Effects of the Ca2+ sensitizer EMD 57033 on intracellular Ca2+ in rat ventricular myocytes: relevance to arrhythmogenesis during positive inotropy

2000 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 547-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makoto KAWAI ◽  
John A. LEE ◽  
Clive H. ORCHARD

We have investigated the effects of the calcium-sensitizing inotropic agent EMD 57033 on Ca2+ handling in intact and skinned rat ventricular myocytes. Intracellular Ca2+ was monitored using fura 2. Myocytes were saponin-skinned, allowing study of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function. In intact myocytes EMD 57033 (1–10 µmol/l) produced a concentration-dependent decrease in the amplitude of the Ca2+ transient and prolonged its declining phase, but had no effect on the rise time. In skinned myocytes, the amplitude of spontaneous Ca2+ release from the SR was decreased by EMD 57033 (5 and 10 µmol/l), although this agent had no significant effect on the frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ release. In the presence of the cross-bridge inhibitor 2,3-butanedione monoxime (5 mmol/l), or in a low bathing Ca2+ concentration (1 mmol/l), EMD 57033 (10 µmol/l) had smaller effects on both the amplitude and time course of the Ca2+ transient in intact cells than in the absence of 2,3-butanedione monoxime or in the presence of 2 and 5 mmol/l Ca2+ respectively. These data suggest that the effects of EMD 57033 on Ca2+ are due to changes in Ca2+ binding to troponin C, secondary to cross-bridge formation. Thus, during positive inotropy, EMD 57033 is unlikely to provoke arrhythmias due to effects on SR Ca2+ handling. In intact cells, its effects on Ca2+ handling would be expected to protect against arrhythmias.

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Nichols ◽  
W. J. Lederer

Energy-deprivation contractures were investigated in unloaded rat ventricular myocytes. Application of 2 mM cyanide in the presence of 10 mM 2-deoxyglucose (metabolic blockade) led to a rapid shortening "contracture" (maximum speed 1.5 ± 0.2% control cell length/s). Cells shortened to a constant length of 69 ± 1.6% of the control length. Removal of cyanide caused cells to shorten further ("recontracture"), before relaxing towards the control length. Cells shortened to 57 ± 2.0% during the recontracture. Similar behaviour was observed in zero extracellular [Ca2+]. Cells permeabilized with saponin (0.1% w/v) responded to the removal of ATP from the bathing solution, and to readdition of ATP, as intact cells did to complete metabolic blockade and its removal. In these permeabilized cells, the extent and speed of contracture shortening were similar at pCa = 7 and pCa > 9. When the bath concentration of ATP ([ATP]b) was lowered to zero, shortening stopped at about 70% of the control length. However, when [ATP]b was lowered to an intermediate level (4–20 μM), cells contracted to lengths as short as 30% of the control length. Similarly, when [ATP]b was restored from zero to an intermediate concentration (4–20 μM), recontracture shortening continued without relaxation. The peak speed of this Ca2+-independent shortening showed a sigmoidal dependence on pMgATP (pMgATP0.5 = 4.0). Phosphocreatine (10 mM) shifted the ATP dependence of Ca2+-independent shortening to lower [ATP]b (pMgATP0.5 = 5.0), suggesting that gradients of [ATP] could exist between the bath and the myofilaments. Ca2+-independent shortening was inhibited by the chemical phosphatase 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM), although BDM did not relax cells from the shortened state during energy deprivation. Using a simple model, we show that the results can be explained by cross-bridge cycling occurring independently of Ca2+ over a "window" range of [MgATP] (0.1–100 μM). Therefore, when [MgATP] falls, cross-bridge cycling occurs and the cell shortens. As [MgATP] falls to very low levels ([MgATP] < 1 μM), shortening ceases as the rate of cross-bridge cycling declines. Recontracture occurs on restoring ATP production, because stiffness falls and Ca2+-independent cross-bridge cycling initially increases. As [MgATP] rises above 100 μM, Ca2+-independent cross-bridge cycling ceases and the cell relaxes towards the control length. We conclude that energy-deprivation contractures, and recontractures, can result from changes in [MgATP] and do not necessarily require changes in [Ca2+]i.Key words: rigor, contracture, heart, 2,3-butanedione monoxime, phosphocreatine, ADP.


