage heart failure. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that apelin augments contraction directly in failing rat cardiac muscle. Right ventricular heart failure secondary to pulmonary hypertension was induced by exposing the rats to hypoxia (10% O(2) inhaled air) for 14-16 weeks. Trabeculae were dissected and mounted between a force transducer and a motor arm, superfused with Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) solution (pH 7.4, 22 degrees C), and loaded with fura-2. Both force development and [Ca(2+)](i) transient amplitude increased in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of Apelin-12 (10 approximately 70 nM, [Ca(2+)](o)=0.5 mM) in failing muscles as compared to control (36+/-7% vs. 7.4+/-5% at 70 nM, P<0.05). Also, [Ca(2+)](i) transients increased up to 18.4+/-9.5% as compared to control (4.5+/-1.9%, P<0.05). The increases in contraction in the presence of apelin were also maintained over a range of external Ca(2+) (0.5-2.0 mM). Steady-state force-[Ca(2+)](i) relation of the failing muscles reveals decreased maximal Ca(2+)-activated force (F(max)) (51.45+/-5.3 vs. 98.5+/-11.5 mN/mm(2), P<0.001), with no changes in Ca(2+) required for 50% of maximal activation (Ca(50)) (0.45+/-0.07 vs. 0.30+/-0.04 muM, P>0.05) and Hill coefficient (4.60+/-0.73 vs. 3.17+/-0.92, P>0.05). Apelin (70 nM) had no effect on the steady-state force-[Ca(2+)](i) relation in failing muscles (F(max): 63.03+/-3.5 mN/mm(2); Ca(50): 0.50+/-0.08 microM; Hill coefficient: 4.73+/-0.89). These results indicate that apelin exerts a selective positive inotropic action in failing myocardium. The increased force development is the result of increased [Ca(2+)](i) transients rather than changes in myofilament calcium responsiveness.

Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Algorithms; Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Apelin; Calcium; Calcium Signaling; Cardiotonic Agents; Carrier Proteins; Chronic Disease; Heart Failure; Hypoxia; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Myocardial Contraction; Rats; Ryanodine; Sarcomeres; Stimulation, Chemical

We investigated the inward rectifier potassium current (I(K1)), which can be blocked by intracellular Ca(2+), in heart failure (HF).. We used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to record I(K1) from single rat ventricular myocytes in voltage-clamp conditions. Fluorescence measurements of diastolic Ca(2+) were performed with Indo-1 AM. HF was examined 8 weeks after myocardial infarction (coronary artery ligation).. I(K1) was reduced and diastolic Ca(2+) was increased in HF cells. The reduction of I(K1) was attenuated when EGTA was elevated from 0.5 to 10 mM in the patch pipette and prevented with high BAPTA (20 mM). Ryanodine (100 nM) and FK506 (10 microM), both of which promote spontaneous SR Ca(2+) release from ryanodine receptor (RyR2) during diastole, reproduced the effect of HF on I(K1) in normal cells but had no effect in HF cells. The effects of ryanodine and FK506 were not additive and were prevented by BAPTA. Rapamycin (10 microM), which removes FKBP binding proteins from RyR2 with no effect on calcineurin, mimicked the effect of FK506 on I(K1). Cyclosporine A (10 microM), which inhibits calcineurin via cyclophilins, had no effect. In both HF cells and normal cells treated by FK506, the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor staurosporine totally restored the inward component of I(K1), but only partially restored its outward component at potentials corresponding to the late repolarizing phase of the action potential (-80 to -40 mV).. I(K1) is reduced by elevated diastolic Ca(2+)in HF, which involves in parallel PKC-dependent and PKC-independent mechanisms. This regulation provides a novel paradigm for Ca(2+)-dependent modulation of membrane potential in HF. Since enhanced RyR2-mediated Ca(2+)release also reduces I(K1), this paradigm might be relevant for arrhythmias related to acquired or inherited RyR2 dysfunction.

Topics: Action Potentials; Animals; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Calcium; Depression, Chemical; Egtazic Acid; Heart Failure; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Myocardial Infarction; Myocardium; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; Protein Kinase C; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Ryanodine; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; Sirolimus; Staurosporine; Tacrolimus

The present experiments were performed in order to study abnormal action potential configuration and ion channel activity in ventricular myocytes obtained from 23 male myopathic Syrian hamsters (Biobreeders strain 14.6, 32-52 weeks old) compared with 10 age-matched healthy control hamsters (Biobreeders F1B) by means of whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. The results show that the myopathic myocytes had a longer action potential duration, a reduced transient outward K(+) current on depolarization and a smaller transient inward current on repolarization after prolonged depolarizing pulses (> 500 msec). However, the L-type Ca(2+) current and the inwardly rectifing K(+) current were not significantly different from those of healthy myocytes. The oscillatory transient inward currents could be diminished by treatment with ryanodine (0.01-1 micromol/L), a sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release channel blocker, or with Na(+)-free superfusate. We conclude that the hereditary myopathic hamsters are less likely to develop delayed after depolarization-related transient inward currents and triggered arrhythmias owing to a smaller SR Ca(2+) content.

