Abstract
Maintaining heart viability in states of unfavorable metabolite/oxygen supply has become a prime challenge in cardiac medicine. Mitochondria have been recognised as key actors in cardioprotection. Our goal was to reveal the myocardial protective phenotype related to mitochondrial bioenergetic pathways in the state of limited metabolite supply and low temperature using the physiological model of mammalian hibernation. European ground squirrels (Spermophilus citellus) were exposed to cold (4 ± 1 °C) and divided into two groups: (1) animals that fell into torpor (hibernating group) and (2) animals that stayed active and euthermic for 1, 3, 7, 12, or 21 days (cold-exposed group). We found increased protein levels of electron transport chain components and ATP synthase in late cold acclimation and in hibernation. Also, protein level of PGC-1α was upregulated. Phospho-AMPKα protein content was increased during early cold acclimation. HIF1α protein level was unchanged. Protein levels of manganese and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were increased in hibernation. The hibernation related phenotype of the heart is characterised by controlled improvement of mitochondrial energy and antioxidative capacity. Its reproduction could have broad implications, from myocardial protection in ischaemia/reperfusion to the hypothermic survival and cold preservation of organs.
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