Sarcolemmal Ca2+-binding and enzyme activities in myocardium from hypothyroid rat

Effects of hypothyroidism on heart sarcolemmal activities were examined by using membrane preparations obtained by two different methods from rats treated with propylthiouracil for 6 to 8 weeks. ATP-independent Ca2+ binding, sialic acid and phospholipid content, Ca2+ ATPase, Mg2+ ATPase and adenylate-cyclase were not altered in membranes isolated by the hypotonic shock-LiBr treatment method from hypothyroid hearts. On the other hand, depressed activities of ouabain sensitive Na+-K+ ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase were observed in this hypothyroid preparation. Sarcolemma isolated by the sucrose density gradient procedure from hypothyroid hearts exhibited lower ouabain-sensitive Na+-K+ ATPase and higher ATP-dependent Ca2+ binding as well as Ca2+ stimulated ATPase without any changes in the 5'-nucleotidase, adenylate cyclase and Mg2+-ATPase activities. The activation of ATP-dependent Ca2+ binding and Ca2+ stimulated ATPase by calmodulin in the hypothyroid preparation was greater than the control; these effects of calmodulin were blocked by trifluoperazine. The results suggest some specific changes in the heart sarcolemmal Ca2+-pump during the development of hypothyroidism.