Topics: Action Potentials; Algorithms; Animals; Calcium; Calcium Channels, L-Type; Cardiomyopathies; Cell Separation; Cricetinae; Heart Failure; In Vitro Techniques; Ion Channels; Male; Mesocricetus; Myocytes, Cardiac; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; Ryanodine; Sodium

Topics: Animals; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Heart Failure; Models, Molecular; Myocytes, Cardiac; Ryanodine; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel

Changes in calcium (Ca2+) regulation contribute to loss of contractile function in dilated cardiomyopathy. Clinical treatment using beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists (beta-blockers) slows deterioration of cardiac function in end-stage heart failure patients; however, the effects of beta-blocker treatment on Ca2+ dynamics in the failing heart are unknown. To address this issue, tropomodulin-overexpressing transgenic (TOT) mice, which suffer from dilated cardiomyopathy, were treated with a nonselective beta-receptor blocker (5 mg. kg-1. day-1 propranolol) for 2 wk. Ca2+ dynamics in isolated cardiomyocytes of TOT mice significantly improved after treatment compared with untreated TOT mice. Frequency-dependent diastolic and Ca2+ transient amplitudes were returned to normal in propranolol-treated TOT mice and but not in untreated TOT mice. Ca2+ kinetic measurements of time to peak and time decay of the caffeine-induced Ca2+ transient to 50% relaxation were also normalized. Immunoblot analysis of untreated TOT heart samples showed a 3.6-fold reduction of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), whereas Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) concentrations were increased 2.6-fold relative to nontransgenic samples. Propranolol treatment of TOT mice reversed the alterations in SERCA and NCX protein levels but not potassium channels. Although restoration of Ca2+ dynamics occurred within 2 wk of beta-blockade treatment, evidence of functional improvement in cardiac contractility assessed by echocardiography took 10 wk to materialize. These results demonstrate that beta-adrenergic blockade restores Ca2+ dynamics and normalizes expression of Ca2+-handling proteins, eventually leading to improved hemodynamic function in cardiomyopathic hearts.

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Aniline Compounds; Animals; Blotting, Western; Calcium; Calcium Signaling; Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Carrier Proteins; Electrophysiology; Fluorescent Dyes; Heart Failure; Homeodomain Proteins; Membrane Potentials; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Microfilament Proteins; Muscle Cells; Myocardial Contraction; Myocardium; Nuclease Protection Assays; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Propranolol; Ryanodine; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Tropomodulin; Ventricular Remodeling; Xanthenes

The T-tubule membrane network is integrally involved in excitation-contraction coupling in ventricular myocytes. Ventricular myocytes from canine hearts with tachycardia-induced dilated cardiomyopathy exhibit a decrease in accessible T-tubules to the membrane-impermeant dye, di8-ANNEPs. The present study investigated the mechanism of loss of T-tubule staining and examined for changes in the subcellular distribution of membrane proteins essential for excitation-contraction coupling.. Isolated ventricular myocytes from canine hearts with and without tachycardia-induced heart failure were studied using fluorescence confocal microscopy and membrane fractionation techniques using a variety of markers specific for sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins.. Probes for surface glycoproteins, Na/K ATPase, Na/Ca exchanger and Ca(v)1.2 demonstrated a prominent but heterogeneous reduction in T-tubule labeling in both intact and permeabilised failing myocytes, indicating a true depletion of T-tubules and associated membrane proteins. Membrane fractionation studies showed reductions in L-type Ca(2+) channels and beta-adrenergic receptors but increased levels of Na/Ca exchanger protein in both surface sarcolemma and T-tubular sarcolemma-enriched fractions; however, the membrane fraction enriched in junctional complexes of sarcolemma and junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum demonstrated no significant changes in the density of any sarcolemmal protein or sarcoplasmic reticulum protein assayed.. Failing canine ventricular myocytes exhibit prominent depletion of T-tubules and changes in the density of a variety of proteins in both surface and T-tubular sarcolemma but with preservation of the protein composition of junctional complexes. This subcellular remodeling contributes to abnormal excitation-contraction coupling in heart failure.

