Changes in subcellular membranes in rat heart perfused with diethyl ether

Abstract

Alterations in contractile force as well as heart sarcolemmal, microsomal, and mitochondrial activities were investigated by perfusing rat hearts with different concentrations (0.5–1.5% (v/v)) of ether for 2 min. Contractile force of the perfused heart was depressed by 0.5–1.0% ether and completely abolished by 1.25–1.5% ether. The contractile force recovered fully upon reperfusion when the hearts were preperfused with 0.5–0.75% ether but the recovery was partial in hearts preperfused with 1.0–1.25% ether. The hearts preperfused with 1.5% ether did not recover their ability to generate contractile force upon reperfusion. The Na+–K+-ATPase activity of sarcolemma obtained from hearts perfused with 0.75–1.0% ether was higher than the control value. The sarcolemmal Na+–K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, calcium binding, and adenylate cyclase activities were decreased in hearts perfused with 1.5% ether and these activities were further decreased upon reperfusion. The microsomal calcium binding and uptake activities were depressed in hearts perfused with 1.0–1.5% ether and these changes were irreversible. The mitochondrial calcium binding and uptake activities as well as oxidative phosphorylation activity were also depressed in hearts perfused with 1.0–1.5% ether; however, irreversible damage was seen in hearts perfused with 1.5% ether. Electron microscopic examination showed occasional vacuolization of mitochondria in hearts perfused with 1% ether and swelling of sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria as well as damage to myofilaments were seen in hearts perfused with 1.5% ether. These results suggest the involvement of alterations in subcellular membrane system in the cardiotoxic actions of ether.