Intracellular milieu changes associated with hypoxia impair sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ transport in cardiac muscle

The effects on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ transport of solutions mimicking the important intracellular milieu changes associated with short-term hypoxia (hypoxic solutions, as described by Kammermeier et al. J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol. 14: 267, 1982) were examined. SR Ca2+ content was estimated by measuring the magnitude of the caffeine-induced contracture in saponin-skinned rat papillary muscle. SR Ca2+ uptake was inhibited by hypoxic solutions only at loading times less than or equal to 30 s. This inhibition was primarily due to the increase in Pi. The hypoxic solutions had no effect on Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release from the SR. We also tested the effects of ATP-free (rigor) solutions that mimic the intracellular environment during late hypoxia and ischemia. Elevating Pi or ADP alone in rigor solution had no effect on SR Ca2+ content. However, elevating Pi and ADP (+/-Mg2+) produced a 44-48% reduction in SR Ca2+ content. This reduction is most likely due to reversal of the SR Ca2+ pump. We conclude that the changes in milieu with short-term hypoxia can depress contractility in intact cardiac muscle by inhibiting SR Ca2+ uptake. During long-term hypoxia or ischemia, these milieu changes can elevate intracellular Ca2+ by reversing the SR Ca2+ pump.