Impaired ATP turnover and ADP supply depress cardiac mitochondrial respiration and elevate superoxide in nonfailing spontaneously hypertensive rat hearts

Major ginsenosides from Panax ginseng promote aerobic cellular respiration and SIRT1-mediated mitochondrial biosynthesis in cardiomyocytes and neurons

Background

Aerobic cellular respiration provides chemical energy, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to maintain multiple cellular functions. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) can deacetylate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) to promote mitochondrial biosynthesis. Targeting energy metabolism is a potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as cardiac and neurological disorders. Ginsenosides, one of the major bioactive constituents of Panax ginseng, have been extensively used due to their diverse beneficial effects on healthy subjects and patients with different diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of total ginsenosides (GS) on energy metabolism remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, oxygen consumption rate, ATP production, mitochondrial biosynthesis, glucose metabolism, and SIRT1-PGC-1α pathways in untreated and GS-treated different cells, fly, and mouse models were investigated.

Results

GS pretreatment enhanced mitochondrial respiration capacity and ATP production in aerobic respiration-dominated cardiomyocytes and neurons, and promoted tricarboxylic acid metabolism in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, GS clearly enhanced NAD⁺-dependent SIRT1 activation to increase mitochondrial biosynthesis in cardiomyocytes and neurons, which was completely abrogated by nicotinamide. Importantly, ginsenoside monomers, such as Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rh1, Rb2, and Rb3, were found to activate SIRT1 and promote energy metabolism.

Conclusion

This study may provide new insights into the extensive application of ginseng for cardiac and neurological protection in healthy subjects and patients.

Cardiac mechanical efficiency is preserved in primary cardiac hypertrophy despite impaired mechanical function

Increased heart size is a major risk factor for heart failure and premature mortality. Although abnormal heart growth subsequent to hypertension often accompanies disturbances in mechano-energetics and cardiac efficiency, it remains uncertain whether hypertrophy is their primary driver. In this study, we aimed to investigate the direct association between cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac mechano-energetics using isolated left-ventricular trabeculae from a rat model of primary cardiac hypertrophy and its control. We evaluated energy expenditure (heat output) and mechanical performance (force length work production) simultaneously at a range of preloads and afterloads in a microcalorimeter, we determined energy expenditure related to cross-bridge cycling and Ca²⁺ cycling (activation heat), and we quantified energy efficiency. Rats with cardiac hypertrophy exhibited increased cardiomyocyte length and width. Their trabeculae showed mechanical impairment, evidenced by lower force production, extent and kinetics of shortening, and work output. Lower force was associated with lower energy expenditure related to Ca²⁺ cycling and to cross-bridge cycling. However, despite these changes, both mechanical and cross-bridge energy efficiency were unchanged. Our results show that cardiac hypertrophy is associated with impaired contractile performance and with preservation of energy efficiency. These findings provide direction for future investigations targeting metabolic and Ca²⁺ disturbances underlying cardiac mechanical and energetic impairment in primary cardiac hypertrophy.

Effects of diluted bitumen exposure on Atlantic salmon smolts: Molecular and metabolic responses in relation to swimming performance

Canada's oil sands industry continues to expand and the volume of diluted bitumen (dilbit) transported across North America is increasing, adding to spill risk and environmental contamination. Dilbit exposure is known to cause adverse effects in fish, but linking molecular and cellular changes with ecologically-relevant individual performance metrics is needed to better understand the potential consequences of a dilbit spill into the aquatic environment. Therefore, this study examined the effects of dilbit exposure on subcellular responses in cardiac and skeletal muscle in relation to swimming performance in a migratory fish species at risk of exposure, Atlantic salmon. Smolts were exposed subchronically to environmentally relevant concentrations of the water-soluble fraction of dilbit (WSFd) for 24 d, and then a subset of exposed fish underwent a depuration period of 7 or 14 d, for a total of 3 experimental time points. At each time point, repeat swimming performance was assessed using sequential critical swimming speed tests (U_crit) separated by a 24 h rest period, and then several tissues were collected to determine biotransformation enzyme activation, energetic responses, and gene expression changes. U_crit was unaffected in fish exposed to 67.9 μg/L total initial polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC), but fish showed a decreased reliance on lipid metabolism for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the heart that was maintained through 7 d depuration. In contrast, U_crit increased in fish exposed to 9.65 μg/L PAC, corresponding to an increased reliance on anaerobic metabolic pathways in cardiac and red skeletal muscle, with partial recovery after 7 d depuration. As expected, at both concentrations WSFd hepatic cyp 1A-mediated biotransformation reactions increased, as measured by EROD activity, which remained elevated for 7 d but not after 14 d depuration. Transcript abundance of cyp1a was also increased in muscle tissue and recovered by 14 d depuration. The expression of other stress-related genes increased in white muscle of dilbit-exposed fish, but were largely unchanged in cardiac and red muscle. The transcriptional profile of cardiac tissue was compared to that of sockeye salmon similarly exposed to WSFd in a previous experiment, and is provided in supplemental text. Combined, these results demonstrate that dilbit exposure alters gene expression and enzyme activities related to xenobiotic exposure, cellular stress, and muscle energetics in juvenile Atlantic salmon without impairing swimming performance, and that most of these changes are recoverable within 14 d depuration.

