scholarly journals Low-intensity aerobic interval training attenuates pathological left ventricular remodeling and mitochondrial dysfunction in aortic-banded miniature swine

2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (5) ◽  
pp. H1348-H1356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Emter ◽  
Christopher P. Baines
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Miniature Swine ◽  
Low Intensity

Cardiac hypertrophy in response to hypertension or myocardial infarction is a pathological indicator associated with heart failure (HF). A central component of the remodeling process is the loss of cardiomyocytes via cell death pathways regulated by the mitochondrion. Recent evidence has indicated that exercise training can attenuate or reverse pathological remodeling, creating a physiological phenotype. The purpose of this study was to examine left ventricular (LV) function, remodeling, and cardiomyocyte mitochondrial function in aortic-banded (AB) sedentary (HFSED; n = 6), AB exercise-trained (HFTR, n = 5), and control sedentary ( n = 5) male Yucatan miniature swine. LV hypertrophy was present in both AB groups before the start of training, as indicated by increases in LV end-diastolic volume, LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), and LV end-systolic dimension (LVESD). Exercise training (15 wk) prevented further increases in LVESV and LVESD ( P < 0.05). The heart weight-to-body weight ratio, LV + septum-to-body weight ratio, LV + septum-to-right ventricle ratio, and cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area were increased in both AB groups postmortem regardless of training status. Preservation of LV function after exercise training, as indicated by the maintenance of fractional shortening, ejection fraction, and mean wall shortening and increased stroke volume, was associated with an attenuation of the increased LV fibrosis (23%) and collagen (36%) observed in HFSED animals. LV mitochondrial dysfunction, as measured by Ca2+-induced mitochondrial permeability transition, was increased in HFSED ( P < 0.05) but not HFTR animals. In conclusion, low-intensity interval exercise training preserved LV function as exemplified by an attenuation of fibrosis, maintenance of a positive inotropic state, and inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction, providing further evidence of the therapeutic potential of exercise in a clinical setting.

Lansoprazole alleviates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in mice by blocking the activation of β-catenin

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hairuo Lin ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Hailin Zhu ◽  
Qiancheng Wang ◽  
Zhenhuan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Cardiac Remodelling ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Body Weight Ratio

Abstract Aims Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention to prevent gastric bleeding, but whether PPIs are beneficial for the heart is controversial. Here, we investigated the effects of lansoprazole on cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods and results Adult male C57 mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or sham surgery and then were treated with lansoprazole or vehicle for 5 weeks. In addition, cultured neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts were exposed to angiotensin II in the presence or absence of lansoprazole. At 5 weeks after TAC, the heart weight/body weight ratio was lower in lansoprazole-treated mice than in untreated mice, as was the lung weight/body weight ratio, while left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening and the maximum and minimum rates of change of the LV pressure were higher in lansoprazole-treated mice, along with less cardiac fibrosis. In cultured cardiomyocytes, lansoprazole inhibited angiotensin II-induced protein synthesis and hypertrophy, as well as inhibiting proliferation of fibroblasts. Lansoprazole decreased myocardial levels of phosphorylated Akt, phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β, and active β-catenin in TAC mice and in angiotensin II-stimulated cardiomyocytes. After overexpression of active β-catenin or knockdown of H+/K+-ATPase α-subunit, lansoprazole still significantly attenuated myocyte hypertrophy. Conclusion Lansoprazole inhibits cardiac remodelling by suppressing activation of the Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway independent of H+/K+-ATPase inhibition, and these findings may provide a novel insight into the pharmacological effects of PPIs with regard to alleviation of cardiac remodelling.

P0875INFLUENCE OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY ON CHANGE IN FGF23 AND RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONE-SYSTEM

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kohei Okamoto ◽  
Hideki Fujii ◽  
Shunsuke Goto ◽  
Keiji Kono ◽  
Kentaro Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Ventricular Hypertrophy ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Related Factors