Topics: Animals; Calcium Channels, L-Type; Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Calsequestrin; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Cell Fractionation; Cells, Cultured; Dogs; Electrophysiology; Heart Failure; Homeodomain Proteins; Isradipine; Microscopy, Confocal; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Muscle Proteins; Myocytes, Cardiac; Protein Binding; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; Ryanodine; Sarcolemma; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Sodium-Calcium Exchanger; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase

Application of pyruvate was shown to improve contractile function in isolated animal myocardium and hemodynamics in patients with congestive heart failure. We assessed the influence of pyruvate on systolic and diastolic myocardial function and its subcellular mode of action in isolated myocardium from end-stage failing human hearts.. In muscle strip preparations, concentration-dependent effects of pyruvate on developed and diastolic force (n=6), aequorin light emission reflecting intracellular Ca(2+) transients (n=6), and rapid cooling contractures reflecting sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content (n=11) were measured. Pyruvate resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in developed force and a decrease in diastolic force, with a maximum effect of 155% and 21%, respectively, at 20 mmol/L pyruvate (P<0.05). This was associated with a dose-dependent prolongation of time to peak tension and relaxation time. Pyruvate increased rapid cooling contractures by 51% and aequorin light signals by 85% (at 15 and 20 mmol/L; P<0.05). This indicates increased SR Ca(2+) content and increased intracellular Ca(2+) transients. The inotropic effect of pyruvate was still present after elimination of SR Ca(2+) storage function with 10 micromol/L cyclopiazonic acid and 1 micromol/L ryanodine (n=8). Pyruvate significantly increased intracellular pH from 7.31+/-0.03 to 7.40+/-0.04 by BCECF fluorescence (n=6).. The present findings indicate that pyruvate improves contractile performance of failing human myocardium by increasing intracellular Ca(2+) transients as well as myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity. The former seem to result from increased SR Ca(2+) accumulation and release, the latter from increased intracellular pH.

Topics: Aequorin; Calcium; Cold Temperature; Culture Techniques; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Heart Failure; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Indoles; Isometric Contraction; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Contraction; Myocardium; Pyruvic Acid; Ryanodine; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum; Stimulation, Chemical

We examined mechanical alternans and electromechanical restitution in normal and failing rat hearts. Alternans occurred at 5 Hz in failing versus 9 Hz in control hearts and was reversed by 300 nM isoproterenol, 6 mM extracellular Ca(2+), 300 nM -BAY K 8644, or 50 nM ryanodine. Restitution curves comprised phase I, which was completed before relaxation of the steady-state beat, and phase II, which occurred later. Phase I action potential area and developed pressure ratios were significantly reduced in the failing versus control hearts. Phase II was a monoexponential increase in relative developed pressure as the extrasystolic interval was increased. The plateau of phase II was significantly elevated in failing hearts. Thapsigargin (3 microM) plus ryanodine (200 nM) potentiated phase I to a significantly greater extent in control versus failing hearts and abolished phase II in both groups. The results suggest that both regulation of Ca(2+) influx across the sarcolemma and Ca(2+) release by the sarcoplasmic reticulum may contribute to altered excitation-contraction coupling in the failing spontaneously hypertensive heart failure prone rat heart.

Topics: Action Potentials; Animals; Calcium; Heart Failure; Heart Rate; Hypertension; Isoproterenol; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred BN; Rats, Inbred Strains; Rats, Inbred WF; Rats, Wistar; Ryanodine; Thapsigargin; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left; Ventricular Function, Left

The objective of this study was to determine the primary event that occurs in Ca2+-regulatory sarcoplasmic-reticular (SR) proteins during subacute transition from concentric/mechanically-compensated left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy to eccentric/decompensated hypertrophy. Using Dahl salt-sensitive rats with hypertension, changes of myocardial contraction, intracellular Ca2+ transients, SR Ca2+ uptake, protein levels of SR Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2), phospholamban, and calsequestrin (CSQ), and mRNA levels of SERCA2 and CSQ were serially determined and compared between the established stage of LV hypertrophy (LVH) and the subsequent stage of overt LV dysfunction (CHF). In LVH, isolated LV papillary muscle preparations showed an equal peak-tension level and a mild prolongation of the isometric tension decay compared to those of age-matched controls. The Ca2+ transients as measured by aequorin were unchanged. The Ca2+ uptake of isolated SR vesicles and the protein/mRNA levels of SR proteins were also equivalent to those of the controls. In contrast, in CHF, the failing myocardium showed a further prolongation of the contraction time course and a 39% reduction of the peak-tension development. The Ca2+ transients showed changes consisting of a decrease in the peak level and a prolongation of the time course. In addition, the SR Ca2+ uptake was decreased by 41%. Despite these functional changes, the protein and mRNA levels of the SR components remained equivalent to those of the age-matched controls. Thus, in this hypertensive animal, 1) at the LVH stage, myocardial contractility and intracellular capability to regulate Ca2+ remained normal; 2) at the CHF stage, impaired SR Ca2+ handling and the subsequent reduction of myocardial contraction were in progress; and 3) impairments of SR function occurred at the post-translational protein level rather than at the transcriptional/translational levels. Our findings support the role of SR proteins as the primary determinant of the contractile dysfunction that occurs during the heart-failure transition; however, post-translational modulators of these SR elements may also be critical.

