Key result
Raised extracellular K+ (8 and 12 mM) decreased aortic flow by 23% and 76% (P<0.01), but these negative effects were offset by the addition of epinephrine, norepinephrine, or extracellular Ca2+.
Why the study?
Do changes in K+, catecholamines, and acidosis interact to offset potentially harmful effects on aortic flow in the isolated working rabbit heart?
Population
Isolated working rabbit heart model
Design
Preclinical
Authors
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Offsets hyperkalemia effects via catecholamines/Ca2+ in rabbit heart; leaves open translation to human exercise physiology.
Do changes in K+, catecholamines, and acidosis interact to offset potentially harmful effects on aortic flow in the isolated working rabbit heart?
p-value: p=<0.01
In an isolated rabbit heart model, the negative effects of hyperkalemia and acidosis on aortic flow are offset by concurrent increases in catecholamines, explaining how these physiological changes are tolerated during intense exercise.
Leitch et al. (1994) studied this question. Raised extracellular K+ concentration, metabolic acidosis, and raised catecholamines vs. Baseline/control conditions was evaluated on Aortic flow (AF) (p=<0.01). Raised extracellular K+ (8 and 12 mM) decreased aortic flow by 23% and 76% (P<0.01), but these negative effects were offset by the addition of epinephrine, norepinephrine, or extracellular Ca2+.
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