Substrate accessibility to cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase improves posthypoxic recovery of isolated rat heart.

The effects of aspartate (Asp) and 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG) on metabolism and function of isolated rat heart during hypoxia and reoxygenation were studied. Hearts were subjected to oxygenated perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit buffer supplied with 11 mM glucose (20 min) and anoxic perfusion with the buffer saturated with N2 (20 min), followed by reoxygenation (30 min). The substrate concentrations in the perfusate were 3.5 mM each. The additives had no effect on the energy metabolism and function of the oxygenated heart despite a two-fold rise in myocardial Asp and 2-OG. Substrate supplementation during anoxic perfusion resulted in reduced lactate dehydrogenase release and less depression of cardiac function. Prevention of Asp, glutamate, and 2-OG degradation in hypoxic myocardium was accompanied by relief of glycolytic flux and better preservation of ATP, phosphocreatine (PCr), and total creatine (Cr). Reoxygenation without the additives after supplemented anoxic perfusion failed to improve recovery of high-energy phosphates and cardiac function compared to control. However, during reoxygenation with the additives the treated hearts showed less cell membrane damage and enhanced recovery of contractile and pump function. These effects were associated with higher myocardial contents of ATP, PCr, and adenine nucleotides and a smaller Cr loss during reoxygenation. A more effective restoration of oxidative metabolism was related to promoted glucose oxidation due to replenishment of the malate-aspartate shuttle reactants. The results substantiate the use of substrates of cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase for myocardial protection against hypoxia/reoxygenation stress.