Na,K-ATPase activity and repolarization of ventricular action potentials in simian hearts

We measured Na,K-ATPase activity and ATP content of 4 different areas of the left ventricular muscle of Japanese monkeys (Mucaca fuscata): The apex, base, and epicardium (Epi) and endocardium (Endo) of the free wall. We compared those values with electrical parameters such as action potential duration (APD) and the level of resing potentials. APDs of base and Endo were significantly longer than those of apex and Epi, respectively. There was no significant difference in ATP contents among the four tissues while Na,K-ATPase activity in Epi was significantly higher, thereby indicating that the maximum capacity of the Na,K-pump activity is greater in Epi than in Endo. This observation serves to explain the following differences in electrophysiology characteristics found between Epi and Endo: greater shortening of APD in Endo when the cycle length of stimulation was shortened (from 2,000 to 200 ms) or when ouabain (0.5-1 microM) was applied; larger amplitude of post-overdrive hyperpolarization in Epi; and marked ouabain-induced depolarization of the resting potential in Endo, as compared to Epi. We conclude that the difference in Na,K-ATPase activity accounts for the different electrical behavior observed in Epi and Endo of the simian ventricle.