Double-stranded RNA and Toll-like receptor activation: a novel mechanism for blood pressure regulation

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), such as TLR4 and 9, recognize pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMPs) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and are associated with increased blood pressure (BP). TLR3, residing in the endosomal compartment, is activated by viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) leading to activation of TIR receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β (TRIF) dependent pathway. Besides foreign pathogens, the immune system responds to endogenous markers of cellular damage such as mitochondrial dsRNA (mtdsRNA). New evidence has shown a link between dsRNA and increased BP. Moreover, TLR3 activation during pregnancy was demonstrated to develop preeclampsia-like symptoms in both rats and mice. Hence, we hypothesize that the dsRNA derived from viral nucleic acids or cellular damage (mtdsRNA) will increase the inflammatory state through activation of TLR3, contributing to vascular dysfunction and increased BP. Therefore, inhibition of TLR3 could be a therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension with potential improvement in vascular reactivity and consequently, a decrease in BP.

Mitochondrial function remains impaired in the hypertrophied right ventricle of pulmonary hypertensive rats following short duration metoprolol treatment

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) increases the work of the right ventricle (RV) and causes right-sided heart failure. This study examined RV mitochondrial function and ADP transfer in PH animals advancing to right heart failure, and investigated a potential therapy with the specific β1-adrenergic-blocker metoprolol. Adult Wistar rats (317 ± 4 g) were injected either with monocrotaline (MCT, 60 mg kg-1) to induce PH, or with an equivalent volume of saline for controls (CON). At three weeks post-injection the MCT rats began oral metoprolol (10 mg kg-1 day-1-) or placebo treatment until heart failure was observed in the MCT group. Mitochondrial function was then measured using high-resolution respirometry from permeabilised RV fibres. Relative to controls, MCT animals had impaired mitochondrial function but maintained coupling between myofibrillar ATPases and mitochondria, despite an increase in ADP diffusion distances. Cardiomyocytes from the RV of MCT rats were enlarged, primarily due to an increase in myofibrillar protein. The ratio of mitochondria per myofilament area was decreased in both MCT groups (p ≤ 0.05) in comparison to control (CON: 1.03 ± 0.04; MCT: 0.74 ± 0.04; MCT + BB: 0.74 ± 0.03). This not only implicates impaired energy production in PH, but also increases the diffusion distance for metabolites within the MCT cardiomyocytes, adding an additional hindrance to energy supply. Together, these changes may limit energy supply in MCT rat hearts, particularly at high cardiac workloads. Metoprolol treatment did not delay the onset of heart failure symptoms, improve mitochondrial function, or regress RV hypertrophy.

Acute crude oil exposure alters mitochondrial function and ADP affinity in cardiac muscle fibers of young adult Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus)

Mitochondrial function is critical to support aerobic metabolism through the production of ATP, and deficiencies in mitochondrial bioenergetics will directly impact the performance capacity of highly aerobic tissues such as the myocardium. Cardiac function in fish has been shown to be negatively affected by crude oil exposure, however, the mechanism for this adverse response is largely unexplored. We hypothesized that lipophilic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in crude oil disrupt the electron transport system (ETS) ultimately leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. In this study, mitochondrial respiration and ADP affinity we measured using high resolution respirometery in permeabilized cardiac muscle fibers of young adult Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) after an acute (24 h) whole animal crude oil exposure. Oil exposure reduced both complex I-fueled ADP stimulated respiration (OXPHOS_CI) and complex I,II-fueled ADP stimulated respiration (OXPHOS_{CI, CII}) by 33%,while complex II-fueled ADP stimulated respiration (OXPHOS_CII) was reduced by 25%. These changes were found without changes in enzyme activity or mitochondrial density between control and oil exposed Mahi. Additionally, mitochondrial affinity for ADP was decreased three-fold after acute exposure to crude oil. We purpose that acute crude oil exposure selectively impairs mitochondrial complexes of the electron transport system and ATP supply to the cell. This limited ATP supply could present several challenges to a predatory animal like the mahi; including a reliance on anaerobic metabolism and ultimately cell or tissue death as metabolic substrates are rapidly depleted. However, the impact of this impairment may only be evident under periods of increased aerobic metabolic demand.

