Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ transport and long chain acylcarnitines in hyperthyroidism.

Male Wistar rats were treated with L-3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) (500 micrograms.kg.-1.day-1) for 3 days. Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was isolated at several time points during the induction of the hyperthyroid state and calcium transport and the levels of carnitine derivatives were determined. Calcium transport was augmented at all free calcium concentrations assayed (0.1-5.3 microM) 24 h following a single dose of T3; at 48 and 72 h, calcium transport was further augmented. Calcium-dependent phosphoprotein levels were increased in the SR of the 48- and 72-h T3-treated groups. Total SR carnitine was reduced after 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment. Long chain acylcarnitine (LCAC) levels were decreased in T3-treated SR at 48 and 72 h. This study shows that calcium transport is increased in T3-treated rat heart SR and that this increase may be related to a reduction in the endogenous level of LCAC in the SR membrane.