Excitation-contraction coupling in hypothermic ischemic myocardium.

The excitation-contraction coupling system of the global ischemic hypothermic myocardium was studied by evaluating the functional integrity of the isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and myofibrils and determining glycogen decay 30 and 60 min after the onset of surgically induced global ischemia. Calcium uptake by the SR from both the 30- and 60-min groups was depressed (control 0.940 +/- 0.05, 30 min 0.430 +/- 0.033, 60 min 0.535 +/- 0.033 mumol Ca2+ . mg-1 . min-1; P less than 0.001). In contrast SR Ca2+-ATPase activity was not different in the three groups (control 1.150 +/- 0.080, 30 min 1.468 +/- 0.025, 60 min 1.338 +/- 0.199 mumol Pi . mg-1 . min-1; P greater than 0.2). Glycogen decay in the hypothermic group was depressed compared to control (control 7.52 +/- 2.01, 30 min 6.152 +/- 1.16, 60 min 5.814 +/- 1.76 mumol glycogen/mg myocardium; P less than 0.05). Myofibrillar pCa-ATPase curves in both hypothermic ischemic groups were depressed (maximal ATPase activity; control 0.160 +/- 0.028, 30 min 0.1130 +/- 0.01, 60 min 0.127 +/- 0.008 mumol Pi . mg-1 . min-1; P less than 0.01). Kinetic analysis of the myofibrillar pCa-ATPase data, utilizing double-reciprocal plots, demonstrated an increase in Km for the hypothermic ischemic groups. It is concluded that the excitation-contraction coupling system of the hypothermic ischemic myocardium at 1 h is characterized by a defect in the calcium transport system of the sarcoplasmic reticulum with preservation of the Ca2+-ATPase, a depression of the myofibrillar ATPase activity, a decrease in affinity, and the preservation of adequate glycogen stores. It is hypothesized that these defects may explain an observed depression in myocardial function following reperfusion.