© 1999 by European Society of Cardiology
Copyright © 1999, European Society of Cardiology
Mitochondrial metabolism of pyruvate is required for its enhancement of cardiac function and energetics1
Department of Integrative Physiology and Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699, USA
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-817-735-2260; fax: +1-817-735-5084. E-mail address: malletr@hsc.unt.edu
Pyruvate augmentation of contractile function and cytosolic free energy of ATP hydrolysis in myocardium could result from pyruvate catabolism in the mitochondria or from increased ratio of the cytosolic NAD+/NADH redox couple via the lactate dehydrogenase equilibrium. Objective: To test the hypothesis that cytosolic oxidation by pyruvate is sufficient to increase cardiac function and energetics. Methods: Isolated working guinea-pig hearts received 0.2 mM octanoate±2.5 mM pyruvate as fuels. 
-Cyano-3-hydroxycinnamate (COHC, 0.6 mM) was administered to selectively inhibit mitochondrial pyruvate uptake without inhibiting pyruvate’s cytosolic redox effects or octanoate oxidation. The effects of pyruvate and COHC on sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ handling were examined in 45Ca-loaded hearts. Results: Pyruvate increased left ventricular stroke work and power 40%, mechanical efficiency 29%, and cytosolic ATP phosphorylation potential nearly fourfold. 14CO2 formation from [1-14C]pyruvate was inhibited 65% by COHC, and octanoate oxidation, i.e. 14CO2 formation from [1-14C]octanoate, concomitantly increased threefold. COHC prevented pyruvate enhancement of left ventricular function, mechanical efficiency and cytosolic phosphorylation potential, but did not alter respective levels in pyruvate-free control hearts and augmented cytosolic oxidation by pyruvate. Pyruvate increased sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ turnover, i.e. Ca2+ uptake and release, as indicated by 62% decrease in caffeine-induced 45Ca release following 40 min 45Ca washout (P<0.01). In presence of COHC, pyruvate did not lower caffeine-induced 45Ca release; thus, COHC abrogated pyruvate enhancement of Ca2+ turnover (P<0.001). Conclusion: Pyruvate oxidation of cytosolic redox state is not sufficient to increase cardiac function, cytosolic energetics and sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ turnover when mitochondrial pyruvate transport is disabled; thus, mitochondrial metabolism of pyruvate is essential for its metabolic inotropism.
KEYWORDS Mitochondrial pyruvate transport; ATP phosphorylation potential; Citrate; Sarcoplasmic reticular calcium transport; Caffeine; Mechanical efficiency
1 Abbreviations: COHC, -cyano-3-hydroxycinnamate; Cr, creatine; KCK, equilibrium constant of creatine kinase; Mgf, cytosolic free magnesium; MVO2, myocardial oxygen consumption; NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; PCr, phosphocreatine; Pi, inorganic phosphate; TCA, tricarboxylic acid. Enzymes: Aconitase (EC 4.2.1.3
[EC]
), creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2
[EC]
), glutamate–oxaloacetate transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1
[EC]
), glutamate–pyruvate transaminase (EC 2.6.1.2
[EC]
), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.12
[EC]
), isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.41
[EC]
), lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27
[EC]
), NAD(P+)-dependent malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.39/40), phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11
[EC]
), phosphoglycerate kinase (EC 2.7.2.3
[EC]
), pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1
[EC]
), pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (EC 1.2.4.1, EC 2.3.1.1
[EC]
2, EC 3.1.3.4
[EC]
3).