Subsarcolemmal Research Articles

Both moderate- and high-intensity exercise training increase intramyocellular lipid droplet abundance and modify myocellular distribution in adults with obesity.

Exercise training modifies lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle, but the effect of exercise training on intramyocellular lipid droplet (LD) abundance, size, and intracellular distribution in adults with obesity remains elusive. This study compared high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with more conventional moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on intramyocellular lipid content, as well as LD characteristics (size and number) and abundance within the intramyofibrillar (IMF) and subsarcolemmal (SS) regions of type I and type II skeletal muscle fibers in adults with obesity. Thirty-six adults with obesity [body mass index (BMI) = 33 ± 3 kg/m2] completed 12 wk (4 days/wk) of either HIIT (10 × 1 min, 90% HRmax + 1-min active recovery; n = 19) or MICT (45-min steady-state exercise, 70% HRmax; n = 17), while on a weight-maintaining diet throughout training. Skeletal muscle biopsies were collected from the vastus lateralis before and after training, and intramyocellular lipid content and intracellular LD distribution were measured by immunofluorescence microscopy. Both MICT and HIIT increased total intramyocellular lipid content by more than 50% (P < 0.01), which was attributed to a greater LD number per µm2 in the IMF region of both type I and type II muscle fibers (P < 0.01). Our findings also suggest that LD lipophagy (autophagy-mediated LD degradation) may be transiently upregulated the day after the last exercise training session (P < 0.02 for both MICT and HIIT). In summary, exercise programs for adults with obesity involving either MICT or HIIT increased skeletal muscle LD abundance via a greater number of LDs in the IMF region of the myocyte, thereby providing more lipid in close proximity to the site of energy production during exercise.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, 12 wk of either moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) enhanced skeletal muscle lipid abundance by increasing lipid droplet number within the intramyofibrillar (IMF) region of muscle. Because the IMF associates with high energy production during muscle contraction, this adaptation may enhance lipid oxidation during exercise. Despite differences in training intensity and energy expenditure between MICT and HIIT, their effects on muscle lipid abundance and metabolism were remarkably similar.

Dietary nitrate preserves mitochondrial bioenergetics and mitochondrial protein synthesis rates during short-term immobilization in mice.

Skeletal muscle disuse reduces muscle protein synthesis rates and induces atrophy, events associated with decreased mitochondrial respiration and increased reactive oxygen species. Given that dietary nitrate can improve mitochondrial bioenergetics, we examined whether nitrate supplementation attenuates disuse-induced impairments in mitochondrial function and muscle protein synthesis rates. Female C57Bl/6N mice were subjected to single-limb casting (3 or 7days) and consumed drinking water with or without 1mM sodium nitrate. Compared with the contralateral control limb, 3days of immobilization lowered myofibrillar fractional synthesis rates (FSR, P< 0.0001), resulting in muscle atrophy. Although FSR and mitophagy-related proteins were higher in subsarcolemmal (SS) compared with intermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondria, immobilization for 3days decreased FSR in both SS (P=0.009) and IMF (P=0.031) mitochondria. Additionally, 3days of immobilization reduced maximal mitochondrial respiration, decreased mitochondrial protein content, and increased maximal mitochondrial reactive oxygen species emission, without altering mitophagy-related proteins in muscle homogenate or isolated mitochondria (SS and IMF). Although nitrate consumption did not attenuate the decline in muscle mass or myofibrillar FSR, intriguingly, nitrate completely prevented immobilization-induced reductions in SS and IMF mitochondrial FSR. In addition, nitrate prevented alterations in mitochondrial content and bioenergetics after both 3 and 7days of immobilization. However, in contrast to 3days of immobilization, nitrate did not prevent the decline in SS and IMF mitochondrial FSR after 7days of immobilization. Therefore, although nitrate supplementation was not sufficient to prevent muscle atrophy, nitrate may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to maintain mitochondrial bioenergetics and transiently preserve mitochondrial protein synthesis rates during short-term muscle disuse. KEY POINTS: Alterations in mitochondrial bioenergetics (decreased respiration and increased reactive oxygen species) are thought to contribute to muscle atrophy and reduced protein synthesis rates during muscle disuse. Given that dietary nitrate can improve mitochondrial bioenergetics, we examined whether nitrate supplementation could attenuate immobilization-induced skeletal muscle impairments in female mice. Dietary nitrate prevented short-term (3day) immobilization-induced declines in mitochondrial protein synthesis rates, reductions in markers of mitochondrial content, and alterations in mitochondrial bioenergetics. Despite these benefits and the preservation of mitochondrial content and bioenergetics during more prolonged (7 day) immobilization, nitrate consumption did not preserve skeletal muscle mass or myofibrillar protein synthesis rates. Overall, although dietary nitrate did not prevent atrophy, nitrate supplementation represents a promising nutritional approach to preserve mitochondrial function during muscle disuse.

