<p> We hypothesized that acute inhibition of the contraction-induced expansion of the muscle TCA cycle intermediate (TCAI) pool via would not adversely effect metabolism or contractile function. Forty rats were anaesthetized and the gastrocnemius muscle (GAS) from one leg was vascularly isolated and perfused with saline (CON) or a red cell media containing DL-cycloserine (CYCLO; Sigma C-7005; dose=0.05 mg/g), an inhibitor of alanine aminotransferase (AAT). After 1h of perfusion, the GAS muscle was either snap frozen (CON-Rest, n=11; CYCLO-Rest, n=9) or stimulated to contract for 10 min (1Hz, 0.3 ms, 2 V) with blood flow fixed at 30 ml min-1 100g-1 and then snap frozen (CON-Stim, n=10; CYCLO-Stim, n=10). The maximal activity of AAT was lower (P≤0.05) at both CYCLO-Rest (0.61±0.02 mmol·kg-1w.w./min; mean± SEM) and CYCLO-Stim (0.63±0.01 mmol·kg-1w.w./min) vs CON-Rest (3.56±0.16 mmol·kg-1w.w./min) and CON-Stim (3.92±0.29 mmol·kg-1w.w./min). Consistent with lower net flux through AAT, muscle [alanine] was lower (P≤0.05) after CYCLO-Stim (6.97±0.26 mmol·kg-1 dw) compared to CON-Stim (8.55±0.56 mmol·kg-1 dw) and not different vs CON-Rest (6.79±0.41 mmol·kg-1 dw). The sum of five measured TCAI (malate, fumarate, citrate, isocitrate, and 2-oxoglutarate) was higher (P≤0.05) at both CON-Rest (2.10± 0.09 mmol·kg-1 dw) and CON-Stim (2.48± 0.11 mmol·kg-1 dw) vs CYCLO-Rest (1.56± 0.11 mmol·kg-1 dw) and CYCLO-Stim (1.88± 0.15 mmol·kg-1 dw) respectively. Despite the reduction in [TCAI] following CYCLO treatment, there was no difference between conditions in muscle lactate accumulation or phosphocreatine degradation after 10 min of stimulation. Contractile function was not different (P≤0.05) between conditions at either rest or stimulation and the decline in force production over ten minutes of stimulation was identical (~60%) between CON-Stim and CYCLO-Stim respectively. We conclude that flux through AAT was reduced after cycloserine treatment, however the acute inhibition of TCAI expansion did not compromise aerobic energy provision. These data support the hypothesis that the contraction-induced increase in muscle [TCAI] is not causally linked to oxidative energy delivery.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

This study investigated the effect of the mouse estrous cycle on myocyte contractile function. Female mice displayed irregular estrous cycles unless induced to cycle though exposure to bedding collected from cages housing male mice. Fractional shortening and Ca2+ transient amplitudes were significantly larger in myocytes isolated from mice in estrus. The effect of the estrous cycle was preserved even when cells were paced at a more physiological frequency and in the presence of ?-adrenergic stimulation. Myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity was also modified by the estrous cycle, as myofilaments isolated from the hearts of mice in estrus were least sensitive to Ca2+. However, acute application of either 17?-estradiol or the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) agonist, G-1, had no effect on contractions or Ca2+ transients, regardless of the estrous stage. Thus, physiological fluctuations in sex hormone levels modify myocyte contractions, Ca2+ release, and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity.

Avaliou-se os efeitos dos ácidos linoleico e oleico na regeneração do músculo gastrocnêmio lacerado em ratos e em mioblastos, miotubos e fibroblastos em cultura. Houve regeneração incompleta e recuperação parcial da função contrátil do músculo lesionado. O ácido linoleico diminuiu a massa, a atividade contrátil, a área de secção tranversa das fibras, aumentou tecido fibroso no músculo lesionado e elevou a expressão de PCNA, colágeno e fibronectina nos fibroblastos. O ácido oleico aboliu as alterações na atividade contrátil e o aumento de tecido fibroso e elevou a expressão de MyoD em mioblastos e desmina em miotubos e reduziu de PCNA, colágeno e fibronectina em fibroblastos. O ácido linoleico comprometeu a regeneração enquanto que o oleico otimizou a capacidade regenerativa e a função contrátil do músculo lesionado. / The effects of linoleic and oleic acids on regeneration of lacerated gastrocnemius muscle in rats and on cultured myoblasts, myotubes and fibroblasts were examined. There was incomplete regeneration and partial recovery of the contractile function of the injured muscle. Linoleic acid reduced the mass, contratile activity and cross-sectional area of the fibers, raised the fibrous area and reduced the expression of PCNA, collagen and fibronectin in fibroblasts. Oleic acid abolished the changes in contratile activity and the increase in the fibrous area, raised the expressions of MyoD in myoblasts, desmin in myotubes and inhibited the expressions of PCNA, collagen and fibronectin in fibroblasts. Linoleic acid impaired regeneration whereas oleic acid optimized the regenerative capacity and contractile function of the injured muscle.