Topics: Aequorin; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Calcium; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Calsequestrin; Heart Failure; Hemodynamics; Hypertension; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Myocardial Contraction; Myocardium; Papillary Muscles; Rats; Rats, Inbred Dahl; RNA, Messenger; Ryanodine; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

Decay kinetics of the voltage-gated L-type Ca(2+) current (I(CaL)) control the magnitude of Ca(2+) influx during the cardiac action potential. We investigated the influence of changes in diastolic membrane potential on I(CaL) decay kinetics in cardiac cells.. Cells were isolated enzymatically from rat ventricles, human right atrial appendages obtained during corrective heart surgery and left ventricles from end-stage failing hearts of transplant recipients. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to evoke I(CaL) by a 100-ms depolarizing test pulse to -10 mV. Conditioning potentials between -80 and 0 mV were applied for 5 s prior to the test pulse.. Depolarizing the cells between -80 and -50 mV prior to the test pulse slowed the early inactivation of I(CaL) both in rat ventricular and human atrial cells. This slowing resulted in a significant increase of Ca(2+) influx. This type of facilitation was not observed when the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content was depleted using ryanodine which reduced the rate of inactivation of I(CaL), or when Ba(2+) replaced Ca(2+) as the permeating ion. Facilitation was favored by intracellular cAMP-promoting agents that, in addition to increasing current peak amplitude, enhanced the fast Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation of I(CaL). Facilitation was impaired in atrial and ventricular human failing hearts.. Decay kinetics of I(CaL) are regulated by the diastolic membrane potential in rat and human cardiomyocytes. This regulation, which associates slowing of I(CaL) inactivation with reduced SR Ca(2+) release and underlies facilitation of Ca(2+) channels activity, may have profound physiological relevance for catecholamines enhancement of Ca(2+) influx. It is impaired in failing hearts, possibly due to lowered SR Ca(2+) release.

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Adult; Aged; Animals; Barium; Bucladesine; Calcium; Calcium Channel Blockers; Calcium Channels, L-Type; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Diastole; Electric Stimulation; Heart Atria; Heart Failure; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Isoproterenol; Membrane Potentials; Middle Aged; Myocardium; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Rats; Rats, Inbred WKY; Ryanodine; Sarcolemma; Serotonin

Little information is available as to the Ca(2+) release function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in heart failure. We assessed whether the alteration in this function in heart failure is related to a change in the role of FK binding protein (FKBP), which is tightly coupled with the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR) and recently identified as a modulatory protein acting to stabilize the gating function of RyR.. SR vesicles were isolated from dog LV muscles [normal (N), n=6; heart failure induced by 3-weeks pacing (HF), n=6]. The time course of the SR Ca(2+) release was continuously monitored using a stopped-flow apparatus, and [3H]ryanodine-binding and [3H]dihydro-FK506-binding assays were also performed.. FK506, which specifically binds to FKBP12.6 and dissociates it from RyR, decreased the polylysine-induced enhancement of [3H]ryanodine-binding by 38% in N (P<0.05) but it had no effect in HF. In HF, the rate constant for the polylysine-induced Ca(2+) release from the SR was 61% smaller than in N. FK506 decreased the rate constant for the polylysine-induced Ca(2+) release by 67% in N (P<0.05) but had no effect in HF. The [3H]dihydro-FK506-binding assay revealed that the number (B(max)) of FKBPs was decreased by 83% in HF (P<0.05), while the K(d) value was unchanged. FK506 did not significantly change SR Ca(2+.)-ATPase activity in either N or HF.. In HF, the number of FKBPs showed a tremendous decrease; this may underlie the RyR-channel instability and the impairment of the Ca(2+) release function of RyR seen in the failing heart.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Calcium; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Dogs; Female; Heart Failure; Male; Polylysine; Protein Binding; Ryanodine; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum; Tacrolimus; Tacrolimus Binding Proteins

In heart failure, little information is available as to the Ca2+ release function of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), which plays a major role in cardiac contractile function. Here, we assessed the rapid kinetics of drug-induced Ca2+ release from cardiac SR in combination with a measurement of ryanodine binding in heart failure.. The SR vesicles were isolated from dog left ventricular (LV) muscles (normal (N), n = 10; pacing induced heart failure (HF), n = 10). The time course of SR Ca2+ release was continuously monitored by a stopped-flow apparatus using arsenazoIII as a Ca2+ indicator, and Ca2+ uptake and [3H]ryanodine binding assays were done using a filtration method.. The amount of Ca2+ uptake was reduced in HF to 55% of N (P < 0.05). Even the more marked and earlier appeared decrease was seen in the rate constant and the initial rate of polylysine (PL; a specific release trigger)-induced Ca2+ release (P < 0.05). However, the PL concentration dependency of the initial rate shifted towards lower concentrations of PL in HF than in N ([PL] at half maximum stimulation = 0.13 vs. 0.35 microM). The [3H]ryanodine binding assay revealed a lower Bmax (pmol/mg) in HF than in N (0.91 +/- 0.19 vs. 2.64 +/- 0.59, P < 0.05), but no difference in Kd (nM) (0.95 +/- 0.29 vs. 0.90 +/- 0.11, P = n.s.). The [PL] dependency on the enhancement of [3H]ryanodine binding again showed a shift towards lower [PL] in HF than in N.. In pacing-induced heart failure, the Ca2+ releasing function of SR is disturbed, which may result in an intra-cellular Ca2+ transient that was slowed down.