Exercise and Doxorubicin Modify Markers of Iron Overload and Cardiolipin Deficiency in Cardiac Mitochondria.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic agent highly effective at limiting cancer progression. Despite the efficacy of this anticancer drug, the clinical use of DOX is limited due to cardiotoxicity. The cardiac mitochondria are implicated as the primary target of DOX, resulting in inactivation of electron transport system complexes, oxidative stress, and iron overload. However, it is established that the cardiac mitochondrial subpopulations reveal differential responses to DOX exposure, with subsarcolemmal (SS) mitochondria demonstrating redox imbalance and the intermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondria showing reduced respiration. In this regard, exercise training is an effective intervention to prevent DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction. Although it is clear that exercise confers mitochondrial protection, it is currently unknown if exercise training mitigates DOX cardiac mitochondrial toxicity by promoting beneficial adaptations to both the SS and IMF mitochondria. To test this, SS and IMF mitochondria were isolated from sedentary and exercise-preconditioned female Sprague Dawley rats exposed to acute DOX treatment. Our findings reveal a greater effect of exercise preconditioning on redox balance and iron handling in the SS mitochondria of DOX-treated rats compared to IMF, with rescue of cardiolipin synthase 1 expression in both subpopulations. These results demonstrate that exercise preconditioning improves mitochondrial homeostasis when combined with DOX treatment, and that the SS mitochondria display greater protection compared to the IMF mitochondria. These data provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms that are in part responsible for exercise-induced protection against DOX toxicity.

Response of Subsarcolemmal and Intermyofibrillar Mitochondria to Exercise and Doxorubicin‐Induced Cardiotoxicity

The chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) is highly effective at limiting cancer progression. However, systemic DOX treatment results in off‐target accumulation within cardiac mitochondria, which can cause aberrant signaling leading to dose‐dependent heart failure in cancer patients and survivors. Exercise has demonstrated preclinical and clinical efficacy in limiting the cardiotoxic effects of DOX by putatively improving mitochondrial quality and function, although this mechanism has not been fully explicated. Therefore, to further understand the molecular determinants of exercise‐mediated protection against DOX‐induced mitochondriopathy and cardiotoxicity we independently examined the cardiac subsarcolemmal (SS) and intermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondrial subpopulations. Female Sprague Dawley rats were divided (n=10/group) into 1) Sedentary‐Saline; 2) Sedentary‐DOX; 3) Exercise‐Saline; and 4) Exercise‐DOX groups. Exercise groups underwent 10 days of aerobic treadmill running (~70% VO2max, 1hr/day) with 2 days of rest after day 5. Twenty‐four hours following the last exercise bout animals received saline or DOX (20mg/kg IP) treatment. Dependent measures were evaluated 48 hours post treatment. To demonstrate that the exercise preconditioning protocol was sufficient to elicit cardiorespiratory adaptations, all groups performed an exercise tolerance test (ETT). The ETT revealed a significant increase in cardiorespiratory fitness in both exercise‐trained groups, regardless of saline or DOX treatment. In addition, evaluation of the myocardial performance index supported the premise that exercise preconditioning induces a cardioprotective phenotype against DOX toxicity. Further, analysis of the cardiac SS and IMF mitochondrial subfractions indicate that exercise preconditioning protects against DOX‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission in the SS fraction. Interestingly, IMF mitochondrial ROS emission was not affected by exercise or DOX treatment. In contrast, the IMF mitochondria respiratory control ratio (RCR) was significantly elevated in Exercise‐Saline animals compared to both sedentary groups, while no differences existed in the SS mitochondria. These findings indicate that 1) exercise preconditioning is a beneficial non‐pharmacological approach to improve cardiac outcomes following DOX treatment and that 2) cardiac mitochondrial subfractions are differentially affected by exercise and DOX treatment.

Time-dependent changes in autophagy, mitophagy and lysosomes in skeletal muscle during denervation-induced disuse.

