Abstract
Isolated guinea pig hearts were perfused, by the Langendorff technique, with 30, 15, 7.5, and 1.5 μM Zn2+ in Chenoweth solution. Contractile force, coronary flow, and heart rate were recorded by means of Narco IV Physiograph. Calcium inhibitor (Verapamil 1 μM) and anion inhibitor (DIDS: 0.1, 1, and 5 μM) were used subsequently in the perfusing solutions in order to distinguish some of the possible mechanisms that Zn2+ uses to exert its action on cardiac myocytes. Isomolar to zinc concentration of Pb (II) and Co (II) were used to elucidate whether zinc effects on heart are specific for this metal. All hearts were used to estimate their zinc and calcium content by means of AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry).
Our findings suggest that the higher the Zn2+ concentration, the more toxic effects on heart are expressed by rapid reversible contractile force reduction and reversible specific changes of heart rate and flow. Zinc 1.5 μM in the perfusing solution benefits heart performance, but not significantly. Furthermore, the metal exerts specific effects on guinea pig heart, and it is rather possible that these effects on cardiac myocytes are held through cell membrane receptors.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
J. B. Woods, J. H. Holt, and W. T. Woolds (1983)J. Electrocard. 16(4), 379–384.
C. A. Gervin, W. M. Nichols, M. Chapril, and S. L. Wangensteen (1983).J. Surg. Res. 35, 340–350.
D. Kromhout, A. A. E. Wibowo, R. F. M. Herber, L. M. Dalderup, H. Heerdink, C. de Lezenne Coulander, and R. L. Zielhuis (1985)Am. J. Epidemiol. 122, No. 3, 378–385.
L. Dumolard, L. Arnaud, B. Veyrat, and A. Faner (1986)Ann. Biol. Chin. 44, 217–223.
Th. G. Aalbers, J. P. W. Houtman, and B. Makkink (1988)Trace Elements in Med. 5, No. 3.
J. W. Foote and H. T. Delves (1984)J. Clin. Path. 37, 1050–1054.
G. R. Magneson, J. M. Puvathingal and W. J. Ray (1987)J. Biol. Chem. 262, 11,140–11,148.
H. Dashti, B. Jeppsson, M., Abdulla, U. Srinivas, I. Hagerstrand, and S. Bengmark (1985) Proceed. of Symposium on Metabolism of Trace Elements Related to Human Diseases 219–222, Loen, Norway.
O. Ringdal, K. J. Andersen, E. Svendsen, and K. Julshamn (1985) Proceed. of Symposium on Metabolism of Trace Elements Related to Human Diseases, 219–222, Loen, Norway.
F. Giofalo and L. Thomas, Jr. (1965)J. Gen. Physiol. 48, 825–839.
V. Kalfakakou and T. J. B. Simons (1990)J. Physiol. (Lond.) 421, 485–497.
D. Nunez, R. Kumar, and D. Hanahan (1989)Arch. Biochem. Bioph. 272, No. 2 August 1, 466–475.
A. Evangelou, V. Kalfakakou, J. Benveniste and B. Arnoux (1990) Inhibition of Paf-acether effects on guinea pig isolated heart preparations, by Zinc. (unpublished).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kalfakakou, V.P., Evangelou, A.M., Benveniste, J. et al. The effects of Zn2+ on guinea pig isolated heart preparations. Biol Trace Elem Res 38, 289–299 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02785312
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02785312