Factors affecting the loss of mitochondrial function during zero-flow ischemia (autolysis) in slow and fast heart-rate hearts

Abstract

The (uninhibited) mitochondrial ATPase comprises approximately 90% of the total ATP hydrolyzing activity present in quiescent, ischemic canine heart muscle and its inhibition by its natural inhibitor protein plays a pivotal role in the slowing of tissue ATP depletion during ischemia [ 20]. While dog heart mitochondria contain a full complement of mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor capable of fully down-regulating the enzyme activity present in this species, rat heart mitochondria contain a much lower level of inhibitor, sufficient to inhibit the enzyme activity present in this species by only approximately 20% [ 15]. Moreover, this fractional complement of inhibitor remains largely inoperative in the ischemic rat heart [ 15]. As shown in the present study, one apparent result of the lack of a functional complement of mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor in the rat heart is a more rapid rate of cell ATP depletion during zero-flow ischemia. This in turn results in a more rapidly developed and initially more severe cell acidosis in the ischemic rat heart because ATP hydrolysis produces protons. Finally, and consistent with earlier studies by us [ 19], the more rapid ATP depletion together with the more severe acidosis appears to result in a marked increase in the rate of loss of mitochondrial respiratory function in the ischemic rat heart compared to the ischemic dog heart. Our findings suggest that slow heart-rate hearts which contain in situ functional mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor, possess an effective mechanism for sparing cell ATP stores during early ischemia, whereas fast heart-rate hearts which lack in situ mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor function, possess a less effective ATP sparing mechanism.