Low levels of ATP synthase and cytochrome c oxidase subunit peptide from hearts of copper-deficient rats are not altered by the administration of dimethyl sulfoxide.
This study determined if reported decreases in the delta subunit of ATP synthase and nuclear-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunits in hearts of copper-deficient rats were secondary to the heart disease pathology or due to lack of the trace element. Male weanling Long-Evans rats were randomly divided into six groups: rats fed a copper-adequate or copper-deficient diet (with free access) with or without 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the drinking water and rats pair-fed the copper-adequate or copper-deficient diet without DMSO treatment. After 4 wk, rats in the groups fed the copper-deficient diet had lower liver superoxide dismutase and heart cytochrome c oxidase activities compared with groups fed the copper-adequate diet. Administration of DMSO, an antioxidant, and energy restriction (pair-feeding) partially blocked cardiac hypertrophy in rats fed the copper-deficient diet. Greater mitochondrial volume density and mitochondrial:myofibrillar ratio and disrupted myofibrils and basal laminae were observed in the hearts from rats fed the copper-deficient diet and not treated with DMSO compared with hearts from groups fed the copper-adequate diet. The DMSO-treated rats fed the copper-deficient diet had hearts with intact structure but enlarged mitochondria compared with other groups fed the copper-deficient diet. The delta subunit of ATP synthase and the nuclear-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunits IV and V were depressed in rats fed a copper-deficient diet regardless of antioxidant treatment and pair-feeding. These data suggest that the effects of copper deficiency upon ATP synthase and cytochrome c oxidase proteins are not due to the cardiac pathology.
Chao
J C
JC
Department of Human Nutrition and Food Management, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1295.
Medeiros
D M
DM
Davidson
J
J
Shiry
L
L
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000209:etiology; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency*; D004032:Diet; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006400:Hematocrit; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009206:Myocardium / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats
D003300:Copper; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide