Chronic run training suppresses alpha-adrenergic response of rat cardiomyocytes and isovolumic left ventricle.

The effects of endurance run training on alpha-adrenergic responsiveness of rat left ventricle (LV) were examined in cardiomyocytes and isovolumic LV. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were sedentary (Sed) or trained (Tr) for >20 wk by treadmill running. Cardiomyocyte shortening and fura 2 fluorescence ratio were recorded before and during 5-min exposure to 5 microM phenylephrine (PE) while paced at 0.5 Hz in 2 mM extracellular Ca2+ concentration at 29 degrees C. Cardiomyocyte shortening and shortening velocity increased with PE, and these effects were more pronounced in the Sed group. The rate of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration removal was reduced by PE in the Sed cardiomyocytes, but was unaffected in the Tr. Isovolumic LV pressure was recorded immediately before and during 5-min perfusion with 5 microM PE during pacing at 280 beats/min and 37 degrees C, and positive inotropy due to PE was more pronounced in the Sed than in the Tr. These data demonstrated that the effects of alpha-adrenergic stimulation on myocardial positive inotropy and calcium regulation were reduced in this rat model of run training at both the cellular and whole organ levels.