Influence of myocardial isomyosins on cardiac performance and oxygen consumption.

There was 21% isomyosin V1 in the 12 month SHR (Spontaneous Hypertensive Rat) and 70% isomyosin V1 in the 6 month WKY (Wystar-Kyoto), nevertheless there was no difference in maximum developed pressure nor maximum dP/dt in the isovolumically beating hearts of the two sets of animals. [Hearts were perfused with hypercalcemic perfusate in the presence of isoproterenol (10(-7)M)]. There was, however, a a 32% reduction in oxygen consumption per gram of dry weight per beat in the 12 month SHR as compared to the 6 mo WKY. Associated with a shift towards isomyosins V2 and V3 in the 6 and 12 month WKY and SHR there was no corresponding change in maximum dP/dt nor developed pressure, but there was a conservation in oxygen consumption.