Abstract Background and Aims Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a clinically important risk factor for mortality and often observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Serum FGF23 levels are elevated in CKD patients, and the relationship between elevated FGF23 and LVH has been reported in the previous studies. However, whether elevated FGF23 is a cause or result of LVH and whether FGF23 directly or indirectly affects LVH remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated changes in heart weight, CKD-mineral and bone disorder (MBD) parameters, including FGF23, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) related-factors in the setting of LVH and CKD using a mouse model. Method In the present study, twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were used and divided into 4 groups; control group (N=6), CKD group (N=6), LVH group (N=6), and LVH+CKD group (N=6). The mice in the CKD group underwent left 2/3 nephrectomy at 11 weeks of age and right nephrectomy at 12 weeks of age. Those in the LVH group underwent transverse aortic constriction (TAC) at 10 weeks of age. Those in the LVH+CKD group, TAC at 10 weeks of age, and left 2/3 nephrectomy at 11 weeks of age, and right nephrectomy at 12 weeks of age were performed. At 16 weeks of age, echocardiography was performed for all the mice, and they were sacrificed for blood and urine analysis, histopathological analysis and evaluating mRNA expressions of CKD-MBD- and RAAS-related factors in the heart. Results The systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the LVH+CKD group and the CKD group than in the control group. The heart weight/body weight ratio in the LVH+CKD group was the highest, and that in the LVH was higher than that in the CKD group. Although serum creatinine and phosphate levels increased in CKD condition, those were comparable between the CKD and LVH+CKD groups. The urinary albumin excretion also increased in the CKD and LVH+CKD groups compared to the LVH and control groups. Serum FGF23 levels increased in the LVH and CKD group compared to the control group, and those in the LVH+CKD group were the highest among all the study groups. The cardiac mRNA expressions of FGF23, angiotensinogen (ANG), angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) were also increased by induction of LVH and CKD, and those in the LVH+CKD group significantly increased compared to other groups. Heart weight/body weight ratio was significantly correlated with serum FGF23 levels and mRNA expression of FGF23, ANG, AT1R, ACE. In addition, significant correlations of serum FGF23 levels and cardiac mRNA expression of FGF23 with cardiac mRNA expressions of RAAS-related factors were observed. Conclusion Our results suggest that serum FGF23 levels and cardiac mRNA expression of FGF23 increase with the development of LVH and CKD and the changes is possibly enhanced through the colocalized activation of RAAS.

Exercise conditioning increases rat myocardial calcium uptake

1986 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1673-1679 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. N. Levine ◽  
G. T. Kinasewitz
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Adrenergic Receptors ◽  
Calcium Uptake ◽  
Myocardial Hypertrophy ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Scatchard Analysis ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Female Wistar Rats

To investigate potential mechanisms underlying the enhanced myocardial performance consequent to exercise training, the adrenergic receptors of myocardial tissue and Ca2+ uptake into sarcoplasmic reticulum-enriched fractions from exercise conditioned animals were compared with that of sedentary controls. Female Wistar rats were exercised by swimming 30 min (5 days/wk) for 12 wk. Exercise conditioning was effective in producing myocardial hypertrophy, as reflected by an increase in heart weight (1.179 +/- 0.022 vs. 1.031 +/- 0.020 g, P less than 0.001) and heart weight-to-body weight ratio (3.29 +/- 0.06 vs. 2.77 +/- 0.05 X 10(-3), P less than 0.001) but no difference in body weight. Despite the myocardial hypertrophy, neither the affinity nor the density of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptors or the beta-adrenergic receptors determined by Scatchard analysis of the ligands [3H]prazosin and [3H]dihydroalprenolol were significantly different between the two groups. The basal Ca2+ uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum was also similar (9.90 +/- 0.97 vs. 9.04 +/- 0.75 nmol/mg protein/min), but the addition of calmodulin produced a significantly greater increment in Ca2+ uptake into sarcoplasmic reticulum from the exercised-conditioned animals (1.90 +/- 0.23 vs. 1.21 +/- 0.19 nmol/mg protein/min, P less than 0.03). The adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities of the sarcoplasmic reticulum-enriched fractions of the two groups were similar. We conclude that exercise conditioning produces an enhancement of calmodulin-mediated calcium uptake that is independent of any effect on Ca2+-ATPase.

