Gender modulation of Ca2+ uptake in cardiac mitochondria

Yehuda Arieli, Hemamalini Gursahani, Matt M. Eaton, Lisa A. Hernandez, Saul Schaefer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Mitochondrial calcium overload is an important factor in defining ischemia/reperfusion injury. Since pre-menopausal women are relatively protected from ischemia and heart disease, we tested the hypothesis that gender differences alter Ca2+ handling in rat cardiac mitochondria. Methods: Using cardiac mitochondria isolated from male, female, and ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats, we measured mitochondrial calcium transport, redox state, and membrane potential (Δψm) during exposure to a calcium bolus. Redox state was modulated using either succinate (S) or succinate and pyruvate (SP) as substrates. Results: Net Ca2+ uptake rates were significantly lower in female than male mitochondria using SP, substrate conditions that resulted in a lower redox state (NADH/NAD+). Inhibition of the mitochondrial transition pore (MTP) using cyclosporin A showed significantly lower net Ca2+ uptake in both substrate solutions when mitochondria from female and ovariectomized animals were compared to males, a finding consistent with gender modulation of the mitochondrial uniporter. Blockade of the Ca2+ uniporter by ruthenium red abolished gender or substrate solution differences in calcium release. While there were no significant differences in resting Δψm, or Δψm following Ca2+ addition, 80% of female samples recovered from Ca2+-induced depolarization compared to 57% and 43% of male and ovariectomized animals, respectively. Conclusions: Mitochondria from female hearts have lower Ca2+ uptake rates under physiologic substrate solutions (succinate/pyruvate) and are able to appropriately maintain ΔYm under conditions of high [Ca2+]. These differences are consistent with gender modulation of the Ca2+ uniporter and may be a mechanism by which female myocardium suffers less injury with ischemia/reperfusion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)507-513
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2004
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by a Grant-in-Aid from the American Heart Association (0250236N) and an External Research Program Grant from Philip Morris, Inc.

Keywords

  • Estrogen
  • Gender
  • Mitochondria
  • Myocardium
  • NADH
  • Redox
  • calcium

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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