1
|
Vornanen M, Badr A, Haverinen J. Cardiac arrhythmias in fish induced by natural and anthropogenic changes in environmental conditions. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb247446. [PMID: 39119881 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.247446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
A regular heartbeat is essential for maintaining the homeostasis of the vertebrate body. However, environmental pollutants, oxygen deficiency and extreme temperatures can impair heart function in fish. In this Review, we provide an integrative view of the molecular origins of cardiac arrhythmias and their functional consequences, from the level of ion channels to cardiac electrical activity in living fish. First, we describe the current knowledge of the cardiac excitation-contraction coupling of fish, as the electrical activity of the heart and intracellular Ca2+ regulation act as a platform for cardiac arrhythmias. Then, we compile findings on cardiac arrhythmias in fish. Although fish can experience several types of cardiac arrhythmia under stressful conditions, the most typical arrhythmia in fish - both under heat stress and in the presence of toxic substances - is atrioventricular block, which is the inability of the action potential to progress from the atrium to the ventricle. Early and delayed afterdepolarizations are less common in fish hearts than in the hearts of endotherms, perhaps owing to the excitation-contraction coupling properties of the fish heart. In fish hearts, Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a smaller role than Ca2+ influx through the sarcolemma. Environmental changes and ion channel toxins can induce arrhythmias in fish and weaken their tolerance to environmental stresses. Although different from endotherm hearts in many respects, fish hearts can serve as a translational model for studying human cardiac arrhythmias, especially for human neonates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matti Vornanen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland
| | - Ahmed Badr
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, 82524 Sohag, Egypt
| | - Jaakko Haverinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Welzel G, Schuster S. Electric catfish hearts are not intrinsically immune to electric shocks. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:276258. [PMID: 35946177 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
High voltage electric shocks cause life threatening cardiac injuries such as sudden cardiac standstill or severe myocardial injury. Here, we analysed the physiology of the heart of the strongly electric catfish (Malapterurus beninensis) that stuns prey with high-voltage shocks but is immune to its own, as well as external, high-voltage shocks. Neither a detailed analysis of the electrocardiogram nor the structure of the heart indicated a specialized cardiac conduction system. Using a suitable perfusion system, we discovered that, despite its immunity in vivo, the explanted heart of electric catfish can readily be activated by external electrical currents and is equally sensitive to electric shock-induced arrhythmias as similar-sized goldfish hearts. The surprise thus is that the electric catfish has a vulnerable heart that requires to be protected by highly efficient but presently unknown means.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georg Welzel
- Department of Animal Physiology, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Stefan Schuster
- Department of Animal Physiology, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Leeuwis RHJ, Zanuzzo FS, Peroni EFC, Gamperl AK. Research on sablefish ( Anoplopoma fimbria) suggests that limited capacity to increase heart function leaves hypoxic fish susceptible to heat waves. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20202340. [PMID: 33715435 PMCID: PMC7944113 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies of heart function and metabolism have been used to predict the impact of global warming on fish survival and distribution, and their susceptibility to acute and chronic temperature increases. Yet, despite the fact that hypoxia and high temperatures often co-occur, only one study has examined the effects of hypoxia on fish thermal tolerance, and the consequences of hypoxia for fish cardiac responses to acute warming have not been investigated. We report that sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) did not increase heart rate or cardiac output when warmed while hypoxic, and that this response was associated with reductions in maximum O2 consumption and thermal tolerance (CTmax) of 66% and approximately 3°C, respectively. Further, acclimation to hypoxia for four to six months did not substantially alter the sablefish's temperature-dependent physiological responses or improve its CTmax. These results provide novel, and compelling, evidence that hypoxia can impair the cardiac and metabolic response to increased temperatures in fish, and suggest that some coastal species may be more vulnerable to climate change-related heat waves than previously thought. Further, they support research showing that cross-tolerance and physiological plasticity in fish following hypoxia acclimation are limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robine H. J. Leeuwis
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, NL, Canada A1C 5S7
| | - Fábio S. Zanuzzo
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, NL, Canada A1C 5S7
| | - Ellen F. C. Peroni
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, NL, Canada A1C 5S7
| | - A. Kurt Gamperl
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, NL, Canada A1C 5S7
