scholarly journals Computer Insight into the Molecular Level of Heart Failure. What is the Role of NCX?

10.14311/917 ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fischer ◽  
M. Mlček ◽  
S. Konvičková ◽  
O. Kittnar
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Congestive Heart Failure ◽  
Diastolic Function ◽  
Computer Simulations ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Calcium Handling ◽  
Virtual Cell ◽  
Intracellular Calcium Regulation ◽  
Insight Into

Though congestive heart failure is a leading cause of death in our population, the pathophysiological mechanisms at molecular level remain to be elucidated. This paper discusses the contribution of NCX to the pathological pattern of intracellular calcium regulation and contraction on the basis of computer simulations of a virtual cell. The model comprises calcium handling mechanisms, troponin control and acto-myosin interactions. The contribution of NCX was studied by changing its activity and turning it off for some simulations.It was found that NCX helps to support diastolic function by reducing the Ca2 level during the diastole. At the same time there is a reduction in peak Cai and hence contraction. However, increased NCX activity does not seem to improve calcium handling and contraction crucially, as has been suggested by some authors.

scholarly journals Mechanisms Underlying Development of Taurine-Deficient Cardiomyopathy

Hearts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-98
Author(s):  
Stephen Schaffer ◽  
Takashi Ito ◽  
Junichi Azuma ◽  
Chian Jong ◽  
Jay Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Congestive Heart Failure ◽  
Respiratory Chain ◽  
Complex I ◽  
Myocardial Function ◽  
Calcium Handling ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Atp Generation ◽  
Taurine Conjugate

Taurine is a ubiquitous β-amino acid that plays an essential role in ensuring normal mitochondrial and myocardial function. In the mitochondria, taurine reacts with a tRNA forming a 5-taurinomethyluridine conjugate that primarily regulates the biosynthesis of the mitochondria encoded protein, ND6, which serves as a subunit of complex I of the respiratory chain. Impaired formation of the taurine conjugate reduces activity of complex I and plays a central role in the pathophysiology of the mitochondrial disease MELAS (myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes). The restoration of mitochondrial levels of the taurine conjugate enhances electron flux through the respiratory chain, thereby preventing at least some of the symptoms of MELAS. Taurine therapy also diminishes the severity of congestive heart failure, an observation that led to its approval for the treatment of congestive heart failure in Japan. The review article discusses the role of defective calcium handling, reduced ATP generation, enhanced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the development of taurine-deficient cardiomyopathy. Some patients suffering from congestive heart failure are taurine-deficient, an observation supporting the hypothesis that low taurine levels contribute to the severity of heart failure. Thus, mishandling of taurine leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, which is involved in the development of both MELAS and congestive heart failure.

Congestive Heart Failure and the Role of Laparoscopy in General Surgery

2014 ◽  
Vol 186 (2) ◽  
pp. 496
Author(s):  
P.J. Speicher ◽  
A.M. Ganapathi ◽  
B.R. Englum ◽  
S.N. Vaslef
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Congestive Heart Failure ◽  
General Surgery

Refractory oedema in congestive heart failure: a contributory role of loop diuretics?

1995 ◽  
Vol 237 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. HALLER ◽  
P. SALBACH ◽  
H. KATUS ◽  
W. KÜBLER
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Congestive Heart Failure ◽  
Loop Diuretics
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document