Deficits in skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and quality are observed following denervation-atrophy. This is due to alterations in the biogenesis of new mitochondria as well as their degradation via mitophagy. The regulation of autophagy and mitophagy over the course of denervation (Den) remains unknown. Further, the time-dependent changes in lysosome content, the end-stage organelle for mitophagy, remain unexplored. Here, we studied autophagic as well as mitophagic pre-lysosomal flux in subsarcolemmal (SS) and intermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondria from rat muscle subjected to Den for 1, 3 or 7days. We also assessed flux at 1day post-denervation in transgenic mt-keima mice. Markers of mitochondrial content were reduced at 7days following Den, and Den further resulted in rapid decrements in mitochondrial respiration, along with increased ROS emission. Pre-lysosomal autophagy flux was upregulated at 1 and 3days post-Den but was reduced compared to time-matched sham-operated controls at 7days post-Den. Similarly, pre-lysosomal mitophagy flux was enhanced in SS mitochondria as early as 1 and 3days of Den but decreased in both SS and IMF subfractions following 7days of Den. Lysosome protein content and transcriptional regulators TFEB and TFE3 were progressively enhanced with Den, an adaptation designed to enhance autophagic capacity. However, evidence for lysosome dysfunction was apparent by 7days, which may limit degradation capacity. This may contribute to an inability to clear dysfunctional mitochondria and increased ROS signalling, thereby accelerating muscle atrophy. Thus, therapeutic targeting of lysosome function may help to maintain autophagy and muscle health during conditions of muscle disuse or denervation. KEY POINTS: Denervation is an experimental model of peripheral neuropathies as well as muscle disuse, and it helps us understand some aspects of the sarcopenia of ageing. Muscle disuse is associated with reduced mitochondrial content and function, leading to metabolic impairments within the tissue. Although the processes that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis are understood, those that govern mitochondrial breakdown (i.e. mitophagy) are not well characterized in this context. Autophagy and mitophagy flux, measured up to the point of the lysosome (pre-lysosomal flux rates), were increased in the early stages of denervation, along with mitochondrial dysfunction, but were reduced at later time points when the degree of muscle atrophy was highest. Denervation led to progressive increases in lysosomal proteins to accommodate mitophagy flux, yet evidence for lysosomal impairment at later stages may limit the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria, stimulate reactive oxygen species signalling, and reduce muscle health as denervation time progresses.

Characterization of neutral sphingomyelinase activity and isoform expression in rodent skeletal muscle mitochondria

Skeletal muscle is composed of fiber types that differ in mitochondrial content, antioxidant capacity, and susceptibility to apoptosis. Ceramides have been linked to oxidative stress-mediated apoptotic intracellular signalling and the enzyme neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase) is, in part, responsible for generating these ceramides through the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin. Despite the role of ceramides in mediating apoptosis, there is a gap in the literature regarding nSMase in skeletal muscle mitochondria. This study aimed to characterize total nSMase activity and individual isoform expression in isolated subsarcolemmal (SS) mitochondria from soleus, diaphragm, plantaris, and extensor digitorum longus (EDL). Total nSMase activity did not differ between muscle types. nSMase2 content was detectable in all muscles and higher in EDL, soleus, and plantaris compared to diaphragm whereas nSMase3 was undetectable in all muscles. Finally, total nSMase activity positively correlated to nSMase2 protein content in soleus but not the other muscles. These findings suggest that nSMase associated with SS mitochondria may play a role in intracellular signalling processes involving ceramides in skeletal muscle and nSMase2 may be the key isoform, specifically in slow twitch muscle like soleus. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the specific contribution of nSMase, along with the role of the various isoforms and mitochondrial subpopulation in generating mitochondrial ceramides in skeletal muscle, and its potential effects on mediating apoptosis.

The Associations Of Mitochondrial Content And Maximal Oxygen Uptake

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between human fiber type specific mitochondria volume density and VO2max. METHODS: Eleven recreational active subjects (VO2max mean 4.54±0.58 L/min) reported to lab for a progressive ergometer cycle test to estimate VO2max. Ten muscle fibers were obtained in each 9 biopsies in vastus lateralis from each of the 11 subjects. In each fibers, 24 images where obtained in a randomized systematic order, thus 528 fibers and 13968 images were analyzed. Point counting was used to estimate imtermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondrial content as a volume density and subsarcolemmal (SS) mitochondrial content as a volume per fiber surface. Total mitochondrial content were obtained by recalculating the SS subfraction to myofibrillar volume density. Fibre type was determined by z-disk widths. Lean body mass(LBM) was determined by DXA. All data are presented are means ± SD. Associations was evaluated using Pearson´s correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The total, IMF and SS mitochondrial content in type1 are 0.087±0.021 μm3·μm-3, 0.065±0.014 μm3·μm-3, 0.451±0.159 μm3·μm-2, respectively, and in type2 are 0.059±0.018 μm3·μm-3, 0.046±0.012 μm3·μm-3, 0.271±0.129μm3·μm-2, respectively. Total mitochondrial volume content was a strong predictor of VO2max per LBM. Further, IMF mitochondrial content is a better predictor of a subject’s VO2max per LBM than SS mitochondrial content. The fiber type specific correlations revealed that, total, IMF and SS in different fiber types are associated with VO2max per LBM, except SS mitochondrial content in type2 is not associated (Fig 1). CONCLUSION: There is a strong correlation between mitochondrial content and VO2max per LBM, however, VO2max and relative VO2max are not associated with mitochondrial content. Also, there is a clear correlation between total and IMF mitochondrial content and VO2max per LBM in both type 1 and type 2 fibers, whole this was only the case for SS in type 1 fibers.

