[Isoproterenol induced changes of protein expression and myocardial ultrastructure]

To elucidate alterations in myocardial ultrastructure and protein expression caused by isoproterenol.

Biochemical, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies of rat myocardium were carried out 2 hours and 3 weeks after single injections of isoproterenol (50 and 10 mg/kg). Relative content of myospecific proteins (KRP - kinase-related protein, desmin), cytoskeletal proteins (tubulin, vinculin, and myosin light chain kinase - MLCK) and extracellular matrix protein, fibronectin, was determined by immunoblotting.

In 2 hours after injection of 50 mg/kg of isoproterenol destruction of some cardiomyocytes, contracture of myofibrils, and mild edema of intercellular space occurred; the content of KRP decreased by l6%, and that of tubulin, vinculin and fibronectin - by 27-29%. Reduced level of these proteins and also of MLCK persisted until 3 weeks after injection and was associated with altered cardiomyocyte ultrastructure. Glycogen granules were sparse, mitochondria contained arrow-like inclusions characteristic for calcium overload, huge mitochondria connected by specialized intermitochondrial contacts were present. Enlarged intercellular space contained areas of fibrosis with increased amount of type I and II collagens and fibronectin. Lower dose of isoproterenol (10 mg/kg) did not cause noticeable damaging action in the acute period, but in 3 weeks thickening of extracellular matrix occurred accompanied by increases of KRP and tubulin contents (by 26-32% compared with control level). Similar rise in expression of these proteins, and also of MLCK was observed after addition of isoproterenol to culture of chicken cardiomyocytes.

These results indicate that even single injection of isoproterenol causes long lasting structural alterations in cardiac muscle accompanied by increased expression of extracellular matrix proteins as well as sarcoplasmic proteins apparently involved in the hypertrophic response of the cardiomyocytes.