1272Effect of age, genetic background and experimental conditions on left atrial monophasic action potential duration, effective refractory period and activation time in Langendorff-perfused murine hearts

EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Obergassel ◽  
S N Kabir ◽  
M O"reilly ◽  
L C Sommerfeld ◽  
C O"shea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Genetic Background ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Coronary Flow ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Monophasic Action Potential ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Experimental Conditions

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Supported by EU [CATCH ME] 633196, British Heart Foundation FS/13/43/30324, AA/18/2/34218 LF, PK, DFG FA413 LF, Studienstiftung to JO. Background Studying cardiac electrophysiology in isolated perfused beating murine hearts is a well-established method. The range of normal values for left atrial action potential durations (LA-APD), activation times (LA-AT) and effective refractory periods (atrial ERP) in murine wildtype (WT) is not well known. Purpose This study aimed to establish reference values for LA-APD, LA-AT and atrial ERP and to identify factors that influence these electrophysiological parameters in wildtype (WT) mice. Method We combined results from isolated beating heart Langendorff experiments carried out in WT between 2005 and 2019 using an octopolar catheter inserted into the right atrium and a monophasic action potential electrode recording from the LA epicardium. Electrophysiological parameters (LA-APD at 50%, 70%, 90% repolarization (APD50, APD70, APD90), LA-AT and atrial ERP) at different pacing cycle lengths (PCL) were summarized. We analyzed effects of PCL, genetic background, age, gender, heart weight to body weight ratio (HW/BW), LA weight to body weight ratio (LAW/BW) as well as coronary flow and temperature as experimental conditions. Results Electrophysiological parameters from 222 isolated hearts (114 female, mean age 6.6 ± 0.25 months, range 2.47-17.7 months) of different backgrounds (77 C57BL/6, 23 FVB/N, 33 MF1, 69 129/Sv and 20 Swiss agouti) were combined. Coronary flow rate, flow temperature and start of isolation to cannulation time were constant experimental conditions over the timespan of experiments. LA-APD was longer while LA-AT decreased with longer PCL throughout all genetic backgrounds (Figure 1A). Genetic background showed strong effects on all electrophysiological parameters. LA activation was delayed in 129/Sv compared to other backgrounds (Figure 1D). LA-APD70 and atrial ERP were significantly shorter in Swiss agouti background compared to others. LA-APD70 was also significantly prolonged in 129/Sv background compared to MF1 (Figure 1C). Atrial ERP was longer in FVB/N compared to other backgrounds. Age effects were compared in groups. Atrial ERP was significantly longer in mice ≤ 3 months compared to all older mice. Atrial ERP was also significantly prolonged (+ 3.4ms, + 13.5%) in female mice compared to males (Figure 1B). Conclusion This dataset summarizes left atrial electrophysiological parameters in the beating mouse heart and can serve as a reference for design and interpretation of electrophysiological experiments in murine models of commonly used genetic backgrounds. We confirm that cycle length, genetic background, age and gender affect atrial electrophysiological parameters. Awareness of these will support successful experimental design. Abstract Figure 1

scholarly journals Blocking LFA-1 Aggravates Cardiac Inflammation in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludwig T. Weckbach ◽  
Andreas Uhl ◽  
Felicitas Boehm ◽  
Valentina Seitelberger ◽  
Bruno C. Huber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Lymphocyte Function ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Antibody Treatment ◽  
Autoimmune Myocarditis ◽  
Cardiac Inflammation ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

The lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) is a member of the beta2-integrin family and plays a pivotal role for T cell activation and leukocyte trafficking under inflammatory conditions. Blocking LFA-1 has reduced or aggravated inflammation depending on the inflammation model. To investigate the effect of LFA-1 in myocarditis, mice with experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) were treated with a function blocking anti-LFA-1 antibody from day 1 of disease until day 21, the peak of inflammation. Cardiac inflammation was evaluated by measuring infiltration of leukocytes into the inflamed cardiac tissue using histology and flow cytometry and was assessed by analysis of the heart weight/body weight ratio. LFA-1 antibody treatment severely enhanced leukocyte infiltration, in particular infiltration of CD11b+ monocytes, F4/80+ macrophages, CD4+ T cells, Ly6G+ neutrophils, and CD133+ progenitor cells at peak of inflammation which was accompanied by an increased heart weight/body weight ratio. Thus, blocking LFA-1 starting at the time of immunization severely aggravated acute cardiac inflammation in the EAM model.

