Effect of parathyroid hormone on myocardial energy metabolism in the rat

This study examined the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on myocardial energy production, transfer, and utilization. Rats (150 to 200 g) were injected with 1-84 PTH, 200 U/day i.p., or 1-34 PTH, 200 or 300 U/day i.p., for 4 days. Control animals received the vehicle only. The effect of the simultaneous administration of calcium channel blocker, verapamil, was also examined. Myocardial contents of Pi, ATP, and CP were significantly (P less than 0.01) lower in the 1-84 PTH-treated rats than in control animals. Both 1-84 PTH and 1-34 significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced mitochondrial oxygen consumption without altering ADP:O ratio indicating reduced phosphorylation. 1-84 and 1-34 PTH significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced the activities of mitochondrial and myofibrillar creatine phosphokinase and 1-84 PTH inhibited (P less than 0.01) the activities of mitochondrial Mg ATPase and those of myofibrillar Ca ATPase. There were significant (P less than 0.01) increments in myocardial 45Ca and in total calcium content in 1-84 PTH-treated rats. Verapamil abolished all the effects of 1-84 PTH. Similarly, inactivation of 1-84 PTH abolished its effects. Treatment with 1-84 PTH for 10 days was associated with a significant decrease in cardiac index and mean arterial pressure. Our data demonstrate that both 1-84 and 1-34 PTH impair energy production, transfer, and utilization. These biochemical derangements, if maintained, produce a decrease in cardiac index. It appears that the enhanced entry and the accumulation of calcium in the myocardium, either directly and/or indirectly, are responsible for the action of PTH on energy metabolism of the heart.