Genetic variants in nuclear DNA along with environmental factors modify mitochondrial DNA copy number: a population-based exome-wide association study

Background

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number has been found associated with multiple diseases, including cancers, diabetes and so on. Both environmental and genetic factors could affect the copy number of mtDNA. However, limited study was available about the relationship between genetic variants and mtDNA copy number. What’s more, most of previous studies considered only environmental or genetic factors. Therefore, it’s necessary to explore the genetic effects on mtDNA copy number with the consideration of PM_2.5 exposure and smoking.

Results

A multi-center population-based study was performed with 301 subjects from Zhuhai, Wuhan and Tianjin. Personal 24-h PM_2.5 exposure levels, smoking and mtDNA copy number were evaluated. The Illumina Human Exome BeadChip, which contained 241,305 single nucleotide variants, was used for genotyping. The association analysis was conducted in each city and meta-analysis was adopted to combine the overall effect among three cities. Seven SNPs showed significant association with mtDNA copy number with P value less than 1.00E-04 after meta-analysis. The following joint analysis of our identified SNPs showed a significant allele-dosage association between the number of variants and mtDNA copy number (P = 5.02 × 10^− 17). Further, 11 genes were identified associated with mtDNA copy number using gene-based analysis with a P value less than 0.01.

Conclusion

This study was the first attempt to evaluate the genetic effects on mtDNA copy number with the consideration of personal PM_2.5 exposure level. Our findings could provide more evidences that genetic variants played important roles in modulating the copy number of mtDNA.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-5142-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Thermal tolerance and thermal sensitivity of heart mitochondria: Mitochondrial integrity and ROS production

Cardiac mitochondrial metabolism provides 90% of the ATP necessary for the contractile exertion of the heart muscle. Mitochondria are therefore assumed to play a pivotal role in heart failure (HF), cardiovascular disease and ageing. Heat stress increases energy metabolism and oxygen demand in tissues throughout the body and imposes a major challenge on the heart, which is suspected of being the first organ to fail during heat stress. The underlying mechanisms inducing heart failure are still unclear. To pinpoint the processes implicated in HF during heat stress, we measured mitochondrial respiration rates and hydrogen peroxide production of isolated Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) heart mitochondria at 4 temperatures: 10°C (acclimation), 15°C, 20°C and 25°C (just over critical maximum). We found that at temperature ranges causing the loss of an organism's general homeostasis (between 20°C and 25°C) and with a substrate combination close to physiological conditions, the heat-induced increase in mitochondrial oxygen consumption levels off. More importantly, at the same state, hydrogen peroxide efflux increased by almost 50%. In addition, we found that individuals with low mitochondrial respiration rates produced more hydrogen peroxide at 10°C, 15°C and 20°C. This could indicate that individuals with cardiac mitochondria having a low respiratory capacity, have a more fragile heart and will be more prone to oxidative stress and HF, and less tolerant to temperature changes and other stressors. Our results show that, at temperatures close to the thermal limit, mitochondrial capacity is compromised and ROS production rates increase. This could potentially alter the performance of the cardiac muscle and lead to heat-induced HF underlining the important role that mitochondria play in setting thermal tolerance limits.

Impaired ADP channeling to mitochondria and elevated reactive oxygen species in hypertensive hearts

Systemic hypertension initially promotes a compensatory cardiac hypertrophy, yet it progresses to heart failure (HF), and energetic deficits appear to be central to this failure. However, the transfer of energy between the mitochondria and the myofibrils is not often considered as part of the energetic equation. We compared hearts from old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar controls. SHR hearts showed a 35% depression in mitochondrial function, yet produced at least double the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in all respiration states in left ventricular (LV) homogenates. To test the connectivity between mitochondria and myofibrils, respiration was further tested in situ with LV permeabilized fibers by addition of multiple substrates and ATP, which requires hydrolysis to mediate oxidative phosphorylation. By trapping ADP using a pyruvate kinase enzyme system, we tested ADP channeling towards mitochondria, and this suppressed respiration and elevated ROS production more in the SHR fibers. The ADP-trapped state was also less relieved on creatine addition, likely reflecting the 30% depression in total CK activity in the SHR heart fibers. Confocal imaging identified a 34% longer distance between the centers of myofibril to mitochondria in the SHR hearts, which increases transverse metabolite diffusion distances (e.g., for ATP, ADP, and creatine phosphate). We propose that impaired connectivity between mitochondria and myofibrils may contribute to elevated ROS production. Impaired energy exchange could be the result of ultrastructural changes that occur with hypertrophy in this model of hypertension.