Effects of Aging and Caloric Restriction on Fiber Type Composition, Mitochondrial Morphology and Dynamics in Rat Oxidative and Glycolytic Muscles.

Aging is associated with a progressive decline in muscle mass and strength, a process known as sarcopenia. Evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a causal role in sarcopenia and suggests that alterations in mitochondrial dynamics/morphology may represent an underlying mechanism. Caloric restriction (CR) is among the most efficient nonpharmacological interventions to attenuate sarcopenia in rodents and is thought to exert its beneficial effects by improving mitochondrial function. However, CR effects on mitochondrial morphology and dynamics, especially in aging muscle, remain unknown. To address this issue, we investigated mitochondrial morphology and dynamics in the oxidative soleus (SOL) and glycolytic white gastrocnemius (WG) muscles of adult (9-month-old) ad libitum-fed (AL; A-AL), old (22-month-old) AL-fed (O-AL), and old CR (O-CR) rats. We show that CR attenuates the aging-related decline in the muscle-to-body-weight ratio, a sarcopenic index. CR also prevented the effects of aging on muscle fiber type composition in both muscles. With aging, the SOL displayed fragmented SubSarcolemmal (SS) and InterMyoFibrillar (IMF) mitochondria, an effect attenuated by CR. Aged WG displayed enlarged SS and more complex/branched IMF mitochondria. CR had marginal anti-aging effects on WG mitochondrial morphology. In the SOL, DRP1 (pro-fission protein) content was higher in O-AL vs YA-AL, and Mfn2 (pro-fusion) content was higher in O-CR vs A-AL. In the gastrocnemius, Mfn2, Drp1, and Fis1 (pro-fission) contents were higher in O-AL vs A-AL. CR reduced this aging-related increase in Mfn2 and Fis1 content. Overall, these results reveal for the first time that aging differentially impacts mitochondrial morphology and dynamics in different muscle fiber types, by increasing fission/fragmentation in oxidative fibers while enhancing mitochondrial size and branching in glycolytic fibers. Our results also indicate that although CR partially attenuates aging-related changes in mitochondrial dynamics in glycolytic fibers, its anti-aging effect on mitochondrial morphology is restricted to oxidative fibers.

Adenosine Triphosphate Production of Muscle Mitochondria after Acute Exercise in Lean and Obese Humans.

Current evidence indicates mitochondrial dysfunction in humans with obesity. Acute exercise appears to enhance mitochondrial function in the muscle of nonobese humans, but its effects on mitochondrial function in muscle of humans with obesity are not known. We sought to determine whether acute aerobic exercise stimulates mitochondrial function in subsarcolemmal (SS) and intermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondria in humans with obesity. We assessed maximal adenosine triphosphate production rate (MAPR) and citrate synthase (CS) activity in isolated SS and IMF mitochondria from subjects with body mass index < 27 kg·m (median age, 25 yr; interquartile range, 22-39 yr) and subjects with body mass index > 32 kg·m (median age, 29 yr; interquartile range, 20-39 yr) before and 3 h after a 45-min cycling exercise at an intensity corresponding to 65% HR reserve. The SS and IMF mitochondria were isolated from muscle biopsies using differential centrifugation. Maximal adenosine triphosphate production rate and CS activities were determined using luciferase-based and spectrophotometric enzyme-based assays, respectively. Exercise increased MAPR in IMF mitochondria in both nonobese subjects and subjects with obesity (P < 0.05), but CS-specific activity did not change in either group (P > 0.05). Exercise increased MAPR supported by complex II in SS mitochondria, in both groups (P < 0.05), but MAPR supported by complex I or palmitate did not increase by exercise in the subjects with obesity (P > 0.05). Citrate synthase-specific activity increased in SS mitochondria in response to exercise only in nonobese subjects (P < 0.05). In nonobese humans, acute aerobic exercise increases MAPR in both SS and IMF mitochondria. In humans with obesity, the exercise increases MAPR in IMF mitochondria, but this response is less evident in SS mitochondria.

