Biomedical subjects

M Fintel

Publications and source records attributed to M Fintel.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1985

Contribution of myocardial diffuse double-layer calcium to contractile function.

The role of diffuse double-layer calcium in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling was examined using rabbit interventricular septa, cultured neonatal rat myocardial cells, and gas-dissected sarcolemmal membranes. The diffuse double layer refers to the space directly adjacent to the sarcolemma where the ionic composition of the media is a direct function of the membrane surface potential. The divalent cation dimethonium was used as a specific probe for the diffuse double layer. According to Gouy-Chapman theory, replacement of sodium with sucrose should increase the amount of calcium located in this compartment. Dimethonium (10 mM) was found to decrease calcium uptake and contractility during low-sodium (33 mM) perfusion when the perfusate contained sucrose but not LiCl. Dimethonium did not decrease calcium uptake or contractility during control perfusion. The results suggest that calcium present in the myocardial diffuse double layer can be augmented or reduced in accordance with Gouy-Chapman theory. Changes in diffuse double-layer calcium are accompanied by small (7.8%) but significant changes in contractility.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Effects of low sodium perfusion on cardiac caffeine sensitivity and calcium uptake.

Myocardial compartmentation of calcium was investigated in the arterially perfused rabbit interventricular septum under conditions of augmented calcium uptake. Reduction of perfusate sodium concentration (100-36 mM [Na]0) produced the expected increased active force development and an increased myocardial calcium content that was inversely proportional to [Na]0. Caffeine was used to inhibit calcium uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and to stimulate SR calcium release. The diastolic tension response to caffeine was also inversely proportional to [Na]0: at [Na]0 of 139 mM, 10 mM caffeine increased diastolic tension by 20%; whereas at 36 mM [Na]0 diastolic tension increased by 205%. The increase in diastolic tension in response to caffeine was considered a reflection of increased cytosolic calcium. The increase in diastolic tension with caffeine required that reduced [Na]0 be present at the time caffeine was administered. Caffeine sensitivity (measured by an increase in diastolic tension) and active force development declined to control levels within 3 minutes after the end of a 40 minute period of low [Na]0 perfusion despite the presence of an additional 1 mmole calcium per kg dry wt in the muscle at the 3 minute mark when caffeine was added. The results indicate that low [Na]0 perfusion induces an increment in myocardial calcium content, a major fraction of which is neither related directly to contractility nor involved in the response to caffeine.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Effect of thyroxine treatment on exogenous myocardial lactate oxidation.

The effect of thyroxine treatment on myocardial lactate oxidation was examined by use of an isolated, working rat heart preparation. Thyroxine treatment, both acute and chronic, was associated with a decrease in lactate oxidation, when the heart was perfused with a physiological blend of substrates (free fatty acids, lactate, and glucose). This decrease in lactate oxidation was not caused by a generalized impairment in mitochondrial oxidation of acetyl coenzyme A (CoA), as oxygen consumption was normal and fatty acid oxidation was elevated in the treated animals. The block in lactate oxidation was localized to the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA, as indicated by the depressed oxidation of pyruvate and lactate. Thyroxine treatment was associated with a decrease in pyruvate dehydrogenase activity. The decrease in pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was reversible and was attributed to the enhanced myocardial oxidation of free fatty acids.

Animals↗