Interrelating of ventricular pressure and intracellular calcium in intact hearts

1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (3) ◽  
pp. H1509-H1522 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Baran ◽  
K. Ogino ◽  
R. Stennett ◽  
M. Schnellbacher ◽  
D. Zwas ◽  
...  

Although the mechanistic link between variations in intracellular calcium and its effects on myofilament regulatory proteins and subsequent impact on cardiac muscle force production have been known for some time, characterization of cardiac contractile properties are predominantly confined to phenomenological descriptions of the relationship between either muscle length and force or ventricular pressure and volume. However, as recognition of the limitations of these theories grow, investigators have begun to look toward more fundamental theories of cardiac contraction to explain whole heart function. The goal of the present study was first to explore, on a theoretical level, the degree of complexity required in a biochemical model necessary to adequately explain both equilibrium and twitch contraction behavior of cardiac muscle. Central to this analysis was a critical examination of the evidence for and against the importance of a calcium-free, force-generating state. Next, we determined whether such theories can actually account for the interrelationships between the experimentally measured time courses of pressure generation and the calcium transient measured from intact ventricles during both normal twitches as well as during complex contraction sequences. The results of this analysis provide strong support for a four-state model, including the calcium-free, force-generating state. These results will help guide the continuing quest for a mechanistic theory of ventricular function.

1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (3) ◽  
pp. H1516-H1526 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Vis ◽  
P. Sipkema ◽  
N. Westerhof

Pressure-flow relations were calculated for a symmetrical, maximally dilated, crystalloid-perfused coronary vascular network embedded in cardiac muscle in (static) diastole and (static) systole at two muscle lengths: slack length and 90% of maximal muscle length (Lmax). The calculations are based on the "time-varying elastance concept." That is, the calculations include the mechanical properties of the vascular wall and the (varying) mechanical properties of the myocardial tissue (in cross-fiber direction). We found that, at any given perfusion pressure, coronary flow is smaller in systole than in diastole. Relative reduction in vascular cross-sectional area, which forms the basis of flow impediment, was largest for the smallest arterioles. At a constant perfusion pressure of 62.5 mmHg, the transition from (static) diastole to (static) systole at constant muscle length ("isometric contraction") was calculated to reduce flow by 74% (from 18.9 to 5.0 ml x min(-1) x g(-1)) and by 64% (from 12.6 to 4.6 ml x min(-1) x g(-1)) for the muscle fixed at slack length and 90% of Lmax, respectively. At this perfusion pressure, contraction with 14% shortening (from 90% of Lmax in diastole to slack length in systole) was calculated to reduce flow by 61% (from 12.6 to 5.0 ml x min(-1) x g(-1)). Increasing muscle length from slack length to 90% of Lmax decreases coronary flow by 34% in diastole and by 8% in systole. We conclude that modeling cardiac contraction on the basis of the time-varying elastic properties of the myocardial tissue can explain coronary flow impediment and that contractions, with or without shortening, have a larger effect on coronary flow than changes in muscle length.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 1500-1508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna E. Bartunek ◽  
Philippe R. Housmans

Background Sevoflurane depresses myocardial contractility by decreasing transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx. In skinned muscle fibers, sevoflurane affects actin-myosin cross-bridge cycling, which might contribute to the negative inotropic effect. It is uncertain to what extent decreases in Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile proteins play a role in the negative inotropic effect of sevoflurane in intact cardiac muscle tissue. The aim of this study was to assess whether sevoflurane decreases myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity in intact living cardiac fibers and to quantify the relative importance of changes in myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity versus changes in myoplasmic Ca2+ availability by sevoflurane. Methods The effects of sevoflurane 0-4.05% vol/vol (0-1.5 minimum alveolar concentration [MAC]) on isometric and isotonic variables of contractility and on the intracellular calcium transient were assessed in isolated ferret right ventricular papillary muscles microinjected with the Ca2+-regulated photoprotein aequorin. The intracellular calcium transient was analyzed in the context of a multicompartment model of intracellular Ca2+ buffers in mammalian ventricular myocardium. Results Sevoflurane decreased contractility, time to peak force, time to half isometric relaxation, and the [Ca2+]i transient in a reversible, concentration-dependent manner. Increasing [Ca2+]o in the presence of sevoflurane to produce peak force equal to control increased intracellular Ca2+ transient higher than control. Conclusions Sevoflurane decreases myoplasmic Ca2+ availability and myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity in equal proportions except at 4.05% vol/vol (1.5 MAC), where Ca2+ availability is decreased more. These changes are at the basis of the negative inotropic effect of sevoflurane in mammalian ventricular myocardium.