Steatotic livers are susceptible to normothermic ischemia-reperfusion injury from mitochondrial Complex-I dysfunction

AIM: To assess the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC, 10-min ischemia/10-min reperfusion) on steatotic liver mitochondrial function after normothermic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).

METHODS: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 8-wk with either control chow or high-fat/high-sucrose diet inducing > 60% mixed steatosis. Three groups (n = 10/group) for each dietary state were tested: (1) the IRI group underwent 60 min partial hepatic ischemia and 4 h reperfusion; (2) the IPC group underwent IPC prior to same standard IRI; and (3) sham underwent the same surgery without IRI or IPC. Hepatic mitochondrial function was analyzed by oxygraphs. Mitochondrial Complex-I, Complex-II enzyme activity, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and histological injury were measured.

RESULTS: Steatotic-IRI livers had a greater increase in ALT (2476 ± 166 vs 1457 ± 103 IU/L, P < 0.01) and histological injury following IRI compared to the lean liver group. Steatotic-IRI demonstrated lower Complex-I activity at baseline [78.4 ± 2.5 vs 116.4 ± 6.0 nmol/(min.mg protein), P < 0.001] and following IRI [28.0 ± 6.2 vs 104.3 ± 12.6 nmol/(min.mg protein), P < 0.001]. Steatotic-IRI also demonstrated impaired Complex-I function post-IRI compared to the lean liver IRI group. Complex-II activity was unaffected by hepatic steatosis or IRI. Lean liver mitochondrial function was unchanged following IRI. IPC normalized ALT and histological injury in steatotic livers but had no effect on overall steatotic liver mitochondrial function or individual mitochondrial complex enzyme activities.

CONCLUSION: Warm IRI impairs steatotic liver Complex-I activity and function. The protective effects of IPC in steatotic livers may not be mediated through mitochondria.

Myocardial Po2 does not limit aerobic metabolism in the postischemic heart

Reperfused hypertrophic hearts are prone to develop reflow abnormalities, which are likely to impair O2 return to the myocardium. Yet, reflow deficit may not be the only factor determining postischemic oxygenation in the hypertrophic heart. Altered O2 demand may also contribute to hypoxia. In addition, the extent to which myocardial Po2 dictates energy and functional recovery in the reperfused heart remains uncertain. In the present study, moderately hypertrophied hearts from spontaneously hypertensive rats were subjected to ischemia-reperfusion, and the recovery time courses of pH and high-energy phosphates were followed by (31)P NMR. (1)H NMR measurement of intracellular myoglobin assessed tissue O2 levels. The present study found that the exacerbation of hypoxia in the postischemic spontaneously hypertensive rat heart arises mostly from impaired microvascular supply of O2. However, postischemic myocardial Po2, at least when it exceeds ∼18% of the preischemic level, does not limit mitochondrial respiration and high-energy phosphate resynthesis. It only passively reflects changes in the O2 supply-demand balance.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in steatotic rat livers occurs because a defect in complex i makes the liver susceptible to prolonged cold ischemia

Steatotic livers are susceptible to cold ischemia, which is thought to be secondary to mitochondrial dysfunction. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been reported to improve liver function in the setting of warm ischemia/reperfusion injury, but the effect of IPC on steatotic liver mitochondrial function (MF) with cold ischemia has not been previously evaluated. We aimed to evaluate MF with various severities of hepatic steatosis after various durations of cold ischemia storage with or without IPC. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a normal diet or a high-fat/high-sucrose diet for 1, 2, or 4 weeks to induce mild (<30%), moderate (30%-60%), or severe (>60%) macrovesicular steatosis, respectively. Liver MF was tested with high-resolution respirometry after 1.5, 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 hours of cold ischemia. Rats in each group (n = 10) underwent 10 minutes of IPC or no IPC before cold ischemia. The baseline (time 0) respiration was similar for lean and severely steatotic livers despite decreased mitochondrial complex I (C-I) activity in severely steatotic livers. Hepatic steatosis was associated with increased C-I-mediated leaks and decreased respiratory control ratios (RCRs) after cold ischemia. Mildly, moderately, and severely steatotic livers showed significantly lower RCRs after 8, 1.5, and 1.5 hours of cold ischemia, respectively, in comparison with lean livers. IPC restored RCRs in mildly steatotic livers to levels comparable to those in lean livers for up to 24 hours of cold ischemia via the attenuation of C-I-mediated leaks, but it had no beneficial effect on moderately and severely steatotic livers. In conclusion, steatotic livers exhibited apparent mitochondrial dysfunction through an alteration in C-I activity, and this made them more susceptible to prolonged cold ischemia. The clinically based IPC protocol used here restored MF in cases of mild hepatic steatosis by attenuating C-I-mediated leaks after prolonged cold ischemia, but it did work not in livers with moderate or severe steatosis.

