A phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance study of effects of altered thyroid state on cardiac bioenergetics

We have used 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques to characterize bioenergetic changes in the Langendorff-perfused rat heart accompanying alterations in thyroid state. Cytosolic phosphocreatine and inorganic phosphate concentrations changed significantly in both the hypo- and hyperthyroid groups compared to controls; the calculated phosphorylation potential [( ATP]/[ADP][Pi]) increased by 60% in hypothyroidism and decreased by 60% in hyperthyroidism relative to the euthyroid value of 47 X 10(3) M-1. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and mitochondrial ATP synthase rates were measured in the intact tissue using a saturation-transfer NMR method. There were no significant differences in the measured fluxes through the CPK reaction among the three groups (4.24 +/- 1.00 mM X sec-1 for the euthyroid group). Although O2 consumption increased by 46% in hearts from hyperthyroid animals, no change in the measured mitochondrial ATP synthase flux was observed compared to the euthyroid flux of 1.05 +/- 0.11 mM X sec-1. These results suggest that the apparent in situ P/O ratio of mitochondria in hearts from hyperthyroid animals is reduced relative to that in euthyroid controls.