Distinct lipid droplet characteristics and distribution unmask the apparent contradiction of the athlete's paradox

ObjectiveIntramyocellular lipid (IMCL) storage negatively associates with insulin resistance, albeit not in endurance-trained athletes. We investigated the putative contribution of lipid droplet (LD) morphology and subcellular localization to the so-called athlete's paradox. MethodsWe performed quantitative immunofluorescent confocal imaging of muscle biopsy sections from endurance Trained, Lean sedentary, Obese, and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) participants (n = 8/group). T2DM patients and Trained individuals were matched for IMCL content. Furthermore we performed this analysis in biopsies of T2DM patients before and after a 12-week exercise program (n = 8). ResultsWe found marked differences in lipid storage morphology between trained subjects and T2DM: the latter group mainly store lipid in larger LDs in the subsarcolemmal (SS) region of type II fibers, whereas Trained store lipid in a higher number of LDs in the intramyofibrillar (IMF) region of type I fibers. In addition, a twelve-week combined endurance and strength exercise program resulted in a LD phenotype shift in T2DM patients partly towards an ‘athlete-like’ phenotype, accompanied by improved insulin sensitivity. Proteins involved in LD turnover were also more abundant in Trained than in T2DM and partly changed in an ‘athlete-like’ fashion in T2DM patients upon exercise training. ConclusionsOur findings provide a physiological explanation for the athlete's paradox and reveal LD morphology and distribution as a major determinant of skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity.

The effect of aging and calorie restriction on mitochondrial morphology and dynamic in oxidative and glycolytic skeletal muscles

With aging, skeletal muscles progressively loose mass and function, a biological process known as sarcopenia. Recent data indicate that accumulation of mitochondrial dysfunction plays a major role in the development of sarcopenia and also suggested that alterations in mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics/morphology may represent mechanisms causing this accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria in the aged muscles. One most efficient lifestyle and non‐pharmacological intervention to attenuate sarcopenia in rodents is calorie restriction (CR). The hypothesis currently put forward to explain the protective and “anti‐aging” effects of caloric restriction is that CR would attenuate the effects of aging on mitochondrial function. However, the specific effects of CR on many aspects of mitochondrial biology, especially in the aged muscle, remain unclear or unknown. In particular, the effects of aging and CR on skeletal muscle mitochondrial morphology and dynamics, which are known to impact mitochondrial function, remain largely under investigated. The objectives of the present study were (i) to investigate the effects of aging on mitochondrial morphology and dynamic in glycolytic and oxidative skeletal muscles, define whether CR can attenuate the effects of aging on mitochondrial morphology and (iii) determine the effects of CR and aging on the muscular phenotype.Three groups of male Sprague Dawley rats were studied: 1‐adult (9‐month‐old) ad‐libitum fed (AL) (A‐AL); 2‐old (21‐month‐old) AL fed (O‐AL) and; 3‐old (21‐month‐old) calorie restricted (CR; 40% calorie restricted for 13 months; O‐CR) rats. The morphology of SubSarcolemmal (SS) and InterMyoFibrillar (IMF) mitochondria was assessed using a 2‐dimensional transmission electron microscopy approach (TEM) in the oxidative soleus (SOL) and glycolytic white gastrocnemius (WG) muscles. Westernblot analyses were performed to assess the contents of proteins regulating mitochondrial dynamics (fusion protein: Mfn2; Fission proteins: Drp1 and Fis1) in the SOL and WG.CR attenuated the impact of aging on the muscle mass to body weight ratio (a marker of sarcopenia). The SOL of O‐AL rats displayed fragmented SS and IMF mitochondria vs A‐AL rats. CR attenuated this aging‐related fragmentation of SS and IMF mitochondria in the SOL. The WG of O‐AL rats displayed enlarged SS mitochondria and more complex and branched IMF mitochondria vs their younger counterparts. In the WG, CR did not attenuate the effects of aging on mitochondrial morphology. In the SOL, the contents of Drp1 and Fis1 were higher in O‐AL vs A‐AL rats. When compared to the SOL of Y‐AL rats, O‐CR rats displayed higher contents of both Drp1 and Mfn2. In the WG, the content of Mfn2 and Drp1 was higher in O‐AL vs A‐AL rats. No difference between O‐CR and A‐AL rats were observed for proteins regulating mitochondrial dynamics.Taken altogether, our results indicate that the effects of aging and calorie restriction on mitochondrial morphology and dynamic are complex and muscle‐specific.Support or Funding InformationThis work was funded by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC; #RGPIN‐2014‐04668), the Quebec Research Network on Aging and the FQRS (FRQS‐35184) awarded to Gilles Gouspillou. Jean‐Philippe Leduc‐Gaudet is supported by a CIHR Vanier Doctoral Scholarship.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Plasma Amino Acids Stimulate Uncoupled Respiration of Muscle Subsarcolemmal Mitochondria in Lean but Not Obese Humans.

Obesity is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle. Increasing the plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations stimulates mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in lean individuals. To determine whether acute elevation in plasma AAs enhances muscle mitochondrial respiration and ATP production in subsarcolemmal (SS) and intermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondria in obese adults. Assessment of SS and IMF mitochondrial function during saline (i.e., control) and AA infusions. Eligible participants were healthy lean (body mass index, <25 kg/m2; age, 37 ± 3 years; n = 10) and obese (body mass index >30 kg/m2; age 35 ± 3 years; n = 11) subjects. Single trial of saline infusion followed by AA infusion. SS and IMF mitochondria were isolated from muscle biopsies collected at the end of the saline and AA infusions. Mitochondrial respiration and ATP production. AA infusion increased adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-stimulated respiration and ATP production rates of SS mitochondria in the lean (P < 0.05), but not obese, subjects. Furthermore, AA infusion increased the uncoupled (i.e., non-ADP-stimulated) respiration of SS mitochondria in the lean subjects only (P < 0.05). AA infusion had no effect on any of these parameters in IMF mitochondria in either lean or obese subjects (P > 0.05). Increasing the plasma AA concentrations enhances the capacity for respiration and ATP production of muscle SS, but not IMF, mitochondria in lean individuals, in parallel with increases in uncoupled respiration. However, neither of these parameters increases in muscle SS or IMF mitochondria in obese individuals.

Effects of meal ingestion on intramyocellular ceramide concentrations and fractional de novo synthesis in humans.

We investigated the effects of meal ingestion on intramyofibrillar (IMF) and subsarcolemmal (SS) ceramide metabolism in volunteers ranging from lean to obese. Thirty-eight women and men underwent a steady-state meal ingestion protocol that included a 6.5-h infusion of [U-13C]palmitate and muscle biopsies 1.5 and 6.5 h after starting the tracer infusion. We measured IMF and SS sphingolipid concentrations and the contribution of plasma palmitate to intramyocellular C16:0 ceramide by use of LC-MS-MS. In response to meal ingestion SS C24 ceramide concentrations, but not C14-C20 concentrations, increased significantly. IMF ceramide concentrations did not change. The increases in SS C24 ceramides were negatively related to parameters of insulin resistance. The fractional contribution of plasma palmitate to intramyocellular C16:0 ceramides in both IMF and SS fractions was inversely related to overweight status (β = -0.432, P = 0.0095 and β = -0.443, P = 0.0058, respectively). These data indicate that meal ingestion has differing effects on SS ceramide subspecies and suggest that the fractional de novo synthesis of intramyocellular ceramide from plasma palmitate in the postprandial condition is reduced in those who are overweight.

Heterogeneity of transverse-axial tubule system in mouse atria: Remodeling in atrial-specific Na+–Ca2 + exchanger knockout mice

Transverse-axial tubules (TATs) are commonly assumed to be sparse or absent in atrial myocytes from small animals. Atrial myocytes from rats, cats and rabbits lack TATs, which results in a characteristic “V”-shaped Ca release pattern in confocal line-scan recordings due to the delayed rise of Ca in the center of the cell. To examine TAT expression in isolated mouse atrial myocytes, we loaded them with the membrane dye Di-4-ANEPPS to label TATs. We found that >80% of atrial myocytes had identifiable TATs. Atria from male mice had a higher TAT density than female mice, and TAT density correlated with cell width. Using the fluorescent Ca indicator Fluo-4-AM and confocal imaging, we found that wild type (WT) mouse atrial myocytes generate near-synchronous Ca transients, in contrast to the “V”-shaped pattern typically reported in other small animals such as rat. In atrial-specific Na–Ca exchanger (NCX) knockout (KO) mice, which develop sinus node dysfunction and atrial hypertrophy with dilation, we found a substantial loss of atrial TATs in isolated atrial myocytes. There was a greater loss of transverse tubules compared to axial tubules, resulting in a dominance of axial tubules. Consistent with the overall loss of TATs, NCX KO atrial myocytes displayed a “V”-shaped Ca transient with slower and reduced central (CT) Ca release and uptake in comparison to subsarcolemmal (SS) Ca release. We compared chemically detubulated (DT) WT cells to KO, and found similar slowing of CT Ca release and uptake. However, SS Ca transients in the WT DT cells had faster uptake kinetics than KO cells, consistent with the presence of NCX and normal sarcolemmal Ca efflux in the WT DT cells. We conclude that the remodeling of NCX KO atrial myocytes is accompanied by a loss of TATs leading to abnormal Ca release and uptake that could impact atrial contractility and rhythm.

Intramyocellular Ceramides: Subcellular Concentrations and Fractional De Novo Synthesis in Postabsorptive Humans.

