Beta 1 adrenoceptor mediated decrease in pHi in quiescent ventricular myocardium.

Abstract

The aims were to examine the effect of beta adrenergic stimulation on the intracellular pH (pHi) and to compare it with that of alpha adrenergic stimulation in ventricular myocardium. Using conventional and ion selective electrodes membrane potential and pHi were measured simultaneously in quiescent papillary muscles of guinea pigs in HEPES or bicarbonate buffered solution. Isoprenaline and propranolol (1 microM) plus phenylephrine (30 microM) were used to stimulate beta and alpha adrenoceptors, respectively. In order to evaluate underlying mechanism(s) of beta adrenoceptor mediated pHi change, effects of Na(+)-H+ exchange, Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange, Na(+)-HCO3- symport, and glycolysis blockers on the pHi change were examined. Isoprenaline (1 microM) produced a decrease in pHi of 0.08(SEM 0.01) pH units and a transient depolarisation of the resting membrane. The isoprenaline induced intracellular acidosis was blocked by the beta 1 blocker atenolol (10 microM) but not by the beta 2 blocker ICI 118,551 (0.1 microM). Forskolin also produced a decrease in pHi of 0.06(0.03) pH units. In contrast, alpha adrenergic stimulation produced an increase in pHi, which was abolished by 1 mM amiloride, an Na(+)-H+ exchange blocker. In the presence of amiloride, the isoprenaline induced decrease in pHi was rather enhanced. 4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS, 1 mM), a blocker of Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange and the Na(+)-HCO3- symport system, failed to affect the isoprenaline induced pHi decrease in bicarbonate buffered solution. However, pretreatment with 2-deoxyglucose or iodoacetic acid abolished the isoprenaline induced pHi decrease. beta 1 Adrenoceptor stimulation causes intracellular acidosis via the enhanced glycolysis, and the Na(+)-H+ exchange system appears to play a compensatory role. The beta 1 adrenoceptor mediated intracellular acidosis may modulate inotropic response to adrenergic stimulation in ventricular myocardium.