Coupling of the contraction and intracellular phin cardiomyocytes

Abstract

Intracellular pH (pHi) governs the ionization states of all weak acids and bases in the cell and plays a critical role in all aspects of cellular function. The importance of pHi regulation in cellular processes is paramount, underpinned by the plethora of diseases resulting from cellular acidosis or alkalosis. Cardiac pHi is critical to cardiac function, and uncompensated pHi alterations in cardiac ischemia impair cardiac function and trigger arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Beat-to-beat cardiac contraction relies critically on ATP synthesis in mitochondria and myofilament ATP hydrolysis, which affect pHi.