Microbeam PIXE analysis of Na, K, Mg, and Ca in severely damaged cardiac tissue

• Published in: Biological trace element research Vol. 71-72; no. 1; pp. 57 - 64
• Main Authors: Verhoef, B A, de Goeij, J J, van der Vusse, G J, de Voigt, M J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Nature B.V 01-12-1999
• Subjects: Animals; Calcium; Calcium - analysis; Cardiology; Cardiomyocytes; Damage; Electrolytes; Feasibility studies; Heart; In Vitro Techniques; Integrity; Ischemia; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Magnesium; Magnesium - analysis; Male; Microbeams; Myocardium - chemistry; Myocardium - enzymology; Myocardium - pathology; Potassium - analysis; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Sample preparation; Sodium - analysis; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; Tissue; Tissues
• ISSN: 0163-4984; 1559-0720
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02784191

The aim of the study was to measure with microbeam PIXE elements such as Na, K, Mg, and Ca in cardiac tissue after various treatments in vivo, which affect the cardiomyocyte integrity. It was assumed that local deviations from normal electrolyte levels indicate the degree of cardiac damage. The first step in this feasibility study was comparison of severely damaged cardiac tissues with controls. Severe cardiac damage was introduced by the so-called Ca paradox. Experiments were performed with isolated rat hearts, perfused retrogradely with an oxygenated crystalloid buffer. Results indicated that severe cardiac damage was accompanied with almost complete disappearance of the normal intracellular electrolyte composition as a result of the loss of membrane integrity. Identifications of smaller and more locally present ischemic damages on basis of altered electrolyte levels appeared to be feasible. However, the prerequisite was that the mobility of electrolytes be kept under control during tissue sampling and sample preparation, when physiological mechanisms stop to maintain gradients.