1998 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 1532-1542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriaki Kanaya ◽  
Daniel R. Zakhary ◽  
Paul A. Murray ◽  
Derek S. Damron

Background Our objective was to elucidate the direct effects of fentanyl and morphine on cardiac excitation-contraction coupling using individual, field-stimulated rat ventricular myocytes. Methods Freshly isolated myocytes were loaded with fura-2 and field stimulated (0.3 Hz) at 28 degrees C. Amplitude and timing of intracellular Ca2+ concentration (at a 340:380 ratio) and myocyte shortening (video edge detection) were monitored simultaneously in individual cells. Real time Ca2+ uptake into isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was measured using fura-2 free acid in the extravesicular compartment. Results The authors studied 120 cells from 30 rat hearts. Fentanyl (30-1,000 nM) caused dose-dependent decreases in peak intracellular Ca2+ concentration and shortening, whereas morphine (3-100 microM) decreased shortening without a concomitant decrease in the Ca2+ transient. Fentanyl prolonged the time to peak and to 50% recovery for shortening and the Ca2+ transient, whereas morphine only prolonged the timing parameters for shortening. Morphine (100 microM), but not fentanyl (1 microM), decreased the amount of Ca2+ released from intracellular stores in response to caffeine in intact cells, and it inhibited the rate of Ca2+ uptake in isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Fentanyl and morphine both caused a downward shift in the dose-response curve to extracellular Ca2+ for shortening, with no concomitant effect on the Ca2+ transient. Conclusions Fentanyl and morphine directly depress cardiac excitation-contraction coupling at the cellular level. Fentanyl depresses myocardial contractility by decreasing the availability of intracellular Ca2+ and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. In contrast, morphine depresses myocardial contractility primarily by decreasing myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity.


1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (1) ◽  
pp. H74-H79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisaharu Kohzuki ◽  
Hiromi Misawa ◽  
Susumu Sakata ◽  
Yoshimi Ohga ◽  
Hiroyuki Suga ◽  
...  

To clarify the energy-expenditure mechanism during Ba2+ contracture of mechanically unloaded rat left ventricular (LV) slices, we measured myocardial O2 consumption (V˙o 2) of quiescent slices in Ca2+-free Tyrode solution andV˙o 2 during Ba2+ contracture by substituting Ca2+ with Ba2+. We then investigated the effects of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) on the Ba2+ contractureV˙o 2. The Ca2+-freeV˙o 2 corresponds to that of basal metabolism (2.32 ± 0.53 ml O2 ⋅ min−1 ⋅ 100 g LV−1). Ba2+ increased theV˙o 2 in a dose-dependent manner (from 0.3 to 3.0 mmol/l) from 110 to 150% of basal metabolic V˙o 2. Blockade of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ pump by CPA (10 μmol/l) did not at all decrease the Ba2+-activatedV˙o 2. BDM (5 mmol/l), which specifically inhibits cross-bridge cycling, reduced the Ba2+activatedV˙o 2 almost to basal metabolic V˙o 2. These energetic results revealed that the Ba2+-activatedV˙o 2 was used for the cross-bridge cycling but not for the Ca2+ handling by the SR Ca2+ pump.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (4) ◽  
pp. H1495-H1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory R. Ferrier ◽  
Robin H. Smith ◽  
Susan E. Howlett

In cardiac muscle, Ca2+ is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in units called Ca2+ sparks. Ca2+ spark characteristics have been studied almost entirely at room temperature. This study compares characteristics of spontaneous sparks detected with fluo 3 in resting mouse ventricular myocytes at 22 and 37°C. The incidence and frequency of Ca2+ sparks decreased dramatically at 37°C compared with 22°C. Also, spark amplitudes and times to peak were significantly reduced at 37°C. In contrast, spatial width and decay times were unchanged. During field stimulation, peak spatially averaged transients were similar at 22 and 37°C, and experiments with fura 2 demonstrated that diastolic and systolic Ca2+ concentrations were unchanged. However, SR Ca2+ content decreased significantly at 37°C. Restoration of SR Ca2+ by superfusion with 5 mM Ca2+ increased spark frequency but did not reverse the effects of temperature on spark parameters. Thus effects of temperature on spark frequency may reflect changes in SR stores, whereas changes in spark amplitude and rise time may reflect known effects of temperature on ryanodine receptor function.


1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (3) ◽  
pp. H907-H914 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Terada ◽  
H. Hayashi ◽  
N. Noda ◽  
H. Satoh ◽  
H. Katoh ◽  
...  

