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Skeletal muscle myofibrillar protein oxidation and exercise capacity in heart failure

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Abstract

Background

Heart failure is characterized by limited exercise tolerance and by a skeletal muscle myopathy with atrophy and shift toward fast fibres. An inflammatory status with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and exaggerated free radicals production can worsen muscle damage. We have previously demonstrated in a model of heart failure, the monocrotaline treated rat, that oxidation of skeletal muscle actin, tropomyosin and myosin produces a reduction of contractile efficiency, which may further depress muscle function and exercise capacity.

Aims

To investigate the presence of oxidized myofibrillar proteins in skeletal muscle of CHF patients by means of the Oxyblot technique and to correlate it with exercise capacity.

Methods

We have analyzed skeletal muscle biopsies taken from six patients with class III–IV NYHA CHF and four control patients (peak VO2 12.8 ± 1.9 vs. 29.7 ± 1.7 ml/kg/min, p < 0.0001).

Results and conclusions

A correlation between degree of myofibrillar oxidation and exercise capacity measured as peak VO2 was obtained. In the skeletal muscle of CHF patient there was a much higher level of myofibrillar protein oxidation as expressed by the Oxyblot/Red Ponceau (Oxy/RP) ratio as compared to controls (2.1 ± 0.3 vs. 1.02 ± 0.09, p < 0.0001). The VO2/Oxy/RP was significantly lower in the CHF patients. Higher levels of muscle oxidation were found in patients with lower exercise capacity with an inverse correlation between Oxyblot and VO2 values (r 2 = 0.83).

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Acknowledgments

The skilful technical assistance of Mr Valerio Gobbo is greatly acknowledged. L. Dalla Libera is supported by Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) (WP 1B51-2), G. Vescovo is supported by a Regione Veneto grant (DGRV n. 3143 of 18.10.2005)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Internal Medicine, S. Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy

    Giorgio Vescovo

  2. CNR Institute of Neurosciences, Unit for Neuromuscular Biology and Pathophysiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35100, Padova, Italy

    Barbara Ravara & Luciano Dalla Libera

Authors
  1. Giorgio Vescovo
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  2. Barbara Ravara
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  3. Luciano Dalla Libera
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luciano Dalla Libera.

Additional information

Returned for 1. Revision: 6 August 2007 1. Revision received: 2 October 2007

Returned for 2. Revision: 8 November 2007 2. Revision received: 9 November 2007

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Vescovo, G., Ravara, B. & Dalla Libera, L. Skeletal muscle myofibrillar protein oxidation and exercise capacity in heart failure. Basic Res Cardiol 103, 285–290 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00395-007-0692-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00395-007-0692-x

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