title: Excitation-contraction in rat myocardium: alterations with adult aging.
abstract: Simultaneous transmembrane action potential (TAP) and isometric contraction measurements were made in thin right ventricular papillary muscles isolated from senescent (S, 24-26 mo) and young adult (YA, 6-8 mo) rat hearts. At the peak of the length-tension curve in the steady state at 24 min-1 at 29 degrees C in perfusate [Ca2+] [( Ca2+]e) of 0.375 or 2.5 mM, contractile tension developed in response to excitation (DT) and the maximum rate of tension development (dT/dt) were not age-related; contraction duration (CD) was 17 and 27% greater in S than YA in the low and high [Ca2+]e, respectively (P less than 0.001); resting membrane potential was not age related. TAP time above zero mV, integrated area above zero mV, and times to 75% (T75) and 90% (T90) repolarization were approximately twofold greater in S than in YA in both [Ca2+]e (P less than 0.001). Changes in steady-state T75 and T90 due to an increase in [Ca2+]e from 0.375 to 2.5 mM were significantly correlated with those in CD, DT, and dT/dt in S but not in YA. We conclude that in the senescent myocardium a prolonged and greater extent of depolarization is related to the prolonged CD and may also be a determinant of the peak force developed in response to excitation under some conditions.
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016276:Ventricular Function
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium