Size and shape of enzymatically isolated ventricular myocytes from rats and cardiomyopathic hamsters

Rod-shaped and branched ventricular myocytes from rats and cardiomyopathic hamsters (strain 53.58) were isolated enzymatically, and their widths and lengths were measured in physiological salt solutions containing normal levels of calcium (2.5 mmol). In rats of approximately 200 g body weight, the average myocyte width and length are 25 micron and 115 micron. The isolated cells are also classified according to shape with nearly 50% branched or otherwise irregular. Myocytes of the hearts of the 53.58 strain of cardiomyopathic hamsters at 7 months of age are significantly larger than control hamsters of the same age, indicating that cellular hypertrophy has occurred. Estimates of the number of cells in the ventricles indicate that there is a cell loss of nearly 13% in the myopathic heart. A consideration of the significance of wider and longer myocytes with undiminished myofibrillar mass lead to the conclusion that the decreased contractility displayed by the cardiomyopathic hamster heart must be due, at least in part, to functional defects in the myofibrillar apparatus, in the system of activation, or in cellular integration.