Avaliou-se os efeitos dos ácidos linoleico e oleico na regeneração do músculo gastrocnêmio lacerado em ratos e em mioblastos, miotubos e fibroblastos em cultura. Houve regeneração incompleta e recuperação parcial da função contrátil do músculo lesionado. O ácido linoleico diminuiu a massa, a atividade contrátil, a área de secção tranversa das fibras, aumentou tecido fibroso no músculo lesionado e elevou a expressão de PCNA, colágeno e fibronectina nos fibroblastos. O ácido oleico aboliu as alterações na atividade contrátil e o aumento de tecido fibroso e elevou a expressão de MyoD em mioblastos e desmina em miotubos e reduziu de PCNA, colágeno e fibronectina em fibroblastos. O ácido linoleico comprometeu a regeneração enquanto que o oleico otimizou a capacidade regenerativa e a função contrátil do músculo lesionado. / The effects of linoleic and oleic acids on regeneration of lacerated gastrocnemius muscle in rats and on cultured myoblasts, myotubes and fibroblasts were examined. There was incomplete regeneration and partial recovery of the contractile function of the injured muscle. Linoleic acid reduced the mass, contratile activity and cross-sectional area of the fibers, raised the fibrous area and reduced the expression of PCNA, collagen and fibronectin in fibroblasts. Oleic acid abolished the changes in contratile activity and the increase in the fibrous area, raised the expressions of MyoD in myoblasts, desmin in myotubes and inhibited the expressions of PCNA, collagen and fibronectin in fibroblasts. Linoleic acid impaired regeneration whereas oleic acid optimized the regenerative capacity and contractile function of the injured muscle.

Die vorliegende Untersuchung sollte die kontraktile Funktion von humanen Vorhoftrabekeln und linksventrikulären Papillarmuskeln der Ratte während Hypoxie / Reoxygenierung als Hauptkomponenten von Ischämie / Reperfusion charakterisieren. Weitere Merkmale der Ischämie wurden durch erhöhte extrazelluläre K+-Konzentration und Azidose simuliert. Einblicke in die zelluläre Ca2+-Regulation ergaben sich aus Aktionspotential-(AP)-messungen, der SR- Ca2+-ATPase-Aktivität und Kraft-Intervall- Beziehungen. Die Rolle des Energiestoffwechsels und der endogenen antioxidativen Kapazität für die kontraktile Funktion von infarktbedingt hypertrophiertem Rattenmyokard während Hypoxie / Reoxygenierung ist durch Messung der Kreatinkinase-(CK)-Aktivität, ihrer Isoenzymverteilung und der Aktivitäten von Superoxiddismutase (SOD) und Glutathionperoxidase (GSH-Px) charakterisiert worden. Der Einsatz der Radikalfänger Histidin und Butylhydroxytoluen während Hypoxie und schneller Reoxygenierung an Rattenpapillarmuskeln sollte zur Protektion gegen den toxischen Effekt unterschiedlicher reaktiver Sauerstoffspezies dienen. In den durchgeführten Experimenten zeigte sich eine geringere Empfindlichkeit des humanen Vorhofmyokards gegenüber reduzierter O2-Versorgung und Reoxygenierung als im Rattenmyokard. Die während simulierter Ischämie im humanen Myokard auftretende Azidose hat einen günstigen Effekt auf die Wiederherstellung der isometrischen Kontraktionskraft nach Reoxygenierung, was jedoch mit einer gestörten Regulation der kontraktilen Funktion verbunden ist. Hypertrophiertes Myokard in der chronischen Phase nach Infarkt zeigt eine verminderte Empfindlichkeit gegenüber Hypoxie / Reoxygenierung, was auf adaptive Veränderungen im Energiestoffwechsel (erhöhte CK-MB und CK-BB Isoenzyme mit kleinerem Km-Wert für Kreatinphosphat), in der endogenen antioxidativen Kapazität (Erhöhung der Aktivitäten von SOD und GSH-Px um 40% bzw. 50%) und in der Regulation der kontraktilen Funktion (verminderte SR Ca2+-ATPase-Aktivität und Isomyosinverschiebung von V1 nach V3) zurückgeführt werden kann. Eine bessere Erholung der kontraktilen Funktion nach Reoxygenierung kann durch schnellen pO2- Wiederanstieg erreicht werden. Der Einsatz von Pharmaka mit verschiedenen Angriffspunkten im Radikalstoffwechsel und besonders deren Kombination während Hypoxie / Reoxygenierung ermöglicht zusätzlich eine verbesserte Kardioprotektion. / This study characterizes the contractile function of human atrial trabeculae and rat left ventricular papillary muscles during hypoxia / reoxygenation as the major components of ischemia / reperfusion. Further characteristics of ischemia were simulated by increased extracellular K+ concentration and acidosis during hypoxia. Insights into the cellular Ca2+ regulation were obtained from action potential recordings, from measurements of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ transport, and from force-interval relations. We examined changes in SR calcium transport, creatine kinase (CK) system, the antioxidant enzymes glutathionperoxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxiddismutase (SOD) 6 wks. after infarction (MI) due to coronary ligation in rats. Phenotypic modifications vs. sham operation (SHAM) were related to the contractile response of hypertrophied papillary muscle to hypoxia / reoxygenation. The oxygen radical scavengers histidine and butylhydroxytoluene were applied during hypoxia and rapid reoxygenation to protect the myocardium against oxygen radical damage. Generally, human atrial trabeculae were less sensitive to reduced oxygen supply and reoxygenation when compared to rat papillary muscles. In human atrial trabeculae, isometric peak force development recovered better after simulated ischemia than after hypoxia but the regulation of contractile function was clearly disturbed. In rat papillary muscles, rapid reoxygenation caused a better recovery of contractile function after hypoxia. Application of the oxygen radical scavengers histidine, butylhydroxytoluene, and especially their combination during hypoxia / reoxygenation had additional cardioprotective effects. In MI vs. SHAM we observed under aerobic control conditions: decreses in isometric contraction and relaxation rate, a reduced Vmax-equivalent of sarcomeric shortening, a faster twitch-to- twitch decay of post-rest potentiation (PRC) which correlated closely to the decrease in SR Ca2+ uptake (-25%), a decrease in CK activity (-20%), reduced CK-MI and CK-MM, increased CK-MB and CK-BB, and enhanced activities of SOD (+40%) and GSH-Px (+50%). During hypoxia, an initial increase in peak force (PF) was followed by a slower PF decline in MI vs. SHAM. During reoxygenation, rates of contraction and relaxation recovered better in MI. In SHAM but not MI, twitch-to-twitch decay of PRC was accelerated after reoxygenation vs. aerobic control. The results suggest that adaptive changes in SR Ca2+ handling, CK isoenzymes, and antioxidant enzymes may contribute to higher resistance against reduced O2 supply and reoxygenation in hypertrophy due to MI.

Afin de subvenir aux besoins et au bon développement du fœtus, la femme enceinte subit de nombreux changements cardiovasculaires. Notamment, la grossesse cause une accélération significative de la fréquence cardiaque au repos, créant ainsi un environnement arythmogène. Les arythmies supraventriculaires sont les arythmies cardiaques les plus fréquentes pendant la grossesse. Les femmes peuvent développer des arythmies de novo, tandis que d’autres peuvent voir leurs arythmies préexistantes exacerbées pendant leur grossesse. Bien que les arythmies supraventriculaires puissent compromettre la santé de la mère et du fœtus, les mécanismes qui en sont responsables restent à être explorés. Puisque les arythmies supraventriculaires peuvent être d’origine sinusale et auriculaire, l’objectif principal de cette thèse était de déterminer la contribution du remodelage du nœud sinusal et des oreillettes dans la survenue de ces arythmies. Depuis près de 20 ans, le laboratoire s’est intéressé aux mécanismes sous-jacents à l’accélération de la fréquence cardiaque associée à la grossesse. Plus précisément, le rôle des courants ioniques responsables de la dépolarisation diastolique et de la dépolarisation principale du potentiel d’action spontané du nœud sinusal ont été étudiés. Toutefois, bien que les courants ioniques responsables de la phase de repolarisation sont tout aussi importants dans l’automaticité cardiaque, le remodelage des courants K+ par la grossesse n’a pas encore été étudié. Ainsi, la première étude de cette thèse avait pour but d’examiner la contribution du courant potassique activé par l’acétylcholine (IKACh) dans l’accélération de l’automaticité cardiaque pendant la grossesse. Sachant que le remodelage des oreillettes peut également contribuer au développement d’arythmies supraventriculaires, le but de la deuxième étude était d’explorer le remodelage électrique, structurel et contractile des oreillettes pendant la grossesse. Afin de répondre aux objectifs de cette thèse, une analyse détaillée a été réalisée in vivo, sur les tissus et/ou les cellules isolées du nœud sinusal et des oreillettes de souris femelles non-gestantes et gestantes. Dans la première étude, nous avons montré que la fonction de IKACh, l’expression d’une des sous-unités formant le canal ionique (Kir3.1/Kcnj3) et l’expression du récepteur muscarinique de type 2 (M2R) sont diminuées dans le nœud sinusal de souris gestantes. En accord avec ces changements, des études cellulaires et in vivo ont montré que la réponse du nœud sinusal aux agents muscariniques est réduite pendant la grossesse. Les résultats de cette étude suggèrent que la réduction de IKACh contribue à l’accélération de la fréquence cardiaque pendant la grossesse. Dans la seconde étude, nous avons démontré que les oreillettes de souris gestantes subissent une hypertrophie physiologique, en plus d’une augmentation de leur fonction contractile. Cette augmentation de contraction est expliquée par 1) un remodelage des unités contractiles cellulaires, soit les sarcomères, et 2) un prolongement de la durée