It has been shown that the occurrence of the transient inward current, which is responsible for triggered activity, was often associated with propagating regions of increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), i.e., the “Ca2+ wave.” To investigate the mechanism of antiarrhythmic action of Mg2+, we have studied effects of high concentrations of Mg2+ on Ca2+ waves in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. [Ca2+]i was estimated using the Ca(2+)-indicating probe indo 1. Ca2+ waves in myocytes, stimulated at 0.2 Hz, were induced by perfusion of isoproterenol (10(-7) M). High Mg2+ concentration suppressed Ca2+ waves in a concentration-dependent manner (36% at 4 mM, 70% at 8 mM, and 82% at 12 mM). The Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil also suppressed Ca2+ waves in a similar way. In contrast with marked depression of Ca2+ transients by verapamil, Ca2+ transients were not affected by high Mg2+ concentration (8 mM). High Mg2+ concentration also reduced frequencies of Ca2+ waves in the absence of electrical stimulation, whereas verapamil failed to reduce frequencies of Ca2+ waves. Reduction in frequency of Ca2+ waves by high Mg2+ concentration was associated with slowing of propagation velocity of Ca2+ waves. To examine whether suppressive effects of high Mg2+ concentration on Ca2+ waves were related to an increase in intracellular Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i), the effect of high-Mg2+ solution on [Mg2+]i was examined in myocytes loaded with mag-fura 2. An increase in extracellular Mg2+ concentration from 1 to 12 mM increased [Mg2+]i from 1.06 +/- 0.16 to 1.87 +/- 0.22 mM (P < 0.01) in 30 min. To examine the effect of high Mg2+ concentration on amount of releasable Ca2+ in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the effect of high Mg2+ concentration on the Ca2+ transient induced by a rapid application of caffeine was examined. High-Mg2+ solution increased the peak of the caffeine-induced Ca2+ transient. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of Mg2+ on Ca2+ waves was not due to inhibition of the sarcolemmal Ca2+ channel but could be due to a decreased propensity for the sarcoplasmic reticulum to divest itself of excess Ca2+.


2006 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D. Graham ◽  
Philip M. Hopkins ◽  
Simon M. Harrison

Background Halothane has been reported to sensitize Ca(2+) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), which is thought to contribute to its initial positive inotropic effect. However, little is known about whether isoflurane or sevoflurane affect the SR Ca(2+) release process, which may contribute to the inotropic profile of these anesthetics. Methods Mild Ca(2+) overload was induced in isolated rat ventricular myocytes by increase of extracellular Ca(2+) to 2 mM. The resultant Ca(2+) transients due to spontaneous Ca(2+) release from the SR were detected optically (fura-2). Cells were exposed to 0.6 mM anesthetic for a period of 4 min, and the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous Ca(2+) transients were measured. Results Halothane caused a temporary threefold increase in frequency and decreased the amplitude (to 54% of control) of spontaneous Ca(2+) transients. Removal of halothane inhibited spontaneous Ca release before it returned to control. In contrast, sevoflurane initially inhibited frequency of Ca(2+) release (to 10% of control), whereas its removal induced a burst of spontaneous Ca(2+) release. Isoflurane had no significant effect on either frequency or amplitude of spontaneous Ca(2+) release on application or removal. Sevoflurane was able to ameliorate the effects of halothane on the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous Ca(2+) release both on application and wash-off. Conclusions Application of halothane and removal of sevoflurane sensitize the SR Ca(2+) release process (and vice versa on removal). Sevoflurane reversed the effects of halothane, suggesting they may act at the same subcellular target on the SR.


2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (6) ◽  
pp. C1353-C1357 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Bagni ◽  
B. Colombini ◽  
P. Geiger ◽  
R. Berlinguer Palmini ◽  
G. Cecchi

At the end of the force transient elicited by a fast stretch applied to an activated frog muscle fiber, the force settles to a steady level exceeding the isometric level preceding the stretch. We showed previously that this excess of tension, referred to as “static tension,” is due to the elongation of some elastic sarcomere structure, outside the cross bridges. The stiffness of this structure, “static stiffness,” increased upon stimulation following a time course well distinct from tension and roughly similar to intracellular Ca2+ concentration. In the experiments reported here, we investigated the possible role of Ca2+ in static stiffness by comparing static stiffness measurements in the presence of Ca2+ release inhibitors (D600, Dantrolene, 2H2O) and cross-bridge formation inhibitors [2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM), hypertonicity]. Both series of agents inhibited tension; however, only D600, Dantrolene, and 2H2O decreased at the same time static stiffness, whereas BDM and hypertonicity left static stiffness unaltered. These results indicate that Ca2+, in addition to promoting cross-bridge formation, increases the stiffness of an (unidentified) elastic structure of the sarcomere. This stiffness increase may help in maintaining the sarcomere length uniformity under conditions of instability.


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