Mitochondrial calcium handling in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats: correlation with systolic blood pressure levels

The aim was to study the mitochondrial Ca(2+) handling of mitochondria isolated from normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) hearts and to establish a possible correlation with systolic blood pressure (SBP). Mitochondrial swelling after Ca(2+) addition, Ca(2+)-retention capacity (CRC) by calcium green method, and membrane potential (ΔΨm) were assessed. SBP was 124±1 (WKY) and 235±6mmHg (SHR). CRC, Ca(2+) response and ΔΨm were lower in SHR than WKY mitochondria. The conclusion is: the more depolarized state of SHR than WKY mitochondria results in an abnormal Ca(2+) handling and this event is closely associated with the SBP.

Mitochondrial injury and dysfunction in hypertension-induced cardiac damage

Hypertension remains an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Deciphering the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension is critical, as its prevalence continues increasing worldwide. Mitochondria, the primary cellular energy producers, are numerous in parenchymal cells of the heart, kidney, and brain, major target organs in hypertension. These membrane-bound organelles not only maintain cellular respiration but also modulate several functions of the cell including proliferation, apoptosis, generation of reactive oxygen species, and intracellular calcium homeostasis. Therefore, mitochondrial damage and dysfunction compromise overall cell functioning. In recent years, significant advances increased our understanding of mitochondrial morphology, bioenergetics, and homeostasis, and in turn of their role in several diseases, so that mitochondrial abnormalities and dysfunction have been identified in experimental models of hypertension. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the contribution of dysfunctional mitochondria to the pathophysiology of hypertension-induced cardiac damage, as well as available evidence of mitochondrial injury-induced damage in other organs. Finally, we discuss the capability of antihypertensive therapy to ameliorate hypertensive mitochondrial injury, and the potential position of mitochondria as therapeutic targets in patients with hypertension.

Ob/ob mouse livers show decreased oxidative phosphorylation efficiencies and anaerobic capacities after cold ischemia

Background

Hepatic steatosis is a major risk factor for graft failure in liver transplantation. Hepatic steatosis shows a greater negative influence on graft function following prolonged cold ischaemia. As the impact of steatosis on hepatocyte metabolism during extended cold ischaemia is not well-described, we compared markers of metabolic capacity and mitochondrial function in steatotic and lean livers following clinically relevant durations of cold preservation.

Methods

Livers from 10-week old leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob, n = 9) and lean C57 mice (n = 9) were preserved in ice-cold University of Wisconsin solution. Liver mitochondrial function was then assessed using high resolution respirometry after 1.5, 3, 5, 8, 12, 16 and 24 hours of storage. Metabolic marker enzymes for anaerobiosis and mitochondrial mass were also measured in conjunction with non-bicarbonate tissue pH buffering capacity.

Results

Ob/ob and lean mice livers showed severe (>60%) macrovesicular and mild (<30%) microvesicular steatosis on Oil Red O staining, respectively. Ob/ob livers had lower baseline enzymatic complex I activity but similar adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels compared to lean livers. During cold storage, the respiratory control ratio and complex I-fueled phosphorylation deteriorated approximately twice as fast in ob/ob livers compared to lean livers. Ob/ob livers also demonstrated decreased ATP production capacities at all time-points analyzed compared to lean livers. Ob/ob liver baseline lactate dehydrogenase activities and intrinsic non-bicarbonate buffering capacities were depressed by 60% and 40%, respectively compared to lean livers.

Conclusions

Steatotic livers have impaired baseline aerobic and anaerobic capacities compared to lean livers, and mitochondrial function indices decrease particularly from after 5 hours of cold preservation. These data provide a mechanistic basis for the clinical recommendation of shorter cold storage durations in steatotic donor livers.

