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Age-dependent change in myocardial cardiac glycoside receptor (Na,K-pump) concentration in children

K Kjeldsen1, P Grøn

  • 1Department of Medicine (Division of Cardiology), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, School of Medicine, Denmark.

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology
|February 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Myocardial sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na,K-ATPase) concentration significantly decreases in infants within the first six months of life. This age-related change in heart Na,K-ATPase may influence cardiac glycoside sensitivity in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Myocardial Na,K-ATPase plays a crucial role in cardiac function and is the primary receptor for cardiac glycosides.
  • Understanding age-related changes in myocardial Na,K-ATPase is essential for interpreting drug efficacy and toxicity in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify myocardial Na,K-ATPase concentration in human infants and children.
  • To investigate the developmental trajectory of myocardial Na,K-ATPase from birth to 8 years of age.
  • To explore the implications of these changes for cardiac glycoside sensitivity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized vanadate-facilitated 3H-ouabain binding assays on left ventricle autopsy samples from 18 human subjects aged 0-8 years.
  • Analyzed Na,K-ATPase concentration and binding kinetics in relation to age.

Main Results:

  • A significant decrease in myocardial Na,K-ATPase concentration was observed within the first 6 months of life (1.6-fold higher than in 6 months to 8-year-olds).
  • Mean values were 1,076 ± 57 pmol/g (birth-6 months) vs. 671 ± 28 pmol/g (6 months-8 years) (p < 0.001).
  • Highest concentration was in a 3-month-old (1,433 pmol/g), lowest in an 8-year-old (545 pmol/g). No age-dependent variations in binding kinetics were found.

Conclusions:

  • Myocardial Na,K-ATPase concentration undergoes a rapid decline in early infancy, primarily due to changes in the Na,K-ATPase to muscle mass ratio.
  • These developmental changes in myocardial Na,K-ATPase likely contribute to the observed variations in cardiac glycoside sensitivity and toxicity in young individuals.

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