[Action of yttrium on calcium-dependent processes in myocardium of vertebrates]

This work deals with study, of effect of yttrium acetate (Y3+) on myocardium of the frog Rana redibunda and of its action on the ion transport across the inner membrane of the rat heart mitochondria. It was found that Y3+ decreased strength of heart contractions and facilitated transport of ions in rat heart mitochondria stimulated by 10 mM glutamate and 2 mM malate. In the presence of Y3+, the energy-dependent transport of Ca2+ in mitochondria was inhibited; this was manifested as a decrease of their swelling in the medium containing 125 mM NH4NO3 and Ca2+ or 25 mM potassium acetate, 100 mM sucrose and Ca2+. It is assumed that the Y(3+)-caused decrease of the heart muscle contractility is not only due to its direct blocking effect on the potential-operated Ca2+ channels of the pacemaker and contractile cardiomyocytes, but also due to its mediated action on active transport of Ca2+ in mitochondria. The data that Y3+ activates transport of K+ via the mitochondrial potassium uniporter and blocks Ca(2+)-channels of the inner mitochondrial membrane are important for better understanding of mechanisms of action Y3+ on cardiomyocytes of vertebrate animals and humans and the possible use of Y3+ in medicine.