Changes in contraction, cytosolic Ca2+ and pH during metabolic inhibition and upon restoration of mitochondrial respiration in rat ventricular myocytes

Exposure of cardiac muscle to metabolic poisons reduces the availability of cellular ATP and cardiac dysfunction ensues. In this study rat ventricular myocytes were exposed to 2-deoxyglucose, iodoacetate and cyanide to induce complete metabolic blockade. Changes in contraction, cytosolic Ca2+ and pH were determined during metabolic blockade and following restoration of mitochondrial ATP production. Metabolic blockade resulted in a rapid failure of contractions and Ca2+ transients, a rise of diastolic Ca2+ a cytosolic acidosis and ultimately a rigor contracture. Washing out cyanide during the development of the rigor contracture led to a rapid relaxation of the contracture, a fall in cytosolic Ca2+ and a rapid, partial reversal of the cytosolic acidosis. The partial reversal of the cytosolic acidosis and fall of cytosolic Ca2+ were abolished in the presence of oligomycin. This suggests that the rapid partial recovery of cytosolic acidosis could result from the rephosphorylation of ADP to ATP by the mitochondrial F-1,F-0-ATPase (a reaction that consumes protons).