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Intense exercise can double arterial K+ concentration, decrease pH by 0.4 units, and increase catecholamines 15-fold. Any one of these changes may be cardiotoxic in a subject at rest, yet these changes are well tolerated in exercise. We tested the interactive effects of extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o), metabolic acidosis (pH 7.0), and raised catecholamines in the isolated working rabbit heart when they were changed with similar kinetics and concentrations to those seen in exercise. Raised [K+]o (8 and 12 mM) significantly decreased aortic flow (AF) by 23 and 76%, respectively (P < 0.01). Acidosis decreased AF by 19% (P < 0.05) and by 38% in combination with 8 mM [K+]o (P < 0.05), making their combined effect additive. Either epinephrine (80 nM), norepinephrine (80 nM) or extracellular Ca2+ concentration (5 mM) offset the negative effects of 8 and 12 mM [K+]o on AF. Norepinephrine also improved AF in 8 mM [K+]o with acidosis. Thus, there may be a beneficial interaction among changes in K+, catecholamines, and acidosis during exercise such that each could offset the others' potentially harmful effects.

Original publication

DOI

10.1152/jappl.1994.77.3.1164

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Appl Physiol (1985)

Publication Date

09/1994

Volume

77

Pages

1164 - 1171

Keywords

Acidosis, Animals, Calcium, Cardiac Output, Cardiac Pacing, Artificial, Catecholamines, Electrocardiography, Female, Heart, Heart Rate, In Vitro Techniques, Male, Norepinephrine, Physical Exertion, Potassium, Rabbits