Mitochondrial inefficiencies and anoxic ATP hydrolysis capacities in diabetic rat heart

As ~80% of diabetic patients die from heart failure, an understanding of diabetic cardiomyopathy is crucial. Mitochondria occupy 35-40% of the mammalian cardiomyocyte volume and supply 95% of the heart's ATP, and diabetic heart mitochondria show impaired structure, arrangement, and function. We predict that bioenergetic inefficiencies are present in diabetic heart mitochondria; therefore, we explored mitochondrial proton and electron handling by linking oxygen flux to steady-state ATP synthesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) within rat heart tissues. Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg) to induce type 1 diabetes or an equivalent volume of saline (control, n = 12) and fed standard rat chow for 8 wk. By coupling high-resolution respirometers with purpose-built fluorometers, we followed Magnesium Green (ATP synthesis), Amplex UltraRed (ROS production), and safranin-O (ΔΨ). Relative to control rats, the mass-specific respiration of STZ-diabetic hearts was depressed in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) states. Steady-state ATP synthesis capacity was almost one-third lower in STZ-diabetic heart, which, relative to oxygen flux, equates to an estimated 12% depression in OXPHOS efficiency. However, with anoxic transition, STZ-diabetic and control heart tissues showed similar ATP hydrolysis capacities through reversal of the F1F0-ATP synthase. STZ-diabetic cardiac mitochondria also produced more net ROS relative to oxygen flux (ROS/O) in OXPHOS. While ΔΨ did not differ between groups, the time to develop ΔΨ with the onset of OXPHOS was protracted in STZ-diabetic mitochondria. ROS/O is higher in lifelike OXPHOS states, and potential delays in the time to develop ΔΨ may delay ATP synthesis with interbeat fluctuations in ADP concentrations. Whereas diabetic cardiac mitochondria produce less ATP in normoxia, they consume as much ATP in anoxic infarct-like states.

Temperature and sex dependent effects on cardiac mitochondrial metabolism in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

To test the hypothesis that impaired mitochondrial respiration limits cardiac performance at warm temperatures, and examine if any effect(s) are sex-related, the consequences of high temperature on cardiac mitochondrial oxidative function were examined in 10°C acclimated, sexually immature, male and female Atlantic cod. Active (State 3) and uncoupled (States 2 and 4) respiration were measured in isolated ventricular mitochondria at 10, 16, 20, and 24°C using saturating concentrations of malate and pyruvate, but at a submaximal (physiological) level of ADP (200µM). In addition, citrate synthase (CS) activity was measured at these temperatures, and mitochondrial respiration and the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation (P:O ratio) were determined at [ADP] ranging from 25-200µM at 10 and 20°C. Cardiac morphometrics and mitochondrial respiration at 10°C, and the thermal sensitivity of CS activity (Q10=1.51), were all similar between the sexes. State 3 respiration at 200µM ADP increased gradually in mitochondria from females between 10 and 24°C (Q10=1.48), but plateaued in males above 16°C, and this resulted in lower values in males vs. females at 20 and 24°C. At 10°C, State 4 was ~10% of State 3 values in both sexes [i.e. a respiratory control ratio (RCR) of ~10] and P:O ratios were approximately 1.5. Between 20 and 24°C, State 4 increased more than State 3 (by ~70 vs. 14%, respectively), and this decreased RCR to ~7.5. The P:O ratio was not affected by temperature at 200μM ADP. However, (1) the sensitivity of State 3 respiration to increasing [ADP] (from 25 to 200μM) was reduced at 20 vs. 10°C in both sexes (Km values 105±7 vs. 68±10μM, respectively); and (2) mitochondria from females had lower P:O values at 25 vs. 100μM ADP at 20°C, whereas males showed a similar effect at 10°C but a much more pronounced effect at 20°C (P:O 1.05 at 25μM ADP vs. 1.78 at 100μMADP). In summary, our results demonstrate several sex-related differences in ventricular mitochondrial function in Atlantic cod, and suggest that myocardial oxidative function and possibly phosphorylation efficiency may be limited at temperatures of 20°C or above, particularly in males. These observations could partially explain why cardiac function in Atlantic cod plateaus just below this species׳ critical thermal maximum (~22°C) and may contribute to yet unidentified sex differences in thermal tolerance and swimming performance.

