The effects of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP on redox state and energy state in hypoxic rat atria.

The effects of 8-bromo-cAMP (10(-4)M) and 8-bromo-cGMP (10(-4)M) on tissue lactate, NADH, creatine phosphate (CP), ATP, ADP and AMP were studied in hypoxic (50% oxygen saturation) spontaneously beating rat atria. CP/ATP ratio and energy charge (EC) were also calculated. In hypoxic rat atria there was a significant increase in tissue lactate, NADH, ADP and AMP and a decrease in CP, CP/ATP ratio and EC. 8-bromo-cGMP abolished these hypoxia-induced changes. The levels of lactate and NADH decreased and those of CP, ATP, ADP and EC increased after administration of 8-bromo-cGMP. 8-bromo-cAMP increased the level of lactate during hypoxia, but did not affect the other hypoxia-induced changes. The present work indicates that cyclic GMP can change the redox state and energy state in a more favourable direction for the hypoxic rat heart.