Topics: Animals; Arsenazo III; Calcium; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Dogs; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Heart Failure; Male; Myocardium; Polylysine; Radioligand Assay; Ryanodine; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

The cardiomyopathic Syrian hamster develops a progressive cardiomyopathy characterized by cellular necrosis, hypertrophy, cardiac dilatation, and congestive heart failure. This study aimed to identify alterations in cardiac mechanical function and in the cellular content of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-release channels (ryanodine receptors, RyR) in the heart of the UM-X7.1 cardiomyopathic hamster during the development of heart failure. Experimental and healthy control hamsters were examined at 8, 18, and 28 wk of age. The UM-X7.1 hamsters had developed left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy at 8 wk and a marked LV dilatation at 18-28 wk. During the latter stage, the UM-X7.1 hamster hearts showed global hypokinesis. Equilibrium binding assays of high-affinity sites for [3H]ryanodine were performed in ventricular homogenate preparations. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the maximum number of [3H]ryanodine binding sites (Bmax) at either 8 or 18 wk of age, although the cardiac pump function was impaired in UM-X7.1 hamsters at 18 wk of age. By 28 wk, Bmax was significantly lower in the UM-X7.1 hamsters. Quantitative immunoblot assay revealed that the content of RyR protein in cardiomyopathic hearts, which was increased at the early stage, declined to below normal as heart failure advanced. These results suggest that the number of RyR in the UM-X7.1 cardiomyopathic hamsters was preserved at both the hypertrophic and early stages of heart failure with a possibly compensatory increase in the level of protein expression, although the cardiac function already showed a tendency to be impaired.

Topics: Aging; Animals; Cardiomyopathies; Cricetinae; Echocardiography; Female; Heart; Heart Failure; Male; Mesocricetus; Myocardium; Reference Values; Ryanodine; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

We tested the influence of blocking sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function with ryanodine (1 microM) on stimulation rate-dependent changes of intracellular Ca2+ transients and twitch force in failing human myocardium. Isometrically contracting, electrically stimulated muscle strips from ventricles of 10 end-stage failing human hearts were used. Muscles were loaded with the intracellular Ca2+ indicator aequorin. At stimulation rates from 0.5-3 Hz, intracellular Ca2+ transients and twitch force were simultaneously recorded before and after ryanodine exposure (37 degrees C). Ryanodine significantly reduced twitch force at 1 Hz by 46 +/- 9% and aequorin light by 57 +/- 10% in failing human myocardium (P < 0.05). The blunted or inverse aequorin light- and force-frequency relation became positive after ryanodine: in failing human myocardium, twitch force and aequorin light before ryanodine did not increase with increasing frequency and force decreased significantly at 3 Hz (P < 0.05). After ryanodine, twitch force (P < 0.05) and aequorin light increased with increasing stimulation frequency and were maximum at 2 Hz. The data indicate that inhibition of SR function significantly reduces twitch force and Ca2+ transients in failing human myocardium, but converts the blunted or inverse Ca(2+)- and force-frequency relation into a positive one. We infer that Ca2+ responsible for approximately 50% of twitch force is derived from the SR and approximately 50% from sarcolemmal Ca2+ influx in failing human myocardium. This sarcolemmal component increases at higher stimulation frequencies.

Topics: Calcium; Female; Heart Failure; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Contraction; Ryanodine; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Sarcoplasmic reticular function of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) following coronary artery ligation was examined. The coronary artery ligation produced 43% infarction of the left ventricle and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure 8 weeks after the operation, suggesting the development of CHF by this period. The developed force transients of the skinned fiber of coronary artery-ligated rats were decreased when the skinned fiber was preloaded for 0.25-0.5 min with 10(-5)M Ca2+ (53-70%) and when preloaded with 10(-6)M Ca2+ and then exposed to 0.1-1 mM caffeine (39-87%). The results suggest that the rate of Ca2+ uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and its ability to release Ca2+ were reduced in the failing heart. [3H]Ryanodine binding activities in homogenates and SR-enriched fractions were significantly reduced in the coronary artery-ligated group (32% and 21%, respectively). The results suggest that the amount of Ca2+ released from SR decreased due to decreased Ca2+ uptake rate of SR and down-regulation of the SR Ca(2+)-release channel, which contributes to cardiac dysfunction in failing hearts following acute myocardial infarction.