We investigated the relationship between insulin resistance markers and subsarcolemmal (SS) and intramyofibrillar (IMF) ceramide concentrations, as well as the contribution of plasma palmitate (6.5-h infusion of [U-13C]palmitate) to intramyocellular ceramides. Seventy-six postabsorptive men and women had muscle biopsies 1.5, 6.5, and 24 h after starting the tracer infusion. Concentrations and enrichment of muscle ceramides were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We found that HOMA of insulin resistance, plasma insulin, and triglyceride concentrations were positively correlated with SS C16:0 and C18:1 ceramide, but not SS C14:0-Cer, C20:0-Cer, C24:0-Cer, and C24:1-Cer concentrations; IMF ceramide concentrations were not correlated with any metabolic parameters. The fractional contribution of plasma palmitate to 16:0 ceramide was greater in SS than IMF (SS, 18.2% vs. IMF, 8.7%; P = 0.0006). Plasma insulin concentrations correlated positively with the fractional contribution of plasma palmitate to SS 16:0 ceramide. The fractional contribution of plasma palmitate to intramyocellular SS 16:0 ceramide was positively correlated with SS C16:0 ceramide concentrations (γ = 0.435; P = 0.002). We conclude that skeletal muscle SS ceramides, especially C16 to C18 chain lengths and the de novo synthesis of intramyocellular ceramide from plasma palmitate are associated with markers of insulin resistance.

Effects of doxorubicin on cardiac muscle subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondria

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective chemotherapeutic used in the treatment of a broad spectrum of malignancies. However, clinical use of DOX is highly limited by cumulative and irreversible cardiomyopathy that occurs following DOX treatment. The pathogenesis of DOX-induced cardiac muscle dysfunction is complex. However, it has been proposed that the etiology of this myopathy is related to mitochondrial dysfunction, as a result of the dose-dependent increase in the mitochondrial accumulation of DOX. In this regard, cardiac muscle possesses two morphologically distinct populations of mitochondria. Subsarcolemmal (SS) mitochondria are localized just below the sarcolemma, whereas intermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondria are found between myofibrils. Mitochondria in both regions exhibit subtle differences in biochemical properties, giving rise to differences in respiration, lipid composition, enzyme activities and protein synthesis rates. Based on the heterogeneity of SS and IMF mitochondria, we hypothesized that acute DOX administration would have distinct effects on each cardiac mitochondrial subfraction. Therefore, we isolated SS and IMF mitochondria from the hearts of female Sprague-Dawley rats 48h after administration of DOX. Our results demonstrate that while SS mitochondria appear to accumulate greater amounts of DOX, IMF mitochondria demonstrate a greater apoptotic and autophagic response to DOX exposure. Thus, the divergent protein composition and function of the SS and IMF cardiac mitochondria result in differential responses to DOX, with IMF mitochondria appearing more susceptible to damage after DOX treatment.

Dyssynchronous calcium removal in heart failure-induced atrial remodeling.

We tested the hypothesis that in atrial myocytes from a rabbit left ventricular heart failure (HF) model, spatial inhomogeneity and temporal dyssynchrony of Ca removal during excitation-contraction coupling together with increased Na/Ca exchange (NCX) activity generate a substrate for proarrhythmic Ca release. Ca removal occurs via Ca reuptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum and extrusion via NCX exclusively in the cell periphery since rabbit atrial myocytes lack transverse tubules. Ca removal kinetics were assessed by the time constant τ of decay of local peripheral subsarcolemmal (SS) and central (CT) action potential (AP)-induced Ca transients (CaTs) recorded in confocal line scan mode (using Fluo-4). Spatial and temporal dyssynchrony of Ca removal was quantified by CV TAU, defined as the standard deviation of local τ along the transverse cell axis divided by mean τ. In normal cells CT CaT decline was slower compared with the SS domain, while in HF cells decline was accelerated, became equal in SS and CT regions, and a significant increase of CV TAU indicated an increased Ca removal dyssynchrony. In HF atrial cells NCX upregulation was accompanied by an overall higher incidence of spontaneous Ca waves and a higher propensity of arrhythmogenic Ca waves, defined as waves that triggered APs due to NCX-mediated membrane depolarization. NCX inhibition normalized CV TAU in HF atrial cells and decreased the propensity of Ca waves. In summary, HF atrial myocytes show accelerated but dyssynchronous diastolic Ca removal and altered sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA) and NCX activity that result in increased susceptibility to arrhythmia.

