Regional variations in the "adenine/oxypurine" pool of the heart in normoxia and oxygen deficiency.

The regional distribution of energy-related metabolites was determined for the normal dog heart by using high performance liquid chromatography to analyse the levels of ATP, ADP, AMP, IMP, adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine/xanthine, uric acid and NAD in tissue samples from 7 defined areas of the myocardium and 2 of the conduction system, and calculating the overall concentration of these metabolites in each area. From 8 of the 20 hearts used, additional samples were taken and allowed to undergo autolysis in vitro at 37 degrees C for up to 2 h before being analysed in the same manner. The total concentration of the metabolites assayed ("adenine/oxypurine" pool) did differ from one area to another, most notably between ventricles (left = 6.08, right = 5.93, apex = 6.08 microM/g wet tissue weight) and atria (left wall = 4.44, left appendage = 4.12, right wall = 4.34, right appendage = 3.57 microM/g wet tissue weight), but for each area remained essentially constant during the period of autolysis studied.