The Role of Glycolysis in Myocardial Calcium Control

Because glycolysis is thought to be important for maintenance of cellular ion homeostasis, the aim of the present study was to examine the role of glycolysis in the control of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) and cell shortening during conditions of increased calcium influx. Thus, [Ca2+]iand unloaded cell shortening were measured in fura-2/AM loaded rat ventricular myocytes. All cells were superfused with Tyrode's solution containing glucose and pyruvate (to preserve oxidative metabolism), and glycolysis was inhibited by iodoacetate (IAA, 100μm). Calcium influx was increased, secondary to an increase in intracellular sodium, by addition of veratrine (1μg/ml), or directly by either elevating [Ca2+]ofrom 2 to 5 mmor by exposing the cells to isoproterenol (1 to 100 nm). Veratrine exposure caused a time-dependent increase in both diastolic and systolic [Ca2+]ithat resulted in cellular calcium overload and hypercontraction. The rate of increase in [Ca2+]iwas more rapid in IAA-treated than in untreated myocytes, leading to a 13±3v5±2% increase (P