Alterations of inositol polyphosphates in skeletal muscle during porcine malignant hyperthermia

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) may result from increased intracellular calcium concentrations. Increased 1,4,5-IP3 concentrations could mediate this increase in Ca2+. In this study we measured inositol polyphosphates in selectively bred MH susceptible (MHS) and MH non-susceptible (MHN) swine. MH crisis was induced by halothane challenge, and dantrolene was administered in order to measure inositol polyphosphates after MH reversal. Muscle biopsies of skeletal muscles of the hind limbs were obtained in random order and inositol polyphosphates determined by high pressure liquid chromatography using a metal dye detection method. Inositol polyphosphates were determined in three groups: (1) MHS vs MHN basal, (2) during MH crisis induced by halothane and (3) following treatment with dantrolene after halothane challenge. Clinical variables (P(_)VO2, P(-)VCO2, PE'CO2 and pH) indicated that MH was readily induced in MHS swine. Basal concentrations of all inositol polyphosphates were higher in MHS swine compared with MHN swine. After halothane challenge, 1,3,4-IP3, 1,3,4,6-IP4 and 1,3,4,5-IP4 concentrations increased in MHS animals compared with the respective baseline values, whereas no changes in MHN animals could be detected. Dantrolene administration decreased inositol polyphosphate concentrations in MHS swine. MHN swine showed no changes in inositol polyphosphates after dantrolene. These findings indicate that inositol polyphosphates may be involved in metabolic changes after triggering and treatment of MH.