Dyssynchronous CA Removal in Atrial Cardiac Myocytes

In heart failure atrial remodeling (AR) leads to impaired contractility, relaxation and atrial fibrillation and contributes to negative clinical outcomes. In myocytes cytosolic Ca-removal after systolic release is primarily achieved by SERCA-pump and Na/Ca-exchange (NCX) activity, allowing atrial relaxation. In atrial myocytes that lack a transverse-tubule system, NCX is located exclusively in the cell periphery where it is exposed to high concentrations of Ca during the cardiac cycle. Previously we found that the relative contribution of NCX to Ca-removal was increased in AR and was associated with a higher propensity of arrhythmogenic Ca waves, i.e. Ca waves triggering action potentials (APs). We hypothesize that dyssynchrony of Ca-removal globally (whole-cell) and locally (peripheral subsarcolemmal (SS) and central (CT) domains) is responsible for impaired relaxation and increased arrhythmogenicity. We used confocal linescan-imaging and Ca sensitive dyes to investigate Ca-removal in remodeled atrial myocytes from a rabbit left ventricular volume-pressure overload systolic HF model. In control atrial myocytes Ca-removal (assessed by the time constant of decay (TAU) of local SS and CT AP-induced Ca transients) is faster in the cell center (CT region) compared to the SS domain (342 ± 32 vs. 393 ± 31 ms, n = 10 cells). In AR myocytes however, CT TAU was not different from SS TAU (196 ± 11 vs. 190 + 14 ms, n = 10 cells). In addition, in AR cells local dyssynchrony (defined as the standard deviation of TAU divided by mean TAU) in the CT domain was significantly increased compared to control (0.11 ± 0.03 vs. 0.04 ± 0.01, n = 10 AR and CTRL cells). However despite the increased dyssynchrony, CT Ca-removal was 50% and SS Ca-removal 56% faster in AR myocytes as compared to control (n = 10 AR and CTRL cells). In summary, AR myocytes show accelerated but dyssynchronous diastolic Ca-removal which may result in impaired relaxation and increased susceptibility to rhythm disorders.

Abstract 16781: Dyssynchronous Ca Removal in Atrial Cardiac Myocytes From Failing Hearts

In heart failure atrial remodeling (AR) leads to impaired contractility and relaxation as well as, atrial fibrillation and contributes to negative clinical outcomes. In myocytes cytosolic Ca removal after systolic release is primarily achieved by SERCA pump and Na/Ca exchange (NCX) activity, allowing atrial relaxation. In atrial myocytes that lack a transverse tubule system, NCX is located exclusively in the cell periphery where it is exposed to high concentrations of Ca during the cardiac cycle. Previously we found that the relative contribution of NCX to Ca removal was increased in AR and was associated with a higher propensity of arrhythmogenic Ca waves, i.e. Ca waves that triggered action potentials (APs). We hypothesize that dyssynchrony of Ca removal globally (whole cell) and locally (peripheral subsarcolemmal (SS) and central (CT) domains) is responsible for impaired relaxation and increased arrhythmogenicity. We used confocal line scan imaging and Ca sensitive dyes (Fluo-4/AM) to investigate Ca removal in remodeled atrial myocytes from a rabbit left ventricular volume-pressure overload systolic heart failure model. In control atrial myocytes Ca removal (assessed by the time constant of decay (TAU) of local SS and CT AP-induced Ca transients) is faster in the cell center (CT region) compared to the SS domain (342±32 vs. 393±31 ms, n=10 cells). In AR myocytes however, CT TAU was not different from SS TAU (196±11 vs. 190+14 ms, n=10 cells). In addition, in AR cells local dyssynchrony (defined as the standard deviation of TAU divided by mean TAU) in the CT domain was significantly increased compared to control (0.11±0.03 vs. 0.04±0.01, n=10 AR and CTRL cells). However despite the increased dyssynchrony, CT Ca removal was 50% and SS Ca removal 56% faster in AR myocytes as compared to control cells (n=10 AR and CTRL cells). In summary, AR myocytes show accelerated but dyssynchronous diastolic Ca removal that may result in impaired relaxation and increased susceptibility to rhythm disorders.

Twenty‐eight days of exposure to 3454 m increases mitochondrial volume density in human skeletal muscle

The role of hypoxia on skeletal muscle mitochondria is controversial. Studies superimposing exercise training on hypoxic exposure demonstrate an increase in skeletal muscle mitochondrial volume density (Mito(VD)) over equivalent normoxic training. In contrast, reductions in both skeletal muscle mass and Mito(VD) have been reported following mountaineering expeditions. These observations may, however, be confounded by negative energy balance, which may obscure the results. Accordingly we sought to examine the effects of high altitude hypoxic exposure on mitochondrial characteristics, with emphasis on Mito(VD), while minimizing changes in energy balance. For this purpose, skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from nine lowlanders at sea level (Pre) and following 7 and 28 days of exposure to 3454 m. Maximal ergometer power output, whole body weight and composition, leg lean mass and skeletal muscle fibre area all remained unchanged following the altitude exposure. Transmission electron microscopy determined that intermyofibrillar (IMF) Mito(VD) was augmented (P = 0.028) by 11.5 ± 9.2% from Pre (5.05 ± 0.9%) to 28 Days (5.61 ± 0.04%). In contrast, there was no change in subsarcolemmal (SS) Mito(VD). As a result, total Mito(VD) (IMF + SS) was increased (P = 0.031) from 6.20 ± 1.5% at Pre to 6.62 ± 1.4% at 28 Days (7.8 ± 9.3%). At the same time no changes in mass-specific respiratory capacities, mitochondrial protein or antioxidant content were found. This study demonstrates that skeletal muscle Mito(VD) may increase with 28 days acclimation to 3454 m.