Regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in ischemic rat heart

The effect of flow-induced ischemia on the rate of pyruvate decarboxylation and the activation state of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex was investigated in the isolated, perfused rat heart. Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in the heart decreased significantly during flow-induced ischemia and was a function of changes in the activation state (i.e., active/total activity) of the enzyme complex. In the absence of pyruvate, the activation state of pyruvate dehydrogenase decreased from nearly 100% active at the normal flow rate (10 ml/min) to 20% active as the flow was reduced to 0.5 ml/min. At high pyruvate levels (5 mM), the activation state increased from nearly 70% active at control flow rates to 100% active during ischemia. At an intermediate pyruvate concentration (0.5 mM), the enzyme complex was maintained at a relatively low activation state (30-35% active) throughout the range of flow rates tested. Ischemia caused elevated perfusate lactate concentrations only when the flow rates were less than 5.0 ml/min. The activation state of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in hearts perfused with glucose was also decreased during ischemia.