Topics: Animals; Caffeine; Calcium; Cell Membrane; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Heart Failure; Hemodynamics; Histocytological Preparation Techniques; Male; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal; Myocardial Contraction; Myocardial Infarction; Myocardium; Papillary Muscles; Proteins; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Ryanodine; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

We tested our hypothesis that the O2 wasting of Ca2+ handling in the excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling in ryanodine-treated failing hearts could be reflected by a decrease in the internal Ca2+ recirculation fraction (RF). We have reported, using canine excised cross-circulated hearts, that intracoronary ryanodine (40 nmol/l blood) halved left ventricular contractility without decreasing myocardial O2 consumption for the E-C coupling. We previously suspected this mechanoenergetic state to manifest energy wasting of Ca2+ handling due to ryanodine causing leakage of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed all the sporadic spontaneous cases of postextrasystolic potentiation (PESP) obtained during the ryanodine experiments. We calculated RF from the beat constant of the exponential decay component of not only the monotonic type but also the transient alternans type of PESP. Results showed that ryanodine significantly decreased the beat constant in both types of PESP from about 2 to 1.5 beats and hence RF from 0.6 to 0.5 on the average, supporting the hypothesis. This organ-level systems approach to Ca2+ handling using transient alternans PESP as well as monotonic PESP may help obtain better insights into the mechanoenergetics of failing hearts.

Topics: Animals; Calcium; Disease Models, Animal; Dogs; Electrocardiography; Female; Heart; Heart Failure; Male; Myocardial Contraction; Oxygen Consumption; Ryanodine; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

1. The goal of this review is to emphasize four major points regarding the development of catecholamine desensitization in heart failure (HF). 2. Catecholamine desensitization occurs prior to the development of HF (i.e. after 1 day of rapid pacing, physiological responses to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation are depressed by over 50%, yet no evidence of HF is observed for 3-4 weeks of rapid pacing). 3. Multiple mechanisms in the beta-adrenoceptor cascade are involved. In HF there are decreases in beta 1-adrenoceptors, high affinity beta-adrenoceptors, adenylyl cyclase activity and messenger RNA and increases in Gi. 4. Not all mechanisms appear simultaneously (i.e. early decreases occur in high affinity beta-adrenoceptors and adenylyl cyclase; late increases in Gi and decreases in beta-adrenoceptor density evolves). 5. Mechanisms distal to cAMP generation also play a role (i.e. alterations in ryanodine receptor binding and excitation-contraction coupling also occur).

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Animals; Binding, Competitive; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Dogs; Heart Failure; Humans; Isoproterenol; Myocardium; Norepinephrine; Ryanodine

The purpose of this study was to determine whether abnormal Ca2+ release through ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum might contribute to the abnormal [Ca2+]i homeostasis that has been described in failing human myocardium.. Occupancy of low-affinity ryanodine binding sites on ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ channels stimulates oxalate-supported, ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation in sarcoplasmic reticulum-derived microsomes by inhibiting concurrent Ca2+ efflux through these channels. We examined the effects of 0.5 mmol/L ryanodine on 45Ca2+ accumulation in microsomes prepared from nonfailing (n = 8) and failing (n = 10) human left ventricular myocardium. In the absence of ryanodine, 45Ca2+ accumulation reached similar levels in microsomes from nonfailing and failing hearts. Incubation with 0.5 mmol/L ryanodine caused a 52.2 +/- 6.5% increase in peak 45Ca2+ accumulation in microsomes from nonfailing hearts and a 24.3 +/- 4.1% increase in microsomes from failing hearts. The density of high-affinity ryanodine binding sites and the inhibition of [3H]ryanodine dissociation from these sites by 0.1 mmol/L ryanodine were similar in microsomes from nonfailing and failing hearts.. These results, which demonstrate a diminished stimulation of Ca2+ accumulation by ryanodine in sarcoplasmic reticulum-derived microsomes from failing human myocardium that could be explained by an uncoupling of the occupancy of low-affinity ryanodine binding sites from the reduction in the open probability of these channels or by concurrent Ca2+ efflux through a ryanodine-insensitive mechanism, are evidence that increased efflux of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum may contribute to the abnormal [Ca2+]i homeostasis described in failing human myocardium.

Topics: Adult; Calcium; Calcium Channels; Heart Failure; Heart Ventricles; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Microsomes; Middle Aged; Ryanodine; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

The molecular basis of human heart failure is unknown. Alterations in calcium homeostasis have been observed in failing human heart muscles. Intracellular calcium-release channels regulate the calcium flux required for muscle contraction. Two forms of intracellular calcium-release channels are expressed in the heart: the ryanodine receptor (RyR) and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R). In the present study we showed that these two cardiac intracellular calcium release channels were regulated in opposite directions in failing human hearts. In the left ventricle, RyR mRNA levels were decreased by 31% (P < 0.025) whereas IP3R mRNA levels were increased by 123% (P < 0.005). In situ hybridization localized both RyR and IP3R mRNAs to human cardiac myocytes. The relative amounts of IP3 binding sites increased approximately 40% compared with ryanodine binding sites in the failing heart. RyR down-regulation could contribute to impaired contractility; IP3R up regulation may be a compensatory response providing an alternative pathway for mobilizing intracellular calcium release, possibly contributing to the increased diastolic tone associated with heart failure and the hypertrophic response of failing myocardium.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Blotting, Northern; Calcium Channels; Cardiomyopathies; Cells, Cultured; DNA Probes; Female; Gene Expression; Heart Failure; Heart Transplantation; Homeostasis; Humans; In Situ Hybridization; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Proteins; Myocardium; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; RNA, Messenger; Ryanodine; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel

The objective of this study was to evaluate the tension-frequency relationship in normal and cardiomyopathic myocardium from one species with a negative or biphasic relationship, the hamster, and one with a positive relationship, the dog. Left ventricular papillary muscles from 100-day-old normal Syrian and cardiomyopathic (CHF-147) hamsters and right ventricular papillary muscles or trabeculae from normal mongrel dogs and dog with pacing-induced heart failure were used for the study. Stimulation frequency was varied from 1 to 90/min and isometric contractions recorded at each frequency prior to and after the addition of phenylephrine 10 microM. A tension-frequency relationship at varying extracellular calcium concentrations (1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mM) was also constructed in normal hamster myocardium. Ryanodine 1.2 microM was added to a bath with normal hamster muscles and a force-frequency relationship constructed prior to and after adding phenylephrine 10 microM. A calcium dose-response curve in normal and cardiomyopathic dog myocardium was also constructed. Normal and cardiomyopathic hamster myocardium had a biphasic tension-frequency relationship with the increase in tension during the second phase being greater in normal v cardiomyopathic hamster myocardium (0.66 +/- 0.19 v 0.12 +/- 0.03 g/mm2, P < 0.05). The initial decrease in tension in response to increasing stimulation frequency was markedly attenuated in normal hamster myocardium by increasing extracellular calcium concentration. Developed tension was eliminated at lower stimulation rates by ryanodine such that when developed tension did occur, it increased with increasing stimulation rates. The addition of phenylephrine to hamster myocardium modified the tension-frequency relationship of both normal and cardiomyopathic dog myocardium and their response to phenylephrine were similar. In each case, tension increased progressively with increasing stimulation rate. Although the absolute increase in tension caused by increasing extracellular calcium was less in cardiomyopathic dog myocardium, the percent increase in tension and shortening was greater. We conclude that the tension-frequency relationship of normal and cardiomyopathic hamster myocardium are biphasic, with the initial negative phase being the result of limitations of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium handling. Phenylephrine modifies this relationship to a uniphasic positive one, likely by its effects on both the sarcolemma and the sarcoplasmi

Topics: Animals; Calcium; Cardiomyopathies; Cricetinae; Dogs; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electric Stimulation; Heart Failure; Heart Rate; In Vitro Techniques; Mesocricetus; Myocardial Contraction; Papillary Muscles; Phenylephrine; Ryanodine; Species Specificity

The ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release channel (RyaCRC) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a key role in the intracellular Ca2+ handling in cardiomyocytes. Altered expression of the RyaCRC has been supposed to contribute to abnormal cellular Ca2+ handling and to myocardial dysfunction in dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy. In the present study the 3H-ryanodine binding site in human myocardial homogenates was characterized and the density of the RyaCRC (which corresponds to the cardiac ryanodine receptor) was determined in nonfailing and in failing human myocardium. Homogenates were prepared from nonfailing left ventricular myocardium from the hearts of 5 organ donors (NF) and from failing myocardium from 14 explanted hearts of transplant recipients with end-stage heart failure resulting from dilated (DCM, n = 5) or ischemic (ICM, n = 9) cardiomyopathy. Radioligand saturation binding experiments revealed a specific, high-affinity 3H-ryanodine binding site (Kd-values: NF: 0.65 +/- 0.11 nmol/l, DCM: 0.66 +/- 0.09 nmol/l, ICM: 0.88 +/- 0.18 nmol/l; n.s.) in all preparations. Specific 3H-ryanodine binding depended on the free Ca2+ concentration in the assay. It was maximal at 3-100 micro mol/l Ca2+. The binding was inhibited by the RyaCRC antagonists ruthenium red (Ki-value: 0.32 [0.18-0.56] micromol/l, n = 5) and Mg2+ (Ki-value: 2.95 [1.23-7.11] mmol/l, n = 5). The RyaCRC density was 103.5 +/- 11.9 fmol/mg protein in nonfailing myocardium. There was no significant change in the RyaCRC density in dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy (112.4 +/- 17.1 and 122.7 +/- 13.9 fmol/mg protein) compared to nonfailing control myocardium. In summary, 3H-ryanodine binds specifically and with high-affinity to the RyaCRC in human myocardium. There is no change in the RyaCRC density in failing myocardium of patients with DCM or ICM in comparison to non-failing controls.

Topics: Adult; Calcium; Calcium Channels; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; Female; Heart Failure; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Proteins; Myocardium; Ryanodine; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

In a model of heart failure induced in rabbits by a double volume plus pressure overload, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function was measured by Ca uptake and ryanodine receptor analysis. When expressed per mg of proteins, Ca uptake was decreased by 20% in failing hearts (FH) and ryanodine receptor density was similar in control hearts (CH) and in FH. However Ca uptake and ryanodine receptor density were significantly increased when expressed per total left ventricle suggesting SR hypertrophy. On electron microscopic examination, SR morphology not directly examined but large hypertrophied T tubules were observed suggesting a change in the relationship between membranes and contractile apparatus which may lead to alterations in excitation-contraction-relaxation coupling in spite of minimal biochemical alterations of SR.