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Stecyk JAW, Couturier CS, Abramochkin DV, Hall D, Arrant-Howell A, Kubly KL, Lockmann S, Logue K, Trueblood L, Swalling C, Pinard J, Vogt A. Cardiophysiological responses of the air-breathing Alaska blackfish to cold acclimation and chronic hypoxic submergence at 5°C. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb225730. [PMID: 33020178 PMCID: PMC7687868 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.225730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The Alaska blackfish (Dallia pectoralis) remains active at cold temperatures when experiencing aquatic hypoxia without air access. To discern the cardiophysiological adjustments that permit this behaviour, we quantified the effect of acclimation from 15°C to 5°C in normoxia (15N and 5N fish), as well as chronic hypoxic submergence (6-8 weeks; ∼6.3-8.4 kPa; no air access) at 5°C (5H fish), on in vivo and spontaneous heart rate (fH), electrocardiogram, ventricular action potential (AP) shape and duration (APD), the background inward rectifier (IK1) and rapid delayed rectifier (IKr) K+ currents and ventricular gene expression of proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling. In vivo fH was ∼50% slower in 5N than in 15N fish, but 5H fish did not display hypoxic bradycardia. Atypically, cold acclimation in normoxia did not induce shortening of APD or alter resting membrane potential. Rather, QT interval and APD were ∼2.6-fold longer in 5N than in 15N fish because outward IK1 and IKr were not upregulated in 5N fish. By contrast, chronic hypoxic submergence elicited a shortening of QT interval and APD, driven by an upregulation of IKr The altered electrophysiology of 5H fish was accompanied by increased gene expression of kcnh6 (3.5-fold; Kv11.2 of IKr), kcnj12 (7.4-fold; Kir2.2 of IK1) and kcnj14 (2.9-fold; Kir2.4 of IK1). 5H fish also exhibited a unique gene expression pattern that suggests modification of ventricular Ca2+ cycling. Overall, the findings reveal that Alaska blackfish exposed to chronic hypoxic submergence prioritize the continuation of cardiac performance to support an active lifestyle over reducing cardiac ATP demand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A W Stecyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Christine S Couturier
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Denis V Abramochkin
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskiye Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Ural Federal University, 19 Mira Street, 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russia
- Laboratory of Cardiac Physiology, Institute of Physiology of Kоmi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, FRC Komi SC UB RAS, 50 Pervomayskaya Str., 167982 Syktyvkar, Komi Republic, Russia
| | - Diarmid Hall
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Asia Arrant-Howell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Kerry L Kubly
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Shyanne Lockmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Kyle Logue
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Lenett Trueblood
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Connor Swalling
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Jessica Pinard
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Angela Vogt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mu Y, Li W, Wei Z, He L, Zhang W, Chen X. Transcriptome analysis reveals molecular strategies in gills and heart of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) under hypoxia stress. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 104:304-313. [PMID: 32544557 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The gills and heart are two major targets of hypoxia in fish. However, the molecular responses in fish gills and heart to hypoxia challenge remain unclear. Here, RNA-Seq technology was used to study the gene expression profiles in gills and heart of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) at 6, 24, and 48 h after hypoxia stress. A total of 1,546 and 2,746 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in gills and heart, respectively. Expression changes of nine genes in each tissue were further validated by the qPCR. Based on KEGG and Gene ontology enrichments, we found that various innate immunity-related genes, such as complement components (C1qs, C2, C3, C6, and C7), chemokines (CCL3, CCL17, CCL19, CCL25, and CXCL8_L3), chemokine receptors (CCR9, CXCR1, and CXCR3), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), were significantly down-regulated in gills and/or heart, suggesting that innate immune processes mediated by these genes may be inhibited by hypoxia. The genes involved in both glycolysis pathway (LDHA) and tricarboxylic acid cycle (IDH2 and OGDH) were up-regulated in gills and heart of hypoxic large yellow croakers, possibly because gill and heart tissues need enough energy to accelerate gas exchange and blood circulation. Hypoxia also affected the ion transport in gills of large yellow croaker, through down-regulating the expression levels of numerous classical ion transporters, including HVCN1, SLC20A2, SLC4A4, RHBG, RHCG, and SCN4A, suggesting an energy conservation strategy to hypoxia stress. All these results indicate that the immune processes, glycolytic pathways, and ion transport were significantly altered in gills and/or heart of large yellow croaker under hypoxia, possibly contributing to maintain cellular energy balance during hypoxia. Our data, therefore, afford new information to understand the tissue-specific molecular responses of bony fish to hypoxia stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinnan Mu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, PR China
| | - Wanru Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, PR China
| | - Zuyun Wei
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, PR China
| | - Lianghua He
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, PR China
| | - Weini Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, PR China
| | - Xinhua Chen
