In vivo myocardial bioenergetics during acute volume and/or pressure loading in a canine model: a 31P NMR study.

The effects of acute volume and/or pressure loading on myocardial metabolic and mechanical function were studied in 13 dogs. Volume loads were applied by shunting the abdominal aorta to the vena cava using polyethylene tubing (5 mm inner diameter). A plastic regulator allowed shunts to be opened or closed. Dogs were heparinized (100 units/kg) to prevent shunts from clotting. To study the effects of pressure loading, a norepinephrine infusion (1 microgram/kg/min) was administered. Mechanical function of the heart was evaluated using heart rate X systolic blood pressure (HR X SBP), cardiac output (CO), pressure X volume work (systolic blood pressure X stroke volume); (P X V), and oxygen consumption (MVO2) to estimate external myocardial work. Metabolic function was evaluated by 31P NMR. Phosphocreatine/adenosine triphosphate (PCr/ATP) ratios were used to estimate the bioenergetic regulation of oxidative phosphorylation during increased work load. HR X SBP, CO, P X V, and MVO2 were correlated with PCr/ATP. Although there was some variability, generally volume loading was associated with an increase in HR X SBP, CO, P X V, and MVO2 accompanied by no change, or small increases or small decreases in PCr/ATP throughout the loading period. These data indicate that the heart bioenergetics are quite stable during volume and/or pressure loading and that 31P spectroscopy methods can document this stability and tight metabolic regulation during in vivo loading conditions.

Acute volume loading studied in cat myocardium with 31P nuclear magnetic resonance.

To study the effects of acute volume loading on myocardial metabolic and mechanical function, seven cats were volume loaded via anastomosis of the abdominal aorta to the vena cava (AV shunt). Metabolic effects were evaluated with 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Mechanical function was evaluated with heart rate X systolic blood pressure product (HR X SBP). Shunts were opened for 1-2 h during which time phosphocreatine (PCr), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), inorganic phosphate (Pi), and HR X SBP were monitored. High-energy phosphate energetics as determined by Pi/PCr and PCr/ATP ratios were correlated with HR X SBP. Opening of the AV shunts was associated with an increase (four cats) or a decrease (three cats) in HR X SBP. Pi/PCr ratios increased and PCr/ATP ratios decreased in cats with an increase in HR X SBP. In cats with a decrease in HR X SBP, Pi/PCr and PCr/ATP generally did not change significantly. In summary, acute volume loading could be associated with an increase or decrease in myocardial external work as evaluated by HR X SBP, accompanied by metabolic changes suggestive of appropriate induction of state 3 metabolism (active metabolic state: ADP + Pi----ATP) in those cats with increased mechanical work, and minimal change in bioenergetics in cats with no or minimal increase in mechanical work. These induced metabolic responses to myocardial mechanical loading can be evaluated with 31P NMR techniques and may provide insight into in vivo metabolic control mechanisms.