Topics: Animals; Calcium; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Heart Failure; Myocardium; Rabbits; Ryanodine; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Calcium overload has been linked to the development of cardiomyopathy in the cardiomyopathic (CM) hamster, but the site or sites of the lesion remain obscure. To determine whether the number of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium release channels (ryanodine receptors) changes in the CM heart, we compared the density (Bmax) and affinity (Kd) of [3H]-ryanodine binding sites in heavy SR fractions from 40-65 day-old normal and CM hamster hearts. Results showed that the Bmax was significantly increased in CM heart when compared to normal (Bmax = 2489 +/- 159 fmol/mg protein in normal heart and 3360 +/- 223 fmol/mg protein in CM heart, mean +/- S.E., P = 0.01). [3H]-Ryanodine bound to a single, high affinity site in SR from both normal and CM hearts; values for Kd were similar in both groups. Sensitivity of [3H]-ryanodine binding to Ca2+ was unchanged, but the density of binding was increased at all Ca2+ concentrations which potentiated binding in CM heart. Similarly, potentiation of [3H]ryanodine binding by ATP and inhibition of binding by Mg2+ were intact in membranes from CM heart. Results demonstrate that the density [3H]-ryanodine receptors is increased in SR from CM hearts early in the development of cardiomyopathy, although the properties of these receptors are unchanged. This suggests an increase in the amount or velocity of Ca2+ release from SR may contribute to the development of Ca2+ overload in this model of cardiomyopathy.

Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Calcium Channels; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Cricetinae; Heart Failure; Male; Mesocricetus; Muscle Proteins; Ryanodine; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum; Up-Regulation

In this study we tested the hypothesis that the ryanodine-binding Ca-release channel activity and density of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) terminal cisternae were decreased in congestive heart failure (CHF) that occurs spontaneously in doberman pinschers or experimentally with rapid ventricular pacing of mongrels. We used a novel, sensitive, and easy-to-perform microassay and demonstrated a 50% decrease in activity of the myocardial SR Ca pump and a 75% reduction in SR Ca-release channel activity in CHF. Decreases in Ca channel content were associated with increases in net Ca sequestration. 45Ca-release experiments from passively loaded SR terminal cisternae and ryanodine-binding studies confirmed a 53-68% downregulation of the Ca-release channel activity. As a consequence of release channel downregulation, there was partial restoration of net Ca sequestration activity in dogs with CHF and complete compensation in dogs with mild cardiac dysfunction. Deterioration of Ca cycling correlated with deterioration of myocardial performance, apparently due to decreased Ca-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) pump and not Ca channel content. One-half the reduction in Ca-release activity could be attributed to decreased Ca sequestration and one-half to decreased Ca channel density. Downregulation of Ca channel content decreases the amplitude of the Ca cycle and maximizes the downregulation of Ca pumps that may occur. Although these adaptations may reduce cellular energy expenditure, they are likely to render the myocardium more susceptible to fatigue and failure.

Topics: Animals; Calcium; Calcium Channels; Calcium Radioisotopes; Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; Dogs; Heart Failure; Ion Channel Gating; Ryanodine; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Junctional SR membrane vesicles have been isolated from chronically failing human hearts explanted at transplant operations. Vesicles have been incorporated into artificial planar phospholipid bilayers and the activity of single calcium-release channels investigated under voltage-clamp conditions. The properties of these channels are similar to those previously reported from normal animal tissue and do not provide evidence that the function of individual calcium-release channels is altered in the failing heart. Using radio-labelled ryanodine binding as a specific marker for the calcium-release channel, we demonstrate that, in the sheep heart, ischaemia results in the degradation of the calcium-release channel. The activation of proteases and oxidant stress in the ischaemic and re-perfused post-ischaemic myocardium are likely mediators of cell injury. Using the protease trypsin and the photosensitisation of rose bengal to generate the reactive oxygen species (ROS) singlet oxygen and superoxide radicals we demonstrate a direct effect on the calcium-release channel in vitro. Exposure of junctional SR vesicles to trypsin or oxidant stress resulted in the progressive loss of specific ryanodine binding and the degradation of high molecular weight proteins identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The activity of single channels was also modified during exposure to proteolysis or oxidant stress; an initial increase in channel opening was observed followed by irreversible loss of channel function. Degradation of specific proteins, such as the calcium-release channel, may contribute to contractile dysfunction in the ischaemic and reperfused post-ischaemic myocardium.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Calcium Channels; Coronary Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Endopeptidases; Enzyme Activation; Heart Failure; Humans; Middle Aged; Reperfusion Injury; Ryanodine; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum; Sheep; Superoxides