Do mitochondria limit hot fish hearts? Understanding the role of mitochondrial function with heat stress in Notolabrus celidotus

Hearts are the first organs to fail in animals exposed to heat stress. Predictions of climate change mediated increases in ocean temperatures suggest that the ectothermic heart may place tight constraints on the diversity and distribution of marine species with cardiovascular systems. For many such species, their upper temperature limits (Tmax) and respective heart failure (HF) temperature (T(HF)) are only a few degrees from current environmental temperatures. While the ectothermic cardiovascular system acts as an "ecological thermometer," the exact mechanism that mediates HF remains unresolved. We propose that heat-stressed cardiac mitochondria drive HF. Using a common New Zealand fish, Notolabrus celidotus, we determined the THF (27.5°C). Haemoglobin oxygen saturation appeared to be unaltered in the blood surrounding and within heat stressed hearts. Using high resolution respirometry coupled to fluorimeters, we explored temperature-mediated changes in respiration, ROS and ATP production, and overlaid these changes with T(HF). Even at saturating oxygen levels several mitochondrial components were compromised before T(HF). Importantly, the capacity to efficiently produce ATP in the heart is limited at 25°C, and this is prior to the acute T(HF) for N. celidotus. Membrane leakiness increased significantly at 25°C, as did cytochrome c release and permeability to NADH. Maximal flux rates and the capacity for the electron transport system to uncouple were also altered at 25°C. These data indicate that mitochondrial membrane integrity is lost, depressing ATP synthesis capacity and promoting cytochrome c release, prior to T(HF). Mitochondria can mediate HF in heat stressed hearts in fish and play a significant role in thermal stress tolerance, and perhaps limit species distributions by contributing to HF.

Effect of acute exercise on cardiovascular hemodynamic and red blood cell concentrations of purine nucleotides in hypertensive compared with normotensives rats

OBJECTIVE

The mechanisms of exercise-induced health benefits are complex and not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of exercise and hypertension on cardiovascular hemodynamic responses and red blood cell (RBC) concentrations of purine nucleotides using normotensive and hypertensive rat models in vivo.

METHODS

Sprague Dawley rats (SDRs) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were exercised on a treadmill for 15 min at a speed of 10 m/min and 5% grade. Blood samples were obtained from each rat before, during, and after exercise for measurement of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) concentrations in RBCs by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography assay. They were returned to a restrainer after exercise, and hemodynamic recording collected continuously up to 6 h. Two separate groups (SDRs and SHRs) without exercise were used as controls. Biomarker data were compared between SDRs and SHRs using analysis of variance and t test and difference considered significant at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The study has demonstrated for the first time a difference in the postexercise effect between SDRs and SHRs. The 15 min of exercise significantly increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) (129 ± 16 to 162 ± 26 mmHg) and heart rate (HR) (416 ± 29 to 491 ± 26 bpm) in SDRs (p < 0.05), but not in SHRs. The postexercise hemodynamic effects were more profound in SHRs. SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) also fell significantly in the control group of SHRs (SBP 184 ± 14 to 152 ± 29 mmHg and DBP 149 ± 9 to 120 ± 14 mmHg, p < 0.05 for both) towards the end of the experiment but not in the SDR group. The RBC concentrations of ATP and GTP increased after exercise in both SDRs and SHRs which were significantly correlated with the postexercise hemodynamic effect (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

SHRs were more tolerant to increases in HR and SBP induced by exercise, and have more profound postexercise hemodynamic effects than SDRs. The hemodynamic effects were linked closely with RBC concentrations of ATP and GTP in both SDRs and SHRs.

Low-O₂ acclimation shifts the hypoxia avoidance behaviour of snapper (Pagrus auratus) with only subtle changes in aerobic and anaerobic function

It was hypothesised that chronic hypoxia acclimation (preconditioning) would alter the behavioural low-O(2) avoidance strategy of fish as a result of both aerobic and anaerobic physiological adaptations. Avoidance and physiological responses of juvenile snapper (Pagrus auratus) were therefore investigated following a 6 week period of moderate hypoxia exposure (10.2-12.1 kPa P(O(2)), 21 ± 1 °C) and compared with those of normoxic controls (P(O(2))=20-21 kPa, 21 ± 1 °C). The critical oxygen pressure (P(crit)) limit of both groups was unchanged at ~7 kPa, as were standard, routine and maximum metabolic rates. However, hypoxia-acclimated fish showed increased tolerances to hypoxia in behavioural choice chambers by avoiding lower P(O(2)) levels (3.3 ± 0.7 vs 5.3 ± 1.1 kPa) without displaying greater perturbations of lactate or glucose. This behavioural change was associated with unexpected physiological adjustments. For example, a decrease in blood O(2) carrying capacity was observed after hypoxia acclimation. Also unexpected was an increase in whole-blood P(50) following acclimation to low O(2), perhaps facilitating Hb-O(2) off-loading to tissues. In addition, cardiac mitochondria measured in situ using permeabilised fibres showed improved O(2) uptake efficiencies. The proportion of the anaerobic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase, at least relative to the aerobic marker enzyme citrate synthase, also increased in heart and skeletal red muscle, indicating enhanced anaerobic potential, or in situ lactate metabolism, in these tissues. Overall, these data suggest that a prioritization of O(2) delivery and O(2) utilisation over O(2) uptake during long-term hypoxia may convey a significant survival benefit to snapper in terms of behavioural low-O(2) tolerance.

