Effect of Calcium on Slow Force Responses in Isolated Right Ventricle Preparations of Healthy and Hypertrophied Myocardium in Male and Female Rats

Abstract

Effect of different Ca²⁺ concentrations in the bathing solution [Ca²⁺]_o on the parameters of single isometric contraction and slow force response to stretching was studied in isolated preparations of healthy and hypertrophied myocardium of male and female Wistar rats. In all groups of experimental animals, the increase in calcium concentration was followed by a decrease in the myocardium slow response intensity. We revealed a complementary relationship between the current and medium-term systems of myocardial contractility regulation by the length of the myocardium aimed at the maintenance of the constant level during adaptation to the load. Slow responses of the hypertrophied rat heart myocardium were suppressed in comparison with those in the healthy myocardium and their intensity did not depend on animal sex.