[CHANGES IN THE METABOLISM IN THE MYOCARDIUM OF RATS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION]

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Oxidative Stress Research

Context:

• Arterial hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
• Myocardial energy metabolism is crucial for heart function.
• Oxidative stress plays a key role in hypertensive heart disease.

Purpose:

• To investigate the alterations in fatty acid composition and energy metabolism in the myocardium of rats with experimentally induced arterial hypertension.
• To assess the impact of hypertension on antioxidant enzyme activity in cardiomyocytes.
• To elucidate the relationship between metabolic changes and oxidative stress in hypertensive hearts.

Summary:

• Hypertension in rats significantly increases myocardial unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, while decreasing palmitic acid.
• This shift, alongside elevated arachidonic acid, contributes to myocardial energy deficit, increased lactate, and reduced ATP levels.
• Activity of key antioxidant enzymes, including NO-synthase, catalase, and glutathione reductase, is markedly decreased in both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial fractions of cardiomyocytes.

Impact:

• These findings highlight critical metabolic derangements in the hypertensive heart, characterized by altered lipid profiles and compromised antioxidant defense mechanisms.
• Understanding these molecular changes provides insights into the pathogenesis of hypertensive cardiomyopathy.
• The study underscores the detrimental effects of hypertension on myocardial bioenergetics and redox balance, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.