[Analysis of elemental composition (Na/K/Ca) of muscle cells in ischemia in a model of the perfused heart].

It has been hypothesized that cardiac ischaemia induces some changes in the cardiac myocyte element. In the present study we analysed whether the imbalance of potassium, sodium and calcium in cardiomyocyte may be coupled with ischaemic conditions, using a perfused heard as a model. Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) of papillary muscle cryosection was employed to examine the intracellular content of elements. Following a 30 min acute ischaemia the intracellular potassium was not changed and sodium was reduced. During a prolonged ischaemia (45 min) [K] loss was shown and [Na] concentration was seen reestablished. These results demonstrate that the active transport of potassium and sodium is possible at the beginning of ischaemia. This suggests that under abaerobic conditions Na-K-ATPase may be functionally coupled with an ATP-sensitive K channel through intracellular messenger, possibly ATP.