Effect of glutamic and aspartic acids on adenine nucleotides, nitrogenous compounds and contractile function during underperfusion of isolated rat heart.

The experiments were carried out to find out whether exogenous glutamic or aspartic acid could diminish changes in the cardiac contractile function and high-energy phosphate content caused by underperfusion of isolated isovolumic rat heart. After 40 min of reduced coronary flow (from 10 to 3 ml/min) there was an almost four-fold fall in the developed pressure, and more than three-fold rise in the diastolic pressure as well as a profound fall in creatine phosphate (CP) and ATP content. Glutamic (68 mM) or aspartic (75 mM) acids were added to the perfusate after 10 min of underperfusion when the developed pressure had declined almost to the same level as was observed after 40 min and the content of CP was reduced more than two-fold. Glutamic acid completely prevented the rise in the diastolic pressure and significantly increased the CP content, as compared to its level observed before addition of glutamate, but glutamic acid did not change the developed pressure. As a result, the CP and ATP contents were three- and two-fold higher, respectively, after addition of glutamic acid as compared to control underperfused hearts. Similar, but slightly less prominent effects were observed when aspartic acid was added instead of glutamic acid. These results suggest that high concentrations of glutamic and aspartic acids can exert beneficial effects on ischemic heart muscle.