title: Cardioprotective effects of phosphocreatine on myocardial cell ultrastructure and calcium-sensing receptor expression in the acute period following high level spinal cord injury.
abstract: Phosphocreatine (PCr) mobilizes high-energy phosphates in cardiac muscles, which is potentially useful as a cardioprotective agent in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The cardioprotective effects of PCr on myocardial cell ultrastructure and calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) expression following high-level spinal cord injury (SCI) were investigated. Healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n=54) weighing 250-300 g were subjected to C7 SCI injury by Allen's method with or without treatment by abdominal injection of PCr (200 mg/kg) at 6, 12, 24 or 48 h (SCI + treatment and SCI-only groups, respectively; 6 rats/group/time point). Right apical tissues were sampled 2 h following each time interval. Surgeries without SCI were performed in 6 control rats (sham operation group). Cardiac troponin I (cTnI), serum creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase (CK-MB) levels were assessed automatically. Myocardial morphology was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Quantitative real‑time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis were used to determine myocardial tissue calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Normal myocardial ultrastructure was observed in the sham operation group, while SCI-only groups exhibited progressive and extensive damage to myofibrils, sarcomere structure, mitochondrial membranes and vacuole structures, occasionally accompanied by punctured cell membranes, nuclear chromatin condensation and cavitation. SCI + treatment groups, however, exhibited significantly relieved ultrastructural abnormalities and reduced the levels of CaSR, cTnI, CK and CK-MB mRNA and protein expression at all time intervals (P<0.05). In the SCI rat model, PCr exhibited cardioprotection by relieving myocardial ultrastructural abnormalities and preserving the normal metabolic energy balance, including calcium regulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiaoni
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Lishuang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Caizhu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009336:Necrosis; D010725:Phosphocreatine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing; D019210:Troponin I; D010725:Phosphocreatine; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form