Birds and longevity: does flight driven aerobicity provide an oxidative sink?

Birds generally age slower and live longer than similar sized mammals. For birds this occurs despite elevated blood glucose levels that for mammals would in part define them as diabetic. However these data were acquired in respiration states that have little resemblance to conditions in healthy tissues and mitochondrial RS production is probably minimal in healthy animals. Indeed mitochondria probably act as net consumers rather than producers of RS. Here we propose that (1) if mitochondria are antioxidant systems, the greater mitochondrial mass in athletic species, such as birds, is advantageous as it should provide a substantial sink for RS. (2) The intense drive for aerobic performance and decreased body density to facilitate flight may explain the relative insensitivity of birds to insulin, as well as depressed insulin levels and apparent sensitization to glucagon. Glucagon also associates with the sirtuin protein family, most of which are associated with caloric restriction regulated pathways, mitochondrial biogenesis and life span extension. (3) We note that telomeres, which appear to be unusually long in birds, bind Sirtuins 2 and 4 and therefore may stabilize and protect nuclear DNA. Ultimately these flight driven responses may suppress somatic growth and protect DNA from oxidative damage that would otherwise lead to ageing and non-viral cancers.

Differences in left ventricular cardiomyocyte loss induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia between spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats

RATIONALE

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) is thought to induce several cardiovascular effects in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, the effects of CIH on patients with long-standing hypertension are unknown.

PURPOSE

This prospective study aimed to investigate the influence of combined OSA and hypertension on cardiomyocyte death.

METHODS

Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were exposed to repetitive hypoxia-reoxygenation cycles (30 s of 5% O(2); 45 s of 21% O(2)) or room air for 6 h/day during the light phase (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) for 10, 20, or 30 days, and the levels of necrosis and apoptosis induced in their left ventricular cardiomyocyte were examined.

RESULTS

CIH increased the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which induced cardiomyocyte necrosis in WKY and SHR (both p < 0.05). Cardiomyocyte oxidative stress levels by CIH were higher in SHR than in WKY (p < 0.05); therefore, cardiomyocyte necrosis was amplified (p < 0.05). Notably, if a superoxide-scavenging agent is injected beforehand, cardiomyocyte necrosis can be effectively inhibited (p < 0.05). When WKY and SHR are exposed to CIH, increases in mitochondria-released cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3 are found in the cytosolic fraction only in WKY.

CONCLUSIONS

CIH causes cardiomyocyte loss in SHR mainly through cardiomyocyte necrosis. In WKY however, CIH simultaneously induces apoptosis and necrosis of cardiomyocytes.

Transmural differences in respiratory capacity across the rat left ventricle in health, aging, and streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus: evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction begins in the subepicardium

In diabetic cardiomyopathy, ventricular dysfunction occurs in the absence of hypertension or atherosclerosis and is accompanied by altered myocardial substrate utilization and depressed mitochondrial respiration. It is not known if mitochondrial function differs across the left ventricular (LV) wall in diabetes. In the healthy heart, the inner subendocardial region demonstrates higher rates of blood flow, oxygen consumption, and ATP turnover compared with the outer subepicardial region, but published transmural respirometric measurements have not demonstrated differences. We aim to measure mitochondrial function in Wistar rat LV to determine the effects of age, streptozotocin-diabetes, and LV layer. High-resolution respirometry measured indexes of respiration in saponin-skinned fibers dissected from the LV subendocardium and subepicardium of 3-mo-old rats after 1 mo of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and 4-mo-old rats following 2 mo of diabetes. Heart rate and heartbeat duration were measured under isoflurane-anesthesia using a fetal-Doppler, and transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe ultrastructural differences. Heart rate decreased with age and diabetes, whereas heartbeat duration increased with diabetes. While there were no transmural respirational differences in young healthy rat hearts, both myocardial layers showed a respiratory depression with age (30-40%). In 1-mo diabetic rat hearts only subepicardial respiration was depressed, whereas after 2 mo diabetes, respiration in subendocardial and subepicardial layers was depressed and showed elevated leak (state 2) respiration. These data provide evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction is first detectable in the subepicardium of diabetic rat LV, whereas there are measureable changes in LV mitochondria after only 4 mo of aging.