du potentiel d’action auriculaire expliqué par la réduction du courant potassique transitoire sortant indépendant du Ca2+ (Ito) et de l’expression de son canal potassique KV4.3 (Kcnd3). Par ailleurs, des contractions spontanées et des relâches spontanées de Ca2+ diastoliques sont plus fréquemment observés dans les oreillettes de souris gestantes. Ce remodelage structurel, contractile et électrique des oreillettes crée un environnement favorable au développement d’arythmies supraventriculaires pendant la grossesse. Ces études permettent une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes cellulaires et moléculaires responsables du remodelage du nœud sinusal et des oreillettes causés par la grossesse. Les nouvelles connaissances acquises dans ces études sont d’une grande importance pour la santé des femmes et, à terme, pourraient permettre d’améliorer la gestion des arythmies induites par la grossesse. De nos jours, ce sujet de recherche est encore plus essentiel, considérant l’âge maternel avancé et la présence de comorbidités chez les femmes enceintes, des facteurs de risque supplémentaires d’arythmies cardiaques. / Pregnant women undergo several cardiovascular changes to support the needs and the healthy development of their fetus. Notably, pregnancy causes a significant acceleration in resting heart rate, creating an arrhythmogenic environment. Supraventricular arrhythmias are the most frequent type of cardiac arrhythmias during pregnancy. Some women may develop arrhythmias de novo, while others may have their pre-existing arrhythmias exacerbated during pregnancy. Although supraventricular arrhythmias can compromise the health of both the mother and fetus, their underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. Considering that supraventricular arrhythmias can be of both nodal and atrial origin, the main objective of this thesis was to determine the contribution of sinoatrial node and atrial remodeling to the occurrence of these arrhythmias. For almost 20 years, the laboratory has been investigating the mechanisms underlying the accelerated heart rate associated with pregnancy. More specifically, the role of ionic currents responsible for the diastolic depolarization and the main depolarization of the spontaneous action potential of the sinoatrial node has been studied. However, although the ionic currents responsible for the repolarization are equally important in cardiac automaticity, the remodeling of K+ currents by pregnancy has yet to be investigated. Therefore, the aim of the first study presented in this thesis was to examine the acetylcholine-activated K+ current IKACh during pregnancy and its contribution to the increased cardiac automaticity. Since atrial remodeling may also contribute to the development of supraventricular arrhythmias, the aim of the second study was to explore the electrical, structural, and contractile remodeling of the atria during pregnancy. To meet the objectives of this thesis, a detailed analysis was carried out in vivo, on tissue and/or isolated cells from the sinoatrial node and atria of non-pregnant and pregnant female mice. In the first study, we showed that the function of IKACh as well as the expression of one of its ion channel-forming isoforms (Kir3.1/Kcnj3) and the type 2 muscarinic receptor (M2R) is decreased in the sinoatrial node of pregnant mice. In line with these changes, the responsiveness to muscarinic agents of sinoatrial node is reduced during pregnancy, at cellular level and in vivo. These results strongly suggest that reduced IKACh may contributes to pregnancy-induced increased heart rate. In the second study, we demonstrated that the atria of pregnant mice undergo physiological hypertrophy, in addition to an increase in their contractile function. This increase in contraction is explained by 1) the remodeling of cellular contractile units, i.e. the sarcomeres, and 2) a prolongation of atrial action potential duration explained by a reduction in the Ca2+-independent transient outward K+ current (Ito) and expression of its underlying K+ channel KV4.3 (Kcnd3). Moreover, spontaneous contractions and spontaneous diastolic Ca2+ releases are more frequently observed in atrial myocytes of pregnant mice. Collectively, this structural, contractile, and electrical remodeling of the atria may contribute to the development of supraventricular arrhythmias during pregnancy. These studies provide a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the pregnancy-induced remodeling of the sinoatrial node and atria. The new knowledge gained from these studies is of great importance to women's health and may ultimately help to improve the management of pregnancy-induced arrhythmias. Nowadays, this area of research is even more essential considering the advanced maternal age and the presence of comorbidities in pregnant women, additional risk factors for cardiac arrhythmias.