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, PR China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519000, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Monteiro DA, Taylor EW, McKenzie DJ, Rantin FT, Kalinin AL. Interactive effects of mercury exposure and hypoxia on ECG patterns in two Neotropical freshwater fish species: Matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus and traíra, Hoplias malabaricus. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2020; 29:375-388. [PMID: 32166694 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-020-02186-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia and mercury contamination often co-occur in tropical freshwater ecosystems, but the interactive effects of these two stressors on fish populations are poorly known. The effects of mercury (Hg) on recorded changes in the detailed form of the electrocardiogram (ECG) during exposure to progressive hypoxia were investigated in two Neotropical freshwater fish species, matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus and traíra, Hoplias malabaricus. Matrinxã were exposed to a sublethal concentration of 0.1 mg L-1 of HgCl2 in water for 96 h. Traíra were exposed to dietary doses of Hg by being fed over a period of 30 days with juvenile matrinxãs previously exposed to HgCl2, resulting in a dose of 0.45 mg of total Hg per fish, each 96 h. Both species showed a bradycardia in progressive hypoxia. Hg exposure impaired cardiac electrical excitability, leading to first-degree atrioventricular block, plus profound extension of the ventricular action potential (AP) plateau. Moreover, there was the development of cardiac arrhythmias and anomalies such as occasional absence of QRS complexes, extra systoles, negative Q-, R- and S-waves (QRS complex), and T wave inversion, especially in hypoxia below O2 partial pressures (PO2) of 5.3 kPa. Sub-chronic dietary Hg exposure induced intense bradycardia in normoxia in traira, plus lengthening of ventricular AP duration coupled with prolonged QRS intervals. This indicates slower ventricular AP conduction during ventricular depolarization. Overall, the data indicate that both acute waterborne and sub-chronic dietary exposure (trophic level transfer), at sublethal concentrations of mercury, cause damage in electrical stability and rhythm of the heartbeat, leading to myocardial dysfunction, which is further intensified during hypoxia. These changes could lead to impaired cardiac output, with consequences for swimming ability, foraging capacity, and hence growth and/or reproductive performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana A Monteiro
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Edwin W Taylor
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - David J McKenzie
- UMR Marbec, CNRS - IRD - Ifremer - University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Francisco T Rantin
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana L Kalinin
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Melleby AO, Sandvik GK, Couturier CS, Nilsson GE, Stecyk JAW. H 2S-producing enzymes in anoxia-tolerant vertebrates: Effects of cold acclimation, anoxia exposure and reoxygenation on gene and protein expression. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 243-244:110430. [PMID: 32105700 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2020.110430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
To lend insight into the potential role of the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in facilitating anoxia survival of anoxia-tolerant vertebrates, we quantified the gene expression of the primary H2S-synthesizing enzymes, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), in ventricle and brain of normoxic, anoxic and reoxygenated 21 °C- and 5 °C-acclimated freshwater turtles (Trachemys scripta) and 10 °C-acclimated crucian carp (Carassius carassius). Semi-quantitative Western blotting analysis was also conducted to assess 3MST and CBS protein abundance in ventricle and brain of 5 °C turtles and 10 °C crucian carp subjected to normoxia, anoxia and reoxygenation. We hypothesized that if H2S was advantageous for anoxia survival, expression levels would remain unchanged or be upregulated with anoxia and/or reoxygenation. Indeed, for both species, gene and protein expression were largely maintained with anoxia exposure (24 h, 21 °C; 5 d, 10 °C; 14 d, 5 °C). With reoxygenation, 3MST expression was increased in turtle and crucian carp brain at the protein and gene level, respectively. Additionally, the effect of cold acclimation on gene expression was assessed in several tissues of the turtle. Expression levels were maintained in most tissues, but decreased in others. The maintenance of gene and protein expression of the H2S-producing enzymes with anoxia exposure and the up-regulation of 3MST with reoxygenation suggests that H2S may facilitate anoxic survival of the two champions of vertebrate anoxia survival. The differential effects of cold acclimation on H2S enzyme expression may influence blood flow to different tissues during winter anoxia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arne O Melleby
- Section for Physiology and Cell Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Institute for Experimental Medical Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guro K Sandvik
- Section for Physiology and Cell Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Christine S Couturier
- Section for Physiology and Cell Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, United States
| | - Göran E Nilsson
- Section for Physiology and Cell Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jonathan A W Stecyk
- Section for Physiology and Cell Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
The expression of genes involved in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in turtle (Trachemys scripta) brain during anoxic submergence at 21 °C and 5 °C reveals the importance of cold as a preparatory cue for anoxia survival. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2019; 30:55-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
9
|
Badr A, Korajoki H, Abu-Amra ES, El-Sayed MF, Vornanen M. Effects of seasonal acclimatization on thermal tolerance of inward currents in roach (Rutilus rutilus) cardiac myocytes. J Comp Physiol B 2017; 188:255-269. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-017-1126-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
10
|
Vornanen M. Electrical Excitability of the Fish Heart and Its Autonomic Regulation. FISH PHYSIOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.fp.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
11
|
|