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Distinct load dependence of relaxation rate and diastolic function in Oryctolagus cuniculus and Ratus norvegicus

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Abstract

This study investigated potential differences on load dependence of relaxation rate and diastolic function between Oryctolagus cuniculus and Ratus norvegicus, which have constitutive differences in the mechanisms involved in myocardial inactivation. Load dependence of relaxation rate and diastolic function were evaluated with the response of left ventricular time constant τ and diastolic pressure-dimension relation to beat-to-beat aortic constrictions in open-chest rabbits and rats. Afterload levels were normalized, being expressed as a percentage of peak isovolumetric pressure (relative load). In control heartbeats, relaxation rate and diastolic function were similar in the two animal species. They presented, however, distinct responses to afterload elevations. In rabbits, time constant decreased ~7% and diastolic pressure-dimension relation remained unchanged when afterload was elevated to a relative load of 73–76%. Above this afterload level, a significant deceleration of relaxation rate (increase of time constant) and an upward shift of diastolic pressure-dimension relation were observed. In rats, afterload elevations accelerated pressure fall up to a relative load of 97–100% and no afterload-induced shift of the diastolic pressure-dimension relation was observed. This study provides, therefore, evidence that Oryctolagus cuniculus has lower afterload reserve of myocardial relaxation and diastolic function than Ratus norvegicus.

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Fig. 1A–C.
Fig. 2A–C.
Fig. 3.

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Abbreviations

ED:

End-diastolic

LV:

Left ventricular

LVP:

Left ventricular pressure

NCX:

Na+/Ca2+ exchanger

PV:

Pressure-volume

SERCA2:

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase

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Acknowledgements

Supported by Portuguese grants from FCT (PRAXIS/SAU/11301/98; partially funded by FEDER), from Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and from Comissão de Fomento da Investigação em Cuidados de Saúde (Ministry of Health), through Unidade I&D Cardiovascular (51/94-FCT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    J. Correia-Pinto, T. Henriques-Coelho, S.-M. Oliveira & A. F. Leite-Moreira

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  1. J. Correia-Pinto
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  2. T. Henriques-Coelho
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  3. S.-M. Oliveira
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  4. A. F. Leite-Moreira
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. F. Leite-Moreira.

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Communicated by G. Heldmaier

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Correia-Pinto, J., Henriques-Coelho, T., Oliveira, SM. et al. Distinct load dependence of relaxation rate and diastolic function in Oryctolagus cuniculus and Ratus norvegicus . J Comp Physiol B 173, 401–407 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-003-0347-7

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