| Abstract: | Isolated guinea-pig hearts perfused at 37 degrees C with Krebs-Henseleit buffer through aorta. Mechanical function was evaluated by isovolumic pressure in a latex balloon inserted into left ventricle. The density of catecholamine-containing adrenergic nerve plexus was measured in both ventricles after 40 min of total ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion. Heart preparations were treated with 2% glyoxylic acid and the relative area occupied by the plexus was determined alanimetrically. Without taurine (control) the adrenergic plexus density was 4-(right ventricule) and 6-fold (left ventricule) lower compared with that in freshly isolated hearts. When taurine was added to the perfusion solution after ischemia, the plexus density increased about 2.7-fold; if it was added prior to ischemia, the density was nearly equal to the original value. In no experiment with taurine addition during reperfusion fibrillation did occur, and about 2-fold more rapid restoration of regular rhythm was observed comparing with the control and experiments when taurine was added prior to ischemia. Both in the latter and control experiments spontaneously disappearing fibrillation occurred. The restoration of pressure and contraction frequency were virtually the same in all experiments. These findings show that taurine is able to preserve the catecholamine stores in the myocardium. |
