Uncoupling the coupled calcium and zinc dyshomeostasis in cardiac myocytes and mitochondria seen in aldosteronism

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2010 Mar;55(3):248-54. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0b013e3181cf0090.

Abstract

Intracellular [Ca2+]i overloading in cardiomyocytes is a fundamental pathogenic event associated with chronic aldosterone/salt treatment (ALDOST) and accounts for an induction of oxidative stress that leads to necrotic cell death and consequent myocardial scarring. This prooxidant response to Ca2+ overloading in cardiac myocytes and mitochondria is intrinsically coupled to simultaneous increased Zn2+ entry serving as an antioxidant. Herein, we investigated whether Ca2+ and Zn2+ dyshomeostasis and prooxidant to antioxidant dysequilibrium seen at 4 weeks, the pathologic stage of ALDOST, could be uncoupled in favor of antioxidants, using cotreatment with a ZnSO4 supplement; pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), a Zn2+ ionophore; or ZnSO4 in combination with amlodipine (Amlod), a Ca2+ channel blocker. We monitored and compared responses in cardiomyocyte free [Ca2+]i and [Zn2+]i together with biomarkers of oxidative stress in cardiac myocytes and mitochondria. At week 4 of ALDOST and compared with controls, we found (1) an elevation in [Ca2+]i coupled with [Zn2+]i and (2) increased mitochondrial H2O2 production and increased mitochondrial and cardiac 8-isoprostane levels. Cotreatment with the ZnSO4 supplement alone, PDTC, or ZnSO4+Amlod augmented the rise in cardiomyocyte [Zn2+]i beyond that seen with ALDOST alone, whereas attenuating the rise in [Ca2+]i, which together served to reduce oxidative stress. Thus, a coupled dyshomeostasis of intracellular Ca2+ and Zn2+ was demonstrated in cardiac myocytes and mitochondria during 4-week ALDOST, where prooxidants overwhelm antioxidant defenses. This intrinsically coupled Ca2+ and Zn2+ dyshomeostasis could be uncoupled in favor of antioxidant defenses by selectively increasing free [Zn2+]i and/or reducing [Ca2+]i using cotreatment with ZnSO4 or PDTC alone or ZnSO4+Amlod in combination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amlodipine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Homeostasis
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Hyperaldosteronism / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Mitochondria, Heart / drug effects
  • Mitochondria, Heart / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Oxidants / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Pyrrolidines / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Thiocarbamates / pharmacology
  • Zinc / metabolism*
  • Zinc Sulfate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Oxidants
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Thiocarbamates
  • Amlodipine
  • pyrrolidine dithiocarbamic acid
  • Zinc Sulfate
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Zinc
  • Calcium