Diminished effect of cAMP on Ca2+ accumulation in skinned fibers of hypertrophied rat heart

1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (2) ◽  
pp. H749-H756
Author(s):  
F. Tomita ◽  
A. L. Bassett ◽  
R. J. Myerburg ◽  
S. Kimura
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Left Ventricular Pressure ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Adrenergic Stimulation ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
The Right ◽  
Hypertrophied Ventricle ◽  
Concomitant Exposure

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ uptake is reduced in the hypertrophied ventricle. To determine whether events initiated by beta-adrenergic stimulation are involved, we compared the effects of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) on SR Ca2+ uptake between normal and pressure-overloaded hypertrophied hearts using saponin-skinned rat left ventricular muscles. Left ventricular pressure overload was induced by partial ligation of the abdominal aorta for 4–6 wk before study. Age-matched normal rats served as controls. Pressure overload increased the left ventricular weight-to-body weight ratio 60.8%. The SR was loaded by exposing the muscles to 10(-6) M Ca2+ solution; SR Ca2+ release was induced by 5 or 25 mM caffeine, and the amount of Ca2+ released from the SR was estimated by the area under the caffeine-induced transient contraction. Concomitant exposure to 10(-4) M cAMP did not influence caffeine-induced Ca2+ release in either normal or hypertrophied fibers. When 10(-4) M cAMP was applied during the Ca(2+)-loading periods, the amount of Ca2+ accumulated by the SR increased in both normal and hypertrophied fibers. However, the extent of increase was significantly smaller in hypertrophied fibers than in normal fibers [10.9 +/- 1.7 and 27.4 +/- 5.3% in 1 min of Ca2+ loading (P < 0.05), 12.2 +/- 3.2 and 24.7 +/- 3.8% in 4 min of Ca2+ loading (P < 0.05), respectively]. cAMP (10(-4) M) shifted the force-pCa relationship to the right similarly in normal and hypertrophied muscles, and there was no difference in the force-pCa relationship between the two groups either with or without cAMP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sarcoplasmic reticulum-related changes in cytosolic calcium in pressure-overload-induced feline LV hypertrophy

1993 ◽  
Vol 265 (6) ◽  
pp. H2009-H2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Bailey ◽  
S. R. Houser
Keyword(s):  
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Cytosolic Calcium ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Rest Periods ◽  
Premature Beats

Alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis that involve the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were studied in feline left ventricular (LV) myocytes isolated from hearts with LV hypertrophy induced by slow, progressive pressure overload. At death, severe hypertrophy was evidenced by increased heart weight-to-body weight ratio (8.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 4.2 +/- 0.2 g/kg in controls). Steady-state Ca2+ transients (measured as. indo 1 fluorescence at 410 nm/480 nm; I410/I480) in LV hypertrophy (LVH) myocytes had diminished peak amplitudes (I410/I480 2.28 +/- 0.07 vs. 2.53 +/- 0.07 in controls) and prolonged durations (0.75 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.59 +/- 0.02 s in controls). The magnitude of shortening was reduced and the contractile duration was prolonged in LVH myocytes. The idea that changes in SR function are responsible for these alterations in the Ca2+ transient was tested by studying two aspects of SR-related Ca2+ homeostasis. Restitution of releasable SR Ca2+ was studied by measuring indo 1 transients and contractions during premature beats. The time course of restitution of both the indo 1 transient and contraction of hypertrophy myocytes was significantly slower than in controls. These data suggest that restitution of releasable SR Ca2+ is slowed in hypertrophy myocytes. The reduction of the indo 1 transient and contraction in beats following long rest periods (rest decay) was measured to determine the rate of Ca2+ loss from the SR. Rest decay was significantly (P < 0.05) more pronounced in hypertrophy myocytes, suggesting that Ca2+ loss from the SR is accelerated in these myocytes. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A comparison of ventricular weights and geometry in newborn, young, and adult mammals

1975 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Lee ◽  
F. N. Taylor ◽  
S. E. Downing
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Volume Ratio ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ventricular Free Wall ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Free Wall ◽  
Right Ventricular Free Wall ◽  
Adult Age

The weight of individual anatomic segments of the heart and calculated left ventricular chamber volumes have been studied in the hearts of 214 normal mammals of seven species (sheep, swine, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and rats). Comparisons have been made between newborn, young, and adult age groups. In addition, the heart weight-to-body weight ratio, percentage of right ventricular free wall weight in relation to left ventricular free wall weight (RVF/LVF), the relationship between calculated ventricular volume and weight and the left ventricular major minor axis ratios were examined in each age range. Heart weight (HW) in relation to body weight (BW) was greater in the newborn than adult in all species except the dog. HW/BW was twice as great in the adult dog as other species. In newborns RVF/LVF ranged from 55 percent in rats to 100 percent in puppies. Less species variation was present in adult hearts. Species with a more spherical adult LV configuration demonstrated a greater chamber mass-to-volume ratio. This may be attributable to greater wall tension.

