Experimental Physiology: Metabolism of perfused pig intercostal muscles evaluated by 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy

• Published in: Experimental physiology 2006-07, Vol.91 (4), p.755
• Main Authors: Brian Lindegaard Pedersen, Arendrup, Henrik, Secher, Niels H, Quistorff, Bjørn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0958-0670; 1469-445X
• DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2006.033274

This study presents a perfused preparation for evaluation of metabolism in pig intercostal muscle in vitro . Preserved vessels and nerves to an intercostal segment including two adjacent ribs allowed for tissue perfusion and electrical stimulation with measurement of contraction force, oxygen consumption and 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS). When perfused at rest with Krebs-Ringer buffer, the preparation maintained physiological levels of phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), ATP and pH at a stable oxygen consumption of 0.51 ± 0.01 μmol min-1 g-1 for more than 2 h. Tonic stimulation of the nerve caused anaerobic energy consumption as PCr and pH decreased, and both variables recovered after the contraction with half-time values of ∼7 min. Force increased to 0.040 N g-1 (range, 0.031-0.103 N g-1) and it gradually decreased by about 70% during the subsequent 5 min of stimulation. The calculated free ADP concentration increased from 7.4 ± 2.1 nmol g-1 at rest to 28 ± 12 nmol g-1 (mean ±s.d.) by the end of the stimulation. Thus anaerobic ATP turnover was zero at rest, 6.1 ± 2 μmol min-1 g-1 during the first minute of stimulation and 3.5 ± 0.5 μmol min-1 g-1 during the two last minutes, corresponding to the drop in force. When the preparation was left unperfused, anaerobic ATP turnover averaged 0.40 ± 0.15 μmol min-1 g-1 for the first 10 min. The preparation can also be applied to human intercostal muscles, as demonstrated in one preliminary experiment. The results demonstrate a stable and functional in vitro preparation of intact perfused intercostal muscles in the pig.