2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (23) ◽  
pp. e2011659118
Author(s):  
Yongtae Hwang ◽  
Takumi Washio ◽  
Toshiaki Hisada ◽  
Hideo Higuchi ◽  
Motoshi Kaya

Changes in the molecular properties of cardiac myosin strongly affect the interactions of myosin with actin that result in cardiac contraction and relaxation. However, it remains unclear how myosin molecules work together in cardiac myofilaments and which properties of the individual myosin molecules impact force production to drive cardiac contractility. Here, we measured the force production of cardiac myofilaments using optical tweezers. The measurements revealed that stepwise force generation was associated with a higher frequency of backward steps at lower loads and higher stall forces than those of fast skeletal myofilaments. To understand these unique collective behaviors of cardiac myosin, the dynamic responses of single cardiac and fast skeletal myosin molecules, interacting with actin filaments, were evaluated under load. The cardiac myosin molecules switched among three distinct conformational positions, ranging from pre– to post–power stroke positions, in 1 mM ADP and 0 to 10 mM phosphate solution. In contrast to cardiac myosin, fast skeletal myosin stayed primarily in the post–power stroke position, suggesting that cardiac myosin executes the reverse stroke more frequently than fast skeletal myosin. To elucidate how the reverse stroke affects the force production of myofilaments and possibly heart function, a simulation model was developed that combines the results from the single-molecule and myofilament experiments. The results of this model suggest that the reversal of the cardiac myosin power stroke may be key to characterizing the force output of cardiac myosin ensembles and possibly to facilitating heart contractions.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan A Kirk ◽  
Stephen H Smith ◽  
Guy A MacGowan ◽  
Sanjeev G Shroff

Both intracellular calcium transients ([Ca] i ) and myofilament properties determine cardiac muscle contractile force. Transgenic mouse models created to perturb specific myofilament proteins often cause a compensatory change in [Ca] i , which confounds the assessment of myofilament structure-function relationships. We have created a new transgenic mouse that has all three protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation sites on cardiac troponin I (cTnI) mutated to glutamic acid, rendering these sites constitutively pseudo-phosphorylated. Our goal was to determine the effects of this mutation on cardiac muscle contractile function and whether these effects would be concurrent with changes in the [Ca] i . Two sets of studies were conducted: skinned muscle fiber experiments to characterize the steady-state force-pCa relationships at sarcomere lengths of 1.9 and 2.3 μm and right ventricular papillary muscle experiments to characterize the peak developed force (F dev )-muscle length (L) relationships and [Ca] i (fura-5F calcium dye, emission: 510 nm, excitation: 340 and 380 nm, R = [emission fluorescence 340 ]/[emission fluorescence 380 ]). In skinned fibers, there was a significant decrease in maximally activated force (i.e., force at pCa 4.33) in transgenic mice (Wild-Type, WT (n = 7): 64.4± 8.0, Transgenic, TG (n = 6): 42.6±6.8 mN•mm −2 , P = 0.004), without any changes in calcium sensitivity or cooperativity (Hill coefficient). In intact papillary muscles, TG mice showed a decrease in F dev and slowed relaxation for all muscle lengths examined (F dev @ 100% L max , WT (n = 5): 9.3±3.5, TG (n = 6): 4.2±1.6 mN•mm −2 , P = 0.005; dF/dt min @ 100% L max , WT: −136±32, TG: −74±38 mN•mm −2 •s −1 , P = 0.002). In contrast, [Ca] i was unaltered in TG mice at all muscle lengths examined ([Ca] i amplitude as quantified by R systole / R diaastole , WT: 1.62±0.07, TG: 1.48±0.22; [Ca] i relaxation rate d R /dt min , WT: −96±37, TG: −64±30 s −1 ). Thus, PKC-induced TnI phosphorylation affects cardiac muscle contraction (reduced force magnitude and slowed relaxation) via changes in the myofilament properties (activation and/or crossbridge dynamics), and these contractile effects are not related to any changes in the intracellular calcium transient.


Author(s):  
G.E. Adomian ◽  
L. Chuck ◽  
W.W. Pannley

Sonnenblick, et al, have shown that sarcomeres change length as a function of cardiac muscle length along the ascending portion of the length-tension curve. This allows the contractile force to be expressed as a direct function of sarcomere length. Below L max, muscle length is directly related to sarcomere length at lengths greater than 85% of optimum. However, beyond the apex of the tension-length curve, i.e. L max, a disparity occurs between cardiac muscle length and sarcomere length. To account for this disproportionate increase in muscle length as sarcomere length remains relatively stable, the concept of fiber slippage was suggested as a plausible explanation. These observations have subsequently been extended to the intact ventricle.


1993 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 1201-1207 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Van Blankenstein ◽  
C. J. Slager ◽  
J. C. Schuurbiers ◽  
S. Strikwerda ◽  
P. D. Verdouw

By its nature, vaporization of atherosclerotic plaques by laser irradiation or spark erosion may produce a substantial amount of gas. To evaluate the effect of gas embolism possibly caused by vaporization techniques, air bubbles with diameters of 75, 150, or 300 microns, each in a volume of 2 microliters/kg, were selectively injected subproximal in the left anterior descending coronary artery of seven anesthetized pigs (28 +/- 3 kg). Systemic hemodynamics such as heart rate, left ventricular pressure and its peak positive first derivative, and mean arterial pressure did not change after air injection, whereas there was a minor change in peak negative first derivative of left ventricular pressure. After injection of air bubbles there was a maximal relative reduction of systolic segment shortening (SS) in the myocardium supplied by the left anterior descending coronary artery of 27, 45, and 58% for 75-, 150-, and 300-microns bubbles, respectively, and a relative increase of postsystolic SS (PSS) of 148, 200, and 257% for 75-, 150-, and 300-microns bubbles, respectively. Recovery of SS and PSS started after 2 min and was completed after 10 min. A difference in SS and PSS changes between different bubble size injections could be demonstrated. From this study it is clear that depression of regional myocardial function after injection of air bubbles could pass unnoticed on the basis of global hemodynamic measurements.


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