Abstract 051: Growth Plasticity Of The Prenatal Murine Heart Depends On Amino Acid Availability

2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Hennig ◽  
Maja K Dziegelewska ◽  
Manuela Magarin ◽  
Ludwig Thierfelder ◽  
Jörg-Detlef Drenckhahn
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Intrauterine Development ◽  
Amino Acid Availability

Intrauterine development influences the susceptibility to cardiovascular disease in adulthood, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are vastly unknown. We have recently shown that the prenatal mouse heart has an impressive regenerative capacity in response to tissue mosaicism for mitochondrial dysfunction caused by a heart specific knockout of holocytochrome c synthase (Hccs) - an X-linked gene required for mitochondrial respiration. In heterozygous Hccs knockout (Hccs+/-) embryos, hyperproliferation of healthy cardiomyocytes compensates for the functional loss of 50% of Hccs deficient cells, ensuring formation of a normally contracting heart at birth. In order to uncover molecular mechanisms enabling compensatory growth of the prenatal myocardium, we performed microarray RNA expression analyses on neonatal Hccs+/- and control hearts. These data revealed numerous genes involved in amino acid metabolism and protein homeostasis being differentially expressed in the neonatal Hccs+/- myocardium. We, therefore, hypothesized that amino acid availability is crucial for compensatory growth of Hccs+/- hearts to build a regularly sized organ and allow normal postnatal function. Thus, we studied the effects of in utero amino acid restriction on growth and development of Hccs+/- hearts by feeding dams a low protein diet (LPD) throughout pregnancy and keeping the offspring on LPD until adulthood. On standard protein diet heart weight to body weight ratio of Hccs+/- mice (n=26) born at gestational age 20.5 dpc does not differ compared to littermate controls (n=21). In contrast, Hccs+/- offspring on LPD (n=20) were found to have a significantly reduced heart weight to body weight ratio compared to control animals (n=19) at postnatal day 1. Importantly, cardiomyocyte size and proliferation were unaffected in neonatal Hccs+/- hearts on LPD, suggesting that amino acid restriction rather inhibits prenatal cardiac growth. This was in line with normal heart size and function in adult LPD Hccs+/- mice, confirming normal postnatal development. In conclusion, metabolic adaptations regulating amino acid availability might be required for growth plasticity of the fetal heart to prevent postnatal dysfunction after impaired intrauterine development.

Decreased [3H]ouabain binding sites in skeletal muscle of rats with chronic heart failure

1997 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 323-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel G. Pickar ◽  
John P. Mattson ◽  
Steve Lloyd ◽  
Timothy I. Musch
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Chronic Heart Failure ◽  
Exercise Capacity ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Ouabain Binding

Pickar, Joel G., John P. Mattson, Steve Lloyd, and Timothy I. Musch. Decreased [3H]ouabain binding sites in skeletal muscle of rats with chronic heart failure. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(1): 323–329, 1997.—Abnormalities intrinsic to skeletal muscle are thought to contribute to decrements in exercise capacity found in individuals with chronic heart failure (CHF). Na+-K+-adenosinetriphosphatase (the Na+ pump) is essential for maintaining muscle excitability and contractility. Therefore, we investigated the possibility that the number and affinity of Na+ pumps in locomotor muscles of rats with CHF are decreased. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced in 8 rats, and a sham operation was performed in 12 rats. The degree of CHF was assessed ∼180 days after surgery. Soleus and plantaris muscles were harvested, and Na+pumps were quantified by using a [3H]ouabain binding assay. At the time of muscle harvest, MI and sham-operated rats were similar in age (458 ± 54 vs. 447 ± 34 days old, respectively). Compared with their sham-operated counterparts, MI rats had a significant amount of heart failure, right ventricular-to-body weight ratio was greater (48%), and the presence of pulmonary congestion was suggested by an elevated lung-to-body weight ratio (29%). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was significantly increased in the MI rats (11 ± 1 mmHg) compared with the sham-operated controls (1 ± 1 mmHg). In addition, mean arterial blood pressure was lower in the MI rats compared with their control counterparts. [3H]ouabain binding sites were reduced 18% in soleus muscle (136 ± 12 vs. 175 ± 13 pmol/g wet wt, MI vs. sham, respectively) and 22% in plantaris muscle (119 ± 12 vs. 147 ± 8 pmol/g wet wt, MI vs. sham, respectively). The affinity of these [3H]ouabain binding sites was similar for the two groups. The relationship between the reduction in Na+ pump number and the reduced exercise capacity in individuals with CHF remains to be determined.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document