High-energy phosphate metabolism of isolated coronary arteries in the dog

The correlation between phosphate metabolism and isometric contraction was investigated in helical strips from dog coronary artery. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate (CP) contents of resting strips did not significantly change during anoxia. ATP content remained unchanged during potassium-contracture under aerobic conditions but was significantly reduced by anoxia. Pretreatment with iodoacetate resulted in a striking reduction in ATP content with a less marked decrease in CP content. ATP-depleting effect of iodoacetate was reduced slightly by the addition of pyruvate, but contractile response was not restored. It is considered that high-energy phosphates provided by anaerobic glycolysis can meet the energy requirements of resting coronary vessels but are insufficient for maintaining active tension. In resting strips equilibrated for 2 h in oxygenated bath solution, the reactivity to KCl and anoxia appears to be dependent on the availability of ATP.